Looking to buy an RV and need advice

[BHC Vic]

So like the title says it’s time to bite the bullet. We sold the trailer and it’s time to get SOMETHING. As much as I don’t want a payment my boys are only getting older and it’s time to bite the bullet. As mush as I’d like to go all out it’s simply not in the cards right now. With that said I’m really trying to keep the budget at 30 and maybe up to 40k if it’s something Michelle really likes. So I guess first things first is there anybody here that has something that would work for us that you no longer use or have thought about maybe getting rid of?

I know a lot of you don’t fb but market place has a lot of RV’s so I’m going to post a few links and hopefully get some good and bad on these. There’s 5 in my family so I need to sleep 5. If I could get something with bunks that’s ideal. I think… I also want to be able to tow a trailer. I don’t own a sxs but you never know and I don’t want to just keep upgrading. I realize my budget is low. I’m trying to be responsible.

This one has bunks and I like it. So what’s the bad?

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This one no bunks but my wife likes it and the price is right

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This one is gas but newer and very nice what’s anyone got for this guy

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I’m not in a huge hurry but like I said the boys are getting older and out group of friends is in the camping era. I’m not trying to keep up with the jones but I’m trying to enjoy good company and make memories. My buddy just bought Tony hawks old rv and as nice as it is and as much as I love it I’m just not at the stage of my life yet.

 

[BHC Vic]

Please be honest. I know there’s people here with way more experience. I can’t promise what you say won’t hurt my feelings but I need to hear it. if my budget is going to cause me problems done the road let me know. I’d rather know now than after buying a 20-40k dollar headache

 

[BHC Vic]

Also how hard/expensive is it to make something older nice. New interior etc

 

[BHC Vic]

And yes this probably has something to do with me being in the hospital and it scaring me. Life is short and I want to enjoy it. I think that shook me up and woke me up a little

 

[RiverDave]

So on the first one a lot of campgrounds won’t let RV’s 10 years or older into them.. if you are past that age they require pictures ahead of time to make a decision.

The Monaco is going to be twice the motorhome the others are, but it’s not gonna be the prettiest.. you are gonna run into the campground problem.

The third.. Thors are junk.. that said they always look the coolest and have rad features. Honestly I’d probably buy the Thor of those three.. lol.


I know Thors are junk and yet I want a Thor Aria 4000 as my next motorhomezz. It just checks all my boxes and I haven’t seen one I like more..

RD

 

[rivrrts429]

Bunks are nice. Mine has bunks and they’ve been a great addition mainly because each bunk had a tv so the kids could watch their own shows or play their PlayStation games.

I like where your head space is on this. You don’t need the latest and greatest. The kids won’t care. They’re just stoked to be camping and spending time with Mom & Dad.

 

[TPC]

Depends on condition. I'd never sell our river trailer because sitting in the Parker sun for 24 years it's been rotting from the inside out. Good lot Princess. Moves maybe 1000 yards from storage to the assigned site, then back into storage.
Buy as Late a model as possible.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Also how hard/expensive is it to make something older nice. New interior etc

This one is tough, they aren't built like a house, so upgrading can be a pain. The other thing is drive train. Older coaches had motors that weren't as powerful, like the Ford 460 and Chevy 454. Those eventually got backed with overdrive transmissions, but were kind of slugs comparatively. Same with the older diesel pushers, though they have fewer mechanical issues, they aren't as peppy as a newer one.

I'd say also that some of the newer ones coming on the market may be deleted, or have non-Cali mods to them. This may be why they are on the market. I don't know what the future holds for the rest of the country, but keep that in mind as well.

 

[BHC Vic]

So on the first one a lot of campgrounds won’t let RV’s 10 years or older into them.. if you are past that age they require pictures ahead of time to make a decision.

The Monaco is going to be twice the motorhome the others are, but it’s not gonna be the prettiest.. you are gonna run into the campground problem.

The third.. Thors are junk.. that said they always look the coolest and have rad features. Honestly I’d probably buy the Thor of those three.. lol.


