We've been researching pretty extensively for 6-7 months now for our eventual retirement in Feb. 2010....getting all the information possible....checking out all of the shows, the dealerships, and numerous forums.
I'm sure this has happened to a number of you....we had been really leaning toward a fifth wheel, but after a lot of research, we have not begun to swing the other way toward a motorhome....we still actually like the roominess of a fifth wheel, however, we have begun taking our potential lifestyle in consideration...probably for the first year or two, we plan to move around a lot and do a lot of sightseeing....the more we looked at this, the more we feel that a motorhome (and a toad) might be more suitable to our plans.....

Ok, with that said, the new motorhomes that we've really liked have been mostly around the $180,000.00 - 200,000.00+ range.
I am really concerned (much like a new car) with the incredible depreciation "hit" we'll take with a new unit, the minute we drive it off the lot....
With all the research we have been doing, it seems as though there are a awful lot of quality used rigs out there that can be had for a significantly reduced price...motorhomes that are 2-3 years old....low mileage..that look like they have been very well taken care of (a lot of them still with extended warranties in  place).

I would love to hear of any personal experiences  from you good folks here who have "been there - done that"...What kind of experiences have you had buying a used motorhome?  Any suggestions or anything you would do differently?

Also, we are leaning toward a larger unit...36 - 40 ft. with preferably a diesel engine (pusher, preferably)....however, I have noticed what appear to be an awful lot of good deals on gas units...(now I know this draws a lot of controversy from folks on all forums...gas vs. diesel) but, I do have a few quesstions:
While I know that the gas units tend to get less gas mileage (MPG), and do tend not to hold their value as well as diesel....
I would like to know about the ride (and hopefully, I will be able to test drive some different motorhomes)?  How about the noise level on the gas units (I have heard they are loud...is this just on the older units?)  are the V-10, for example, quieter??
Some of the newer gas units, do seem to have a lot more "standard" equipment and "goodies" than a similar size diesel....some look pretty darned nice for a much lower price? 

Also, one last question...why does the insulation (R-factors) on all the motorhomes we've looked at seem so much less than on fifth wheels?
Are the motorhomes just somehow easier to heat and cool?

Well enough for now......thanks for any help you can give us...
It is nice we have a couple of years to be able to gather all this relevant info.

Rick and Debi
Gardner, Massachusetts
Future Full Timers  (either in a motorhome or fifth wheel....lol) 

Hi Rick and Debi:

Well let me start off with the fact that I have never bought a used motorhome, but I am pretty certain that the next one we buy will be from the used selections.  It is true that the instant you sign on the dotted line you take a hit of $20 to $50 grand depending on the initial cost of the motor coach. 

We have owned 2 pull trailers, 2 fifth wheels and are in our 3rd motor coach.  Our first motor coach was a gas rig.  We now own a 40 ft diesel pusher. 
we have been full timers since January of 05 and we travel most of the time, not staying in any one place for much more than a few weeks.  Our goal is to see this wonderful nation that we live in. 

Now understand that this is my opinion and others will differ but if you are looking at a motor coach the diesel pusher is my recommendaion.  There are several reasons for that. 
1.  Usually the load capacity of the diesel pusher is greater than a gas unit.  That means that you can carry more of your stuff with you.
2.  The diesel pusher will have more than double the torque out put of any gas engine unit on the market today and that includes the V10's.  Torque is the power that you feel when you are climbing that pass.  Also the diesel is turbocharged.  That means that you do not lose power when climbing to altitude like a normally asperated engine will.
3.  The diesel pusher is quieter while running down the road, if for no other reason than that the enigne is 30 feet away rather than right at your feet as in a gasoline rig. 
4.  Diesel pushers do maintain their value partly because they are made to run in the mileage range of 300,000 miles or more.
5.  When traveling in a motor coach your living area is already climatized when you arrive.  NO heat up or cool down after getting parked.
6.  The fuel carrying capcaity is greater in the diesel pusher, usually in the 120 to 150 gallon range.
7.  When sight seeing the toad gets much better mileage than most trucks and is easier to handle in traffic.  (A point that will be contested by many folks but remember this is my opinion.)
8.  Setting up in camp is a snap in the motor coach.  Even after being in a place for a couple of weeks we can be rolling in less than 20 minutes.


I could go on and on but you get the idea.  Now I don't mean to say that gasoline units aren't good but I feel the diesel pusher offers so much more in many ways.  The addition of diesel engines in pickup truck has helped with moving the larger 5ers down the road but the typical pickup diesel produces torque in the 600 to 700 Lbs ft. range.  (considerably better than gas).  The typical diesel pusher engine produces in the range from 900 to 1200 lbs ft. of torque.  Now when you are pulling that pass in the mountains you had better believe you will feel the difference. 

I can't address the R value question you have.  However, I do know that it doesn't take much to heat or cool our coach.

