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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> Buying a previous rental motorhome?
Post Info TOPIC: Buying a previous rental motorhome?
CarMichael


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Buying a previous rental motorhome?
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I'm considering buying a phased out rental motorhome from El Monte RV. They seem to be considerably cheaper. I understand that these units have been driven hard, have high mileage, and not maintained very well by the renters.. but consider my situation: 

I am solo fulltiming for no more than two years to travel and see the country.. I will then sell the RV after that time as I'll want to focus on my career and maybe family. So I'm thinking since I'm not going to rely on this unit for more than 2 years... than I shouldn't focus on longevity issues when purchasing.

IF I somehow do decide to continue this lifestyle.. I'll probably continue using this one if I like it.. or trade it in.

I will definitely get it inspected by a mechanic to make sure it is mechanically sound, etc..

I'm just trying to reduce the loss when I sell. I figure if I buy a non-rental unit for say $40k.. two years later it will be worth $30k. But if I buy a comparable rental unit with higher mileage for $32k.. I can maybe sell it for $26k. I figure the rental unit has already lost most of it's value when it was a rental.. and the following years when I own.. it should lose value at a slower pace. Is this logic false?

Anyone care to talk me out of this? Have any insight? Is this a roadside breakdown in the middle of nowhere in the making?

Thanks


-- Edited by CarMichael on Sunday 15th of November 2009 07:15:32 PM

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Terry and Jo


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While I have absolutely no experience in renting RV's or buying them as used, I can say that I have had my share of buying used rental and/or lease automobiles.

While it may be that "renters" don't maintain the units, I would presume that the company's that own and rent them out do have a somewhat structured maintenance schedule.  For instance, while an renter won't worry about changing the oil, it may well be that the RV rental company does an oil change after the unit is returned.  So, there may not really be an issue with maintenance because I doubt that "renters" actually have the RV's for that long.

A number of factors that you haven't mentioned need to be touched upon.  If the unit you are interested in has a diesel engine, then the mileage on the unit may not be so important.  Diesels are known for having longer lives to them.

Also, what are you considering as high mileage?  One person I know says he never buys a used car with more than 25,000 miles while another says that even 50,000 is not a problem.  When your mechanic looks at the unit, have him consider the type of engine and the number of miles in addition to overall "wear and tear" of the unit.

While my comments are generic, I imagine that there are a number of motorhome owners on this forum that can give you more detailed examples of what to look for and avoid.

Good luck, and welcome to the forums.

Terry

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Terry and Jo

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CarMichael


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It would be a gas engine motorhome with probably around 50k miles. Don't see a reason to pay higher for the longer lasting diesel when I'll only be using the engine for a few years.

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Cindy T


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I've never purchased a rental RV but I have rented them in the past.  I can say with each of our rental experiences, the RV's were not very well maintained.  One Class C that we rented had to be driven below the speed limit as it rattled so much we thought it was going to rattle itself right off the road.  So I would have any used unit very thoroughly checked by a mechanic, so you know what you're getting into.

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Cindy T

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simstick


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You are going to be married to that unit for two years. You will never love your gas motor. I can almost guarantee at the end of two years you will love your diesel. :)

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