True or False?

[Jackalope]

After many years of looking at RV's and wanting one, I've finally retired and we're looking for a rig. But I'm having problems and maybe you veterans can help.

I've always bought used cars and I've always gone by the rule, the year doesn't matter...look at the miles. For the most part, that works fine for cars...but for RV's?

Recently, I found what appeared to be a very nice 2005 Damon Challenger with only 19,000 miles on it. It appeared to be clean and well taken care of. Unfortunately, it's at a used car/used RV dealership. They don't have the facilities to hook up shore power or sewage lines so there really isn't any way to check those things out.

I wanted to take the unit to the closest Damon dealer to be checked out. They say they can't do that, but that I can use a mobile repair service to conduct the inspection, and I do know that there are a number of businesses that'll do that.

But in the meantime, I had to make a quick trip to Florida and went by to look at a few campgrounds near my son's home. One of them had a very nice, and it appeared to me, very knowledgable owner. He said that at the 10 year mark, almost all RV's started having major problems. Replacement of appliances, replacement of the roof, replacement of tires (because of age). And he also stated that there was no way in the world he'd buy an RV without being able to fully hook it up to see all systems function.

The last part makes a lot of sense. But what do you think about this "ten year curse"? Is that true? Do most need all those replacements at that point? If I buy this Damon, am I probably looking at spending thousands in a very short time?

[wa8yxm]

Re-reading this thread (Did not comment the first time) Many dealers do not have sewer connections for an RV.. So that is understandable.. My own dealer did not have that ability.. however there is very little that can go wrong with the sewage system, it is powered by gravity and if that ever fails.. You are going to know it pronto. (you will drift off into space and explode). The only possible issue is a valve that is stuck shut.. I'm sure their techs can check that and perhaps even demonstate for you.

POWER.. They should be able to provide 15 amps. this is enough to run lights, Television, and one at a time the following

Microwave
Water heater
Air Conditioner

But you may need to wait six hours before doing that depending on the converter and battery state of charge (My converter is a "Big Ticket" if the batteries are dead, Tiny load if they are full up.)

Of course.. you did mention it's a motor home (Make and model) I believe.. No need to hook to shore power.. Has Onan Power.

[Jackalope]

past-MIdirector wrote:
We have a 2004 Bounder we bought 3 years ago had 20,000 mile on it. This is now our full time rig and have had a few minor things to replace such as slide toppers, a shift switch on the outside of the Allison Transmission, toilet because we want a toilet with regular size seat, and had the sat. dish hooked up but that's about it. This year will be shocks and back tires.
The Damon for the most part the Hurricane and Challenger are low end rigs. We got a 36' 2 slide, with split bath which was the floor plan the wife liked best. For full timing gas models I look at 2006 or newer manufactures Newmar, Fleetwood, Tiffin,or Winnebago between 34'-38'would be your best pick.

Certainly appreciate all the advice. We won't be full-timers. Our longest trip will be a month for the foreseeable future.

[Jackalope]

past-MIdirector wrote:
We have a 2004 Bounder we bought 3 years ago had 20,000 mile on it. This is now our full time rig and have had a few minor things to replace such as slide toppers, a shift switch on the outside of the Allison Transmission, toilet because we want a toilet with regular size seat, and had the sat. dish hooked up but that's about it. This year will be shocks and back tires.
The Damon for the most part the Hurricane and Challenger are low end rigs. We got a 36' 2 slide, with split bath which was the floor plan the wife liked best. For full timing gas models I look at 2006 or newer manufactures Newmar, Fleetwood, Tiffin,or Winnebago between 34'-38'would be your best pick.

Certainly appreciate all the advice. We won't be full-timers. Our longest trip will be a month for the foreseeable future.

[Jackalope]

Daveinet wrote:

Jackalope wrote:
As I indicated above, this particular dealer keeps about 10 class A's on his lot at all times. He bought this one elsewhere (I don't know where) and brought it to his lot.

I would say I really don't like the idea of the dealer claiming you can't plug it into shore power. That is a lie. All you need to do is pay 6 or 7 bucks for an adapter, and plug it into a normal 110 volt outlet/extension cord. Not rocket science. You can only run one AC unit, but that is the only limitation. The other limitation is that a fridge takes several hours to get cold. When I bought my RV, we were questioning the fridge. I made a deal that if the fridge didn't work, they would install a new on. (I ended up with a new fridge 3 days after I bought the RV).

I'm sorry. I must've said something to give you the wrong impression. He never said I couldn't plug it into a regular outlet. What I meant was that he doesn't have a 50 amp service so I can check the operation of the inverters and all the electronics at the same time. But he hasn't refused me anything other than to take it somewhere overnight. If I gave you the impression that he'd refused anything else, the fault is mine.

[OhhWell]

Rubber roofs start showing wear down here at around 15 years. Tires usually are good for about 6-7 years.

Dealerships that won't let you plug the coach in to test systems out aren't good for 5 minutes of your time.

The last time I was searching for Travel Trailers, I brought a ladder and generator with me in the truck.

[Daveinet]

Jackalope wrote:
As I indicated above, this particular dealer keeps about 10 class A's on his lot at all times. He bought this one elsewhere (I don't know where) and brought it to his lot.

