jimemeone
Vista,Ca.
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Joined: 11/16/2011
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Looking for a first class A MH(around 30') for short local trips(200 miles max). I see a lot of late 80's early 90's in the price range I want to spend thinking that if the wife and I like the trips I can upgrade easily and if we don't like it we have not invested a lot of money. I know that condition means everything but between the Fleetwood's, Bounder's, Winnebago's, Pace's, ETC is there one that really is better made?
Thanks/Jim
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fuzzbutt
Pittsburgh
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Joined: 11/17/2006
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In the age range you are talking, i think how well it was maintained might be more important. I have a 94 Winnebago that we have a blast in. In hindsight, I wish I had bought one with a slideout. We looked at a few really beat RV's before we settled on the Winnebago. We liked the floor plan in the one we bought and it was low mileage. Engine, transmission, and structural water damage are 3 big things to watch out for.
Good luck and post the followup with what you bought. It's a buyers market out there. Gas was only $1.95 a gallon when I bought mine so it was a sellers market.
John, Sherry & Sabrina
+ Mowgli (Keeshond) Shane (Border Collie) Sunny (Sun Conure) & Lily (Cockatiel)
94 Winnebago Adventurer 34'
04 Nissan Murano
05 Acura TL
92 Honda Gold Wing
Now.....bring me that horizon.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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I agree condition trumps any brand names.
Our came with a new reman Goodwrench Transmission 17K miles earlier so that was a plus. Tires were only 5 years old and I ran them another four but changed out early (before 10 years) due to a plannned cross country.
For 200 mile max trips you do not have to rebuild all the systems to like new status. Get it dry and keep it dry will be the main thing and change out the fluids.
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Son of Norway
Denver, Colorado
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Joined: 10/12/2011
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I agree on condition, but I am partial to HR's.
Miles
Miles and Darcey
1989 Holiday Rambler Crown Imperial
Denver, CO
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BobR
Aurora, Illinois
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Joined: 12/07/2001
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Condition is everything but I feel Winnebago was the better engineered motorhome in the late 80s early 90s time frame. I would look into the early 90's to get fuel injection and overdrive which I feel is a must have.
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wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
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BobR wrote:Condition is everything but I feel Winnebago was the better engineered motorhome in the late 80s early 90s time frame. I would look into the early 90's to get fuel injection and overdrive which I feel is a must have.
Have to agree with Bob on the engine/tranny. Condition and maintenance. Look for water damage both inside and out.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
2000 Hurricane 30Q
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crasster
Dallas
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Joined: 07/06/2007
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I'd look for a tiffin. Often those hold up pretty well when they age. My Great Grandfather had one that was near 30 years old.
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.
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crasster
Dallas
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Either the tiffin or any Winne.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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wildtoad wrote:BobR wrote:Condition is everything but I feel Winnebago was the better engineered motorhome in the late 80s early 90s time frame. I would look into the early 90's to get fuel injection and overdrive which I feel is a must have.
Have to agree with Bob on the engine/tranny. Condition and maintenance. Look for water damage both inside and out.
2x
For the Chevy P30 that would be 1991 I think to get 4 speed and TBI. We have a 1992. The truely 1993 GM chassis shipped with AC already charged with R-134a which is a small plus. An actual 1996 P30 chassis will say VORTEC (more desired) on top of the engine.
Note a 1993 MH could have a 1991-1993 chassis with more being a 1992 but the VIN number will not lie to you.
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UltraKen
Ohio
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Joined: 06/05/2007
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jimemeone wrote:Looking for a first class A MH(around 30') for short local trips(200 miles max). I see a lot of late 80's early 90's in the price range I want to spend thinking that if the wife and I like the trips I can upgrade easily and if we don't like it we have not invested a lot of money. I know that condition means everything but between the Fleetwood's, Bounder's, Winnebago's, Pace's, ETC is there one that really is better made?
Thanks/Jim
It would be hard to go wrong with a '96 through '99 Safari, he says without an ounce of bias.
PS. Look at the pictures and see what ~30K will buy in today's market.
UltraKen
Ex - 1968 Ultra Van
NOW - 1996 Safari Sahara 35' - Model 3530 - Cat 300
Pictures of my Coach
A $93 Rear Camera System
My take on replacing tires
Used MH Checklist
Toad: Dodge Grand Caravan on Tow Dolly or 1981 Vespa on utility trailer
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