Am I doing this right?

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Mctabish - 14 Apr 2007 03:38 GMT

We recently have started to RV (made 2 trips so far). We have REALLY enjoyed
it!

What we have been planning on doing is buying a cheap (older) RV and see
what we like and what we don't.

We have found one that seems nice and will be looking at it on Sunday. It is
about 19yrs old and approx 8500.

We would probably buy a newer unit in 2 - 3 years (depending on have our
experiences are)
What are your guys take on this process?
Should I go though like I am planning?

Thanks!
Mc

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Steve B - 14 Apr 2007 04:13 GMT

> We recently have started to RV (made 2 trips so far). We have REALLY
> enjoyed it!
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Thanks!
> Mc

Need more info. That much for a twenty year old rig may be a deal or too
much. Give us more info.

Buying a beater IS a good trial thing. Just realize that you have to get it
cheap, so if you don't like it, you don't take a beating on it. Also
realize that older ones will have repair needs, some of which can be
substantial. And you won't know about those until you start using it, and
they shake out.

Steve

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Mctabish - 14 Apr 2007 05:03 GMT

it is a gulfstream ultra, 35k miles, all systems are suposed to be working.
power steering has a small leak (supposed to be the only issue)

Thanks,
Mc

>> We recently have started to RV (made 2 trips so far). We have REALLY
>> enjoyed it!
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Steve

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GBinNC - 14 Apr 2007 05:16 GMT

>it is a gulfstream ultra, 35k miles, all systems are suposed to be working.
>power steering has a small leak (supposed to be the only issue)

Others will have advice on this too, I'm sure -- but let me be the first
to say that an older MH that has been driven less than 2000 miles per
year has spent a LOT of time sitting. This is not good.

Low mileage on a MH is not the same advantage as on a car. I'd feel a
lot better about this one if it had at least 100,000 on it. At least
then you'd know it had been used enough to have been maintained
properly.

GB in NC

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Dave in Lake Villa - 14 Apr 2007 13:19 GMT

If its been sitting for a long time, check the tires for dry rot. Mine
had that condition and i got a set of new tires out of the seller.

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John Andrews - 15 Apr 2007 05:01 GMT

> If its been sitting for a long time, check the tires for dry rot. Mine
> had that condition and i got a set of new tires out of the seller.

Better yet, look for the DOT code on all the tires. If they are
more than 5 years old, they need to be replaced. If you don't
replace them, they will blow out! I know! That is what happened
to me. It doesn't matter what the tread looks like, the aging
wear is in the sidewalls where lack of use has limited the
dispersal of the oils in the tire matrix that makes them flexible.

Make sure that this cost is covered in your negotiations. Don't
forget the spare. The DOT code is only on one sidewall. You
might have to check on the inside wall under the vehicle.

Look for water damage from leaks. If you see indications of
water stains on the inside ceiling, pass on the vehicle. Do not
take it as a gift. Check for leaks around the air conditioner.
Make sure it works.

A better price for this is probably in the range of 5500 to
7500. Is this the 27 footer. If so, it will be a little small.
Can you turn around in the shower?

I bought an older unit. Changed all the tires. Cleaned and
cleaned and cleaned. Then took out the carpets and installed
new and new wood flooring in the galley area. That made it real
nice. I had to replace the mattresses. (Two twins) Dry rot!
From water condensing on the windows.

Check everything. Make sure everything works. This may take
several days, not two hours. If something does not work, it has
to be fixed. Deduct the repair cost from the purchase price.

If the batteries are more than 3 years old, they need to be
replaced. Check them with a hygrometer.

Oh, there is so much more to tell you...

John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee

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Janet Wilder - 14 Apr 2007 16:29 GMT

> it is a gulfstream ultra, 35k miles, all systems are suposed to be working.
> power steering has a small leak (supposed to be the only issue)

Basing my opinion on the fact that I have yet to meet a Gulfstream
product owner who has not had major quality control issues, I would say
stay away from Gulfstream, but after so many years the previous owners
should have gotten the bugs out and repaired the faulty factory work.

I would also go to the NADA web site http://www.nada.com/ and check the
price being asked against the listing.

For something that old to have such relatively little mileage, it
appears to me that it either wasn't used much at all or wasn't working
much at all. Lack of use could mean that things will begin to fail
right away. Things like the refrigerator, water heater, water pump,
anything rubber, etc.

