Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. I checked this unit out and, everything on it works great! It in fact was inside a building that was damaged by ice back in January. The roof of the building collasped, the damage happened when they were removing all of the material to get the unit out of the building. It has new tires on it about a year ago. It looks to me that I would need to replace part of the decking on the roof and then put on the new membrane. I had my older brother with me who is an RVIA Master Tech, he said it would be a lot of work, but worth it if I could get the price down a bit. So now I can buy this unit or I can continue to look for my dream machine..an early 40's Flxible (I found one but it is 700 miles away)
Bordercollie wrote: Standard advice, don't buy too old or too small. Save your money until you can afford a popular brand, 2-3 years old, checked out by competant mechanic, with length, floor plan and features you want/need. I'll bet that increasing gas prices will cause a lot of nice rigs to be sold. You might be one of those that decides that any motorhome is too expensive to own and use. If you really have the truck mechanic, electrical, plumbing, painting, gas and electrical RV appliance repair and RV structural repair and interior refurbishing skills, and the tools, workspace, time and energy, and you know what it needs and what it will cost, go for it. I speak from personal experience.
Ditto.
Everything works till it breaks. And the older and more wear and tear. the more it breaks. An inspection while good, only shows what is broken now. Only way to know for sure would be to tear the drive train down.
IMHO, not a bad buy on the rig. But it depends on your "pain tolerance" if you don't mind fixing stuff go for it. However for me having been there, done that. I wanted something newer that we would have for 15 years, and feel good about 6k trips to AK etc.
What it comes down to, is cost per mile and night, I agree with Border collie here. When I run the numbers, The best buy seems to be a couple year old rig. When you look at it that way. JMHO
LostInTime wrote: Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. I checked this unit out and, everything on it works great! It in fact was inside a building that was damaged by ice back in January. The roof of the building collasped, the damage happened when they were removing all of the material to get the unit out of the building. It has new tires on it about a year ago. It looks to me that I would need to replace part of the decking on the roof and then put on the new membrane. I had my older brother with me who is an RVIA Master Tech, he said it would be a lot of work, but worth it if I could get the price down a bit. So now I can buy this unit or I can continue to look for my dream machine..an early 40's Flxible (I found one but it is 700 miles away)
LEM
I would say if your brother thinks it is OK go for it!
Speaking of the FLexible, I drove one of those, I think it was a /47. many years ago.
It had a straight eight Buick engine mounted crossways in the back.
What a nice riding and handling outfit.
Thanks Sea Dog, the one I am eyeing has a 400 chevy with an auto tranny in it, already converted to an rv. It will need tires, but should be okay to drive 700 miles. I just hate to go 700 miles to get it to be honest. Nothing else like it on the road tho.
LostInTime wrote: Thanks Sea Dog, the one I am eyeing has a 400 chevy with an auto tranny in it, already converted to an rv. It will need tires, but should be okay to drive 700 miles. I just hate to go 700 miles to get it to be honest. Nothing else like it on the road tho.
our first motorhome was an 83 lindy a couple of years ago. we did cross country with no problems, not one. we now have a 1992 four winds with 45k and we full time in it, and all we have lost is a tire. Just because it is older does not mean it is dangerous. I've seen plenty on newer motorhomes with their fare share of problems. You take a risk with any vehicle you purchase.
the big thinking is to know what you are getting into, and be prepared for anything in any case. if the motorhome was well cared for, and serviced and maintained mechanically and all throughout the systems, then a good inspection will show it. Don't buy it just thinking it is a good deal.
When we bought ours, i went through it mechanically and checked all the systems. it helps that we also know rv construction inside and out and can replace, rebuild, or fix just about any aspect of the motorhome.
I feel totally confident in my 1992 four winds, and it has done me quite well over the last few years. the only problem we had to take it in for service was the speed control recall by ford.
1992 Four Winds Class C 27'
2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
A couple of kayaks, bikes, and whatever else we can pile on
LostInTime wrote: Thanks Sea Dog, the one I am eyeing has a 400 chevy with an auto tranny in it, already converted to an rv. It will need tires, but should be okay to drive 700 miles. I just hate to go 700 miles to get it to be honest. Nothing else like it on the road tho.
I sure do Sea Dog. I think I have about every Flxible site out there saved. I like to gather as much info as I can when I'm interested in something. I will probably end up going for the Flxible in the end....it will look great next to my 50 Packard...lol
kendall69 wrote: Not sure if the vehicle has 12,500 miles or 125k miles and was a typo, either way there is inherent problems with both with a vehicle that is almost 20 years old.
RV's need a lot of tweaking even when it's new, so to get something that already is a basket case is a huge mistake. A lot of people go into things thinking, I' handy, I like tinkering, I can save a lot of money.
Tinkeringgets old quick. Having an RV isn't about always being "under the hood" like a car buff, it's about being in it and enjoying it, not tinkering with it.
My advice spend a little more for a turn key vehicle that you can enjoy the next day.
Also taking a nearly 20 year old vehicle on a long trip is suicide at best. Remember you're going down the road with many thousands of pounds of HOUSE, and a high rate of speed. Under normal conditions this seems impossible, under less than optimum conditions you're jeopardizing your life and the life of your family....what price do you out on that.
Don't be penny wise and pound foolish. Move on for a more road worth vehicle, they are selling them at fire sale price. I saw a 2006 Class C with 20k miles, for 18K. Than one you can fill up with fuel and drive away.
I own a 1987 Mallard on an E-350 Ford chassis. It runs like a champ and is solid and dry in and out. Other than adding some minor upgrades like Maxx Air covers, new mirrors, synthetics in the engine and rear end, it has been almost flawless. I average 10 miles per gallon with the stock 460 V8. When I bought it I pulled the carb and sent it to a local pro to see if it needed a rebuild or any work. He laughed at me and told me to put it back on and leave it alone, it was perfect. I had assumed it would need work even though the engine purrs. I also took the entire rig to my mechanic and when he finished his inspection he offered to buy it on the spot. It had 47000 miles on it and he said it will go another 20 years if I take care of it. I guess my point is, I have driven it over 1100 miles on some trips and neither fear for my safety or anyone else that rides with me. It is solid as a new rig, in fact after surfing this forum for some time I realize I have no where near the issues as many of the new or newer Class C motorhomes. I personally feel if you think you can handle the repairs and if that price is in the realm of what you can afford, go for it. I have not found the "inherent problems" that Kendall69 alludes to on my 21 year old motorhome and I'm not suicidal in the least. Good luck and have fun!
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This would be a cool project....
