Talk me into or out of a 2000 Beaver Contessa.. :)

[JimFromJersey]

Well, not really. We were looking at late 90s/early 2000s DPs in the $30-50K price range as a POSSIBLE money-pit LOL next spring, as the DW wants to park the old Bounder at a campsite somewhere and let various semi-trustworth family members use it, as well as us. Everything was fine, as we peered into the Georgetowns and Fleetwoods and Ramblers, and then the DW had to see the interior of the Beaver. Very impressed.

The DW has made a bus-type front entry and the absence of a doghouse a high priority, and hates the light white woodwork and gaudy gold fixtures that made several of the MHs we encountered look like Turkish whorehouses (no offense to people who like that style...) The Beaver, which I'd never heard of, seemed well built, and now after some research it seems they're quite highly thought of. A Cat 3126B, the Allison 6-speed and the Magnum chassis, so far as I can tell, get passing grades from the people who give out grades.

The unit is in decent enough shape, from a 10-minute inspection, but I'm not completely sold yet. It only has 80K miles, which means that the thing is barely broken in, from a longevity point of view. But if we pull the trigger on this thing, it's gonna have to take us from here to the grave, whenever that may be. 🙂 Obviously, if we decide to move, it would need a fine-tooth comb going over, with a qualified diesel guy to check out the noisy parts, which I'm not.

Any owners of similar vintage Beavers/Contessa's that can chime in with words of praise, warning, or ridicule?

TIA.

[ferndaleflyer]

That one above on Ebay is 1/2 as much as one on the Charlotte,NC Craigs list thats in Georgia.....nice coaches.

[JimFromJersey]

Appreciate the responses. As noted, we're INTERESTED, but not COMMITTED. 🙂 Will update as required. Also will check the airbags, we might go see it again this weekend with a much finer-toothed comb, and a big checklist. 🙂 I'd also like to see service records and PO information if I can get it. That tells you a lot.

[Bucky1320]

Our Harney is a cousin I guess to the Safari in a way. it is built on the Magnum chassis (single bags on this one) and the 3126B with the Allison. Man it drives nicely. Although the ride is a bit rough on the local blacktops.....we do live in Illinois.
I would check the NADA on that rig though just to make sure you are in the right ballpark.

[BigBlockTank]

I've said numerous times on here that I was a coach tech for Beaudry RV, La Mesa, and another small RV dealership here in Tucson. I was a luxury coach tech too.

The Beaver's of that year and style are not the most user friendly coaches in the world, but not too bad, once you learn it.

If you're still in the shopping mode, go look at a few American coaches. They are the most user friendly luxury coaches that I've ever had to demo for new customers.

There are tons of DP's out there, and they'll all fit you, in one way or another. Just find the one that you like and don't narrow your choices too quick. I know when we were looking, there were some that you just walk in, and know it's not for you. If that happens, you'll never be happy with it.

I would guess the biggest advice I could give you is don't settle, stick with it until it feels right. You'll both know when it is right.

[road_glide]

Our safari is the cousin to the Beaver. We've owned our new to us Sahara now for 3 years. Cummins 350 power though not Cat. We've been very happy so far, knock on wood. We have the magnum 4 bag chassis which is prone to trailing arm breakage on the rear drive axle. If the Beaver has 4 air bags need to check that out. There is much info if you search "trailing arms" on the RV blogs.
One last thing, I always look at diesel pushers on line for fun and I feel our rig has a lot of the items the big 42-45 foot tag axle rigs have for double the money.
So again, we like what we got....

[bluwtr49]

It's a lot easier to talk someone into a Beaver than out of one. The earlier Beavers, before Monaco, are much prized and even the "entry" level coaches are considered luxury models.

These were built in Bend before the move to Coburg and later Indiana. The workforce was fanatical about the quality and the cabinetry rivaled any coach on the market including Marathon, Newall and Country Coach.

[JimFromJersey]

Thanks for the notes. Will add to my pile of items to check off/on...

It's the 7.5KW Onan diesel genny, awning is Girrard. Also, it's got a brand new roll of paper towels above the sink, so that's something.... 🙂 LOL

A 5er or TT is not in the playbook given our circ's.

[wirenutz]

I'm an Electrician, so thats where my eye goes when I look at rigs, the Beavers did it right,the cleanest electrical install I've seen it would be very hard for me to talk you out of the buy, sorry buddy you'll need to find someone else to do it for you. BTW I have that motor/trans combo in my Freightliner FL-60 tow rig, love it, but as its been said extend that slobber tube to keep things clean, my truck and trailer >>> http://www.pinterest.com/pin/551339179353517264/

[Ivylog]

I had a 98 Patriot for several years and it's an excellent solid coach. Handles well with the outboard 8 airbags. In the years you are looking at there was a brake recall on some, but not on mine. Disk brakes all around should be a plus but it's a air over hydraulic system so flush and replace the brake fluid if you buy one. I would look for a slobber tube (a rubber hose on crankcase vent) that helps on keeping the radiators clean. The Cat 3126/allison with exhaust brake (worked really well) is a good combo. Fiberglass roof and good paint makes for a rig that still looks good. Most will have a Girrard awning, alum wrapped awnings, and hydronic heating.
Monaco's tech support is good on all their various rigs. I replaced it with the one below because we are half timers now and wanted more slides.
*I would watch this one on Ebay to see the high bid. I would not want one with a propane generator and around 96 they went with the Onan quite diesel on a slide up front... much better than the generator that was not enclosed in a side compartment.

[azrving]

Never owned a motor home but I wouldn't consider just the low miles. It's also the years. Rubber parts, head gaskets, brake parts are all deteriorating while sitting, even if it had 30,000 miles on it.

Have you considered a new or much newer truck and a used fifth wheel or TT? I like the idea of not having all my eggs in one basket, especially with how cheesy RV's are. The trucks now days are fantastic quality compared to rv's. If I did have a problem with the truck and it went into the shop, I would still be kicked back sitting at a campground.

If the rv broke what's the worse thing that can go wrong? Frig go out? Buy a cooler until a new $1500 frig arrives. ac goes out? Buy a new one on ebay for $600. Water heater? Under $400.00 None of those items strand you and you dont have to put it in a shop to deal with them. Just my thoughts, we all love different RV"s.