Buying a Former Rental Class C. How many of us out there?
While researching these pages for my next Motor Home I saw a few threads discussing Rentals, most were Pros and Cons but very few posts from people who had purchased one. I thought it may be a good resource and helpful to hear from these people. The good, the bad, what they liked and what they didn’t. Also if they had any problems, things they changed, if they would recommend this to others or do it again. Here is my story: I am not a novice, having owned a Class A for more than 15 years and doing the camping thing with my wife and two daughters, I can say “been there done that” But life changes, and I sold everything so I have been away from this for several years. Starting over I lurked here for a while and got a lot of good insight then went looking. My criteria was: A Class C within by budget, less than 30 feet so I can keep it at home, saving storage $, a rear bed, and a lot of storage space. What fit that was Winnebago, Fleetwood and a few others, what I found mostly was Jamboree / Tioga 26Q. In the year models 2002 thru 2006. I did my home work looking at NADA and other sites to find the fair prices for the models that I was looking for. After several months of searching the internet, Craigslist, private ads and Dealerships for a Class C that suited my budget and needs, this is what I found. Of the dozen or so I inquired about.Most were upsidedown in their payments, owing more than they were worth. All were on Ford Chassis, 7 needed tires, all had the original 7 to 10 year old tires, and they all needed repair of the awning and most needed some work inside or out and the maintenance records were sketchy, but most had low mileage. The Dealerships offerings were better but they had a profit margin to maintain so I got older models within my budget or huge up sales that didn’t work for me. My next step was looking at the rental market for sales. In my area there are 2 large companies that have rental sales, Cruise America and El Monte RV,who also sell Class A RVs. First up was El Monte RV Their units are production RVs that are made by major manufactures, with TV antennas and hookups inside and out, Ducted A/C and heat, 2 house batteries, a rear ladder and parts are readily available from those manufacture’s. I looked at their web site and it detailed their warranty and what was checked and serviced by their factory trained technicians. The unit I looked at was like new inside, the upholstery on all the seats was new as was the floor mat in the driver’s area, it had a new mattress, still in plastic and a new bedspread. All of the curtains were new also. Newer (2010 mfg date) tires with 98% rubber and the mileage was ninety thousand (90,000). Then there was Cruise America: Their units that I looked at seemed to be Spartan,no TV antenna or hookups for one,non-ducted A/C,small counter space and only one battery, no rear ladder for inspection and maintenance of roof and built just for them, they were all “refreshed” their words not mine. They offered extended warranties at a huge cost. All had high mileage, one hundred and thirty thousand (130,000) or more and the price range seemed a little high. The sales staff had a take it or leave it attitude and were not very forthcoming when asked about maintenance records and service,they claim to have proprietary info in those records,It doesn't seem to be a problem for El Monte RV. At El Monte RV I took a test ride; This Unit was a 2006 Tioga 26Q on a Chevrolet Chassis it rode Drove and handled much better than the Fords that I had driven. It also had more leg room and was quieter. We got back and I asked about the service and maintenance on it, the salesman, Joey, handed me a 28 page single spaced document asked if I wanted some coffee or something to drink and said “read this and if you have any questions I will answer them”. It detailed everything that was done before and after each rental, the mileage, generator hours and hours billed. Each time it was washed and detailed inside and outside, all fluids were checked and replenished if needed, the holding tanks were washed, LP system was checked for leaks, all torque on wheel lugs were checked, brakes front and rear checked for wear and cracks, pressure in tires, all appliances, generator oil, lights inside and outside, the list goes on and on. It also listed all oil changes,coolant change,trans service,fuel injector service and cleaning,fuel filters,air filter, new brakes, all repairs and replacements all with date, mileage and time spent in complete detail from day one to when it was pulled from the rental fleet and was refurbished. I have a complete service record on this vehicle.Also the service records on the Onan Generator,all oil changes,air filter and spark plug replacement with hours and date. I negotiated a good deal with them and am very happy with my purchase. It came with a 1 yr. 12000 mile power train warranty and 30 day on all appliances. It also came with a 28 page maintenance record that detailed everything. Also the original sales packet from Fleetwood with the manual and serial numbers on all appliances,refrigerator, microwave,furnace, AC, water heater, etc. and the manual for the Chassis. I have had no problems with it so far. (ON EDIT) 5 Years and close to 14000 miles.Just Scheduled Maintenance and new tires,old ones were at the 5 year mark and I wanted new Michelin LTX M/S2s. There were a few things that it didn’t have as it was a rental and the ones from private parties did have. • Power steps, outside Stereo/CD don’t need or want them. • An Awning, this I wanted and had installed. A Swivel Seat and a new Window in The Door that I installed. • Wheel Simulators, I like the looks so I had them installed and at the same time had Tire Man valve stem kit put on. • Replaced the Chinese WFCO with a US Made converter/charger • It came with mini blinds and not the day/night that most have, these are more practical and have a lot less failure. It also came with Stainless Steel sinks,easier to maintain than the cheap plastic ones that come in the noncommercial units. I am very happy with my Rig, it suites my needs and it was in my Budget range, I think I got a good deal. So if you bought a rental please share your experience here for others to use as a resource. Or if there are any other questions that have not been covered in these pages, just ask, there are many helpful people on this thread.
