Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


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Post Info TOPIC: Just looking


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Just looking


My DW and I looked at a 2004 Winnebago Journey DP 32. Were looking for the good the bad or the ugly on this model, any advice or opinions would be appreciated

It has 14,000 mile, the unit appears to have been well cared for.

Thank You

Bob



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RV-Dreams Family Member

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Robert,

I noticed that this was your first post.  Welcome to the RV Dreams forums.  There are a lot of knowledgable folks here with a lot of answers for questions on about every type of RV.  Feel free to ask away.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Winnebago is on my list of good DP's, noone can really tell you if you have found a good deal or not, if you are not an 'expert' on what to look out for in a used RV, my advice would be to get one (an expert) to check it over for you before you make any decision to buy it.

That is our plan, once we have narrowed down our search:)

Welcome to the forum, i'm sure there will be members that have a winnebago DP, that can be more helpful than I can. Good luck:)

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2016 Vilano by VanLeigh, 2012 F350 Diesel SD 6,7L long bed SRW

Staying at Greenlakes RV Resort nr San Antonio TX

Kim is way too busy planning to have a 'real' job!

Jay is a civillian Gov't Historian Randolph AFB TX (retired AD in '07 after 23 yrs)



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Where do you find an "RV expert" to make an independent survey, I have googled RV Surveyors with no luck?

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RV-Dreams Family Member

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One of the perks of getting an RV Consumer Group, http://rv.org/ , membership is they send you a book called "How to Select, Inspect and Buy an RV".  Then you can be your own inspector.



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Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003



RV-Dreams Family Member

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I would suggest a PRO to inspect unless you have knowledge in RV construction. Check with large RV dealerships (not the one you might buy from) and ask if they provided RV inspection services. Also companies that refurbish RV interiors would be a good starting point.

If you buy from a place like PPL they have contacts for RV inspections services as well as chassis inspection services.

Do it yourself is wonderful but some things you should pay to have done IMHO Book learning just does not replace years of experience.

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2012 - 31 foot NEXUS Class C with one slide out.

Progressive EMS/Surge

Pressure Pro TPMS

WiFi Ranger Mobile Boost

2012 Honda Fit in tow 

BLOG LINK1: http://rvpainter.blogspot.com/

BLOG LINK2: http://art4rvs.blogspot.com/



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Unfortunately I have had some bad advice from dealers, they can be clueless and one sent us to someone massively incompetent for a safety related issue. The reason for getting the book and reading it is so you can do some inspection yourself and have a clue that the person you are hiring to do the inspection knows what they are doing. Some techs can be very prejudice, they might hate some brand of appliance and will tell you all units using it are junk since once they see that brand they go negative on everything else. You have to make yourself as informed as possible to find a pro or expert that really is one and to give you confidence to realize that someone might know what they are talking about but is a bad hire for you, personally.

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Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Well said Bill and self - education is important. There are sooooo many possible factors with a used RV - especially Class C. Delamination for expample - big problem and with "book learning" you may discover it - maybe. Water leaks etc etc. it's kind of like being your own Dr. perhaps you can 2nd guess what is wrong with you but perhaps better off finding a trained MD :>)

Finding a qualified RV inspection facility I agree can be interesting.

When looking for a used RV from PPL, we got the names of 3 vendors to choose from - however we decided to buy new. Knowledge of self inspection is valuable but a highly trained eye is priceless.

:>)

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2012 - 31 foot NEXUS Class C with one slide out.

Progressive EMS/Surge

Pressure Pro TPMS

WiFi Ranger Mobile Boost

2012 Honda Fit in tow 

BLOG LINK1: http://rvpainter.blogspot.com/

BLOG LINK2: http://art4rvs.blogspot.com/



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Some brands have volunteer inspectors who will inspect the prospective coach for you. They are generally people who are very familiar with that particular brand and know what to look for. If there is a Winnebago owner's forum, you might consider joining it and asking.

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David, kb0zke

1993 Foretravel U300 40'

Build number 4371

For sale



RV-Dreams Family Member

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JayKim-no regrets wrote:
Jay says I have a tendency for transparency when we are looking for cars, big money items etc, he says I am a salesmans dream buyer I'm practising my poker face for when we are seriously looking to buy

 

Kim,

Thanks for the laugh.  I used to be a salesman, although only for a short time on cars and trucks.  I can appreciate how it is the little things that a salesman picks up on with their customers.

But, I can be a sucker as well.  What sold me on my DroidX Android phone was a compass app.  (I tend to get my directions for North, South, East and West mixed up when Jo and I go to Tulsa.)

Terry



-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 20th of February 2012 11:22:25 AM

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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Family Member

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We joined RV.ORG last week, yes it's a good idea to educate yourself as far as possible, but even after reading all the great info/books etc available with that membership, we would still prefer an 'expert' to look over any used RV we are thinking of investing our hard earned cash into:)

Jay says I have a tendency for transparency when we are looking for cars, big money items etc, he says I am a salesmans dream buyer I'm practising my poker face for when we are seriously looking to buy

__________________

2016 Vilano by VanLeigh, 2012 F350 Diesel SD 6,7L long bed SRW

Staying at Greenlakes RV Resort nr San Antonio TX

Kim is way too busy planning to have a 'real' job!

Jay is a civillian Gov't Historian Randolph AFB TX (retired AD in '07 after 23 yrs)



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Posts: 642
Date:

kb0zke wrote:

Some brands have volunteer inspectors who will inspect the prospective coach for you. They are generally people who are very familiar with that particular brand and know what to look for. If there is a Winnebago owner's forum, you might consider joining it and asking.


 This is the best idea to get an opinion.  However, it will be a bit biased since it will be a Winnie owner.  At least, it will be a reasonably accurate picture of the rig.  Finding an inspector is a shot in the dark at best, unless you have a relationship with someone with knowledge.  Failing all else, get a diesel mechanic to look at the engine.  The rest of the rig, if the fit and finish is pleasing to the eye, that is doable by you.  The water heater and frig is one of those things that if they operate on both gas and electric, no one can tell you how long they will operate.



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Ken and Fran 2006 Sunnybrook F250 SD CC PSD


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Terry and Jo wrote:
 

But, I can be a sucker as well.  What sold me on my DroidX Android phone was a compass app.  (I tend to get my directions for North, South, East and West mixed up when Jo and I go to Tulsa.)

Terry


At least it was not the bubble level app. 

(Seriously I now use "GPS Essentials" for a compass since the app has more useful stuff in it than a compass.) I think a few smartphones have been sold to RVs to get Dish Pointer, which helps you point a satellite dish.

 



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Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003



RV-Dreams Family Member

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I think a diesel mechanic is the way to go, engine/mechanicle checks, and a test drive. 

Thanks for all the feed back.



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