Life on the road in DP

[jpsage]

So we have been on the road for two months in our 18 yo class C with no slides and have decided that we need to move up to a DP. We are having the classic discussion over a 10 yo quality versus a newer entry DP.

For background I will briefly review our trip: Power Steering leak (easy fix but scary noise in boondocks), CEL (still working but drive-able), Flat tires (stupid rubber valve stems--told the tire seller to put on steel but NO THESE ARE BETTER...), Grey water valve replacement (easy fix), propane detector fail (cci out of business so had to order new sensor from amazon and remove solenoid).

I am sure that I have forgotten a couple of adventures. But you get the idea. MH sitting for 10 years needs a lot of attention.

So if we head out on the road for a 6-month trip in a new or 10-yo DP will it be one thing after another or will it settle down and be fun? I have read posts where people have to live at the factory for months waiting for repairs on their new MH but also have read horror stories of $20K engine problems on mature MHs.

Second question: whats the skinny on "extended warranty" for mature MH (I haven't searched for this yet but I did contact Good Sam and they haven't gotten back to me)


Thank you for your incites.

[barmcd]

We bough a 16 year old coach in good condition in February. We've been on 6 trips so far. Here's what we experienced.

First trip the water pump would not turn off. Turned out to the the latching controller--cheap and easy fix after diagnosis.

Second trip, water leak in the basement. Cheap fix, but I ended up having to tighten up all the plumbing connections in the basement.

Second trip, leak in bathroom vanity feed line. Cheap fix.

Third trip - it became evident the front A/C unit wasn't cutting it in high temps. Replaced @$1,200.

Fourth trip - fuel filter clogged--caused engine to miss. Replaced two fuel filters ~$100.

Fifth and sixth trip were uneventful.

This doesn't count about $750 in routine maintenance I've done. I still have another $750 to do before I'm finished. I did all the required maintenance this year, even the every three or four year type so it would be cheaper each year from here on out.

We are looking at some expensive maintenance when we replace the air bags and shocks down the road.

[Kayteg1]

DP usually are powered by commercial engines and those seldom fail.
Sure when they do - the cost makes horror story, but with low miles RV makes the 5 years or 40 years old diesel engine is still very reliable.
Buying new is always tempting and sounds like with your experience - you can spend 3-5 days on factory hookups checking everything before you hit the road.
You don't hear about Prevost or Bluebird conversions spending months at factory repairs.

[pianotuna]

I would not buy new. I'd look for a unit that is 5 years old.

I would probably favor a 32 foot unit without slides that was gas powered.