I am about to drive to VA to purchase a used, 1-owner, 1994 COACH HOUSE Class-B what seems to be in excellent condition from correspondence, pictures, & follow-up.
It is a Dodge, 360 engine, with 88,000 miles (which doesn't scare me). The original owner is selling it for ill health reasons, and cannot travel anymore. He & wife traveled each year to CA to winter in their park model, from VA, since purchased new in 1994. It has only been driven locally the last couple of years, and not on a constant basis. Just enough to keep it up and running good.
In the past, I've read on this forum about DODGE leaks, handling problems, etc. Don't remember enough from then. Since it is a 1994, I assume any major problems would have been taken care of.
Also, can I add on a frame HITCH, and a grated rack, that I presently own? To use to carry ex: rubber-made BOX with "stuff"?
What's you valuable experience? Please share! travelgirl
* This post was
edited 01/07/04 06:52pm by travelgirl *
Dodge leaks - yeah they do that, at the rear cargo door... usually more common with the one piece door. Not all do it, the ones that do can usually be fixed with door adjustment, new weatherstrip, or placing small diameter tube in existing weatherstrip to make it seal better - probably other fixes that I am unaware of. In my experience, one of my Dodges leaked once in a torrential downpour.
Handling problems of the unnusual variety did not start till the '98 model year - and only on a small percentage of vans... the others and the previous year models experienced the same handling issues of any tall cargo van, be it Chevy, Dodge or Ford.
I would think the hitch is readily available... don't know if your current hitch can be adapted or not. If the grated rack goes into the hitch receiver, it will work either way.
Good luck!
...and of course, you'll wanna be sure the generator, fridge, hot water heater and other appliances work properly. Seems like I have seen checklists for buying a used rig somewhere in these forums - might wanna look.
* This post was
edited 01/07/04 07:20pm by ARcruiser *
Quote: I am about to drive to VA to purchase a used, 1-owner, 1994 COACH HOUSE Class-B what seems to be in excellent condition from correspondence, pictures, & follow-up.
Congratulations! Hopefully the collection trip will go smoothly. I don't have Coach House experience, but some Dodge and a lot of general automotive experience.
It sounds like it probably hasn't had new tires put on it in a while; get someone to post the way to read the date code on them (week / year?). If they're five or six years old or older, take it easy coming home, even if they have good tread on them. Then plan to replace them.
Put a can or two of dri-gas in before you leave. Fuel tank condensation is a common problem on vehicles that have been sitting a lot with a less-than-full tank.
Your rack should work fine for lighter stuff; the Dodge handling issues are for later models, but no vehicle will drive very well with too much weight that far behind the rear axle. The hitch should be readily available, as long as Coach House didn't mount some part of the conversion under the floor right at the back.
Jim, "The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
A year & 1/2 ago I purchased a 1992 Coach House via the Internet & RV Trader. I arranged to have the RV inspected (about $125) it passed. I flew down to Fla. & picked it up and have been delighted. I have put 20,000 mi on her and am planning a trip to Alaska for this summer. Expect to put some money into it to insure safe & uneventful travel such as tires, brakes, exhaust, belts & hoses & so on in other maintenance items for a 12 yr. old with 88,000 mi. It a superbly built RV and will give you miles & miles of pleasure. Enjoy!
Also, can I add on a frame HITCH, and a grated rack, that I presently own? To use to carry ex: rubber-made BOX with "stuff"?
=======
Yes, to both.
I have a 1990 Coachhouse, steering was poor in road ruts and wind when I first got it in 95, changed tires and air pressure to right pressures and it improved, this year I had the front ball joints replaced, a rear blowout at highway speed, I was able to bring it to a safe stop. I mounted a steering stablizer after that and will change the tires again before a major trip. Good advice on tires from others. Have a safe trip.
I would only ad that if the tires are old, I would have them replaced there instead of waiting till you get home. We had a discussion on tires a while back, and the general consensus was that the rubber breaks down after about 6 years, and becomes unsafe no matter how good the tread looks.
ARCruiser. You said, "and of course, you'll wanna be sure the generator, fridge, hot water heater and other appliances work properly. Seems like I have seen checklists for buying a used rig somewhere in these forums - might wanna look.
Tell me HOW I can really check these important things out in the WINTER, when everything is winterized, as far as the water related items. I will ask them AHEAD of getting there to be sure there is propane in the tank, etc. because I will want to try them all out. travelgirl
In answer: amarcel-How do I arrange an inspection -from home. They are having a Dodge mechanic, (& friend ?) do the inspecting AT HIS HOME. Isn't it better to request an RV dealer check-out the systems instead?
You said, "Expect to put some money into it to insure safe & uneventful travel such as tires, brakes, exhaust, belts & hoses & so on in other maintenance items for a 12 yr. old with 88,000 mi. It a superbly built RV and will give you miles & miles of pleasure. Enjoy!
GOLLY! I didn't think I would have to do all that! Am I surprised! I thought when they said, "It has been kept up & is in great shape", that would have been done, as needed in the past. Can I ask BEFORE going that the owner (postal mail) me a written copy of the check-up results? I've been burned before, but still learning.
"I mounted a steering stablizer"- (on a Class-B ?) I thought a small B didn't need those kind of things. Do they? How is it for warmth, a/c, & bed comfort?
When I purchased my Jayco, in TEXAS, the tread looked great! Got home. Went to Frankenmuth Campout with the Forum group, and had a BAD blow-out on the Interstate. (Ask BAGMAN)-I thought it was because of the TX heat, not age! Glad you told me! They were dry-rotten. Now have 6 NEW tires. $$.
A friend is driving my auto, with me, and will drive it back home.
When the owner said, THIS is the BOTTOM $$, and you get there and see something that hasn't been checked out, as stated would be, you feel trapped, after the trip, etc. I guess the extra expense would be ON ME, or turn and go home without it.(And I've done that before).
It is sounding like this is going to cost much more than I expected, if all this stuff isn't up to snuff! I appreciate you help-to all. travelgirl Keep it coming!
travelgirl, don't be overwhelmed, just do your homework. 1) check with the Nada price guide to see if you're getting the "rock bottom price" don't pay much more than the "LOW" sales price try this link, clique "used rv prices"
http://www.nadaguides.com/SectionHome/RecreationVehicle.asp?UserID=510806C5237AB&DID=37994&ColorId=&wSec=5&wPg=1160
Based on NADA you should not pay much more than $14,000
2) AAA auto club will do inspections, I picked my inspector from the same group that does Title searches, can't recall the name. The 1st RV I had inspected failed so money well spent, saved airfare. I agree If you could find a local RV dealer to do the inspection it would be better but pricy, it's mainly the truck parts that the layman is uninformed about. The interior parts you can judge for yourself, dirty, frayed & so on. From your discription of the sellers, I doubt that will be a problem. But have an independent inspection, not by their friend. An ounce of prevention. Chances are there will be no problems but be sure before you part with your money.
3) 88,000 miles is when many parts wear out, 10 years a lot of rubber parts rot out. Perhaps they replaced many of the things I mentioned, see if they had the records. If you bought it right putting some $$$'s in it won't be that hard. But budget for it, with those miles & years you're going to have to put something into it.
All this said once you have it you'll be in for some glorious times. Rental costs run about $800+ a week, wont take long to get you're money back in pleasure.
amarcel , I sent you a "private message" before, I read your answer. Sorry. Didn't want to bother other's reading my questiions on the post. I don't have AAA. Did you buy your CH from a private family or business? I don't know how to figure out, how to get in touch with an inspector to go to a private family and tell them he is going to inspect, without insulting them. I appreciate everyone's help. travelgirl
Offline
