5Mainecampers
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Re: High mileage MH
Bought our '98 Coachmen in 2011 with 110K in it-- now has 120K-- no problems. We searched extensively and looked at several--- all which had half the mileage and half the condition. This one had tires within 1 year, full 100K service done as well as all other required maintenance. Generator had 350- now has 420 hours- again no issues. Vehicles are meant to be driven, not to sit: gaskets dry out, rubber dry out, brake lines rust, A/C compressors seise. Best bet is a unit used regularly and consistently each year and you'll be fine. Good luck!415Views0likes0CommentsRe: Levelling the RV
I use 2X6X14 pressure treated boards in conjunction with Levler Blocks. I have found that the Weight of the Class C often pushes the blocks into the ground, do I use the boards and stack the Levler Blocks ontop of the boards if needed. I have a rear portable stabalizer I purchased at Campers World which I put under a rear horizontal frame which my Reese hitch is attached to. This is under the rear bed and eliminates the rocking behind the rear axle. I don't notice much rocking or movements in the middle of the coach in between the axles.401Views0likes0CommentsRe: How to Haggle???
As previously mentioned used RV's tend to have less room for negotiation, especially if its a popular brand/model/ layout in good condition ( the factory doesn't make used RV's); however having said that do some comparison shopping on line (dealers tend to quote their bottem price on the Internet), then reasonably offer a price with a 10% discount and list your reasons (work it might need), your local and/ or repeat customer, your budget, etc. in the end it's worth what folks are willing to pay. NADA is a guide but not a bible-- figures are based on actual transactions as reported by dealers; low volume of a particular year, brand, or model will skew the numbers. Good luck!! Remember a good deal is a win-win where both parties walk away happy.369Views0likes0CommentsRe: would you drive a "new" used MH 2,000 miles?
Being a Class C forum The bias here is going to be Class C---- the reason why we wanted the Class C is the front bunk area offers sleeping are for the kids. We to noticed. When we bought ours, the number of Class A's and often lowere price tags--- If we weren't relegated to the Class C bunk arrangement, we would have looked at Class A's.472Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ford 5.4 in some of the smaller rigs?
There was a day--- 70's & 80's when 350 Chevy; 351 Ford and 360 Dodge V8's were the common; with 2 or 4 barrel carbs pushing out 150 HP thru 3 speed transmissions.... So yea a 265 HP 5.4L V8 with EFI and OBDII technology are more than up for the task!348Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1998 Ford E450 Super Duty Triton V10- opinions?!
We have been very satisfied with our '98 Coachmen Lepracaun 3050. We purchased it in 2011 with 110K well maintained miles (100K service done); all service records from the one (original owner). We have driven it 2X's from Maine to Florida and back. We constantly average right at 8MPG (last month we were at 7.7 round trip to Florida, but that included running the generator all day long while driving (to run the coach A/C-- close to 97 degrees). We also came home thru the mountains on I77/I81: Sufficient power for the hills- did have to turn the dash a/c off couple times to keep the temp gauge from climbing (first time ever that the temp gauge ever moved). Rig drives very comfortable at 62 MPH---- not so much as you get to 65 and higher. The '98 is on what they called E SuperDuty (same as what is now called E450. The Coachmen Lapracaun appears to have been a well built with alot of features (probably a mid to upper mid level brand at the time). I haven't yet towed the car with it yet-- I can see where it might lose its breath in the hills, but then again I am running more than 31 ft. Best of luck!!1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: would you drive a "new" used MH 2,000 miles?
We purchased our '98 Coachmen in 2011 with 110K - drove twice from Maine to Florida and back plus other trips thruout northern New England. Your plan to spend the $5K now rather than wait is a sound one- in my opinion. You do want to budget approximately $1K/ year for repairs/maintenance for any used RV--- my budget is having a local RV tech doing the work for me-- one year might be tires or brakes or a roof reseal or? Class C's are built on the same heavy duty van chassis as box trucks and moving vans-- they are built tough and to be reliable. Furthermore with the OBD II computers in the mid 90's have made vehicles very reliable.472Views0likes0Comments
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