We are looking to possibly buy this motorhome and to be sure if not this one, one of similar age. So any advice you may have to offer I will be thankful.
Made by Tiffin it has a 360 dodge motor, all original. Starts good cold, Onan gen starts good runs well.
1976 class A Motorhome 23' 48,039 miles Has A/C, furnace, Onan generator, microwave, stove/oven Can sleep up to 6 Tires good
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We want to buy a used motorhome to travel to my work. We would stay at rv parks on work day's. Then wander around and boondock on my day's off.
My work takes me from project to project. Every couple months or so, within a 500 mile radius of home. If this idea works well I will buy a larger, nicer motorhome and sell our S&B home. I welcome all constructive opinions.
-- Edited by Class C Boondocker on Wednesday 28th of September 2011 12:09:15 PM
The Bear II said
11:23 AM Sep 27, 2011
Eventhough this has low mileage, a vehicle that old that has obviously set in one place for long periods of time will have hidden timebombs (problems).
Seals, bearings, fuel tanks, brake components as well as other drivetrain parts including transmission and engine may work well at first but as soon as you put some additional miles on them, failures are bound to happen. My 1986 1 ton dually I used to tow my 5th wheel with, seemed to have a different problem every other time we went somewhere. The most recent (and the main reason I got rid of it) was the lower A -Arm broke off right at the rear bushing. This was due to age and stress.
Now for the RV parts...again age and sitting for long periods of time without use can take it's toll. I would make sure the roof doesn't leak. Check the heater, water heater and test the water quality in the freshwater tank.
If you are handy and have time to do your own maintenance and repairs plus can afford to throw $200 to $500 at the Allegro every so often when something goes bad. This sounds like a good deal.
NorCal Dan said
06:18 PM Sep 27, 2011
Water leaks would be my main concern, both present and past leaks. Make sure you check it over real good, looking for any signs of water damage and/or mold. I recommend you take a look at the roof, checking for any area's that have been patched or are cracked.
Also check the date code on all the tires. Don't rely on tread depth...if the tires are old they need to be replaced. In general, tires should not be older than 10 years old. If the rigs been sitting a long time I think I would replace the tires anyways...
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
07:42 PM Sep 27, 2011
Hopefully you have a sense of humor so here goes.. It looks like Clarks brother in Christmas Vacation....
It is a classic RV. All systems are easily repaired, plumbing, heat and air, wiring etc. I would say enjoy and see ya down the road!
We own a '96 Carri Lite.
Class C Boondocker said
07:45 AM Sep 28, 2011
That movie was great! Although personally I have always aspired to Uncle Jed, from the Beverly hillbilly's. No mater what went wrong, Uncle Jed was always one step ahead.
Seriously, thank you very much Bear, Dan and Jim for your input. I check this post daily and the forum in general. Hopefully we will buy some old clunker in the next month or so.
It is common for us to do our own repairs, new set of heads, tune up, wiper motor things like that. One concern I do have. If I need to fix something at an RV park, such as a leaking roof or put on a new set of breaks. How much unwanted attention will I draw to myself ? Normally I do all my repairs in my driveway with no problems. However if I am 500 miles from home and working at the time. Driving my toad to and from work. Then what?
-- Edited by Class C Boondocker on Wednesday 28th of September 2011 07:58:52 AM
The Bear II said
09:33 AM Sep 28, 2011
Most RV parks will not allow major repairs due to noise, hazards and liability. You can probably get away with working on the roof for something like sealing seams as long as it's not a major production like using scaffolding or a cherry picker.
Big repairs (like a brake job), I usually drive outside the park to an empty parking lot or field to do.
Mostly the parks are concerned about noise, the look of your campsite and liability.
One thing I forgot to mention, some of the mid to higher end RV resorts have an age limit for RVs. Most set the limit at 10 years old or newer. You can negotiate as long as your RV looks great and runs smooth. I doubt if many parks would turn away a 1976 MH if it looked and ran like it just came off the showroom floor.
kb0zke said
03:20 PM Oct 8, 2011
Many years ago I bought an eleven-year-old car with 33,000 miles on it. I was young and foolish, and thought I was getting a bargain. Over the next couple of years I spent more than I paid for the car replacing all sorts of seals, gaskets, belts and hoses. Since the car was only driven a few miles at a time, followed by long periods of sitting still, things dried up. When I tried driving it daily, I found out about all of those things. My mechanic loved me.
