Possible Big Repairs, Used Motor Home

[5thwheeleroldma]

If I buy a 2 - 4 year old used diesel pusher motor home (to avoid huge front end depreciation), what are the big things I might get hung with? Motor repairs, transmission repairs?? How much might that be, how to avoid it?

[JnJnKatiebug]

Here is the way I look at it. My MH is a 2003, I bought it in 2011. It had all the previous owner records with it. The first owner kept it 2 years and sold it for $60k less than he gave for it. The second owner kept it for 5 years and sold it to me for $45 less than he paid for it. It had just under 40k miles on it, had been kept in a heated/cooled garage most of its life and was in mint condition. I bought it for $105k less than it cost new. I have been lucky, other than minor repairs that I did myself, all I have done is a water pump on the engine and new tires. It would take a long time to use up that $105k in deprecation for repairs.

I pulled in to Branson, MO and into my RV spot. The guy next to me had a nice 5ver and a brand new Chevy Duramax/Allison. He came over and was looking at my MH. He said I wish I could afford one like that. I looked over at him and said, well, you gave more for your pickup than I gave for this, and that's not counting the 5erv. He just scratch his head and walked away.

[Mr_Mark1]

If I remember correctly the drive train will have a five year warranty (Cummins and Allison). So, a 2-4 yr. old motorhome will be in warranty. Sometimes the other items (appliances) will have a 3 yr. warranty depending on the appliance.

Our front roof air went out in year 3 and was under warranty for full replacement but I had to pay the labor for installation.

Maintenance is the key.

MM.

[teleman2]

Bought a 2000 DP in 2010 have had no major problems. Put around 20,000 miles with no problems

[bsinmich]

I have had 4 motorhomes, 3 used and 1 new. My first one was 10 years old when I bought it but had not been used for 2 years. That was a dog. Second was new and had many problems. The last 2 have been used and the best ever, including the current Newmar. I have had 49 cars in the last 55 years and the biggest problem was always the new ones.

[John_S_]

You should not have a huge issue if things run smoothly but you will be nearing the end on tires and batteries. The rest us unknown as you never really now the issues till they crop up. Tires at six to seven years and batteries, depending on care any time after five to seven.

[KarenS144]

We're in the process of buying a 2011 DP and like others feel it's a calculated risk. We aren't getting hit with the huge depreciation but neither do we have the warranty to fall back on.

I hear all the of the time to get an inspection done. We weren't able to find anyone or place that offered that service where the coach we're buying is.

Run a Carfax which will give you some but not all info. The engine/chassis manufacturer should have records if there was any service work done for that coach. Not sure about other manufacturers but Newmar has been a huge help in answering questions about the particular coach we're interested in.

Good luck with your search!

[GlennLever]

jerseyjim wrote:
So many things...just like a used car. Y'never really know. Until the deal is done and it's too late. Again, like a used car, sometimes y'win, sometimes y'lose.

Have a qualified RV mechanic (and/or truck mechanic) look it over. Test ALL the systems and take your time.

If it has been professionally "detailed", remember that detailing is almost an art form. LOOKS great, but...............

g'luck!

If you read some of the posts here you almost run the same risk when buying new, how many threads have there been "just picked up my new MH and .... is broke and now has been in for repair for ...

[jerseyjim]

So many things...just like a used car. Y'never really know. Until the deal is done and it's too late. Again, like a used car, sometimes y'win, sometimes y'lose.

Have a qualified RV mechanic (and/or truck mechanic) look it over. Test ALL the systems and take your time.

If it has been professionally "detailed", remember that detailing is almost an art form. LOOKS great, but...............

g'luck!

[rgatijnet1]

A complete inspection by a qualified mechanic should locate any obvious problems. Obviously that is no guaranty as to what might happen months down the road. Even a new coach can have a catastrophic failure right after it goes out of warranty.

[We_Cant_Wait]

A 2-4 years old diesel might just be getting broke in depending on the miles. The biggest thing, are there maintenance records as to what's been done to maintain the unit while it was in use. But a unit in that range should have no worry about break downs unless it was severely abused by it previous owner.