Older Class A

[Lurker52]

Hi everyone,

I have a few question about older class A. I will give you a little background first. DW and I have recently finished over 4 years living and traveling full time in a 5th wheel. For several reasons we decided to go back into a sticks and bricks. We have sold our rig (2005 Carriage and 2005 Dodge 3500). and a bought a small low maintenance house.

We are in our late 50’s and while on the road work camped at several different RV parks and volunteered with both national and state parks. We really enjoyed the volunteer work.

So we have determined we are gypsies at heart and are already missing the RV lifestyle. We are a few years away from retirement and are again building the nest egg. In about 4 years we would like to do more traveling and volunteer in places we want to see. We live in Florida so getting out of the summer heat will be nice.

We will use the rig for weekend trips throughout the year and for one long trip during the summer. We will line up a volunteer gig and travel there and spend the summer. We are thinking about Montana, Wyoming and other western states. Once at our destination we will be parked for the summer. I figure we will put about 6k a year on the RV.

Our plan is to buy an older gas powered class A. I have been looking around and there seem to be a lot of 10-15 year old models that would fit the bill. Buying new is out of the question. We do know from living in a RV you have to be comfortable. Our 5th wheel was perfect for living full time but with only summers and weekends we don’t need as much room. I think a 30-35’ with one slide would work. We will also tow a small car. (Honda or similar)

I come from the 5er world and not real familiar with class A. I do understand that rigs of this vintage have to be looked at very carefully. So my questions are

What brand names are best? I know Tiffin, Newmar and Winnebago are well thought of. The Winne is the only one that would probably fit in my price range.

What about Holiday Rambler?

What bands should I stay away from?

Would a diesel with high miles like (130k) be better than a low mileage gasser?

How many miles on a gasser are too many?

Is there anything other than the obvious that should be considered? I am pretty well versed with RV systems.

Are there drive trains and motors that are better than others?

I realize that I am asking very broad questions but I want to educate myself with class A just as I did with 5 wheels. As I learn more I will make my future questions more concise.

I know I am probable opening up a worm can with this post. That is not my intension. I know some think that a 10-15 year old RV is already toast. That has not been my experience. We met many people who traveled in older class A and C. I am particularly interested in hearing from people who have taken this similar path and how it has worked out for you.

Thanks as always.

[ncrowley]

I have not owned a gas coach but when I was looking, I decided on a diesel for the reasons talked about in many threads. I had to go back in years in order to afford it but I am fine with that. You need to decide if you want to get an older coach where you will most likely have issues that you will need to take care of. The house systems, such as the refrigerator, air conditioners, etch, are older and will have less years left in them than a newer coach would.

[427435]

Our only experience is with the MH in my signature. I am satisfied, particularly with service and parts (has an encounter with a post and the rear corner). They had body parts in stock for a (at the time) 10 year old MH.

It sounds like your plan is to take a trip somewhere and then work camp there for a while. A gasser would be fine for that without spending the extra money for a diesel and air suspension (neither do anything for you when parked).

Take your time looking---------see if you can find one that has not only been maintained well but has been garaged when not in use. They are out there.

By the way, if our MH were totaled, I would look for a 2006 or newer Winny/Itasca 35U or 35L. Great floor plan for 2 people and easy to maneuver in a city or RV park.

[mike_brez]

We looked for a older DP after having our gas PaceArrow for 14 years. Almost two years ago we found one in good shape and purchased. Still looks decent for 18 years old.

[frankdamp]

We started out with an 26' Class C, which turned out to be so poorly designed it was nearly unlivable and such a thirsty beast it nearly bankrupted us. We sold it at a significant loss, waited a couple of years, then bought a gently used Georgetown 325 from the original owners at 8 years old with 12,000 miles. We kept it for four seasons and an additional 6000 miles, but our utilisation was getting progressively less - only used it as a supplementary bedroom in the driveway the final season.

We had a few issues, particularly a fridge failure (an $1800 fix) and water in the slide overhead due to the topper being rotted. When replacing the cabinets that were water damaged, I got an "inside" look at build quality and was less than impressed. Georgetown and its Forest River siblings aren't brands I'd buy if we ever go back into the lifestyle.

Just one former owner's opinion and only our second RV - certainly not any kind of "expert" even with the old definition "X is an unknown quantity and "spurt" is a drip under pressure".

[2gypsies1]

To get an idea of what you might get for the money you're planning on spending, look at this consignment site. You can also get an idea of floorplans. I think your plan sounds good. Go for it and I know you'll enjoy volunteering. We certainly did off and on for 16 years!

https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/classa/class-a-motorhomes.php

[ferndaleflyer]

Cash talks and BS walks----my 1997 Winnebago Luxor was a high end DP when new. I went to look, offered a ridiculous low amount and told him I had the cash with me and would not be coming back----he took the money standing there rather than wait. I have had it maybe 7 years and put 40,000mi on it. The diesel Gen shows 3000+ hours and don't miss a beat and other than tires haven't spent much on it-----I would recommend getting something like I got---older high end DP---you won't be sorry.