I know Thors are junk and yet I want a Thor Aria 4000 as my next motorhomezz. It just checks all my boxes and I haven’t seen one I like more..

RD

My group has a lot of older stuff. A lot will be desert camping. But I’ll take some pics when I get back today. I had to come to work

 

[Fabhouse]

Family of 4-
30' Class A was the first, great deal on a clean motorhome. Worked, but lack of bunks or overhead bed made it cramped.
34' Monaco pusher came next. 2 couches for the boys beds, Cat C7, huge slides-perfect right? Not at all- still cramped because once you fold the couches out you could not walk past them, lots of wasted space.
36' Super C (2008) is where we are now, and love it. The price was really right (34k) because it needed cosmetic work. I replaced all the exterior graphics and remodeled the interior, added the suspension upgrades, tires etc. All in around 45k. It has bunks plus the cab over bed. Everyone has a spot, and you aren't folding/making beds every morning just to make coffee. Tows great, we mostly flat tow a Jeep Gladiator.

 

[BHC Vic]

Family of 4-
30' Class A was the first, great deal on a clean motorhome. Worked, but lack of bunks or overhead bed made it cramped.
34' Monaco pusher came next. 2 couches for the boys beds, Cat C7, huge slides-perfect right? Not at all- still cramped because once you fold the couches out you could not walk past them, lots of wasted space.
36' Super C (2008) is where we are now, and love it. The price was really right (34k) because it needed cosmetic work. I replaced all the exterior graphics and remodeled the interior, added the suspension upgrades, tires etc. All in around 45k. It has bunks plus the cab over bed. Everyone has a spot, and you aren't folding/making beds every morning just to make coffee. Tows great, we mostly flat tow a Jeep Gladiator.

I really want a super C so I will open the search parameters

 

[RiverDave]

Family of 4-
30' Class A was the first, great deal on a clean motorhome. Worked, but lack of bunks or overhead bed made it cramped.
34' Monaco pusher came next. 2 couches for the boys beds, Cat C7, huge slides-perfect right? Not at all- still cramped because once you fold the couches out you could not walk past them, lots of wasted space.
36' Super C (2008) is where we are now, and love it. The price was really right (34k) because it needed cosmetic work. I replaced all the exterior graphics and remodeled the interior, added the suspension upgrades, tires etc. All in around 45k. It has bunks plus the cab over bed. Everyone has a spot, and you aren't folding/making beds every morning just to make coffee. Tows great, we mostly flat tow a Jeep Gladiator.

I loved that fleetwood nitrous trailer ya sold me.. I shoulda never sold that thing.

RD

 

[RiverDave]

If you have kids definitely try to get bunks.. one of the big reasons I bought mine is it has a triple bunk conversion!

 

[Fabhouse]

I loved that fleetwood nitrous trailer ya sold me.. I shoulda never sold that thing.

RD

That was a great trailer-
I agree with you on the Thor MH's- specifically the ACE. Some friends have had them, nothing but problems. Bottom line is that any RV is going to need constant work. Like making sure all the self tappers and wood screws that they are built with stay tight.

 

[BHC Vic]

This is nice, but on less than an hour I’ve already blown out the budget

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[BHC Vic]

Honestly some of these have been sitting a while. I’m assuming there’s a little room to work on all of them. I’m hoping anyways

 

[Justsomeguy]

So you had a trailer before but want a motor home this time? Do I have that correct? Just trying to understand. Is a towable an option?

I know everyone has theor opinion on this and I understand some of those MH are really nice. But, I've always been a fan of having my truck and one less power train to maintain.

 

[callbob]

As Dave said Thors are a big no. There is a reason there are slipcovers on the seating areas. Older pusher? That is also a no from me. Maintenance will kill your budget quickly. They are out there. I looked at a plethora of coaches before I bought my 2011 Winnebago Sightseer. Good leather upholstery low miles and one owner already had some suspension upgrades and I did the rest. Trust me on this, the F53 motorhome chassis need help to be able to drive comfortably. Maintenance is cheap compared to a diesel. Less than 50 bucks to do an oil change myself is the big one. Older than 10 years in some parks might be a killer but If it looks good and not falling apart you’re good.

