I was just wondering if less than 12 years old is a good target search.
I'm also trying to stay under 50k on miles. But, I found a 2000 35U' Itaska for $22,250 (otd) that has 70K on it. (Current NADA $27,900)
It looks like it's in excellent shape; and I'm thinking it may be a decent 1st coach. However, the "miles" concerns me somewhat.
We do not intend to go full-time for at least a year or two. But, I want something that will last at least 5yrs OTR.
Should I be concerned with a 7.8 Ford gas engine with 70K on it?
What other things should I be SURE to ask about and inspect?
Thanks Tim
RVRon said
06:22 PM Apr 4, 2011
There's no reason a gas engine wouldn't go 200,000 miles or more if it's been well taken care of with regular oil changes. Problem with buying a used coach (or anything with an engine for that matter) is unless you see a stack of maintenance receipts you don't know if it got that regular care.
70,000 miles seems a little high for an 11 year old coach when there are plenty out there that only average 3-5,000 miles a year. The flip side though is if you find a really low mileage coach that means it has sat more than it has run and you'll run into replacing dried out seals and other issues from lack of use.
On the plus side for Itasca, Winnebago has all of the owner's manuals and parts/electrical/plumbing diagrams right on their website. If you like to fix things yourself you can find information on what is where. That can't be said for most of the other manufacturers.
Good luck!
tcox4freedom said
07:33 PM Apr 4, 2011
Thanks Ron!
You're thinking the same way I am. The coach is in EXCELLENT condition; (almost showroom)! But, I will still want to see all the maintenence records.
I really can't see more than 5-6k miles the 1st couple of years. (Mainly, we'll be going to a few trade shows in the Carolinas, TN, Ga & VA.)
When we finally go full-time, I wouldn't think we'll do much more than 15-20k a year. (Based on our tentative plans) I'm thinking that we should be able to get 5yrs before we have to trade up.
One more thing: Does anybody know anything about extended warranty companies?
-- Edited by tcox4freedom on Monday 4th of April 2011 07:44:07 PM
mistyridge said
06:02 AM Apr 5, 2011
Hey Tim,
Slow down, no rush. There are plenty of rigs out there. Check mine out. It is in the classifieds for sale. Call me at 716-269-4765. It is under Misty Ridge. It is a 2000 Pace Arrow with 40,700 miles and in very nice condition. Little higher quality. Info is on the site. Would make a great first rig. Hope to hear from you soon, Call me either way. Love to hear from you. Jim Mason
bjoyce said
09:00 AM Apr 5, 2011
Our motorhome will soon be 7 years old and already has 87,000 miles on it. I guess we won't be able to sell it to anybody here since we put more than 5,000 miles a year on it.
Anyway we see what look like decent motorhomes all the time for reasonable prices. Just yesterday we drove by a Safari motorhome with a sign on it for $24K on I-5 by Medford, OR. But we are not in the market so we are not looking closely, so that coach and others might be junk. Hold back some serious money from your stash, like $5K, to deal with any issues. That means if you haven't already put some away before you said "$30K", then you should be looking for $25K maximum since you will be needing some of that money for repairs.
2fortheroad said
09:54 AM Apr 5, 2011
bjoyce wrote:
Our motorhome will soon be 7 years old and already has 87,000 miles on it. I guess we won't be able to sell it to anybody here since we put more than 5,000 miles a year on it.
Anyway we see what look like decent motorhomes all the time for reasonable prices. Just yesterday we drove by a Safari motorhome with a sign on it for $24K on I-5 by Medford, OR. But we are not in the market so we are not looking closely, so that coach and others might be junk. Hold back some serious money from your stash, like $5K, to deal with any issues. That means if you haven't already put some away before you said "$30K", then you should be looking for $25K maximum since you will be needing some of that money for repairs.
Right on Bill, everyone should have a little set aside for those unforseen "Gremlins".