I would say I really don't like the idea of the dealer claiming you can't plug it into shore power. That is a lie. All you need to do is pay 6 or 7 bucks for an adapter, and plug it into a normal 110 volt outlet/extension cord. Not rocket science. You can only run one AC unit, but that is the only limitation. The other limitation is that a fridge takes several hours to get cold. When I bought my RV, we were questioning the fridge. I made a deal that if the fridge didn't work, they would install a new on. (I ended up with a new fridge 3 days after I bought the RV).

[fourmat]

Move on. There are thousands of good clean used RVs out there, buy something you can check out from someone who encourages you to do so.

[Jackalope]

Daveinet wrote:
You mentioned about mileage. RV mileage is a little different than car mileage. The biggest killer to RVs is that they tend to sit unused for extended periods of time. Low mileage for the year can mean the rig sat unused for a very long time. When an RV sits, condensation builds up and it never get aired out. This can tend to make wiring corrode. It also dries up the seals inside the engine and trans. The inside of the engine can rust.

Think about the guy who sold that coach to a used car dealer. Anyone who would trade their coach to buy a used car, quit using the coach long before they traded it. Someone who trades to an RV dealer would likely have used the coach and was upgrading. The odds are very high that coach has sat unused.

Dave, I think you're correct about the biggest killer. However, in regards to trading in an RV for a car, that's not the case. As I indicated above, this particular dealer keeps about 10 class A's on his lot at all times. He bought this one elsewhere (I don't know where) and brought it to his lot.

[Jackalope]

Effy wrote:
As others have stated a few things concern me about the dealer. Frankly I probably would not buy an RV from a car dealer. They simply don’t have the facilities or the knowhow to make sure that rig is in the condition it should be. The fact they won’t let you take it a place to get it checked out reeks of “what aren’t they telling you”. The mileage is actually a little low for my caring. That means it sat a lot. And sitting a lot without proper exercise on the components especially the generator can be detrimental. As most others have said, there are literally thousands of RV’s for sale. Shop somewhere that doesn’t have you asking questions without answers, or from a place that actually deals in RV’s.

Effy, in most cases I'd agree with you. But this particular used car dealer has always split his lot between cars and about 10 class A's. He's very knowledgable about the RV's...unfortunately, more than me. But you are correct, he doesn't have the facilities to set up the rig completely and that is indeed a major concern.

[deandec]

We are afraid to buy a 10 yr old rig. We might be buying problems that we have never experienced on our 19 year old rig!!!

[Daveinet]

You mentioned about mileage. RV mileage is a little different than car mileage. The biggest killer to RVs is that they tend to sit unused for extended periods of time. Low mileage for the year can mean the rig sat unused for a very long time. When an RV sits, condensation builds up and it never get aired out. This can tend to make wiring corrode. It also dries up the seals inside the engine and trans. The inside of the engine can rust.

Think about the guy who sold that coach to a used car dealer. Anyone who would trade their coach to buy a used car, quit using the coach long before they traded it. Someone who trades to an RV dealer would likely have used the coach and was upgrading. The odds are very high that coach has sat unused.

[wa8yxm]

As I type this I'm sitting in a 2005 Damon.. The only repairs I have done are as follows:
Several things that were my own stupid fault.. (These do not count)

One Air conditioenr.. Carrier Air V, there are a couple of pipes that rub together if thats what is on your prospective I can tell you how to fix it so they wont wear out.

Two control boards Water heater and furnace.

NOTE: I am more than skilled enough to do all this work, and did no the control boards (You can do it and I do not even have to ask your skill level) the A/C I know how to do, but I rather liked the hydraulic muscles the dealer used to lift the new one to the roof and the old one to the ground. My Human muscles are not nearly that strong.

[Effy]

As others have stated a few things concern me about the dealer. Frankly I probably would not buy an RV from a car dealer. They simply don’t have the facilities or the knowhow to make sure that rig is in the condition it should be. The fact they won’t let you take it a place to get it checked out reeks of “what aren’t they telling you”. The mileage is actually a little low for my caring. That means it sat a lot. And sitting a lot without proper exercise on the components especially the generator can be detrimental. As most others have said, there are literally thousands of RV’s for sale. Shop somewhere that doesn’t have you asking questions without answers, or from a place that actually deals in RV’s.

[Jackalope]

Thanks for all the responses. I certainly agree with the point that some rigs go well beyond the "ten-year curse" if properly maintained. That's true of anything mechanical. The problem comes when you're buying something that (in this case) is 9 years old and you have no idea of the history of the unit. You have to assume the worst and be happy if you're wrong.

One of the best points I think I heard was...yeah, a $25K rig will have more problems than a new $250K rig will...but think how much repair/replace you can do for $225K! Great point Bill.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

Any delamination (bubbles) in the exterior sidewall is another deal killer for me, that no one has mentioned . We bought a 2004 R-Vision 213 in 2012 for an Alaska trip, 8000 miles on the odometer. Coachwork and body were in great condition, but it had sat for at least 2 years. Downside 9 year old tires and found later that ethanol gasoline had "spoiled" in tank. Spent about $5,000 for upgrades and getting it ready for the trip. Items addressed were fuel pumps for both engine and generator, tuneups on both (including carb and fuel lines for generator), tires, refrigerator recall and repair (burned wires from mud daubers nest in flue), all hoses and fluids, changing to two 6V AGM batteries from one 12v deep cycle, adding power a management system, 800w inverter, and replacing old TV for LED. That said, had a great trip without any problems other than paying $7.20 a gallon for gasoline at our Laird Hot Springs Lodge fuel stop.