found a 2004 Journey for sale - need advice - RV-Dreams Community Forum

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

found a 2004 Journey for sale - need advice

Old Snipe · RV-Dreams Family Member

Duke,

I have an 07 Journey and have been very pleased with it and have found it to be a good handling and running unit. I also have the 350 Cat/6 Speed Allison. I get about 8 MPG towing at resonable highway speeds.

I'd check the date codes on the tires, have the batteries load tested and see if there are any service records. If there are records, check to see if the fluids have been changed on time, oil, differential, power steering, etc. You should closely check to see if the antifreeze coolant has been changed, it is a 48 month replacement cycle. If it has already been changed, have the coolant rust inhibitors tested to ensure they are within specs. The trans also should have had a fluid and filter change at the 48 month time frame.

If the maintenance records do not show these items have/have not been changed, it is a barganing chip with the dealer. Check the Freightliner Chassis owners club for more information.

I 'd be very happy to answer any other questions you have, the Journey is a very well built unit and I hope everything works out well for you.

Best Regards!

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

thanks paul just the kind of info i am looking for...

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

If there is time enough pull an oil sample and send it out to a third party to be tested (if you need to move to make the deal you may not have time) that can tell you a lot about the condition of the engine now if they've changed the oil recently then don't bother it's less useful.

Try to get it out on the open road does the transmission slip? Is it shifting rough? Is it having trouble changing gears?

If your not used to the noise a diesel makes then there isn't much listening to the engine is going to tell you but the feel of the transmission is a warning of issues to come.

Since it's on a Freightliner chassis you can take it into the local (if there is one) Freightliner repair shop and I'm sure there will be a fee have the mechanicals checked out (Brake systems, engine codes, etc...) just make the stop there part of the test drive 8).

Turn on the fridge does it get cold?

Ask them to put some water in the fresh water tank and turn on the water pump.

Does the water pump run for a bit then stop? That's normal, if it doesn't stop you have an open valve some place or a leak.

If they'll let you charge the hot water system with water then do that and then turn it on and make sure the water gets hot.

Turn on the AC does it blow colder air then the air outside?

Those would be the major systems you can easily check or would be a major expense to fix.

Mallo

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Always look for water damage both around the roof, walls and in the bays. Look inside everything and make sure it is holding up well, including getting a creeper and rolling around underneath.

RV Consumer Group has a great book to get as a member, How to Select, Inspect, and Buy an RV by JD Gallant, which is well worth getting.

Old Snipe · RV-Dreams Family Member

One more thing, to build on Bill Joyce's advice, the Journey (and many other WB Class A models) have a seam where the fiberglass roof slides into the gutters (down each side) and are sealed in with caulk.

Check the seam by pushing in gently from the sides to ensure the caulk is still attached. If not, re-caulking will be needed. You won't get water intrusion from this seam, but in rare cases, the roof can come loose at the edges and actually peal back while driving.

I have never had that problem and it is really rare, but one more thing to check for.

Best Regards!

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

hey i really appreciate all the advice... i had already planned to look at this in stages... first stage was cosmetics (do we like the layout - is every thing nice, damage, etc mostly interior items)... the next stage is to get one om y buddies who knows about diesels ( i don't) and the last stage is a final walk through...
i did the first stage today and all seemed well except some discoloration around a rivet? inside the fridge - burned or rusted? will try to post a picture later.. going out of town tonight...

it is a nice rig so i am interested but only if everything is in pretty good shape... the tires unfortunately are originals based on the dot date.... :(

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

To me it is funny you are worrying about the engine so much since most RV engines are in fine shape when the rest of the RV is worn out.

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

well my first look see at the rig left me with an impression that this rig didn't wow me but didn't run me off either... took lots of photos and will study them more closely and sit on this for a week... if we still want to consider it we will bring the diesel friend along to check it out...

now my strategy here was to look over the rig very carefully from the inside out paying no attention to the mechanical side of it at first... this first visit is to see if it was "our home" and in what condition... if it had the our home feel i want to explore it further... thanks for the advice

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:

To me it is funny you are worrying about the engine so much since most RV engines are in fine shape when the rest of the RV is worn out.

bjoyce it may be funny to you but I want my future home to be able to move from place to place :)

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

heyduke wrote:

bjoyce wrote:

To me it is funny you are worrying about the engine so much since most RV engines are in fine shape when the rest of the RV is worn out.

bjoyce it may be funny to you but I want my future home to be able to move from place to place :)

I am not saying you shouldn't make sure it is fine, but those engines are tough.