Isn't High Mileage Still a Problem on DP's

[StuartT]

I have always heard that 100,000/+ miles is just breaking in a diesel MH. Lack of use, indicated by low mileage, is a bad thing. NADA doesn't even want you to include mileage in looking up values.

But high mileage also means more wear on other components, like transmissions, rear ends, brakes, suspension, etc. And it also implies more use of the interior and systems, all contributing to additional wear and tear.

So let me ask you, assuming you care about resale value to future buyers, which would you prefer to be able to offer, low or high mileage. And if the answer is low mileage, does that mean we have been blowing smoke all these years that higher mileage is no big deal just to make ourselves feel better about it?

[FormerBoater]

2004 HR Endeavour for sale on our storage lot. 14K miles, 12 year old tires with side wall cracks. Sun damage due to no wax etc. is sad to see.

Would not touch it with a 10 foot pole!

Mileage on a high end DP would not bother me unless it was too low.

House stuff is easy to tell if it was well looked after or lightly used.

Mileage on a diesel would only bother me if it was too low.

JMHO.

[StuartT]

I got a response from the dealer today re service records. He claims to have the entire service history on the Dynamax I am intending to purchase. I fly out Wednesday morning to get face to face with this unit and if all goes well, I have a cashiers check in my wallet to hand over.

Funny in a way, going to a Class C after owning four DPs over the last 10 years. It has to be that Freightliner muscle look that is grabbing me.

[JetAonly]

JohnnyT wrote:
I can not honestly claim that were I in the market for a used DP that I would not have a bias relative to high mileage. On the other hand our coach that we bought new has 127,000 miles and we spend about 10 month out of the year in it... We have zero issues with the interior in terms of function or appearance...Zero...

In terms of the chassis and power train the ride is as quiet and solid as it was the day we drove it off the lot. Only real change is that fuel mileage has improved and it seems to pull hills as good or better than ever...

We have thought from time to time about buying another coach, but have not found one we like better...

I would not hesitate to sell this coach to my best friend..Buts its not for sale...

I guess my point is that age and mileage should be a consideration but not a dis-qualifier. A quality made DP properly cared for ought to be in the running...

JohnnyT

Sums it up pretty well for me, too. Mileage is one factor. Most MH's get 5-7k per year, get out side of that and It deserve a closer look. House items are cheaper that drive train items. Sofas, chairs, convection ovens, etc can be replaced for the cost of one routine service event.

[JohnnyT]

I can not honestly claim that were I in the market for a used DP that I would not have a bias relative to high mileage. On the other hand our coach that we bought new has 127,000 miles and we spend about 10 month out of the year in it... We have zero issues with the interior in terms of function or appearance...Zero...

In terms of the chassis and power train the ride is as quiet and solid as it was the day we drove it off the lot. Only real change is that fuel mileage has improved and it seems to pull hills as good or better than ever...

We have thought from time to time about buying another coach, but have not found one we like better...

I would not hesitate to sell this coach to my best friend..Buts its not for sale...

I guess my point is that age and mileage should be a consideration but not a dis-qualifier. A quality made DP properly cared for ought to be in the running...

JohnnyT

[Sully2]

wny_pat wrote:

StuartT wrote:

Born To Travel wrote:
It all has to do with maintenance.. A well maintained vehicle can last for hundreds of thousands of miles.. A poorly maintained vehicle has a short life span.. Keep your maintenance up to date and it should serve you well..

You missed the point of my question. I am really asking if you would buy a high mileage DP without fear of resale consequences.

You have to define exactly what you mean by high mileage DP. Are you talking a Newell, Foretravel, Country Coach, or a low line DP?? I would have no problems with a high line coach. But no way with a low line coach.

AMEN!!!

[Mommalu]

Having driven Coaches with over a million miles on them but yet to purchase a DP. My concern is those that head south for the winter in Nov, sit until April, then head North to sit April until Nov. Granted they have low mileage, but they have been lived in constantly. The appliances, roof with potential leaks, rust, and the break down/age of the furniture matter. I have driven and seen diesels with well over a million miles, with good maintenance this is the norm, not the exception. It's everything else that concerns me. Just something to think about, colors and fashion will change before that well maintained diesel will give up.

[MRUSA]

Get a discount for the high miles when you buy it, then you can give a discount when you sell. If price (and condition) are the same, pass on the high mileage unit if you are concerned about resale value.

[StuartT]

My point here is that we have been continuallky groomed to discount high mileage on diesel powered RV's. We've all heard it before. "They are just getting broken in". But the collateral wear and tear resulting from high mileage is going to have an effect on the value, not only when you buy it, but also when you sell it. For this reason, I have a hard time with NADA telling you to ignore miles when you look up diesel powered RV values.

