Newbie wants your input before buying used

[justme47]

Hello all,

Been a lurker, but this is my first post.

Never owned an RV...but have borrowed a truck/camper, and decided that we liked it enough to consider buying, but didn't like the separation between truck and camper, so we decided that a short class C would best for us.

We are looking at a 1999 jamboree 22'6". It has 77K. we would be 3rd owner. It looks to be in decent shape though not pristine. Although it has been stored the last 7 years in a covered garage, the fiberglass is quite yellowed.

It has the Ford V-10 and seems reasonably peppy on the flat and does accelerate slowly but continuously when going up hills.

It has a crowned roof, but the interior roof is dropped down to allow for ac ducts to be enclosed. I could find only evidence of one leak in the cabover on the passenger side. I didn't appreciate any squishiness, but the rectangular piece of carpet that attaches the roof at the edge has obvious watermarks.

Tires look in fine condition but are about 6 years old...since it has been garaged except when in use and the tires show no evidence of cracking or checking would they still be OK?

Per report of owner, ac, fridge, heater all work. The generator started easily and sounded smooth.

And finally price. The online Nada prices out below 11k, the sellers are asking for 13.5K...What is a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance of any advice/direction you can offer.

[ron_dittmer]

The price seems high for that entry level rig if it did not show signs of water damage. If you handy and willing to risk (and repair yourself) the water concern, I'd offer half his $13,500 price at $6,750. Not any more than that. I even wonder if $6750 is too much. I really want to suggest, don't buy it at all.

Google "Telstar motor home" and look for something made like that. You will find Telstars in your price range with much less concern of water damage.

[Kidsgone]

As lap527 said: "Speaking from experience , I wouldn't do it. We bought similar, kept it 3 months and lost our butts on it. We decided it was better to move on and chalk it up as mistake and move on. "

X2

[Alfred622]

Persoanlly, for $2K over NADA, ask the owners to put on new tires (and quality tires not more than 6mo old) and have the coach professionally inspected with results coming directly to you.

For $2,000 under NADA, then offer cash as is.

No warranty, tires that need replacing, unknown life expectancy of all flexible hoses/tubes, question about brake fluid condition, differential fluid, etc. You've got a $2,000 shop bill just to have it thoroughly inspected and brought up to date... in my opinion that is.

It is has been lovingly cared for, then you might just get an RV that is perfect for you!

[WA7NDD]

Purchased a 15 year old MH in excellent shape with 36k miles on it. BUT it is 15 years old and I put it in the shop with a list of preventive maintenance items. To old to deal with it myself now and no records came with the MH. I knew going in, it would be $1400 for what I asked to be done. They added tie rod ends, differential seal, and new rear end oil, and I added Ingles adjustable caster/camper sleeves, and cleaning the mass air flow sensor. I now have +5 caster. I also have a Safe-T-Plus to install.Cost me 3K to get it out. Remember I said it was in good shape came with new tires and batteries also. I also had every cooling and heater hose replace.

It is a 23 foot Four Winds Class C with a V10. One thing I have learned about MH's, is everything gets way more expensive the bigger and older they are. Read all the blogs on here before you buy great lessons. My MH now drives and handles fine, it had lite steering before, not now.

Filled it with gas, 311 miles on that tank came to 11.6 mpg. Loaded it up and had front, rear and total weight weighed today so I can adjust the tire inflation. So if you purchase an older motor home, understand the expense is just beginning until all the little things, and maybe a big thing or two are taken care of.

I am critical about everything working properly and reliability, and willing to spend the money for that. That's just me, some are not and there are plenty of those MH for sale, be careful, good luck on your purchase

[Gale_Hawkins]

In our case buying a 15 year old MH worked out OK but it needs to be a long term commitment due to what you may spend on it or you will be singing the same song as lap527 perhaps.

If you can get by with spending no more than $5K on it after the purchase price over the next few years and you keep it 10 years you may be OK. I would want to buy the one you mentioned for no more than $10K so you do not wind up with more than $15K in it.

The leak is the biggest think that kills it resell value and at this point you do not know the full amount of water damage.

Our tires were 5-6 years old and kept covered with wheel tarps. We ran them to 9 years old because we where planning a cross country and expect 10 years out of the current set. The set we pulled in 2011 were so so and the shop sold them to another MH owner with 14 year old tires but he told the guy the risk but he was looking for a cheap option.

In my view the sweet spot was under 10 years/100K miles. A 22 foot class A, B or C are awesome for travel because they can go most anywhere a car can go lowering the need to tow a car.

Keep us updated on the options you find out there. Prices may be strong for the next 6 months. In 2007 we found we could get a lot newer Class A than Class C for the same money so keep on the look out for a short Class A. They do not drag their tails as bad either.

Older MH's can be a full time job it seems to get them up and ready for a cross country event but if you can do the work it really helps reduce your cost.

[justme47]

thanks for the input, that was really fast! Just a point of clarification, the unit in question has been stored in a garage when not in use for the past several years... the current owners have put on about 3k/year for the past 6 years.

It sounds like the seemingly small water leak issue is kind of a deal killer?

Let me know if this additional info would change any minds, and thank you again for being kind enough to answer. That was one of the things my wife and I liked about our RV'ing experience was how kind and friendly everyone was.

[lap527]

Speaking from experience , I wouldn't do it. We bought similar, kept it 3 months and lost our butts on it. We decided it was better to move on and chalk it up as mistake and move on.

[Desert_Captain]

I agree with Bill. The worst thing for an RV (or boat), is to not be used for extended periods of time. The C you describe sounds like a lot of headaches just waiting to happen on your watch. Yes, the tires should be replaced based upon time not miles. That will run somewhere north of $1200.

You have already found "some" water damage and rest assured there is probably more. Water damage is the absolute worst thing to discover in a used RV. If it turns out to be extensive, which is very possible, repairs could easily cost more than the RV. It sounds like the price is the most attractive feature but I would be very cautious on this one. Good luck! :C

[USAFBILL]

Long time storage is not good, all of the under carriage rubber lines ( fuel, brakes etc ) will probably require replacement. Six year old tires would not be safe on my rig....I think a price in the Eight Thousand range would he more to my liking....Good Luck
JMO