Looking at '94 Jamboree tonight, need some opinions please.

[bolivier]

Looking at a '94 Ford jamboree tonight. 27' long. It has 104,000 miles. No leaks, everything works. Front tires are brand new, rears are 4 years old. Asking price is $7,250. It's about an hour away from me so I don't want to make the drive unless I really think there is a good chance of me buying it. It has the queen in the rear which is what I have been looking for. Also, it has the newer ford front end, compared the older one in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s. I was hoping for around $6,000.

Thanks,
Brent

[Handbasket]

Check really, REALLY carefully for leaks and water damage. Just because the seller claims there's none doesn't make it so. Pay extra attention to the overcab bunk are, and the front edges & underside of its mattress.

Jim, "Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are sneaky and you sleep with your mouth open."

[Bordercollie]

I had two rear tires that were only 4 years old but had serious sidewall cracks from sitting parked, uncovered, in the sun. Replaced all six. If you buy, have brake system, including front brake flex lines, checked and serviced as needed, have brake fluid flushed and replaced. Have engine cooling system checked including all belts and hoses and clutch fan. Does that year have electronic ignition and fuel injection? Carbureted engines lose grunt in mountains/high altitudes. If smog test is required, make sure seller has smog certificate.

Make sure that engine and transmission, RV generator, roof and dash A/C are in good shape. Old rigs aren't necessarily cheap if you start finding expensive problems after you get them home.

[bolivier]

Good info, thanks Jose

[bolivier]

That's what I was thinking. It has 104,xx miles on it. She said they had a front blow out on their last trip so they replaced both fronts. Waiting on her to send pics now. Hopefully I like what I see and I'll drive to look at it tonight. Thanks for the reply Sloop Smitten!!

[DaHose]

Walk the roof and visually inspect every seam and opening. Then closely inspect the sides for any buckling or bulging.

Check and be sure that all appliances work.

Go through the cabover with a fine toothed comb and be POSITIVE there is no leakage.

Look under the chassis for any broken/bent parts, leaking tanks or evidence of blowout damage.

Finish by checking mechanicals, starting it up and confirming all the charging system is healthy. Plug in to shore power as well.

At 104K miles, you might need to replace the suspension bushes. Look at them and if they are cracked or deteriorated, it's 4 or 5 hours of shop labor, plus about $80 in parts.

I have an 83 Jamboree and it is very well built. I have put a ton of work into it because it was not maintained. If the one you are looking at has been well maintained, then $6k is a good starting offer, but even at $8k it would be a good buy in my neck of the woods.

Jose

[Sloop_Smitten]

Brent,
I love my 92 Jamboree. It is a shorter version (24') but is very dependable and the 460ci engine is a real strong engine. I have the E4OD (Electronic-4 spd-w/Overdrive) transmission and have had no problem with it either. I would be wary why he had to replace the front tires only. Maybe a close inspection of the steering and front suspension components are in order. You don't state how many miles it has. Mine had less than 40K when I bought it for $5K but I had to replace all six tires. Make sure the generator runs well and check the age and state of the batteries. Chassis A/C does not work on mine and it is the old type of freon so I have not doled out the money to fix it. Almost everything on the Jamboree can be replaced with parts readily accessible online somewhere and Ford parts are readily avaialble as well. If he wants $7.2K he will probably take close to $6K so if everything checks out I would not hesitate to make an offer.