I'd strongly urge you to continue your search. Yes, Tiffin is generally considered one of the better brands, but I'd still be scared of something that old. On the other hand, if the price is right (I personally wouldn't give more than $2000 for it), and you can afford to spend the time and money to do all of the repairs (changing all the hoses, belts, tires, battery, seals, etc.) before you start using it, you might have something.
I wouldn't try to push the speeds when driving it. Keep it at 55-60 and it shouldn't be too bad. Fuel economy won't be very good, no matter what.
retirednana said
09:26 PM Mar 7, 2012
Sitting kills vehicles. Back in the 70's I bought a brand new Italian sports car that had been sitting in a warehouse for 3 years. Everthing that was rubber started leaking, splitting or breaking. Everthing. Sold it after 5 years with less than 10,000 miles.
We are looking to possibly buy this motorhome and to be sure if not this one, one of similar age. So any advice you may have to offer I will be thankful.
Made by Tiffin it has a 360 dodge motor, all original. Starts good cold, Onan gen starts good runs well.
We want to buy a used motorhome to travel to my work. We would stay at rv parks on work day's. Then wander around and boondock on my day's off.
My work takes me from project to project. Every couple months or so, within a 500 mile radius of home. If this idea works well I will buy a larger, nicer motorhome and sell our S&B home. I welcome all constructive opinions.
-- Edited by Class C Boondocker on Wednesday 28th of September 2011 12:09:15 PM
Seals, bearings, fuel tanks, brake components as well as other drivetrain parts including transmission and engine may work well at first but as soon as you put some additional miles on them, failures are bound to happen. My 1986 1 ton dually I used to tow my 5th wheel with, seemed to have a different problem every other time we went somewhere. The most recent (and the main reason I got rid of it) was the lower A -Arm broke off right at the rear bushing. This was due to age and stress.
Now for the RV parts...again age and sitting for long periods of time without use can take it's toll. I would make sure the roof doesn't leak. Check the heater, water heater and test the water quality in the freshwater tank.
If you are handy and have time to do your own maintenance and repairs plus can afford to throw $200 to $500 at the Allegro every so often when something goes bad. This sounds like a good deal.
Also check the date code on all the tires. Don't rely on tread depth...if the tires are old they need to be replaced. In general, tires should not be older than 10 years old. If the rigs been sitting a long time I think I would replace the tires anyways...
It looks like Clarks brother in Christmas Vacation....
It is a classic RV. All systems are easily repaired, plumbing, heat and air, wiring etc.
I would say enjoy and see ya down the road!
We own a '96 Carri Lite.
That movie was great! Although personally I have always aspired to Uncle Jed, from the Beverly hillbilly's. No mater what went wrong, Uncle Jed was always one step ahead.
Seriously, thank you very much Bear, Dan and Jim for your input. I check this post daily and the forum in general. Hopefully we will buy some old clunker in the next month or so.
It is common for us to do our own repairs, new set of heads, tune up, wiper motor things like that. One concern I do have. If I need to fix something at an RV park, such as a leaking roof or put on a new set of breaks. How much unwanted attention will I draw to myself ? Normally I do all my repairs in my driveway with no problems. However if I am 500 miles from home and working at the time. Driving my toad to and from work. Then what?
-- Edited by Class C Boondocker on Wednesday 28th of September 2011 07:58:52 AM
Big repairs (like a brake job), I usually drive outside the park to an empty parking lot or field to do.
Mostly the parks are concerned about noise, the look of your campsite and liability.
One thing I forgot to mention, some of the mid to higher end RV resorts have an age limit for RVs. Most set the limit at 10 years old or newer. You can negotiate as long as your RV looks great and runs smooth. I doubt if many parks would turn away a 1976 MH if it looked and ran like it just came off the showroom floor.
I'd strongly urge you to continue your search. Yes, Tiffin is generally considered one of the better brands, but I'd still be scared of something that old. On the other hand, if the price is right (I personally wouldn't give more than $2000 for it), and you can afford to spend the time and money to do all of the repairs (changing all the hoses, belts, tires, battery, seals, etc.) before you start using it, you might have something.
I wouldn't try to push the speeds when driving it. Keep it at 55-60 and it shouldn't be too bad. Fuel economy won't be very good, no matter what.
Back in the 70's I bought a brand new Italian sports car that had been sitting in a warehouse for 3 years. Everthing that was rubber started leaking, splitting or breaking. Everthing. Sold it after 5 years with less than 10,000 miles.