Looking to buy an RV and need advice

[BHC Vic]

This has a lot of truth to it.

just got back from 3 days in the sierras and going camping is a shit load of work with 2 kids and 2 dogs. Now the wife has 6 loads of laundry to do.

But we did have fun.

Everything is a shit load of work. Taking the dirtbikes out in the truck and trying to camp that way is a shit load of work. We took our camping friends to the lake with us a few months back. Everyone one said damn Vic this is 10x more work than camping. They aren’t wrong. Wiping the boat down everyday is work. Pack it in pack it out everyday is work. I don’t see myself being calm chugging along at 50 though that comment has me busting up.

 

[CLdrinker]

Vic outside storage is non negotiable. You have to have it. I have a Toyhauler with a massive front storage. Kids crap takes half the cabinets inside as well. I could use more room.

Also go rent one to see what floats your boat. Never know what you might learn before you buy the fastest depreciating asset and headache of your lifetime

 

[bowtiejunkie]

I'd suggest renting the versions you're looking to buy. While it may be a 'waste' of money, so will buying an RV you end up not liking.

My case in point is when my dad bought a new 2003 Gulfstream Super C w/Duramax. I want say 34 or 36 feet. Just over $100k and 1.99% interest. He slept in it less than 7 days total at time of sale in year 2020. He hated it. Still had to cut a check to pay off loan (underwater). Family used it quite a bit though.

Dad bought a new 28' bumper pull trailer in 2014(?) for low $20k, and eventually a new 2017 Dodge 2500 p/u w/diesel. He's driven the wheels off that setup.

Just food for thought.

 

[12vMan]

I’ve got room. How much do they run?

My coach is 36'. I had a 42L x 14W installed last year for about $6500. Extras I included was an extra panel across the back (faces east) and one down the side that faces south for protection from the sun. I only have driver's side slides and I can fully extend them with the 14' width, Which makes it nice for loading with my floor plan.

 

[12vMan]

I didn't see this was posted earlier, but depending on where you plan on using it, keep in mind that there are many campgrounds and RV resorts that require the unit to be no older than 10 years. Some will let you slide if you can convince them that it's in pristine condition for it's age with pics and service records. Pirates Den on the strip is one of those (if they happen to ask ).

 

[BHC Vic]

Rv maintenance near Norco. So when I do get something where is a good place to get this thing serviced yearly or if I have issues? Winnebago dealer?

 

[Bigbore500r]

Ok so here’s where we are at. The Seneca owner countered my 65k at 68k I know I could get it for 65k but if I’m being honest with myself that’s still more than I should pay for something I might not use as often as k want. That’s around an 800 dollar payment.

Soooo it’s down between these two. They are very very similar. I’d feel good at 25k for either but want to get your opinions. @Bigbore500r

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Im late to the party, just saw this - been running around CA like a chicken with my head cut off, between Sacramento and San Diego.

The first one posted (35' Bunkhouse Itasca Sonova) is a great floorplan. It has the big basement storage with full-height flip up doors. Pretty good fresh water capacity on those as well. Looks like it's on the long wheelbase chassis, so it will have the deeper gears and more pulling power than "shorty" class A's on the shorter wheelbase / lighter GVWR chassis. That would be a good rig if you can score it under 30k. Those year Winnabego's are built well. I would check if it has 50amp service and a 5500 generator, as the ad doesn't say. If it does, and it's clean and appears like everything is functional and decently kept - i'd go for this all day over spending 60-70k for a rig that a little newer.

The other one - PASS
Bad floorplan, too short, won't have the deep rearend gearing, floorplan will feel crowded with everyone hanging inside.
There's no different to driving a 35' VS driving a 30', and you have the room at your house to park it. GO BIG.

 

[boatnam2]

Lots of good info on here, i will give you some uplifting news instead of all the things that can go wrong. I bought a 2006 29ft fleetwood class A (about the same year you're looking at) from a member here over 2 years ago. I haven't had one issue yet , well I broke awning bracket but it was me not the awning's fault. It starts every time, generator fires up quickly, a/c's are cold, fridge is almost to cold, no issue with pop out, level jacks work great, knock on wood but so far, only thing I'm doing is putting in gas. I got a power box that i can run tv's and stuff on when there is no power and I don't want genny on.