[mpierce]

Gale Hawkins wrote:
If looking for older used I suggest you get your cash in place and be ready to spend it fast in case your 'dream' MH pops up. Had we not said yes the night we looked at ours (put down a deposit at 10 PM) we would have missed our deal.

Drive it to WM, movies and on short runs for 500 miles before you start spending money on it. Get it out in major rain storms. If it becomes clear it is a dud move it fast and start over. Do not get married/fall in love with a used unproven MH is my suggestion. 🙂

Good advice.

Lenders REALLY discount older MH's. Usually waaaay below what they sell for. Having cash available is just the ticket. 100% would be best. That way, when a good deal comes up, you can snatch it up. If you have to wait a couple weeks for money, it may well be gone.

[hilldude]

Check rv trader and start looking,Just bought a 04 Winnebago sightseer this week.Found it 50 miles from home.Looked at one 370 mi from home,salesman lied big time.Drive it and check every thing you can.The one I bought had been on a storage lot for 4 years and looked terrible but every thing works.

[howdy35]

We are running a 1999 National Tradewinds 36 FT. with one slide and 90000 miles on it. Bought it in 03 and have driven it from east coast to west coast, from Florida to Texas to New York. Have replaced tires twice , fuel filters, repaired coach heater fan motor, had dash air worked on, replaced front air bags, and maintained as needed. No big problems, but the Generac generator has been the biggest PITB as I have had it worked on 4 different times.

We like it even though we only use it part time and usually take one to two long trips each year. If we could sell our house, we would go full time in it without hesitation.

As has been mentioned here on the forum, we feel that floor plan is very important along with general condition of the MH. There are many older units available that are suitable for your purpose. Good luck on your search.

[Gale_Hawkins]

If looking for older used I suggest you get your cash in place and be ready to spend it fast in case your 'dream' MH pops up. Had we not said yes the night we looked at ours (put down a deposit at 10 PM) we would have missed our deal.

Drive it to WM, movies and on short runs for 500 miles before you start spending money on it. Get it out in major rain storms. If it becomes clear it is a dud move it fast and start over. Do not get married/fall in love with a used unproven MH is my suggestion. 🙂

[Dale_Traveling]

My opinion -

With the vintage you're looking at prior owner care and feeding has a much bigger roll that who the original builder was. Starting with a quality builder will help but a $500,000 rock start coach will rot just as fast as a $50,000 rig if not cared for properly. There's plenty of brand loyalty but it one builder better than the other? Hard to say. We've enjoyed every minute in our bargain rig and plan to keep it for many more years.

If you can fit a diesel into your budget I would go that direction. Considering how far you plan to go to your summer destination and how long you plan to stay a diesel might be a bit more comfortable.

Concerning mileage you want to see some. Say more than 3000 a year but less than 10,000. Same with time on the generator. Should be about an hour for each month of the it's life. If you go gas try and stay with fuel injected engines rather than carbonator or throttle body. The older systems worked well but it can be difficult to find someone who knows how to setup a carbonator properly but you will be stepping back into the 1990's to find a rig with such. The various power trains available are somewhat different (Ford, GM, CAT, Cummins,,,) but each will get you to where you want to be. Again each has pros and cons. One over the other is a Coke - Pepsi question.

Just think of a class A in the same light as your fifth wheel and truck, combined. Chassis, tires care and such for a class A isn't much different and you had pretty much all the same house systems as a class A. Good luck with your search and once you narrow down your focus start asking questions again.

[Puttin]

There are lots of nice Winnes and Tiffins out there. I'd be looking for something in the 32 to 36' foot range from '05 to '09. There are lots out there. Prices would range from about 40 to 70k depending on year and condition. I have a Winnebago Sightseer 35' we bought new in '08 and has been an excellent rv with hardly no problems. Just my 2 cents. Enjoy and happy hunting! (Gas models)

[K_Charles]

We looked for a used class A for a while before we got a 10 year old gas. If I could generalize, a diesel will go twice as long as a gas so used will cost twice as much, or as we found out will be trashed.
Our choice seemed to be a nice gas or for the same price an older diesel or one that had little maintenance or upkeep.
A gas powered class A should go 150,000 to 200,000 without much trouble, you just need need to be aware of how it was used.

[lj2654]

We bought a 2001 Beaver 4 years ago with 32000 miles and very clean.
Caterpillar 3126B 330 HP diesel with a Allison 3000 tranny.


It needed tires right away and a new cooling unit, so I bargained the owner down a bit to cover these items. About $5200 deduction for that.

I had to replace mostly roof plastics i.e. vent covers, frig cover, ac covers.

The rv satellite system was inop and obsolete so we got a Dish tailgater.

Other than that mostly yearly maintenance and small things that just quit working...

I just recently had the dash a/c fixed, the rear wheel seals replaced and new thermostats put in, most expense we have had in 4 years.($3200).

We still love it and have put over 13,000 miles on it part time use.