[wny_pat1]

StuartT wrote:

Born To Travel wrote:
It all has to do with maintenance.. A well maintained vehicle can last for hundreds of thousands of miles.. A poorly maintained vehicle has a short life span.. Keep your maintenance up to date and it should serve you well..

You missed the point of my question. I am really asking if you would buy a high mileage DP without fear of resale consequences.

You have to define exactly what you mean by high mileage DP. Are you talking a Newell, Foretravel, Country Coach, or a low line DP?? I would have no problems with a high line coach. But no way with a low line coach.

[westernrvparkow]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Ivylog wrote:
Run from the F550 as many engine problems/fixes require taking the cab off the F550 which is kind of hard to do with the rv over the cab. I have a Freightliner M2/MB/Allison truck and it's a really sweet machine. Buy more RV than you think you need so you will keep it long enough that you do not have to worry about what it's worth in 15-20 years. Unlike used DP's, there are not that many used Super C. Their supply/demand is very different and the higher miles will not have as large a negative impact plus it's not on a F550.
Not that it applies 100%, but used CruiseAmerica Cs loose 10cents/mile in value based on the many units they have for sale... a few with 70K miles, but most with 130K.

Anyone that travels very much as seen the Cruise America RV's in places they should never be taken. On one recent trip we saw a Cruise America C taking the unpaved rocky/rough road through the Valley of the Gods near Mexican Hat, UT. This road is not suitable for a lot of toads, let alone a class C RV. I don't know if they made it the full 20 miles or bottomed out and got stuck.
I have seen others in places I would not take my coach.

The difference between a rental vehicle and a four wheel drive is a rental vehicle CAN go anywhere.

[rgatijnet1]

Ivylog wrote:
Run from the F550 as many engine problems/fixes require taking the cab off the F550 which is kind of hard to do with the rv over the cab. I have a Freightliner M2/MB/Allison truck and it's a really sweet machine. Buy more RV than you think you need so you will keep it long enough that you do not have to worry about what it's worth in 15-20 years. Unlike used DP's, there are not that many used Super C. Their supply/demand is very different and the higher miles will not have as large a negative impact plus it's not on a F550.
Not that it applies 100%, but used CruiseAmerica Cs loose 10cents/mile in value based on the many units they have for sale... a few with 70K miles, but most with 130K.

Anyone that travels very much as seen the Cruise America RV's in places they should never be taken. On one recent trip we saw a Cruise America C taking the unpaved rocky/rough road through the Valley of the Gods near Mexican Hat, UT. This road is not suitable for a lot of toads, let alone a class C RV. I don't know if they made it the full 20 miles or bottomed out and got stuck.
I have seen others in places I would not take my coach.

[wildmanbaker]

If you have 100,0000 miles on an MH, is it kind of "road beat"? Lets face it, MHs do take a beating on our, and other countries roads. And, how many miles a day can you drive a day, and keep it up? My non freeway miles is 400, and I was beat to death the evening. Has a MH with 100K, that is 5-7 years old, has been nearly lived in full time? You need consider the wear and tear on the interior, and the flexing of the house part itself, and how do you determine if the house part is still structurally sound? I, and probably a lot of others on this forum, have been on some very nasty roads. We know how punishing they can be. high mileage may be fine for the drive train, but what about the house part, and the wear and tear of that much living? Just opening and closing cabinets and drawers wears the finish, and hardware. Just like a S & B house, everything has a finite life time. Door hardware, cabinet hardware, everything that moves, or has a moving part, has a lifetime. Just say-in, buyer beware.

[John_Joey]

StuartT wrote:

Born To Travel wrote:
It all has to do with maintenance.. A well maintained vehicle can last for hundreds of thousands of miles.. A poorly maintained vehicle has a short life span.. Keep your maintenance up to date and it should serve you well..

You missed the point of my question. I am really asking if you would buy a high mileage DP without fear of resale consequences.

NO

[wny_pat1]

Ivylog wrote:
Run from the F550 as many engine problems/fixes require taking the cab off the F550 which is kind of hard to do with the rv over the cab. I have a Freightliner M2/MB/Allison truck and it's a really sweet machine. Buy more RV than you think you need so you will keep it long enough that you do not have to worry about what it's worth in 15-20 years.

I think that says it really well. When I go to a RV show, I use my 1994 Foretravel as a standard to compare by, and not to many of the, run of the mill, brand new, Class A come up that that standard!!!