Need advice: buying a used RV

[alishlosh]

Alright so I recently decided to start living in an RV permanently (at least for the time being). However, I'm having trouble finding one I'd LOVE to buy. I want something used, under $6,000. I have a list of wants:

- Has a generator
- 25'-29' (definitely nothing over 30', I don't need much space)
- Tub shower (not necessary though, just better for my pup)
- Class C
- No more than 80k miles
- No problems with leaks
- sleeps 6 or more
- AC
- Roof rack with ladder
- Cruise control
- A little bit of kitchen counter space
- Nothing older than 1983

However, I just ran across this BEAUTIFUL 1980 Dodge Rockwood Class C motorhome with 80k miles on it. I'm leery of something so old, because I don't want to have to spend loads of money fixing it up to travel across the country come fall. However, this specific RV looks pristine on the inside, has had a recent tune up, new exhaust, battery, and tires, and just generally looks like it has been well taken care of and loved. It's on Craigslist, with I'm also hesitant to use.. and it also happens to be a 10 hour drive away from me, making it difficult to simply go see it. I want to be nearly dedicated to buying it if I'm going to drive that far just to see it.

So, does anyone have advice on older RVs, that seemingly look very well taken care of? Does anyone have experience with this specific model? What has everyone's experience with Craigslist RV buying been like? Do you think my list of wants is too much? Any advice you have to offer would be wonderful, thank you!!

Alicia

[Wagonqueen_Truc]

I just threw 8 grand into renovating a truck camper and it doesn't have any internal engine parts (like a motorhome does).... that was just in new appliances, wood, paint, and decor. 6 grand won't get you much more than a HUGE headache in a class C. Sorry, I don't mean to be a Debi downer, just trying to save you money and heartache. Good luck to you though!

[alishlosh]

MitchF150 wrote:
Well, the '2' to a bed part will work if they are small kids, or very friendly with each other... 🙂 My grand niece sleeps in the overhead and when she got up there to 'show me' how she fit, well, lets just say she took up most of it! And she is only 13 years old and skinny! 😉

Her younger sister was going to sleep on the dinette, and she's 8 and took up that space.. Mom and dad where in the back on the "Jack and Jill" bunks.

Yeah, any that pop up for that kind of pricing and is in 'turn key' shape, is going to go fast!

Mitch

Luckily, I have many hippie friends who love to snuggle up to one another :D. Thank you for that though, that gives me a better idea of how small those beds actually are.

Alicia

[MitchF150]

Well, the '2' to a bed part will work if they are small kids, or very friendly with each other... 🙂 My grand niece sleeps in the overhead and when she got up there to 'show me' how she fit, well, lets just say she took up most of it! And she is only 13 years old and skinny! 😉

Her younger sister was going to sleep on the dinette, and she's 8 and took up that space.. Mom and dad where in the back on the "Jack and Jill" bunks.

Yeah, any that pop up for that kind of pricing and is in 'turn key' shape, is going to go fast!

Mitch

[alishlosh]

MitchF150 wrote:
That's a tall order for sure with that kind of budget.. Just the sleeps 6 part is tough in a Class C unless it has quad bunks in the rear..

Is is there a 'gem' out there for you with all of your wants? Sure, but finding it is going to be the 'fun' part... 😉

I wish you the best and hope you find your 'gem' 🙂

Mitch

Thanks Mitch!!

Actually, the sleeping 6 part has been the easiest part for me. Because I'm assuming 2 people can sleep on the cab bed, 2 on the couch bed, 2 on the table bed, etc etc. I've only run into a couple that only sleep 4.

That's unfortunate that they got stuck with an RV that seems to not work in many ways. I've been doing serious, time consuming, frustrating research over the last 2 months and usually send messages that are book length :p, asking about the working parts and what needs to be fixed, what's been fixed, any issues, etc. Mainly because Craigslist scares me. But, I hope I find (found?) that gem!! I've run into a couple but they sell VERY fast. Faster than I'm ever willing to make a decision haha. Thank you for the encouraging words 🙂

Alicia

[alishlosh]

donn0128 wrote:

alishlosh wrote:

Would you recommend getting the newest one I can possibly afford?

