Just got rid of my 22 foot FourWinds and am looking at some former rental class C's at the local RV dealer. He is selling some 2003 Shasta Revere, 29 feet, E-450 with about 40,000 miles for 28k and then some 2004 Coachman Freelanders, 29 feet, E-450 with about 30,000 miles for 30k. Both with the usually accompiments, generator, awning, etc...Plain Jane units....
What are you opinion? Good or Bad...What to really look out for...
Richard
Rich C
2002 Sunseeker 2900 V10
Honda 06 CRV - Sterling All-Terrain
Scangauge II
That sounds like reasonable prices for the year and mileage. It depends on how plain Jane they are and the overall condition.
40k miles in two years, they were well used. But they probably were well serviced too. How do they look?
A used rental unit can be a good deal. If you look them over CAREFULLY. Some of those puppy's have been rode hard and put away wet. IMHO I would have a independent Tech check out the one I was interested in. Could be the best 100 bucks you spent.
One of the big rental companies has a process for its used vehicles. At 50K miles, they replace the truck part of the RV (jacking up the "house" part and sliding the new chassis underneath) and when that unit gets another 50K miles on it, they auction off the whole thing. There is a reason why they replace the chassis part at 50K miles.
I would be really concerned about the longevity of the transmission on those 40K rentals. You might be well served to have the trans. overhauled as part of the deal. I agree with the other poster about having a good tech go over the entire chassis area with the agreement that the dealer will fix anything that is less than 50%. That is the way that many of the good used car dealers handle maintenance items.
A friend of ours just bought a 2003 Four Winds, from a dealer that had 44,000 miles on it .... Look really great, nothing obvious ... First outing to the North ... four tires, new transmission and engine A/C unit .... Upon return found front brake calipers totally shot, fridge was the one recalled so had to get it exchanged and the black water tank was so clogged it only held half of what it should have held.
So, do as you think best, but get everything in writing and check it over very carefully
Ed
Andrea
Teddy (black Shih Tzu)
Nickie (Apple head Chihuahua)
2005 31' R-Vision Trail-Lite Class C
2005 Ford Escape
I was a tech at a large RV rental company back in the early '90's and I will say that some of the rental units were used rather hard, so all I can say is be careful and have vehicle inspected before you buy.
Just keep in mind that the previous users varied greatly in how they treated the rig and many had no idea what they were doing.
Bottom line - check it over very, very carefully. Come rental companies sell with a warranty of some sort - I'm not sure I'd want one without at least some short term warranty of come sort.
Think about all the systems that can take a beating but not show up readily -- refrigerators that have deteriorated because of inadequate leveling, black tanks that haven't been cleaned/drained right, house batteries not filled, etc.
Also consider that the roof may have been used as a 'grandstand' at NASCAR races or other events, for who knows how many people. This might lead to leaks, present or future...
Jim, "Sharp as a marble..."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
I just bought my Conquest LE and it was previously a rental / demo. Only had 12,173 at time of purchase. I have to say I got a heck of a deal, nearly 20K off new price. This unit appears to have been well taken care of and properly maintained.
Just look it over very carefully and go from there. if you decide to buy then low-ball them and go from there. They already made a ton of money on the rental costs.
I got the balance of factory warranty of the chassis and a full year warranty from the dealer on the coach since I am the first person to title it.
2005 Gulfstream Conquest LE 28 foot
2001 Grand Cherokee, 4WD station wagon
2006 Saturn Vue, AWD V6
"For those who fight for it, life has a special flavor the protected will never know." --Unknown defender of Khe Sanh in Vietnam
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