How old is too old, subjective question but I want opinions

[Rick_Knee]

We own a 1998 Fleetwood Storm with 134,888 miles on it. It has a Chevy 7.4 liter Vortec engine. We bought it new. It runs like a top, doesn't burn but a quart of oil in 4,000 miles. It has been completely repainted and it has every suspension improvement on it I can find. Rides fine.

We just returned from a trip to British Columbia from San Diego and back yesterday, 23 days on the road. On the way back we were wondering if it's too old. It has a retail value of about $15,000, maybe.

We can afford a new one but we love the one we have. The interior is showing signs of wear and tear, and if the engine or tranny blew the resale value probably vanish.

Should we ride this horse until it dies? I realize it is a very subjective question. Has anyone else been here? What did you do.

Rick

[lonfu]

I have a 98 itasca p30 with 120k on it. bought it new.

just repainted the front end and building new cabinet doors for the entire coach and replaced all the flooring too. If you like it keep it, newer coaches have fancy electronics but are no more dependable than what you have. They get the same mileage unless you go to a smaller unit. I've upgraded the tv's already so it is just like home, perhaps better! So spend some on upgrades, I'll bet you don't manage to spend 20% of what you would have to pay for a new one.

Don't worry about the tranny, I'm still running my original, but change the dang tranny fluid and filter!

[southpark]

Rick Knee wrote:
Actually is was a Manhattan. Otherwise Gin.

Rick

Thank goodness there are still men in San Diego who know how to drink like men.

I can't begin to tell you how many "guys" I know who would have answered "actually it was a Jack and Coke (or even rum and Coke!) otherwise it would be vodka."

It makes me cringe every time I hear something like that. Well, at least there's no one drinking my Scotch, so that's a plus!

As to your decision, I think you made the right choice. You can always change your mind in the years to come.

[BobR]

Compared to my 1991, you have a relatively new unit. We've had ours since new and don't hesitate to go coast to coast in it. As far as replacing a tranny or engine, that expense would be less than the depreciation hit the first day you drive another new one off the lot. I am afraid if I upgraded, I would be a two motorhome owner since I don't think I could part with mine.

[Born_To_Travel]

I think it all depends on your mechanical and vehicle restoration skills... If you have none then more than 5 years is too old... If you have average skills then maybe 15 or 20 years might be stretching it... But if you have expert skills then why not have a old GM Silversides or an old Flexible??.. I think it all depends on the owner..

[rgatijnet1]

We can afford a new one but we love the one we have.

There is your answer. If you read this forum very ofter you will find people that have had serious problems with new coaches. Have had diesel engine and radiator problems that have repair costs that exceed the value of your entire coach. New or low mileage makes no difference as all coaches are subject to some type of failure.
Since you have owned the coach since new, you might say that you have worked all of the bugs out of it through the years. If you buy another coach, you would just start over trying to sort out all of the bugs, with no guaranty that you will not be stranded on a trip.
I would stay with your coach and it's known history, rather than take a gamble on a different coach with an unknown problem lurking inside. You love your existing coach. How can you improve on that? 🙂

[frankdamp]

Personally, I wouldn't go much earlier than a 1995 rig. Prior to that, there were still a few carburators around and EFI was a new technology that had birthing pains. Our first rig was an '85 26' C, with a carburated Ford 460. What a turkey. It had enough smog gear for a small city and got 6 mpg on a good day, dropping to about 4,5 in the mountains.

Or current rig is a 32' Class A with the Ford V-10. 8 mpg consistently, regardless of elevation.

[Rick_Knee]

Actually is was a Manhattan. Otherwise Gin.

Rick

[John_Joey]

Gjac wrote:
.snip..I think another thing that comes into play is the emotional attachment that develops do to the good times and places visited. Another factor that comes into play is that having fixed a lot of things you get to under stand the systems ...

So very, very true.

To the OP, I think you made the right choice. BTW gin or vodka?

[Goldencrazy]

I would take my direction from your comment, "we love it". Don't trade. A few improvements will be cheap compared to trading. When you find something you love more then think trade.

[Matt_Colie]

Rick Knee wrote:
I wrote my original question yesterday while my RV was being detailed in my driveway as I watched.

I forgot to mention that the original roof was replaced after 9 years, and the second one is getting the dreaded black spots again after 7 years. The old gal looks pretty good after a bath and a little makeup.

I didn't mention the unit has no slides which is good for me as I am disabled from childhood polio and walking through it is easier since it's narrow and there is always something to hold onto for balance.

The refrigerator is new. The carpet was replaced years ago.

As my wife (42 years) and I were having our martini last night we petty much decided to keep the old gal until she drops.

Thanks for all the insightful comments.

Rick

Rick,

I like your final decision.
She's paid for. If you think of the monthly nut for something new, you can any all all repairs covered by just a few payments.

We have just finished the planning of 4k mile excursion in our 42yo coach to happen before fall. It has lots of new stuff, but it also has lots of class and we love her. She is also proving to be at least as reliable as anything new.

Matt

[Gjac]

I am in the same boat. I just turned 100 k miles on my 454. There are several things in play. As someone else mentioned every time I fix something I think the repair is better than new and have a better feeling as to fewer problems in the future. Buying a newer MH does not insure fewer problems. Seems like the older refers had thicker tubing and last longer than the newer ones. The older HWH kick down jacks don't have the problems of the inner seals on the pistons like the newer jacks. I have flushed and changed fluid in my transmission 4 times, brake fluid 3 times, rear end 4 times, eng coolant every 2 years, and eng oil once a year so I feel the maintenance has been done. Spent $6500 in maintenance and repairs and $5000 in mods in 10 years of owner ship. So I think this plays into the better than new thinking. I have been looking at newer ones but have not found the right one yet. I am reluctant to settle for less performance than I have now due to performance mods like headers etc that my current MH has. My usage gets less as I get older and more things start to break on me and need repair. At this point in the life cycle the repairs and maintenance is a lot less than the depreciation would be on a newer one. I think another thing that comes into play is the emotional attachment that develops do to the good times and places visited. Another factor that comes into play is that having fixed a lot of things you get to under stand the systems especially the eng and the learning would start all over again with a newer MH. Having said all that I will continue to look and if the right one comes along will buy it.

[Rick_Knee]

I wrote my original question yesterday while my RV was being detailed in my driveway as I watched.

I forgot to mention that the original roof was replaced after 9 years, and the second one is getting the dreaded black spots again after 7 years. The old gal looks pretty good after a bath and a little makeup.

I didn't mention the unit has no slides which is good for me as I am disabled from childhood polio and walking through it is easier since it's narrow and there is always something to hold onto for balance.

The refrigerator is new. The carpet was replaced years ago.

As my wife (42 years) and I were having our martini last night we petty much decided to keep the old gal until she drops.

Thanks for all the insightful comments.

Rick

[bob_b1]

I have a '93 with 152,000 miles on it. It is a diesel, so I'm not worried about that, but the small repairs have become more and more as of late. It was 11 years old when I bought it and it has spent another 11 years in my care. Just like you, I'm thinking about sending it on to next owner while everything is still working.

[bluwtr49]

It's a tough call. There is always a thrill in getting a new one but quite a comfort in what you know.

I guessing you have a list of thing you would like to have that are currently missing.....just like most of us. Some of those can be added or a remodel done to satisfy that itch so take a look around and ask your self if spending some amount.....let's say 25K would give you a lot of satisfaction.

Since these are for our enjoyment not investing who cares what they are worth to someone else. Spending 25K on a coach worth 15K makes perfect sense if it's what you like.