I am really glad that there are options in the RV industry to satisfy everyones personal wishes and desires.  I also am glad that 5th wheel owners and gas motor coach owners are happy with their choices and we are happy with our choice too.

Good question... As has been said, sit in each type for hours and look past the eye candy. It is hard to see past the glitz and glitter so the more time spent sitting in one the more you'll see. And it is this stuff that you see, the true inner workings, that will help you make the best choices. You are already asking good questions like "R" values and the like. Clearly, looking past the glitter.

In regards to your observation of a length equivalent gasser having more options  - that's the candy you see. A diesel MH chassis alone will cost tens of thousands of dollars more than a gasser chassis alone. This is a fact of life. Is it worth it? Only you can determine that. On a gasser, that “saved” money gets moved from what you don't really see - the chassis - and into the visible eye candy. Just be aware - even in MH land, there still ain’t no free lunches. Performance and ride will be the key differentiators between gas/diesel. 

Make a list of what's important for you (the candy as well as the inner details) and then shop and mostly sit in many units. Take them for a spin as well. The ability to list and prioritize your wants/needs/desires will be the ticket to finding the most compatible rig. The real difference between rigs is in the details and at first blush many of these details are not at all evident making you wonder what you are really paying for. Dig deeply into the what makes each one tick - the differences become amazing. Good luck...

I've read a statistic, from the RV manufacturers association, that the average RV is used about 30 days a year, since 95% of them are purchased for vacation use. If that's true then the wisest move is to buy a used unit. A 5 year old MH or trailer probably has less than 6 months of full time use on it. Now that we know what we're doing, at least passably, that's what we'll do. Can't wait to look for my Carriage Royals International and a MDT truck. Fred

So, an awesome question and I will relate our latest experience.

We have owned 4 pull trailers, a 5th wheel, and are now on our 3rd motorhome. We have never bought new and probably never will. This has always allowed us to get a better rig than we could afford new on school teachers salaries.

In fact, our last purchase was a year older than the one we had. This was last week!!

We were on our 2nd Safari and had determined that there was not enough storage for full timing. We started looking in February in the LA area and bought last week in Oregon. We traded our '99 Zanzibar on a '98 Beaver Marquis.

The Beaver was less costly than anything new or a year old that we had found on the market. We liked Monaco service and the rally parties so we wanted to stay within that group. Monaco makes Monaco, Holiday, Safari and Beaver.

What we got was 18 more inches, but 10 feet more hanging closet space; larger and deeper storage bays; 200 more horsepower; books and computer storage; and a Bose system. We also got fantastic wood work ( Walnut, Cherry and Makori ); a heating system that is quiet and efficient hot air exchangers along with almost unlimited how water;heat pump ACs; and automatic fantastic fans; a special cabinet for wine classes and high balls; leather recliner and cab seats; sculptured carpet; heated basement; automatic awnings; 8 air bags and on and on. I won't state what the coach cost in '98 but it was far more than we could ever afford. After the new wore off it was what we could afford.

It is quieter and more responsive than the '99. The mileage appears similar. The fuel, water and holdong tanks are larger; The solar panels keep both chassis(2 12s) and house batteries(6 6s) charged.

For this to work you have to find a "great" dealer. We did, in Oregon. They were highly recommended by other Beaver folks we had met at "family" rallies. But, I wouldn't have done this with just any brand. The previously mentioned brands like Monaco Signature, Country coach, Alpine, Foretravel or Newell should work fine. Ask the folks who own one.

We are so pleased that we no longer have any qualms about long term living; we expect this to go on for a while and there is minimal depreciation for the next 5 years or do.

If you have any questions, feel free to email or message me.

I am thinking about writing about this experience for Howard's new venture also.

Mike

We haven't bought used but might in the future, but we do know many who have. Fred mentioned many RVs are not used much and that is true. But you do want an RV was used some and in the last couple years. Many RV systems do not like to sit and not be used, they have a tendency to rot. Seals and gaskets dry out and leak. Dirt and grime accumulate and become about impossible to clean or inhibit lubrication. Fluids dry out and get stale, including gas. Sitting in hot weather, like Arizona summers, or other extremes like cold or very wet, can hurt the unit. Rodents and other critters might have set up housekeeping. Many have regrets after buying that 5 year old RV from someone who got sick and couldn't use it but hated to give up the dream. Awnings, tires, etc., might need to be replaced immediately. Don't expect the maintenance to have been done. I have heard of wheel bearings that are half rusted since the bearing oil settled to the bottom.
These things also happen to systems that are never used even if the RV is. For example some people don't use their oven or generator, ever. After a few years these items might not work and will take work to fix or might just need to be replaced.
Basically be careful and inspect everything and make sure it works. You might even pay someone to inspect the RV if needed, a few hunded might save you thousands. An inspection finding might also get you a cheaper price. Luckily a used RV will show some wear so it won't sweep you off your feet and dazzle you with glitter so it will be easier to walk away.