I was wondering how many of you have bought a used RV, and would you do that again or just buy new one next time.
I can see the advantages of letting someone else take the hit on the depreciation and getting all the new problems resolved, but I also worry about all the things you may not find out about until its really yours.
Friday I will be looking at a ladys '04 Montana 37' with 3 slides. She is living in it full time on her horse property and she is asking $20,000 which she will spend to build a small cabin for herself when she sells the RV.
Personally, I can't really afford a lot of problems and need to find something I can live in myself fulltime for several years until I can afford something better. My plan is to be in one place for several months, maybe only 2 or 3 moves a year, so I'm not really planning on burning up the road.
Lucky Mike said
03:57 PM Dec 20, 2012
I guess it would depend on your budget......if you are buying this unit in good shape at a price way below fair market value for that region. I think the savings might sustain the gamble if a major problem arose. Doing a good full inspection prior to buying will cut the surprises down and pricing out a warranty package if your going to keep it a while will help.
by not putting alot of road travel on the unit will cut down on the wear and shake factor that causes most problems.......other than that I would plan on roof and other maintenance as soon or not long after picking it up just to get it done and give myself a piece of mind.
Terry and Jo said
04:06 PM Dec 20, 2012
I would also suggest checking the date codes on the tires. If the previous owner hasn't changed out the original tires, they are likely to be in need of changing. Plus, I agree with many others in that it should be really checked out to make sure that all the appliances and systems function correctly.
Terry
The Bear II said
06:44 PM Dec 20, 2012
Keep in mind most motorhomes are built using suspension and drive train components designed for commercial vehicles. These have a longer life span than light truck or car components. Where a typical car might go 150,000 miles with no major problems a motorhome should go 300,000 miles like commercial vehicles will.
Provided the Montana looks good and drives well plus you do what has been suggested above, it sounds like it would be a great trouble free buy.
Racerguy said
10:03 PM Dec 20, 2012
Bear....pretty sure Montana is a 5th wheel.
The Bear II said
12:50 AM Dec 21, 2012
Oops..... I read Monaco and was thinking motorhome. Guess I shouldn't reply to posts until I've had more caffeine in the morning.
Racerguy said
03:58 AM Dec 21, 2012
The Bear II wrote:
Oops..... I read Monaco and was thinking motorhome. Guess I shouldn't reply to posts until I've had more caffeine in the morning.
Yup........been there
Trabuco said
07:59 AM Dec 21, 2012
Rocky,
To answer your basic question, I bought used and I would do it again. Although I bought a motorhome. I have purchased numerous RV's used and have had good luck with all of them. There will always be those annoying few problems, but that would not stop me from buying used.
kb0zke said
03:03 AM Dec 22, 2012
When we started our research two years ago, we were repeatedly told to buy used until we got the "mistakes" out of the way. Once we had some experience with a couple of coaches and knew exactly what we needed and wanted then we could look at new. In our case, new is completely out of consideration, so used is the only way for us.
Since you are planning on only a few moves each year, a 5'er sounds like a great idea for you. In fact, if you don't need the truck for other purposes, you might consider just hiring someone to move the coach when you get ready to move, and keep whatever you normally drive.
rockyroad said
05:39 AM Dec 22, 2012
Thanks all for your replys. I am pretty sure I would have someone to deliver it to a RV service place first and then on to my site that way I wouldn't have to buy my truck right away. When I saw it today it was clean but a little dated, I would probably throw out the recliners ( I have a brand new one) and the sofa and maybe remake some drapes I could put down some different carpet too (I can do this kind of stuff myself). The decals on the outside were pealing off, but it had lots of storage in its basement. I found a site on a bluff overlooking a monster lake for $200 a month, but that doesn't include the water or electric. However, that will work just fine for me since I will still be driving my 18 wheeler 2 to 3 weeks a month so I won't have to pay for services that I'm not using since I'll be on the road.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
12:48 AM Dec 23, 2012
We just bought a used Carrilite 36Max1. Its a 2009 model that the dealer said was lightly used. From what we have found in the past week, We don't see where it was ever used... Stickers still in the shower, sinks, etc.