Have you considered how your going to get to the grocery store weekly?
Just as a thought, have you considered a decent tow vehicle and a 10K dollar travel trailer?? A 10K dollar TT will get you a really nice 2005-2007 vintage travel trailer in a length that would be comfortable to tow for you. When parked your tow vehicle then is your every day vehicle to get to the store etc. One drive train to maintain. And best of all, if you had a major failure you would still be able to live in the trailer while the TV is being repaired.

Yeah, I have a 2001 Ford Focus and am currently trying to figure out how to flat tow it without messing up the transmission. My $6,000 budget is very firm, and even over what I'd like to spend. So there is no possibility of me buying a $10k travel trailer. The newest year I've found for that price is a '94. However, all the newer ones I find are only so cheap because there's something wrong with them that will normally costs a minimum of $1k to fix. The 1980 one I found even looks better than many of the newer one's I've found. The only thing not pristine about this motorhome is the little bit of water damage under the bathroom window (which I am concerned about).

[MitchF150]

That's a tall order for sure with that kind of budget.. Just the sleeps 6 part is tough in a Class C unless it has quad bunks in the rear..

My Niece and her husband bought a '88 or '89 class C on the Ford Chassis for around 3 grand, but it was not 'ready to camp' by any means... It was mechanically okay, but the coach itself was very rough.. It had an obvious leak in the cab over area and who knows how many others.. The fridge and furnace 'worked' but no hot water and didn't know if the plumbing was okay or not. She said the generator ran, but said it didn't power anything.. When I looked at it, they didn't plug in the 30 amp cord into the generator switch box, so that was probably the deal there.

They had visions of taking it to the local camp grounds for weekend trips, but I think they have only gotten out in it once or twice because nothing really works in it and it's too expensive to drive (about 6 mpg's at best)..

Is is there a 'gem' out there for you with all of your wants? Sure, but finding it is going to be the 'fun' part... 😉

I wish you the best and hope you find your 'gem' 🙂

Mitch

[donn0128]

alishlosh wrote:

Would you recommend getting the newest one I can possibly afford?

Yes. A newer motor home will besides offering newer parts, less chances of catastrophic failures if all else is equal. But at 80K miles and as long as the drive train has been maintained I just don't see major problems there. I see far more potential problems with the house parts. Even a small leak can if left untreated can kill an RV in very short time. Think of it this way.... New refer 1500 dollars, new water heater 700 dollars, New stove or furnace 6-700 dollars.
New transmission 3000 dollars, rebuilt motor 4-5000 dollars. New roof 150 dollars a foot. Water leak, thousands. Toad? Have you considered how your going to get to the grocery store weekly?
Just as a thought, have you considered a decent tow vehicle and a 10K dollar travel trailer?? A 10K dollar TT will get you a really nice 2005-2007 vintage travel trailer in a length that would be comfortable to tow for you. When parked your tow vehicle then is your every day vehicle to get to the store etc. One drive train to maintain. And best of all, if you had a major failure you would still be able to live in the trailer while the TV is being repaired.

[alishlosh]

Bumpyroad wrote:
an 83 is acceptable to you but not an 80???????????????
bumpy

And '83 is pushing it for me even. I really don't want anyting older than an '87.

[alishlosh]

donn0128 wrote:
Your budget, or rather lack of budget is going to be your biggest hindrance. For 6K an 80's or maybe a early 90's vintage is about what you can expect. And at that age there is going to be problems. Things like the roof may need replacing, tires for sure, fixing wood rot is a definite possibility. Not to mention appliances that no longer function. Unless you can up that number to at least 10K you are more than likely going to be throwing good money after bad chasing problems.

Yeah, that's basically what I've been looking at, 80-90s. I've found some fairly decent ones, but none that fit me perfectly. I'm also a lot more concerned about stuff like the engine, transmission, and internal parts in general. Because I don't know much about the internal operation of RVs. And those are the things that can end up putting a person is the hole thousands and thousands of dollars. Would you recommend getting the newest one I can possibly afford?

[Bumpyroad]

an 83 is acceptable to you but not an 80???????????????
bumpy

[donn0128]

Your budget, or rather lack of budget is going to be your biggest hindrance. For 6K an 80's or maybe a early 90's vintage is about what you can expect. And at that age there is going to be problems. Things like the roof may need replacing, tires for sure, fixing wood rot is a definite possibility. Not to mention appliances that no longer function. Unless you can up that number to at least 10K you are more than likely going to be throwing good money after bad chasing problems.