 

[BHC Vic]

Im late to the party, just saw this - been running around CA like a chicken with my head cut off, between Sacramento and San Diego.

The first one posted (35' Bunkhouse Itasca Sonova) is a great floorplan. It has the big basement storage with full-height flip up doors. Pretty good fresh water capacity on those as well. Looks like it's on the long wheelbase chassis, so it will have the deeper gears and more pulling power than "shorty" class A's on the shorter wheelbase / lighter GVWR chassis. That would be a good rig if you can score it under 30k. Those year Winnabego's are built well. I would check if it has 50amp service and a 5500 generator, as the ad doesn't say. If it does, and it's clean and appears like everything is functional and decently kept - i'd go for this all day over spending 60-70k for a rig that a little newer.

The other one - PASS
Bad floorplan, too short, won't have the deep rearend gearing, floorplan will feel crowded with everyone hanging inside.
There's no different to driving a 35' VS driving a 30', and you have the room at your house to park it. GO BIG.

I’m going to look at the grey 35 sunova tomorrow. He wants 35k so we’ll see how it looks. Not that it’s a deal breaker but the sunova model is also one of a few that have a king bed

 

[Bigbore500r]

Lots of good info on here, i will give you some uplifting news instead of all the things that can go wrong. I bought a 2006 29ft fleetwood class A (about the same year you're looking at) from a member here over 2 years ago. I haven't had one issue yet , well I broke awning bracket but it was me not the awning's fault. It starts every time, generator fires up quickly, a/c's are cold, fridge is almost to cold, no issue with pop out, level jacks work great, knock on wood but so far, only thing I'm doing is putting in gas. I got a power box that i can run tv's and stuff on when there is no power and I don't want genny on.

Plus when you're in a motorhome...."The vacation starts as soon as you leave the driveway"

 

[Boatymcboatface]

I’m only posting to help. We have absolutely loved our motorhome the 8 years we’ve owned it! Only things I mention are things that will be on our next motorhome.

 

[boatnam2]

Plus when you're in a motorhome...."The vacation starts as soon as you leave the driveway"



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Actually, it starts in the driveway, kids are happy soon as they jump in, mom is happy since she probably doesn't have to give it up to dad with kids in rig, dad is thinking how he is going to get some why did he bought a motorhome if he isn't going to get any.

 

[JFMFG]

Rv maintenance near Norco. So when I do get something where is a good place to get this thing serviced yearly or if I have issues? Winnebago dealer?

Mcbrides in chino does mine.

 

[BHC Vic]

On our way to check it out we’ll see how it goes

 

[BHC Vic]

Well this is by far the nicest one I’ve seen. There’s a few spots on the outside where the paint could use a touch up and the tires are 5 years old. The living room slide is acting up so he’s getting the motor replaced next week. Once it’s fixed they are going to give it a once over and anything else that needs to be fixed will get fixed. I think this is the one we want

 

[Ducksquasher]

Well this is by far the nicest one I’ve seen. There’s a few spots on the outside where the paint could use a touch up and the tires are 5 years old. The living room slide is acting up so he’s getting the motor replaced next week. Once it’s fixed they are going to give it a once over and anything else that needs to be fixed will get fixed. I think this is the one we want

Super cool!

 

[Orange Juice]

Rv maintenance near Norco. So when I do get something where is a good place to get this thing serviced yearly or if I have issues? Winnebago dealer?

I suggest you don’t keep it that long. Buy it and put your life on hold for a year, then dump it, and move on with life, re-addressing the issue after you sell the family home, and ready to downsize your life.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Looks like it is a great time to buy an RV, I would be aggressive in the negotiation of price. Good luck.

