Hi there folks. I've been addicted to this site reading and absorbing all the info out there. I hope you can lend some advice before I plunk down my check. :-)
DH and I have been researching RVs for about 6 months. We had narrowed down to Class C's, preferably in the 28-31 foot range, a Minnie Winnie or Tioga. We found a used Tioga on eBay that we liked very much, talked to the dealer, did all the research we could from a distance, bid and won. Dealer lists on the auction is not as described we can walk away. (Wouldn't have bought it otherwise.) We're heading down (~400 miles from home) to look at it, and hopefully take it home.
So my questions . . . . would you advise finding a mechanic in the area to look at it with us? If so, any suggestions on how to find one? Any other things you advise we do before we had over the check?
wayne_tw wrote: AAA has a list of approved independent auto repair shops. NAPA also endorses independent shops. Probably your best referrals.
Well, that MIGHT take care of the running gear, but what about the rest of the rig?
When we had a Ford chassis I had to find a truck shop that also worked on MH's and not all Ford truch shops did. If it's a Chevy or WorkHorse then I don't know. The RV dealers can't tell ou about the chassis and the truck shops can't tell you about the "house"
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I suggest that you arrange to camp in it for at least one night and check out everything. Crank up the water heater, refrigerator, AC, furnace....everything and make sure it's in operating condition. Be sure to get a good look at the roof...look carefully around all vents, seams, etc. for any signs of leaks. If the seam caulking is cracked, have the dealer clean and reseal them. Look for any signs of water leaks. Check for soft or spongy floors. Look inside of cabinets with a good strong light. Have them put the unit on a lift and visually inspect the under carriage.
I suggest looking in the local phone book and seeing if there are any independent RV repair facilities or technicians. Then, be willing to pay for an hour or two of a third party inspection.
With the flooded market, see if the dealer will give you a 90 day warranty on the unit.
Good luck, and I hope you've found yourself a bargain!
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scbwr wrote: I suggest that you arrange to camp in it for at least one night and check out everything. Crank up the water heater, refrigerator, AC, furnace....everything and make sure it's in operating condition.
Good suggestion!
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wayne_tw wrote: AAA has a list of approved independent auto repair shops. NAPA also endorses independent shops. Probably your best referrals.
Well, that MIGHT take care of the running gear, but what about the rest of the rig?
Well, DUH! Of course the technicians evaluating the vehicle aspect of the motor home cannot render an opinion on the RV portion of the motor home. And a RV dealer really is not qualified to render an opinion on the mechanics of the vehicle aspect of the motor home.
Guess I should have been more specific for some people who are not quite as bright as others.
scbwr wrote: I suggest that you arrange to camp in it for at least one night and check out everything.
Clever idea. We'll have to try that.
Thanks all for the feedback. We've found an RV repair place that will do a full check, and I'll check those sites for a regular mechanic (it's a Ford model).
scbwr wrote: Be sure to get a good look at the roof...look carefully around all vents, seams, etc. for any signs of leaks. If the seam caulking is cracked, have the dealer clean and reseal them. Look for any signs of water leaks.
Speaking of roofs,, I have been wonderING this,, how do you get on the roof? I know it has a ladder, but once up there do you just walk carefully or crawl or what? lay down a plywood sheet to spread out the weigtht? Curious..
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