Quote:
Originally Posted by City Guy997S
You are nuts! Took your grandpa his whole life to save that much cash and you want to buy an expensive used RV?
Keep your "cash" and rent one instead.
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Keep it for what? Save it like grandpa did so it can be left to the next person and then the next and the next?
Do with it what makes you happy, or what makes someone else happy if that makes you happy.
A quality used RV is not a bad buy. Get something like a Prevost, Newell or an older Bluebird and it can become a family legacy. They are good for a million miles or more if you keep up the maintenance. Best bet is to find one that was always stored indoors. Not too low mileage for its age because it is not good if it is left sitting all the time. Look for at least 1000 miles per year on average. More than 5000 miles per year and it was probably a full timer. It may be pretty worn out.
Be careful of anything post 2006 and pre 2012, because all the companies started going broke and cutting corners. There are some good ones form the recession and near failure of the industry, but it is risky. Also be careful about newer stuff, especially from Companies owned by Thor. Newmar or Monaco/Beaver made some really nice rigs if you do not want to go whole hog with the big three. Pre-buyout Entengras were reasonably nice.
It is not clear how much you are talking about. A 2006 Prevost will likely cost $250K or more. Monaco or Beaver Signature level about $150K.
If you are looking cheaper then you either have to go older to stay in the high quality group, or go smaller or get into the cheaper ones. Another option for cheaper but still nice are 5th wheels with a big pick up truck. pre 2012 DRV, New Horizon, Van Leigh are all pretty well made.
Or you can go with a toy hauler (either Motorhome or 5th wheel). I am not much familiar with those. Some of them after your unload the "garage" part, it converts to either living space or a screen porch. A few ever have outdoor decks.
Make sure you know what you want. Engine and chasis are probably more important. you probably want a diesel pusher if you get a motor home. Floor plan can be critical. Do you want two bathrooms/ If so, what are you willing to give up for the second bathroom? What floor plan do you want? Personally I would not worry about electronics or furniture. They are going to be out of date by the time you buy it, and you will eventually upgrade it. What other features do you want? diesel generator? Solar? what kind of heat? Water heat? The best heat/hot water comes from a diesel powered unit called aqua-hot. You will likely have to replace the burner if it is old. You will likely want a residential refridgerator. Personally I would want an all electric motor-home. Carrying around propane in a fire-deathtrap scares me. Some motor-homes have several alternate escape hatches. that would be pretty important to me even if I did have all electric. For all electric, you either plug into a power source, or use your generator or solar depending on what is available.
Get it inspected by a professional, well wortht he cost. Also I woudl watch out for anything from a hurricane state. It might be fine, but it also may have been flooded in the past. If so, you simply do nto want it. Anything with any sign of having water leaks (usually the roof, especially around vents or AC units). or flood damage - pass. No matter what, you do not want it.
Some motor-homes have seats the turn around and become part of your living room. Do you want that?
If you will be in hot places a lot, get three AC units.
The roof is critical. get one piece or rubberized, not seamed fiberglass.
Be wary about tires. they need to be replaced every 7 years regardless of condition. It can be $10k to replace all the tires.
Will you tow something like a car or trailer full of toys? You may need a tag axle. The fancier rigs have a steerable tag axle.
You can go and go and go. A well equipped large Prevost cost $1.2 million - $2 million when new. Drop back to maybe 2006 and they cost about $250K. Go back to 1998 and they drop to 150 or sometimes even below $100, but they will have one, or no slide outs.
We are digging into what we want for a retirement home. there is a ton to learn. It may take several years of study for us to decide what exactly we want and then it may take several more to find the exact rig we want for a price we can afford. Keep in mind the nicer Motorhomes are not mass produced. They are hand made. Most companies make fewer than 100 of their top models per year. Finding a used one that is just right for you may take a lot of work.
BTW I am told most people get the wrong rig for them the first time up. You end up getting thinks you think you need but don't need and not getting things you do not know you will need. I intend to avoid that, but you may not be willing/able to spend years researching and figuring it out. I have to.
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