Older Model Holiday Rambler 5Ver - RV-Dreams Community Forum

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Older Model Holiday Rambler 5Ver

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Buying a model 12 yrs old I dont think we would. You must pay attention to roof or ceiling leaks. How well was it kept? How many recalls did this unit have?? How many winter months did it sit and was the water drained and winterzied?? Ck the plumbing for water leaks when water is turned on in it, units can leak in the walls where showers are.
Just a few things I have mentioned here others can add more i am sure.
southwestjudy

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Judy you have raised some good issues. I don't think I would even consider an RV of this age unless I had an independent inspection. I've been googling every way I can think of and havent come up with anyone near Toledo, Ohio so far.

Meanwhile I will keep looking, but this would be a way I could find out if this lifestyle is really for me, if I can really handle it on my own, without spending a ton of money. I can always upgrade later.

gypsy

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think it'a an idea to investigate. It might be a unit that was only used for vacations and really doesn't have that much wear and tear on it. You might be able to find an RV repair technician that would be willing to assess it for you. Your idea to get into this as cheaply as possible and then trade up if you enjoy the lifestyle, is, I think, very smart and prudent.
Fred

mcw50 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We used to take our RV to Smitty's RV Service at 5750 Jackman Road, Toledo. We had a Class A and don't know if they do anything with fivers. We've been on the road for some years now, so don't have up-to-date info.
When we return to Toledo to visit, we sometimes stay just over the state line at Harbortown RV Resort in Monroe, MI. They often have little RV shows at the campground from Kirk's RV, 10835 Telegraph Rd., Erie, MI...perhaps they can help you out. Good Luck!

Mary
former Toledo resident

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just another thing to consider......If you decide to buy an older 5th wheel that has been sitting for awhile be sure to replace the tires. They might look okay, even to a professional, but that rubber shifts. We had a blowout in Nova Scotia back in July just a month after the service department at our local dealer said they were fine. We ended up shelling out about $700 (can) for 4 new tires (ouch!).

The first fiver we bought (1996 Wilderness) hadn't been winterized properly and the hot water heater had a crack in it....another expensive day.

The great thing about fivers is that we don't have to worry about engines, or transmissions, and all that other really expensive stuff (excluding the truck of course).

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think this is not such a bad idea, if you keep in mind that probably at least half of the systems in the 5ver may need to be replaced within a year. Say for instance you may have to do some plumbing repair, replace a refigarator, a water pump and tires, and you budget for that (or more). The good news is that everything can be fixed or repaired if you wish to spend enough and put up with the possible aggrivation. I would certainly hold off on the solar and other improvements until I was sure the rig was sound. If you plan to trade up in the future you need to make sure that you can recover most of the cost of the improvment when you re-sale or trade up. And if all systems work for the duration and you don't have to replace them then you will have a good down payment when you do trade up.

Flyone