You will most probably have to replace the tires unless the owner can
prove he replaced them less than 5 years ago. Mileage means nothing on
tires. They deteriorate standing still.

Good luck.
Janet

Signature

Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life

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Jim - 14 Apr 2007 19:07 GMT

On Fri, Apr 13, 2007, 9:03pm (EDT-3) From: excel@recycledreefs.com
(Mctabish)

>it is a gulfstream ultra, 35k miles, all systems
> are suposed to be working. power steering
> has a small leak (supposed to be the only
> issue)

>Thanks,
>Mc

Would hep a bit more if we knew what chassis it's on, but...

A) Check the cabin area for leaks. If it smells moldy, walk away and
don't look back. 'Dry' rot is the death of most older MH's, unless you
want a major DIY resurrection project. I think it's a class C; check
the overcab bunk especially. Also look under all windows inside for
water stains or outside for bulges (delamination). Look for soft spots
in the roof / ceiling, and floor.

B) If the tires are much over 5 years old, they need to be replaced,
regardless of remaining tread. Budget for it.

C) That's low enough miles to be scary. Before buying, test drive it on
all kinds of road surfaces, including 4-lane with fast-passing big
trucks. It may have had bad enough handling to scare the PO into not
using it much.

D) Budget for changing _all_ fluids, and consider changing all belts and
hoses.

E) If it's on a RV dealer's lot, push for a 30, 60, or 90 day warranty
to be included as part of the deal. This is _not_ a recommendation for
buying an extra-cost 'extended warranty', however.

F) Seriously consider paying an RV tech & a mechanic for an inspection
of the coach & chassis. No insult intended, but you don't seem to have
a lot of experience in this area, and it's a dam' good way to get
trapped into spending a frightful lot of money....

I'd strongly suggest going to www.rv.net and spending some time reading
in the forums there before buying. Above all, don't rush! There are a
_lot_ of used RV's out there.

HTH, and good luck!

Jim, "Entropy never sleeps; do y'all?"

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Dave in Lake Villa - 14 Apr 2007 13:18 GMT

'We have found one that seems nice and will be looking at it on Sunday.
It is about 19yrs old and approx 8500.
We would probably buy a newer unit in 2 - 3 years (depending on have our
experiences are)
What are your guys take on this process? Should I go though like I am
planning?
Thanks!
Mc'

REPLY: If it were me, i wouldnt buy the first one since youre planning
on upgrading so soon. Id save that money and put it toward one that is
newer which will be more reliable and have greater longevity. Whatever
you decide to buy, have it checked out thoroughly BEFORE you part with
any money.

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Matt Colie - 14 Apr 2007 13:53 GMT

> We recently have started to RV (made 2 trips so far). We have REALLY enjoyed
> it!
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Thanks!
> Mc

Mc,

Most of your thought is good.

Me, I don't often buy new of anything, but I have access to considerable
repair capability at very effective cost. If you do not, please think
about this carefully.

First- When you say RV are thinking Motorhome? (From the price cited, I
would guess this is the case.)

Next- you have to be aware that there are three different considerations
in the condition of a motorhome (MH).

=>Miles are and indicator of driveline and chassis wear only.
=>Years are the age of the body (or shell), but how it was stored can
also be tough on brakes and running gear because of corrosion.
=>Days used is what is tough on the interior and hotel systems.

If it is over 100k miles, that may not be any issue as most of these
beasts are built on truck of bus chassis and they were designed for
2-300k life. Parts could be available for years to come, but check this.

If the shell is in trouble, walk away. This is most commonly water
leakage that has caused the delamination of the plywood that makes up
the structure of the shell.

If the insides are beat up, probably so are the hotel systems.

That being said, can you effectively judge all those aspects? If no, go
find the people that can. This may not be one person. Do not be afraid
to test everything. I got surprised on my last buy and that lead to an
additional 800$ of investment and a weeks delay.

And- All are not created the same. There are definite quality
difference between manufactures. Some were junk out of the box. Those
are sometimes cheaper new than others are after five years and there
is a reason.

If you find something interesting, come back here and ask about it. If
the builder has a following, find those sites and get the real
information.

Before you buy.....
How much will you use it?
Where will you keep it?
How much is registration and insurance in your state?
(It may be more effective to lease for a couple of weeks a year.)

Good Luck and Happy Camping

Matt Colie

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