RVRon said
03:35 PM Apr 5, 2011
Tim, one more thing you definitely need to check out are the tires. An 11 year old coach is undoubtably on its 2nd set of tires and those are probably 4-5 years old at this point. Do a Google search for DOT Tire Codes and you'll see how to read the manufacture date of the tire. You may be spending $2-3000 on new tires even if you only keep the coach a few years. Common consensus is that 7 years is the outside lifetime before the tires dry rot and become a hazard.
tcox4freedom said
10:47 AM Apr 7, 2011
mistyridge wrote:
Hey Tim,
Slow down, no rush. There are plenty of rigs out there. Check mine out. It is in the classifieds for sale. Call me at 716-269-4765. It is under Misty Ridge. It is a 2000 Pace Arrow with 40,700 miles and in very nice condition. Little higher quality. Info is on the site. Would make a great first rig. Hope to hear from you soon, Call me either way. Love to hear from you. Jim Mason
Thanks Jim!
I saw your listing.
The Itaska did sell. I think I am gonna slow down a little.
I've talked to someone that is going to help us get our web business selling vitamin/suppliments up and going. I'm also thinking about a "less-than-lethal" security products business that can be done "online" to help support our lifestyle on the road.
She told me our "financial" goals should be attainable within 6mo-1year. The increase inincome and extra time should help us find "the" unit that will best fit our needs and desires.
I'm still trying to learn what the most important ammenities are for living on the road full-time. I think, by taking a little more time to "Learn" for those here, and strengthening our financial stats will allow us to make the best decision with the "least" amount of compromise.
So far I "think" I'm adding two more items that I really want:
One: At least a superslide and a BR slide.
Two: We've also decided we want a W/D.
I think I've also decided to go with gas for a couple of reasons.
One: I can't see us drive 10's of thousands of miles a year.
Two: Having owned Class "8" trucks, I'm not sure I want to put up with the maintence costs a diesel can bring.
I hope my thinking is correct.
Thanks
-- Edited by tcox4freedom on Thursday 7th of April 2011 10:52:15 AM
tcox4freedom said
10:56 AM Apr 7, 2011
bjoyce wrote:
Our motorhome will soon be 7 years old and already has 87,000 miles on it. I guess we won't be able to sell it to anybody here since we put more than 5,000 miles a year on it.
Anyway we see what look like decent motorhomes all the time for reasonable prices. Just yesterday we drove by a Safari motorhome with a sign on it for $24K on I-5 by Medford, OR. But we are not in the market so we are not looking closely, so that coach and others might be junk. Hold back some serious money from your stash, like $5K, to deal with any issues. That means if you haven't already put some away before you said "$30K", then you should be looking for $25K maximum since you will be needing some of that money for repairs.
This is definitely in our plans! We do NOT have any credit cards. (We've been living on a cash basis for almost 10yrs. (The notable exception being a small car note and small credit line for emergencies.)
-- Edited by tcox4freedom on Thursday 7th of April 2011 10:56:39 AM
RVPAINTER said
01:13 PM Apr 9, 2011
Tim, I too am looking for a used class A. I checked with Good Sam's club and they will not provide a maintenance contract on an RV which is older than 12 years old. I'm keeping a running of inventory of used class A's with 3 seperate dealers who seem to be "On the LEVEL". PPL in Houston Texas, RV Solutions in San Diego (a Good Sam Approved Dealer) and Padata in Tucson AZ. The one in Houston has the largest inventory - they are a clearing house for RV's and also setup the inspections of the RV components as well as the vehicle portion of the rig. We have to sell our house first, but when we do we are on a Plane to Houston!!!!!
I NEED help FAST!
I'm looking at used class "A's" for under $30K.
I was just wondering if less than 12 years old is a good target search.
I'm also trying to stay under 50k on miles. But, I found a 2000 35U' Itaska for $22,250 (otd) that has 70K on it. (Current NADA $27,900)
It looks like it's in excellent shape; and I'm thinking it may be a decent 1st coach. However, the "miles" concerns me somewhat.
We do not intend to go full-time for at least a year or two. But, I want something that will last at least 5yrs OTR.
Should I be concerned with a 7.8 Ford gas engine with 70K on it?
What other things should I be SURE to ask about and inspect?
