Newbee question for long timeRVer's

[nickelman]

So I am contemplating retiring in a few years and buying an RV to long to full time RVing.
The question is for those who have owned their MH 10+ years and bought a new one. Why did you get rid of the old one? Would you have felt comfortable still traveling with the old and just wanted all the new updates?
I'm thinking of getting one that is 10 - 15 years old as the prices (for the right one properly maintained) seem to be exceptional.
We have never RV'ed before and I 'm thinking 2 years of RVing and then go from there. We may hate it and quite after 6 months or we may love it and hit the road for the rest our health. So my thinking is get a well maintained older model and put a several thousand into it to get up to snuff then if we decide after 6 months to sell it then I can dump it without to much heartburn.
I'm afraid if I rent one first for a week or so and we have a bad experience the wife is going to nix the whole idea. I have been cultivating the idea for a while now and have gotten her from are you crazy to yeah maybe we can do this for a while if you really want to.
We have been researching and looking at prices for a while trying to learn all we can not wanting to go in things blind.
I would really like to get thoughts from those who own or have purchased older MH and the pros and cons.

[J-Rooster]

I traded my old RV in on a new one for more space. I upgraded from a 31' to a 36' to better our living quarters. I've been RVing since 1976.

[KountryPastor]

Used for sure. We were in your current process just a few months ago. We weren't really looking to get into RVing full time but family circumstances dictated it. It was actually the wife who thought of it first. I didn't sit around waiting for her to change her mind. Spend 3 months searching and evaluating across the country. Didn't really know the first thing about them. And still don't.
Anyway after searching the country we found a 95 Class A Newmar Kountry Star 38' Gasser. I feel like we stole it at under $9K. I've put the Banks Powerpack on it and have enjoyed every minute driving, sleeping, and eating in this "Covered Wagon". We plan to keep our feet wet in this one for 1 year and then sell it and look for the Pusher. I'm a little leery of DP's as I am a decent DIY Gas man, but not very smart in the Diesel department. Guess I'll keep learning.
New to the Forum and have loved every thing I've read.

[wallynm]

We bought what we thought was our retirement motor home in 1999 after we stated out in 1978 and had owned 4 used motor home. In 99 we traded in a 86 or 13 year old motor home. We had 3 Dodges (318, 413, and 440) and one Chevy (454) We ordered at an RV show (Ford with a V-10) and got a lemon (box not the chassis). Was so bad that we were able to have it returned to the factory for repair and they flew us to the factory to pick it up. My wife said they delivered a kit to the dealer for him to assemble.

in 2002 we decided to take the plunge again and order a DSDP and unloaded the 1999. It was probably a decent rig by then as we had worked out all of the problems except the side was still cutting the carpet.

The 02 is a Newmar and it is still sitting outside with a little over 82,000 miles on it. We are slowing down and will take one of two more long trips before getting out of the RV business. The DSDP is our only pusher (Cat)and has been relatively trouble free and always has gotten us home.

Based on what you have said I suggest you purchase used.

[Kayteg1]

Being long time Mercedes and Prevost owner I can only say that good quality 10 years old coach will beat brand new fir and particle board (el cheapo) coach hands down.

[Passin_Thru]

Had 500,000 miles on it!

[cwdavis]

Hello nickelman,

We are now in our (very) late 60s, and we bought our MH in 2006 with similar thoughts to those you are contemplating. It was then 11 years old with 100K+ miles, but it was/is a quality DP built by a then competent company (one hopes that CC rises again!), bought for ~25% of MSRP. It's now 20 years old and is still in good condition. Over the years we've owned it, the major repairs have been the refrigerator, a windshield, tires, and a new set of house batteries. We've also replaced most of the covers on the roof (minor), but even the AC units are still good (major!). The chassis has required nothing major and is still in very good shape.

Our major expense, actually, have been renovations to upgrade the living area with a new floor, replacement captain & mate chairs, & nice euro-recliners.