 

[rivrrts429]

I’d stay away from Thor as well. My buddy bought the big wazoo Thor. Thing had every gadget and well thought out floor plan. Had like four slide-outs.

Nothing but issues and none were minor.

Last trip we were all camping together and one slide would not come in. He left that POS at the campground, rode home in my motorhome and called his attorney on the way home and never saw it again.

Luckily he’s very well off and his attorney got Thor to buy the coach back.

It was beautiful but every trip he was having to fix something. He’ll never buy a Thor again.

 

[DMF]

So on the first one a lot of campgrounds won’t let RV’s 10 years or older into them.. if you are past that age they require pictures ahead of time to make a decision.

The Monaco is going to be twice the motorhome the others are, but it’s not gonna be the prettiest.. you are gonna run into the campground problem.

The third.. Thors are junk.. that said they always look the coolest and have rad features. Honestly I’d probably buy the Thor of those three.. lol.


I know Thors are junk and yet I want a Thor Aria 4000 as my next motorhomezz. It just checks all my boxes and I haven’t seen one I like more..

RD

I agree on the Thor product. They are the best looking and I find myself constantly trying to talk myself out of buying one.

 

[jet496]

I live in San Diego and going to put a 2002, 31 ft, C class motorhome on the market in the next few weeks. V10, Levelers, slide out, always been covered. 24,000 miles, great condition. Kid are gone, my wife passed away, and it's only done short trips to the river. We loved it because it sleeps a lot of people (above the cab, couch & table turn into a bed & a queen island bed in the back). Super-slide-out for the living room makes for a lot of room.

PM me if you're interested.

 

[BHC Vic]

So you had a trailer before but want a motor home this time? Do I have that correct? Just trying to understand. Is a towable an option?

I know everyone has theor opinion on this and I understand some of those MH are really nice. But, I've always been a fan of having my truck and one less power train to maintain.

I had a trailer but with my 3 boys it wasn’t enough room. I was also towing with the suburban. I also blew the tranny. No homo… if I’m going to get a bigger trailer I need a bigger truck. It just doesn’t really pencil out.

 

[Justsomeguy]

I had a trailer but with my 3 boys it wasn’t enough room. I was also towing with the suburban. I also blew the tranny. No homo… if I’m going to get a bigger trailer I need a bigger truck. It just doesn’t really pencil out.

Lol. The no homo made me laugh.

That's fair. I love my trailer. But I already had the rig to pull it. It has a completely separate bedroom. I can get out of the trailer straight from the bedroom and it has its own door to the bathroom. I never disturb anyone coming and going. That was the Selling point. Wish I had waited and found the attitude with the same layout but 3 axel.

Good luck on the search. I know nothing about the motor home realm. But I'll be watching this to learn.

 

[Singleton]

With 3 boys. You most likely want a bed over cab and bunks.

Age starts causing issues in RV parks/resorts (Newport Dunes as an example), but county and state parks are not an issue.

Super C’s will blow your budget.

But a gas version C might be a good place to start or a smaller A.

If you see anything in San Diego, more than willing to meet to take a took at it (if time allows).

Post up what you find and later today I will review and provide feedback.

Looking for any water damage is key when buying any RV

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Vic,

Whatever you decide on understand this...very few people actually maintain these things the way they need to be maintained.
When you find one you are interested in if there are any signs of water intrusion walk away. Get up on the roof and look for failed seam sealer, signs of water puddling, etc. Listen for wood crunching under your feet...rub your hand on the roof, does a white powder residue come off on the palm of your hand?
The rubberized roofs are supposed to be resealed every 5 years.
Look at the siding for signs of delamination...also indications of leaking. Look at the seals around the windows.,
There is lots of junk out there for sale these days.

 

[BHC Vic]

Lol. The no homo made me laugh.

