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.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
After looking at the larger mega rv lots and for sale sites on the internet, it seems to me the best bang for your buck is in the 75 to 100k of used rigs. I have seen many rigs with new michelins, three slides, tons of features including, sat, and engine service in the 80k range. However I did not talk service contracts on the drive train, wonder where the service contract curve for years are? Oh well one more trip up the hill for another chat with a salesman
Mainly looking at full timeing in the 40 ft range like Monaco, Country Coach, ect.
Anyhow what are you thoughts to purchase reguarding age, Im thinking its 8-11 years and the maintaince starts for rigs due to not being ran, seals and such.
Thanks in advance of your openions.
John
-- Edited by Jwar on Thursday 6th of December 2012 12:24:30 AM
John, there are many factors, you can't just generalize, our Rig had some component problems two years in. These RV's can be broken down in two categories, # 1 the mechanical systems (engine, drivetrain, brakes, alternator etc......#2 the components (hot water heater's, oven's, levelers, etc...) lack of use can cause problems, heavy use can cause problems, misuse can cause problems. The first thing is trying to determine manufacturer reputation, then the quality of the specific year, for example similar to Automobiles Corvette had good years, bad years, and great years. Really look into Monaco specific forums, and Country Coach forums, your best insight will come directly from owners. At the end of the day we do our dilegence in research, then our success is left to some kind of magical fate that seems to separate owners into different camps, those who encounter few problems with there RV, and those who have numerous problems, good luck.
-- Edited by GENECOP on Thursday 6th of December 2012 02:22:12 AM
I try to keep all purchases on DP' s in a 10 yr window......normally most maintenance was done because the warranty was involved ...a coach with a transferable warranty is also high on my list. if you spend the money on the warranty that means you intend to use it.
The more paperwork that is available when your looking at it the better, also unless your buying new make sure your price is not driven by the NADA value.....coaches dont cost that much out of the factory!!!!
if you can get an oil sample for oil analysis........just like a house purchase , get an independent inspection if it is not available durring purchase make sure you get a return policy so you can get it done.
Most of all remember there are 48 states and there are regions the market prices are real low....the same coach in Ca. can be found in Fla for 30% less and the price of a plane ticket!!!
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Thursday 6th of December 2012 07:54:16 AM
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1998 ...Harney Renegade DP class A
rers1@mail.com
My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)
We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
We bought our 2005 Monaco Diplomat in 2011. I had searched for about a year and found the best price from a private party in southern California. The couple I bought from were not mechanically inclined. In this case it was an advantage as they had all service done on a regular bases. I have a folder full of receipts for annual service from the engine to hot water heater.
Our price point was the same as yours and we were able stay within it.
Research, research, reasearch, don't be in a hurry and you will find the one for you.
Another thing people forget is that the drivetrain, engine and transmission on the diesel coaches are the same as used in commercial trucks. That means they have been designed for long life and heavy use.
A pickup truck will have about 150,000miles of relative trouble free service if maintained and driven properly. A diesel coach you can expect over 300,000 miles.
Howard has a great section on the RV-Dreams website regarding extended warranties on RVs.
Good luck on your search.
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"Small House, Big Yard "
"May the FOREST be with you" Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe
@ Genecop...Thanks for the heads up about coach forums, I did not know about them, googeled them this morning and found a tons of valuable info. As to service plans (extended warentees) I know there are two, one for drive train and another for components, dont know alot about them but reserching them. I will reserch things to death and still could get a lemon LOL
@Lucky Mike...Thanks for the info about getting paperwork and NADA, will keep that in mind. Im a pro oil anaylist for major equipment. When I was resposibable for about 200 pieces of equipment, I started and oil anyalisist program and saved a major engine $3,000 rebuild to a Hough Payloader on the first one,, Found from the report of alum and silicone in the oil (dirt leak into a hydro vac suction line) and a hi degree of suet in the oil (dribbling injectors) between the dirt and the clylinders getting washed with un-atomized fuel, that engine was prime for repairs. It lasted eight more years. I also pulled anayalist on all equipment before purchase, we let a lot of good looking equipment go, but those who purchased it had engine problems within a year or so. To some is $$$ wasted, to me its money well spent.
MY son lives in Ft Myers and looking there also, if I full time I will use his driveway in winter LOL
@Trabuco...Thanks, I shall, I have done a lot now that the wife asked if I have a girl on the web LOL Told her I'M looking for a blond with a 3 axle coach..Dang I hate cold meals LOL
@Bear II...Thanks, The extended warrentee section is a great read. Im going to go to the dealer with a dollar scenerio for the actual cost of plans. Checking insurance tomorrow.
@ whomever the moderators are and whoever started this site, A big thanks to you all, excelent info and people here, even "Nikki" he has to put up with Lucky Mike LOL