So, I'd say from our experience that our philosophy of buying an older, used, quality DP worked for us; however, the 'proof will be in the pudding', as we're now preparing to sell our home and move in to the MH. So, stand by and ask this question again in 10 years ...

Good luck,

[DSDP_Don]

I think you're already ahead of the game by coming on this forum first and asking questions. If you had been RVing for years, you would probably know exactly what you wanted in a floor plan and options. Even though you may know what looks right to you, you can quickly find out that something doesn't work after full time use.

The old adage is to buy your last motor home first, but that only works when you intend to keep and use it for many years. Since you're new and not sure if you'll even like the life style, I think you have a good plan. Buy a good used motor home, that you like, try it for awhile and make notes of things you would really like to have. If you enjoy the lifestyle, then start a search for exactly what you like. A good used motor home, purchased at the right price, will depreciate very little if you keep and maintain it in good working order as you plan.

[Mickey53USA]

Like a lot of motor home owners, we migrated from travel trailers. Four of them over a 12 year period. They all kept getting bigger. In 2005 we traded our truck and trailer for a 1999 34 foot motorhome. Put 20K miles on it (still working, retirement to come). We did a complete refresh of the interior, flooring and furniture. Took it in for some minor service work and walked out with our current 2009 37 foot motor home. For us, the price was right on the 2009, they were giving us top dollar for the 1999, and it will be paid for shortly after we retire. But, I think you should rent a unit first just so you have a little more information to make a decision with.

[Two_Jayhawks]

Unit in my signature is 13 years old and as of last Saturday sold in favor of a new one. Outgoing coach is a gem, everything works, runs great. Choice to go new is simply a want.

[ncrowley]

I purchased an 8 year old diesel pusher because that is what I could afford. I have had the coach for almost three years now and overall, I am glad I purchased the coach and plan to keep it for many years. I am making sure I keep up with the maintenance and take good care of it. I would not hesitate to purchase a used coach as long as it checked out. I had an independent inspector look at the coaches I was considering.

[tropical36]

nickelman wrote:
So I am contemplating retiring in a few years and buying an RV to long to full time RVing.
The question is for those who have owned their MH 10+ years and bought a new one. Why did you get rid of the old one? Would you have felt comfortable still traveling with the old and just wanted all the new updates?
I'm thinking of getting one that is 10 - 15 years old as the prices (for the right one properly maintained) seem to be exceptional.
We have never RV'ed before and I 'm thinking 2 years of RVing and then go from there. We may hate it and quite after 6 months or we may love it and hit the road for the rest our health. So my thinking is get a well maintained older model and put a several thousand into it to get up to snuff then if we decide after 6 months to sell it then I can dump it without to much heartburn.
I'm afraid if I rent one first for a week or so and we have a bad experience the wife is going to nix the whole idea. I have been cultivating the idea for a while now and have gotten her from are you crazy to yeah maybe we can do this for a while if you really want to.
We have been researching and looking at prices for a while trying to learn all we can not wanting to go in things blind.
I would really like to get thoughts from those who own or have purchased older MH and the pros and cons.

Older with better quality and engineering is the way to go IMO for longevity, but this can mean a lot of different things for different people.
You didn't say gas or diesel, nor give a price range, so with that said, it's a 43ft Bluebird Wanderlodge, that can be continued to be cared for like an old yacht and for years to come.
I like what we have in a gas puller for old school quality and there's not much out there in the way of upgrades that this one lacks. Naturally with all of them, you'll be fixing and spending, but at least not spending it all at once on a fast depreciating newer one and where the real cost lies. Depreciation per mile that is. The good news is, that you won't be needing another hobby.
With your updates, I guess you're looking for an old gasser, like mine, so with that said, I do like the National products.

[Busskipper]

nickelman wrote:


So I am contemplating retiring in a few years and buying an RV to long to full time RVing.