Dodge 440 Brougham 1978
Hey everyone! My name is Kirkman. My wife and I just bought a 1978 Dodge Class C Brougham.. I've seen on a lot of forums that owners are having trouble finding manuals etc.. This thing came with ALL of it in wonderful shape. Anyway, I'd be happy to send off copies etc if anyone needs them! It is a 7.2 liter 440. I also have manuals for the shureflo water system/pump and duo therm 915 model and Wedgwood fridge. I have the original brougham user manual as well. I'm pretty stoked! Happy trails! -John and Kristin Kirkman
Drive Train Repair Portland Metro area
I'm looking for some where that can do some work on my 2007 Four Winds Majestic i just bought. Driving it i feel like I'm floating all over and i would like to update the suspension, new Sway bar ETC. I am finding NO ONE in the area that does this work. Camping world has still yet to return my call. RV county says they have a 10 year limit(this is crazy btw). can anyone point me in a good direction? maybe a shop you have used? Even other types of places i should call like heavy equipment mechanic shops? Thank, Mike
How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?
I'm new here, and curious. How many of us in Class C own Dodge B300 incomplete cab/chassis based RV's? I know two others- Steve aka Ripsaw, with a 1977 Brougham, and Leroy aka 1978_Dodge _Delta who owns a 440V8 powered sharp looking 1978 Delta RV. I would like to ask, and offer, help, idea swapping and comparing notes on our particular RV's which are based on the Dodge B300 van chassis. Yeah, I know. These are low tech, podgy old RV's that would be considered "entry level" for folks like me, but I have a deep and abiding respect for the quality of these old "monsters of the open road". And anyone wanting to pick brains, joke about, share notes or just brag about our old A- Dodge-io's are certainly welcome to PM or email me. Between all of us we can form a real good support group, and help each other with problems we know we'll encounter with an older vehicle. Sure. I'd love a new RV. But I'd rather have an older one already paid for, and a lotta great memories. Call me frugal, an old hippie, or whatever you will. I'm proud of my old land yacht. Mopar Madness Manifest in the flesh, Mark aka White Knight P.S. Mine's a '72. Is there an older one out there someone's motorvating in? Maybe even a Travco? W/K
HELP! Can I Have This Set-Up With A Class B ???
Our family is about to dive into the world of "Full Timers" and after a lot of discussion, we think that our best set up would be to have a Class B (approx 22') towing a travel trailer (17" - 23" range). We have been looking at Class B RV's in the 22' range like Gulf Stream B TOURING CRUISER and R-Vision TRAIL LITE. Basically models in the early 2000's are all we can currently afford and they all seem to have either the Vortec V-8 or Ford Titan V-10. So, my question before we start looking at purchasing is, will a Class B RV like the ones mentioned above pull a typical travel trailer around 23' long? Will it be able to pull up mountain highways like in Colorado and also handle the braking going down the mountains? Thanks for any input you can provide!!!!
Winni Rialta
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-Winnebago-Rialta-21-Class-B-Volkswagen-Gasoline-Engine-Generator-Sleeps-4-/291410476794?forcerrptr=true&hash=item43d96afefa&item=291410476794&pt=RVs_Campers I saw this unit on Ebay, but not sure of the quality. It has over 90,000 mi on it. I'm a mechanic, but not looking for major issues, so other than checking the drive train, tires, etc., does anyone have experience with this unit or similar model from Winnebago? Any major issues?