That's fair. I love my trailer. But I already had the rig to pull it. It has a completely separate bedroom. I can get out of the trailer straight from the bedroom and it has its own door to the bathroom. I never disturb anyone coming and going. That was the Selling point. Wish I had waited and found the attitude with the same layout but 3 axel.

Good luck on the search. I know nothing about the motor home realm. But I'll be watching this to learn.

That’s a great selling point. Today I had to leave for work at 4am. I tripped and woke everyone up

 

[Singleton]

Also, tons of folks remodel the interior of older RV’s. Tons of stuff online about that and it makes the interior new again.

 

[BHC Vic]

Vic,

Whatever you decide on understand this...very few people actually maintain these things the way they need to be maintained.
When you find one you are interested in if there are any signs of water intrusion walk away. Get up on the roof and look for failed seam sealer, signs of water puddling, etc. Listen for wood crunching under your feet...rub your hand on the roof, does a white powder residue come off on the palm of your hand?
The rubberized roofs are supposed to be resealed every 5 years.
Look at the siding for signs of delamination...also indications of leaking. Look at the seals around the windows.,
There is lots of junk out there for sale these days.

Is there someone that does like a survey? Shoot I would pay ol 2FF to come out with me

 

[whiteworks]

You may want to think about a 5th wheel, $40k will go a long ways in the slightly used 5th wheel market. That being said $50k can pick up some pretty clean older pushers. The reality is people end up putting a lot less miles on those things than they think they will. I think my buddy was asking around $35-$40k for this 5th wheel a few months back. Buying used you just need to buy from the right guy. you’re gonna look at a lot of clapped out shit and then you will see stuff that’s been taken care of, stored inside and looks brand new that is 20 years old. You gotta find the cream puffs from original owners.

 

[Justsomeguy]

That’s a great selling point. Today I had to leave for work at 4am. I tripped and woke everyone up

My wife had the vision of her drunk husband stumbling in from the camp fire. He's yet to show up this stumbling baboon, but when he does he won't wake anyone! Haha.

I have light switches for the outside lights in the outside storage and I can shut the generator down outside as well. It really has worked well for us.

 

[spectras only]

Condition is everything, if you have a old Newel, Marathon MOHO, Prevost, they let you in at most RV parks.
I'd look for Winnebago with fiberglass roofs. Mohos without fiberglass roofs usually need now roof replacement after 10 yrs.
If I'll buy another RV. I'd get a Class C like a 26 foot Winnebago with 4 slides. They would be 5000lbs tow capacity. You'd get 10K tow with most diesel pushers.

This Winnie is quite old [ 2000 model ] albeit looks great, low milage and dirt cheap,33K usd,
Something to think about.

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[BHC Vic]

You may want to think about a 5th wheel, $40k will go a long ways in the slightly used 5th wheel market. That being said $50k can pick up some pretty clean older pushers. The reality is people end up putting a lot less miles on those things than they think they will. I think my buddy was asking around $35-$40k for this 5th wheel a few months back. Buying used you just need to buy from the right guy. you’re gonna look at a lot of clapped out shit and then you will see stuff that’s been taken care of, stored inside and looks brand new that is 20 years old. You gotta find the cream puffs from original owners.


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That’s beautiful but even if I buy and old diesel truck just to tow it I’m sure I’m looking at another 10-20k minimum. At that point I’ll sell the suburban and just buy a newer truck. But, with 3 boys the suburban is nice to have as an extra vehicle

 

[Lower river sludge]

If you're going to dry camp with 5 people you need to keep an eye on holding tank size. Most class c and smallish a have dinky holding tanks

 

[propcheck]

Ultimately buy on that fits your needs and budgets. I have an older Monaco with a cummins and am happy with the build quality

 

[JFMFG]

Vic there is so much to type about Motorhome’s. Let’s talk Saturday at the run and I’ll give you the 411 on everything and what I’ve experienced etc

 

[HCP3]

If you're going to dry camp with 5 people you need to keep an eye on holding tank size. Most class c and smallish a have dinky holding tanks

Username checks out.

