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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> best for 1 year on the road
Post Info TOPIC: best for 1 year on the road
genopower


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best for 1 year on the road
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Our family of 5 is planning on seeing the US for 1 year. We need to find a way to travel. We're leaning toward a Diesel pusher with budget under 35K. Is this reasonable? I'm looking at a '96 Holiday Rambler with a Cummins engine.

Appreciate any/all advice. What to look out for?

Thanks

 



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SnowGypsy


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I'd suggest getting a copy of: www.amazon.com/Buying-Used-Motorhome-money-burned/dp/1479365386/ref=sr_1_cc_2/182-8826572-7716849 and it is also available in Kindle for, I think, $2.99. Are you planning to only keep this RV for your one year of adventure or long term since that really makes a big difference since with a unit that age, you will need back-up funds for possible repairs, a generous one which isn't as much of an issue if you are planning on keeping it long term. How familiar are you with RVs in general? You'd probably want to find a good RV tech willing to do an inspection and if he couldn't do it, you would want someone to go through the engine, etc. If you aren't planning to keep the unit beyond the year, don't count on recouping the investment you make as in most parts of the country right now, there are lots and lots of units on the market.

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GENECOP


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The likelihood that something major will go wrong during that year is good. An almost 20 year old Motorhome has many moving parts, tires alone could set you back thousands. Even if you have the additional funds ready to go for repairs do you want to interrupt your trip in that way and sit in a motel for weeks? If I was alone I would go for it, family of 5 I would wait to get more $ together and purchase a more dependable unit...Welcome to the Forum.

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Lucky Mike


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I'm with Gene......

A 20 year old unit might be good for retirement going from point A to point B as a seasonal move but to take it on a continuous trip would be an expensive gamble. Even if the mileage is low , the unit has been sitting and components dry out and break down whether the unit moves or not.......its a 50/50 gamble and alot of homework and back-up plans will have to be in place.......have you thought about Leasing a new one or a private lease.....I dont know your travel plans but without a good financial backup plan and good equipment you could end up in a little ghost town for days on end wondering what else could go wrong.

A 20 year old unit is normally not eligible for extended warranties outside of tire repair and towing

at 35k you should be able to find a decent newer gasser under 5 to 10 years old to fit the bill and have less problems and even recoup a decent amount of your investment when the trip is over with.

a 35k diesel coach , 20 years old could eat up almost 35k in a major engine overhaul problem on the road depending on the issue. I buy and sell coaches and at 20 years old at that price it would have to have some pretty strong current maintenance records and a good qualified set of service tech exams to make me want to do a care free round robin of the country

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genopower


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Thanks for all the advice. I'll take it all in and re-formulate.

Chuck

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