Have you read Johnny T’s or First time Lot of info here and it’s more complete so as to give you a strong basis for your decision. Take the time and read through the pertinent info.

The question is for those who have owned their MH 10+ years and bought a new one.

Over the years – lots of years started in 64’ – I think I have owned some sort of RV for almost this entire time, Untill 99’ all were used and kept some longer than others (76’ GNC Palm Beach bought in 78’ and sold in the early 90’s) In 99 purchased what I thought was the Coach, a 37’ gas double slide Trop-i-Cal, after using it a few years I quickly found that if you drive these things a Diesel is in a whole different class. So we bought a TS that was built the way I wanted it – that was January of 2005 which makes me an authority on the 10+ question.

Why did you get rid of the old one?

Simple wanted Better and Bigger – If you try to live in these you need a little space – and it does not hurt having the things you needed in the sticks and bricks – King bed - Full sized shower - W/D –Dishwasher – Real Heat, Hydro Hot and Insulation to name a few.

Would you have felt comfortable still traveling with the old and just wanted all the new updates?

This is a personal thing – I ran a good sized construction company and have some, not a lot, of abilities when it comes to working on these beasts. So the age is not an issue – Trust me the new ones break down just as often as the old ones.

I'm thinking of getting one that is 10 - 15 years old as the prices (for the right one properly maintained) seem to be exceptional.

If you can find the things that make you enjoy your time on the road, then used is a great way to go – the problem is Maintenance, miles are not that big an issue if it has been well taken care of – and some with no miles on them are in worst shape than ones that run every day. So look hard and seek competent inspection.

We have never RV'ed before and I 'm thinking 2 years of RVing and then go from there.

If you have never RV’d then you might think about starting with a moderately priced Gas Unit and see how it fits you. Reason is just so many different options – cost – size – options – we all are just different, and until you really live in one you will not know what you need or enjoy.

We may hate it and quite after 6 months or we may love it and hit the road for the rest our health. So my thinking is get a well maintained older model and put a several thousand into it to get up to snuff then if we decide after 6 months to sell it then I can dump it without to much heartburn.

Great choice.

I'm afraid if I rent one first for a week or so and we have a bad experience the wife is going to nix the whole idea. I have been cultivating the idea for a while now and have gotten her from are you crazy to yeah maybe we can do this for a while if you really want to.

As most of us have found – for you to be Happy they need to be really Happy!

We have been researching and looking at prices for a while trying to learn all we can not wanting to go in things blind.

The more you make this a we thing the better it will be.

I would really like to get thoughts from those who own or have purchased older MH and the pros and cons.

The market is full of good used units – take your time and you both need to be involved, even though we have owned RV’s for our entire married lives when we decided to do more than just short trips it was a really BIG deal, and for us Family is the center of what we do so most of our travels revolve around where they are located.

Hope this is some help - tried to at least address all the questions, but there is a lot to this life style - so no single perspective will be able to give you the answers you are after this forum is a great spot soall I can say is GOOD LUCK and remember to let us know how the process develops.


BOL,

[Mr_Mark1]

Nickelman, I think the idea is to try and buy ONE time. But, I think that is hard to do. We certainly would have not bought a Prevost for our first coach as we wanted to make sure we liked RV'ing. I felt pretty sure that we would.

That 7.5 yrs. gave me a lot of practice and thinking-time of what I would want in the next and maybe, final coach.

I think a starter coach would not be a bad idea, especially, in the price range that you are talking about.

MM.

[nickelman]

What do you mean by nickel and dime? Where you comfortable with all the big $ items operating properly? I see 10-15 yr old gassers (1 owner) all the time for around the $25K mark. My thinking is if I can get a nicely maintained rig for around this amount and maybe have to put in $5-$10K to update and get everything tip top I will be fine having to sell for 10-15K in a year or 2 if we do not care for RVing as much as I think we will or if we love it upgrading to a new or newer rig.
Is my thinking wrong from the start or is this a good plan of attack?