 

[JL95]

Don't be like my buddy. He just took possession of his new Genesis toy hauler 5th wheel this week and ripped the ladder off the next morning at the gas station

 

[Done-it-again]

Don't be like my buddy. He just took possession of his new Genesis toy hauler 5th wheel this week and ripped the ladder off the next morning at the gas station

Damn, how close did he get? or did he leave it sticking out.....

 

[BabyRay]

Don't be like my buddy. He just took possession of his new Genesis toy hauler 5th wheel this week and ripped the ladder off the next morning at the gas station

I rented a Class C a few years ago, to attend a music festival, followed by a stay in a state park for a few days. When we headed home, I drove out of the park and realized I’d passed the dump station. Fortunately, they had a wide turnaround area at the entrance, so I made a sweeping turn to go back to the dump. What I didn’t notice was the gate stop stuck out into the roadway about 12 inches. I opened the side of the motorhome like a tin can, all the way from just behind the passenger door to about a foot from the rear, also ripping one of the awning arms loose. With some rope and bungee cords from a nearby gas station, I was able to secure the awning and drive it home. My insurance covered it, but the hard part was the call to the RV dealer to tell them they would have to cancel the next rental. The gal who handled the transaction told me not to be bothered by it, because that sort of thing happens quite often. I’ve noticed they don’t do rentals anymore.

 

[JL95]

Damn, how close did he get? or did he leave it sticking out.....

Apparently he was left with one lane to pull through while the tanker was filling the station, cones and all. He forgot the ladder stuck out from the body and snagged it on the concrete filled pole. lol

 

[Badchoices03]

Apparently he was left with one lane to pull through while the tanker was filling the station, cones and all. He forgot the ladder stuck out from the body and snagged it on the concrete filled pole. lol

If the ladder was not left out, it only sticks out about 2" from the body, he had to be super close...lol...I think the awning sticks out more...

 

[RiverDave]

Well this is by far the nicest one I’ve seen. There’s a few spots on the outside where the paint could use a touch up and the tires are 5 years old. The living room slide is acting up so he’s getting the motor replaced next week. Once it’s fixed they are going to give it a once over and anything else that needs to be fixed will get fixed. I think this is the one we want

Avoid schwin tech slides! If it has them pass..

 

[Done-it-again]

If the ladder was not left out, it only sticks out about 2" from the body, he had to be super close...lol...I think the awning sticks out more...

Thinking the same... I've seen people rip the awning off with a tree.

But the guy who started to leave the KOA Chula Vista was able to drive about 40 yards with his awning out and not hit anything before we stopped him.

 

[Singleton]

Avoid schwin tech slides! If it has them pass..

Company in AZ replaces those.

Vroom Slide Systems - RV Slide Out Replacement, Fix RV Slide Out Fix

vroomslidesystems.com

 

[CLdrinker]

Company in AZ replaces those.

Vroom Slide Systems - RV Slide Out Replacement, Fix RV Slide Out Fix

vroomslidesystems.com

I heard it is very expensive to upgrade them.

 

[Singleton]

I have not looked into the cost. My bedroom slide is a schwin, but that one is small, so hoping I don’t have issues. The larger main slide is different

I heard it is very expensive to upgrade them

 

[Done-it-again]

I heard it is very expensive to upgrade them.

Watched a video and 1 slide was $5100 to replace.

I have not looked into the cost. My bedroom slide is a schwin, but that one is small, so hoping I don’t have issues. The larger main slide is different

The key to them is to not start stop them short. It’s all the way in or all out. Once they get out of sync and start skipping it’s to late.

 

[CLdrinker]

Watched a video and 1 slide was $5100 to replace.

The key to them is to not start stop them short. It’s all the way in or all out. Once they get out of sync and start skipping it’s to late.

10k for my trailer then

 

[BHC Vic]

Avoid schwin tech slides! If it has them pass..

I don’t think Winnebago uses Schwin from everything I’ve read

 

[BHC Vic]

Nevermind they do

 

[Sportin' Wood]

We had to repair our full wall slide, it was complex. I could not find anyone willing to do it so I did it myself after my RV tech buddy told me not to do it. I had to program the stops on the servo motors, it was sketchy. The tool was very hard to find and not cheap, but Now I have it if I need to reprogram.