Thanks
Tim
There's no reason a gas engine wouldn't go 200,000 miles or more if it's been well taken care of with regular oil changes. Problem with buying a used coach (or anything with an engine for that matter) is unless you see a stack of maintenance receipts you don't know if it got that regular care.
70,000 miles seems a little high for an 11 year old coach when there are plenty out there that only average 3-5,000 miles a year. The flip side though is if you find a really low mileage coach that means it has sat more than it has run and you'll run into replacing dried out seals and other issues from lack of use.
On the plus side for Itasca, Winnebago has all of the owner's manuals and parts/electrical/plumbing diagrams right on their website. If you like to fix things yourself you can find information on what is where. That can't be said for most of the other manufacturers.
Good luck!
Thanks Ron!
You're thinking the same way I am. The coach is in EXCELLENT condition; (almost showroom)! But, I will still want to see all the maintenence records.
I really can't see more than 5-6k miles the 1st couple of years. (Mainly, we'll be going to a few trade shows in the Carolinas, TN, Ga & VA.)
When we finally go full-time, I wouldn't think we'll do much more than 15-20k a year. (Based on our tentative plans) I'm thinking that we should be able to get 5yrs before we have to trade up.
One more thing: Does anybody know anything about extended warranty companies?
-- Edited by tcox4freedom on Monday 4th of April 2011 07:44:07 PM
Hey Tim,
Slow down, no rush. There are plenty of rigs out there. Check mine out. It is in the classifieds for sale. Call me at 716-269-4765. It is under Misty Ridge. It is a 2000 Pace Arrow with 40,700 miles and in very nice condition. Little higher quality. Info is on the site. Would make a great first rig. Hope to hear from you soon, Call me either way. Love to hear from you. Jim Mason
Anyway we see what look like decent motorhomes all the time for reasonable prices. Just yesterday we drove by a Safari motorhome with a sign on it for $24K on I-5 by Medford, OR. But we are not in the market so we are not looking closely, so that coach and others might be junk. Hold back some serious money from your stash, like $5K, to deal with any issues. That means if you haven't already put some away before you said "$30K", then you should be looking for $25K maximum since you will be needing some of that money for repairs.
Right on Bill, everyone should have a little set aside for those unforseen "Gremlins".
Tim, one more thing you definitely need to check out are the tires. An 11 year old coach is undoubtably on its 2nd set of tires and those are probably 4-5 years old at this point. Do a Google search for DOT Tire Codes and you'll see how to read the manufacture date of the tire. You may be spending $2-3000 on new tires even if you only keep the coach a few years. Common consensus is that 7 years is the outside lifetime before the tires dry rot and become a hazard.
Thanks Jim!
I saw your listing.
The Itaska did sell. I think I am gonna slow down a little.
I've talked to someone that is going to help us get our web business selling vitamin/suppliments up and going. I'm also thinking about a "less-than-lethal" security products business that can be done "online" to help support our lifestyle on the road.
She told me our "financial" goals should be attainable within 6mo-1year. The increase inincome and extra time should help us find "the" unit that will best fit our needs and desires.
I'm still trying to learn what the most important ammenities are for living on the road full-time. I think, by taking a little more time to "Learn" for those here, and strengthening our financial stats will allow us to make the best decision with the "least" amount of compromise.
So far I "think" I'm adding two more items that I really want:
One: At least a superslide and a BR slide.
Two: We've also decided we want a W/D.
I think I've also decided to go with gas for a couple of reasons.
One: I can't see us drive 10's of thousands of miles a year.
Two: Having owned Class "8" trucks, I'm not sure I want to put up with the maintence costs a diesel can bring.
I hope my thinking is correct.
Thanks
-- Edited by tcox4freedom on Thursday 7th of April 2011 10:52:15 AM
This is definitely in our plans! We do NOT have any credit cards. (We've been living on a cash basis for almost 10yrs. (The notable exception being a small car note and small credit line for emergencies.)
-- Edited by tcox4freedom on Thursday 7th of April 2011 10:56:39 AM
We have to sell our house first, but when we do we are on a Plane to Houston!!!!!
Good luck on your search!
dick