Help! 2005 Winnebago Journey Diesel vs 2016 Coachmen Pursuit gas - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Cartap · RV-Dreams Community Member

Help! 2005 Winnebago Journey Diesel vs 2016 Coachmen Pursuit gas

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome, Carol. You aren't the first one to ask this type of question, and you certainly won't be the last. Since this is a first-time purchase, I'd strongly suggest that you ONLY look at used. You will take a pretty big depreciation hit in the first few years, and most people end up going through a couple of coaches in a few years before they get the one that really fits them.

Now, back up a bit. How will you use your coach? Are you full-timers, or going to be soon? Will this coach be parked for long periods or will you be moving at least monthly? Where will you be traveling? Any motorhome needs to be driven at least 30 miles at one stretch at least monthly just to keep all of the seals, etc. properly lubed. Towables don't have those issues.

My suggestion is that you look at all sorts of coaches, new and used, without regard to price right now. You are looking for two things: quality of construction and floorplan. You want to buy the highest quality coach you can and you want a floorplan that works for you. One of the best ways of looking at quality is to look at a 10-20 year old coach. A high quality coach will show some normal wear and tear, but it won't look like it is heading for the scrap yard. It will still look like it has many years of service left. Owners of such coaches often will do some fairly expensive upgrades because they know the "bones" are sound. Just go on airforums.com or buybyebluebird.com to see how much older coaches are bringing and what has been done with them.

Cartap · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks so much David. Being from Michigan and not yet retired, we will be seasonal campers. In fact, we're buying something and doing a weekend in October....then it will likely be winterized and stored. Our intent for next summer is to do a Michigan upper peninsula tour along with weekend trips.....and a western Grand Canyon gig within a couple years.

We're definitely leaning toward the used diesel but the lack of warranty worries me. I'm so afraid that we'll buy this beauty and it will fall apart as we drive away. They did say they would make sure everything works but 10 year old pieces and parts can go at any time. Buying new, but not as quality, will get us a warranty.

The dealer knows we're considering the diesel so another concern is that they will do minimal prep on the unit and shove it out the door. Whereas, if we hadn't shown interest, they would make it showroom ready by putting more work into it.

I really appreciate your expert opinion(s)!!

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'd check the age of the tires on a ten year old rig. They may have plenty of tread and be shiny (basic tire window dressing) but if the tires are more than 5 years old, you'll looking at an expensive replacement job on them. Factor that into your plan and reduce the offer price accordingly. There are codes on the tire sidewall that tell you when it was made. I'm not up to speed on it, but others on here can certainly chime in on how to read those codes. Probably a video on the net on how to do it.

FYI, Brian

ON edit: OK now I'm up to speed...just found a vid on youtube reporting on scamming people by misrepresenting tires... in fact there is a 4 number code that shows the week and year of manufacture, as in 2610 = 26th week of 2010.... 1315 = 13th week of 2015. Old tires are at increased risk of failure and should be replaced no matter how much or how little wear is on the treads

-- Edited by biggaRView on Saturday 5th of September 2015 09:57:38 AM

Cartap · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you on the tire tip Brian! So much to learn!!!

P.S. We have a beagle too!...and a lab.....and a shih tzu. :)

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had Winnebagos before we went full time and switched to 5th wheels. We had good luck with them but this one is 10 years old. I believe you can get an extended warranty to cover the issues that pop up, I would be surprised if nothing needed attention. There is an add at the top of this page for warranty coverage and they won't cover the rig until they inspect it. This saved a few folks some money when they did the inspection before the purchase.

Cartap · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks el Rojo and Pam. I'll consider that warranty for sure. Your input made me look into a pre-purchase inspection.....not many companies or inspectors popped up in the Detroit area when I did an online search though.

The decision-making continues!

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Can find good private seller deals too..................Not just Dealers.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

We bought a 20-year-old coach and are full-timing in it now. Yes, expensive things can go wrong and you simply need to plan for it. Remember that a warranty is nothing more than an insurance policy. Like any other insurance policy, you are betting that the cost of your loss (repairs) will exceed the premiums you pay, and the insurance company is betting the other way. An older coach won't have a warranty, and their prices reflect that. You need to do some due diligence and then set aside some money each month for those repairs.

As Brian said, check the age of the tires. The date code is stamped on only one side of the tire, so it is possible that it will be hidden underneath the coach or even between the duals. Use what you can find. If you buy a MH, gas or diesel, be sure to join FMCA. You will then be eligible for discounts on Michelin tires for the coach AND for your toad. Basically you will be buying the tires at dealer cost, so the savings are significant. MH tires can be $6-800 each. A seller probably won't put new tires on just before selling because they won't get that much out of the coach. On the other hand, putting new tires on a coach can take half a day or more. How much is your time worth? If you really want the coach, but it has old tires, you could offer to pay the asking price but have the seller put the new Michelins on. HINT: look for an FMCA oval number place or sticker on the coach. If it is there, the seller is most likely an FMCA member and will be able to get the discount.

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Carol the warranty add is on the bottom of this page, Wholesale warranties. Unless things have changed they will arrange for the inspection, you will have to pay for it though.

Red

Cartap · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks Trailerking...we have looked at private sellers too....just haven't found the right one.

David thanks for the FMCA tip and your perspective on warranties. I think that tires and batteries need to be our focus when we go back to the dealer.

Red....I will look into Wholesale Warranties. I wonder how quickly they respond to do the inspection request?....and if you're obligated to them. I suppose I should just inquire :)

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cartap wrote:
Thanks Trailerking...we have looked at private sellers too....just haven't found the right one.

David thanks for the FMCA tip and your perspective on warranties. I think that tires and batteries need to be our focus when we go back to the dealer.

Red....I will look into Wholesale Warranties. I wonder how quickly they respond to do the inspection request?....and if you're obligated to them. I suppose I should just inquire :)

FYI; When asking a dealer to include tires or batteries on a deal be specific about size and brand ie "Michelin" and get it in writing on the sales contract... I've seen even good dealers put on Chinese tires when not specified.

As far as the warranty inspection, you have to pay for that up front to Wholesale Warranties. If it doesn't pass they won't provide a warranty and you're still out the fee. I think they provide a list of what has to be fixed which you could negotiate with the dealer to bring the coach up to shape. I would also ask the warranty company what's not included on the warranty just so you know up front and not surprised down the road. I will say if Howard recommends a product it's usually one of the best in the industry.

Howard please feel free to chime in if I have anything wrong on the warranty comments.