 

[spectras only]

Check out Alfa See Ya. Has high ceilings that tall people prefer. Looks like it's in Ontario California, canadian snow bird from Calgary owned.

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[BHC Vic]

If you're going to dry camp with 5 people you need to keep an eye on holding tank size. Most class c and smallish a have dinky holding tanks

Great point

 

[Fabhouse]

This is nice, but on less than an hour I’ve already blown out the budget

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I have a Gulfstream. I went with the 8.1 gas motor. In 2008 the hp/torque difference from diesel to gas was not enough to justify the extra maintenance and potential repairs on the Duramax. The transmission is the same in both-5 speed Allison.
The price difference on the gas units may get you in your budget.
Find one with bunks!!!

 

[mjc]

I don't know about the more than 10 years old thing. I mostly boondock but have never been asked about the age of my RV at the parks we have been too. maybe I am to low class to go to those kind of parks.

 

[BHC Vic]

I don't know about the more than 10 years old thing. I mostly boondock but have never been asked about the age of my RV at the parks we have been too. maybe I am to low class to go to those kind of parks.

Kind of where we are at. No one has asked where we go and my friends are rocking 02’s and 04’s. There’s some ballers in the group too but I’m not one of them 🫤

 

[BHC Vic]

Ok now this is a completely different question but kind of on topic and it’s my thread so…. I was thinking well I just take a loan from schools first and deal with the payment. But then I started thinking I have money in my 401k. Is it better to take a loan from there? I’ve heard people do it but i have no idea if it’s a good or bad move etc. need to email shintoooo with my quick question

 

[CLdrinker]

Bunk beds are a must for you. Like Dave said lots of RV places require 10yrs or newer. But when making reservations I have never been asked in the last 10yrs. Also they won’t be enforced unless it looks like a pile.

Be careful with old diesel pushers. They are cheap for a reason. Because repairs get very expensive very quickly.

 

[CLdrinker]

 

[callbob]

Used 2015 Itasca Sunstar 35b in Tempe, AZ - 5031473624 - RV Trader

Used 2015 Itasca Sunstar 35b rv for sale in Tempe, AZ. Find rvs online on RV Trader.

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This one looked interesting.
and I agree on the 10 year thing actually. I don’t normally stay in those type parks and have never been asked that I remember. I think the main purpose was to keep Skoolies and beat up stuff out. I will add also that
the DPs will ride better without a doubt. Another thing to keep in mind is that any one of whatever variety you choose will need work on it at some point. Not always major, but on going maintenance and staying on top of the little things helps.

 

[Your ad here]

Spend the first year renting different types. Keep the RVs simple and basic. The more features, the more shit to work on. You go on vacation to relax, not to work on stuff. Theres a reason I'll never own a Seadoo...

 

[BHC Vic]

Spend the first year renting different types. Keep the RVs simple and basic. The more features, the more shit to work on. You go on vacation to relax, not to work on stuff. Theres a reason I'll never own a Seadoo...

That’s exactly why I don’t take the stand up out. Honestly I don’t want to waste money renting anything. Maybe if I was trying to figure out if we were into camping but we are past that. I’d love to be able to try out a few different models but renting is kind of expensive and I feel like that’s money I could be saving towards the purchase.

 

[CLdrinker]

Honestly. For what you’re going to pay in interest on an older unit. Unless you go every month you are better off renting.

Looking back I should have taken my own advice.

 

[BHC Vic]

Honestly. For what you’re going to pay in interest on an older unit. Unless you go every month you are better off renting.

Looking back I should have taken my own advice.

That’s what people said about buying the lake house. There’s nothing like setting something up the way you want putting in your clothes towels dishes etc. but of course ease and comfort comes with a price. Plus the get up and go. Maybe I wake up Friday morning on my 3 day weekends and say hey let’s hit the dessert or whatever.

 

[rivrrts429]

I don’t want to rat myself out but put the coach in an LLC and advertise it twice a year as a rental. You don’t have to rent it

Errrrr… I mean, I know a guy who did this lol