It was sketchy because I was scared shitless I was gonna drop the full wall slide out on the ground. Not sure if that is possible, but my buddy enjoyed telling me I was gonna wreck my RV.

We did not die, the slide works now. If you have common sense you can fix these things.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Nevermind they do

It is what it is. I wouldn't let it stop the purchase. It's not the problematic "super slide" / full wall slide that most of the newer ones have issues with.
My buddy has the same coach and his has been fine, he did have to replace a slide motor once but that was over a 10 year period.

You can find a million reasons not to purchase an RV if you start pickijng apart individual components....and honestly, most of them all suck! Lol

 

[BHC Vic]

It is what it is. I wouldn't let it stop the purchase. It's not the problematic "super slide" / full wall slide that most of the newer ones have issues with.
My buddy has the same coach and his has been fine, he did have to replace a slide motor once but that was over a 10 year period.

You can find a million reasons not to purchase an RV if you start pickijng apart individual components....and honestly, most of them all suck! Lol

He’s having the big slide motors replaced before I buy it. It’s the only thing we are waiting on now

 

[BHC Vic]

It is what it is. I wouldn't let it stop the purchase. It's not the problematic "super slide" / full wall slide that most of the newer ones have issues with.
My buddy has the same coach and his has been fine, he did have to replace a slide motor once but that was over a 10 year period.

You can find a million reasons not to purchase an RV if you start pickijng apart individual components....and honestly, most of them all suck! Lol

There’s a few cancer spots here and there on the paint. I’m not sure if I’ll try to get it fixed or just leave it. Other than that it’s a really nice rv

 

[boatnam2]

There’s a few cancer spots here and there on the paint. I’m not sure if I’ll try to get it fixed or just leave it. Other than that it’s a really nice rv

Mine does also, bothered me a first but then thought you paid for a cheap rig and now you're going to go spend big dough to make it pretty, never did happen and i dont even notice it.

 

[RiverDave]

There’s a few cancer spots here and there on the paint. I’m not sure if I’ll try to get it fixed or just leave it. Other than that it’s a really nice rv

If you can bring it to Havasu Justin over at Bodyline is the goto for paint in my book.

RD

 

[BHC Vic]

If you can bring it to Havasu Justin over at Bodyline is the goto for paint in my book.

RD

That’s what I keep thinking. If he could do it for a couple grand might be worth it.

 

[mjc]

That’s what I keep thinking. If he could do it for a couple grand might be worth it.

I just got my estimate from Bodyline for a bridge and rv meeting. going to be 14k repair and mostly paint.

 

[BHC Vic]

Maybe it adds character, it won’t kill me

 

[callbob]

You can’t see it going down the road on your next adventure. Mic drop.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Maybe it adds character, it won’t kill me

“Patina”

 

[Justsomeguy]

Nevermind they do

As mentioned. Just in or out. Don't stop them short. When you send them out or in hold the button until it completely stops making noise. It's self adjusting when it does that. That's how it stays in sync.

 

[angiebaby]

I’m going to look at the grey 35 sunova tomorrow. He wants 35k so we’ll see how it looks. Not that it’s a deal breaker but the sunova model is also one of a few that have a king bed

That was a must have on my list. Of course, we intended to live in it for a considerable time, but it is very nice. Not the same as your king at home, but the RV queen is smaller than a regular queen at home also.

 

[JFMFG]

What does a full rv paint job cost these days?

 

[boatnam2]

What does a full rv paint job cost these days?

Not sure but would guess around 15k on a 30something footer.

 

[bilz]

Just grab some RDP stickers!

 

[69hondo]

What does a full rv paint job cost these days?

I was quoted 16k for 41 footer. 4 different colors. Drop off coach pick up two weeks later. Lol

 

[Done-it-again]

I was quoted 16k for 41 footer. 4 different colors. Drop off coach pick up two weeks later. Lol

Seems cheap. The paint depot in chino was that price 12 years ago.