Getting into RV ownership

[HNL2LHC]

This is exactly what I am thinking. And the rest of my family all has RV's so it will be much easier for all the cousins to do and make memories together.

This is the first thing that came to mind…any relations?

 

[outboard_256]

I don't see how its going to be more than $5k with the condition that it is in.

Tents SUCK to camp in in the desert. Specially with little kids (the majority of the camping we would be doing). This includes pop-ups. The only thing they offer over a tent is a little bit of ease, some cooking equipment, and MAYBE a tiny bathroom. But to get one large enough for all of us with a bathroom, I'd be looking at close to the same price. Then I would have an RV that none of us want to be in on half of the trips and one I cannot use and take my boat anywhere.

Sorry, but the RDP mentality of "its not worth the headache. Just buy something that is 10x the price" doesn't work for me.

My theory is if you are having fun you are doing it right. I by far have the oldest/cheapest stuff out of the group I go with but I am having just as much fun as them.

 

[Jay Dub]

I say give it a go, make memories! Just be careful on the repairs/fixes so that you do not turn around and have $10,000 into a "free rv"

 

[Flying_Lavey]

So just talked to my buddy and it is essentially mine. The one thing they did do with it was remove the driver and passenger seats so I will need to get new ones. At least the driver's obviously. I have found a couple on Facebook marketplace and Offerup, but I figured I'd check here first before going after any of those.

 

[lbhsbz]

Got any pictures of this gem?

 

[Shrub Lurker]

Bankruptcy Starter Kit.
Buy something newer…Please

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Got any pictures of this gem?

I have 1 or 2 buried somewhere in my archives from when my uncle still had it over at his place in Heritage.

 

[monkeyswrench]

LS and 80 swap, air bags with new shaggy carpet

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Bankruptcy Starter Kit.
Buy something newer…Please

FACTS! Nostalgia only goes so far before the stupidity starts!

 

[Daycruzin]

Two main causes of fires in old (and even new) RV's/campers/trailers are the electrical system and propane refrigerators. You best know what you're doing and go over both systems with a fine-tooth comb. If it's running propane anything, double check everything. Replace every rubber hose/line you find. The smallest obstruction or debris will wreak havoc on appliances.

Leaks. There's a saying with RV's...those that leak and those that will leak. Meticulous maintenance is required to keep an RV from developing leaks. Teeny-tiny leaks can go unnoticed for years. Then one day, you see some discoloration on the ceiling or a wall. It's usually too late. The entire roof or sidewall may need to be replaced. At that point, you'll need decide just how much you're willing to sink into an almost 50 year old, rotting, luan board, ply wood box. This is not a 70's river boat that's made to last. It's the complete opposite.
I'm about to strip down and replace the roof on my little, truck camper. It's only 10 years old, but it's kaput. Going with stronger, longer-lasting puncture-resistant PVC. Not a job for the faint of heart.

Chassis. I guess treat it like any other 70's vehicle that's been sitting. 15 years is a long time for any vehicle to not move.
When it leaves you on the side of the road more than once, I think you'll reconsider.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

 

[callbob]

Some of you guys crack me up. He is getting this thing for FREE. If he has o put a couple of bucks in it to make it roadworthy, so what? Not everyone is in the money no object crowd. Go have fun and make some memories with your kids. I doubt he is going to do the Trans Alaska highway of round trip the US. Good luck with it and like some said, make sure everything works and no leaks especially of the propane variety.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Some of you guys crack me up. He is getting this thing for FREE. If he has o put a couple of bucks in it to make it roadworthy, so what? Not everyone is in the money no object crowd. Go have fun and make some memories with your kids. I doubt he is going to do the Trans Alaska highway of round trip the US. Good luck with it and like some said, make sure everything works and no leaks especially of the propane variety.

Yeah, I find a lot of the comments comical also. I was damn near raised in RV's (my entire family has had one since I was about 3 years old), this one has been in my family and very close friends of family since it was likely less than 10 years old. Plus, I worked at a trailer fabrication shop for a while as well as being a decent wrench so....... I'm really not scared. But hey, the RDP way is just buy something new/better! Its only money!

 

[rivermobster]

Some of you guys crack me up. He is getting this thing for FREE. If he has o put a couple of bucks in it to make it roadworthy, so what? Not everyone is in the money no object crowd. Go have fun and make some memories with your kids. I doubt he is going to do the Trans Alaska highway of round trip the US. Good luck with it and like some said, make sure everything works and no leaks especially of the propane variety.

You do know what the most expensive boat to own is don't you?

 

[callbob]

The one you have, but he is getting this barge for free. When it gets to where it needs too much to update, take to LA and park it by the curb. They don’t care if the roof leaks.

 

[BHC Vic]

I’ve read bits and pieces here and there but how are the tires? Looking around it seems like new tires for the one I’m buying are about 3500. Windshield isn’t cheap either. Those are the two big things I could see right off the bat. I can’t afford new so I’m going with the 16 year old stuff myself and it’s still not cheap.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I’ve read bits and pieces here and there but how are the tires? Looking around it seems like new tires for the one I’m buying are about 3500. Windshield isn’t cheap either. Those are the two big things I could see right off the bat. I can’t afford new so I’m going with the 16 year old stuff myself and it’s still not cheap.

Luckily this is an old Class C so it only has 16" wheels. Likely 225/70-16. Those are pretty easy to find relatively cheap. The tires are probably about 25 years old. They will be getting replaced before it attempts to hit the road.

 

[propcheck]

Well everybody has an opinion and it is based on experiences in life so here is mine I like older Rv’s more than new ones, that being said you can have a huge amount of fun with the old one just dont over commit financially.
One option would be to scrap all the propane equipment and go to all electric equipment you can pull out when you sell it or donate it to the next person I would envision a set of portable solar panels connected to an ecoflow type power system with a cooler fridge/freezer and an electric griddle and two burner cooktop a system like that gives plenty of comfort, portability and if the RV does not work out you have all the cool stuff to be the ultimate tailgater on game day