Lucky Mike said
01:35 AM Dec 23, 2012
I have always bought used.....started with Trailers worked my way up to a few nice class c's.....then started in with lower class a's up to the High ends...
Never bought a lemon!!!.....with used I expect a few quirks and problems , but on the same end I could buy new all I get for it though is a prepaid repair plan that normally doesnt break until the plan is out of warranty......
I buy used let some one else spend the money to break it in and shake it up and fix it under warranty......then they think its trouble and sell it after its all fixed for a huge price reduction!!!!!!
Terry and Jo said
03:40 AM Dec 23, 2012
In our case with the Mobile Suites, we couldn't find the floor plan we liked that had all the options that we wanted at a dealer. For instance, we wanted a heavy (3000 watt), pure sine wave inverter and very few used DRV models had that anywhere. With all we wanted as options, we just decided to go new, but we were also (and still are) planning on living in this unit for some years to come. It is NOT a part time RV for us.
I was wondering how many of you have bought a used RV, and would you do that again or just buy new one next time.
I can see the advantages of letting someone else take the hit on the depreciation and getting all the new problems resolved, but I also worry about all the things you may not find out about until its really yours.
Friday I will be looking at a ladys '04 Montana 37' with 3 slides. She is living in it full time on her horse property and she is asking $20,000 which she will spend to build a small cabin for herself when she sells the RV.
Personally, I can't really afford a lot of problems and need to find something I can live in myself fulltime for several years until I can afford something better. My plan is to be in one place for several months, maybe only 2 or 3 moves a year, so I'm not really planning on burning up the road.
by not putting alot of road travel on the unit will cut down on the wear and shake factor that causes most problems.......other than that I would plan on roof and other maintenance as soon or not long after picking it up just to get it done and give myself a piece of mind.
I would also suggest checking the date codes on the tires. If the previous owner hasn't changed out the original tires, they are likely to be in need of changing. Plus, I agree with many others in that it should be really checked out to make sure that all the appliances and systems function correctly.
Terry
Provided the Montana looks good and drives well plus you do what has been suggested above, it sounds like it would be a great trouble free buy.
Yup........been there
To answer your basic question, I bought used and I would do it again. Although I bought a motorhome. I have purchased numerous RV's used and have had good luck with all of them. There will always be those annoying few problems, but that would not stop me from buying used.
Since you are planning on only a few moves each year, a 5'er sounds like a great idea for you. In fact, if you don't need the truck for other purposes, you might consider just hiring someone to move the coach when you get ready to move, and keep whatever you normally drive.
I am pretty sure I would have someone to deliver it to a RV service place first and then on to my site that way I wouldn't have to buy my truck right away. When I saw it today it was clean but a little dated, I would probably throw out the recliners ( I have a brand new one) and the sofa and maybe remake some drapes I could put down some different carpet too (I can do this kind of stuff myself). The decals on the outside were pealing off, but it had lots of storage in its basement.
I found a site on a bluff overlooking a monster lake for $200 a month, but that doesn't include the water or electric. However, that will work just fine for me since I will still be driving my 18 wheeler 2 to 3 weeks a month so I won't have to pay for services that I'm not using since I'll be on the road.
Never bought a lemon!!!.....with used I expect a few quirks and problems , but on the same end I could buy new all I get for it though is a prepaid repair plan that normally doesnt break until the plan is out of warranty......
I buy used let some one else spend the money to break it in and shake it up and fix it under warranty......then they think its trouble and sell it after its all fixed for a huge price reduction!!!!!!
In our case with the Mobile Suites, we couldn't find the floor plan we liked that had all the options that we wanted at a dealer. For instance, we wanted a heavy (3000 watt), pure sine wave inverter and very few used DRV models had that anywhere. With all we wanted as options, we just decided to go new, but we were also (and still are) planning on living in this unit for some years to come. It is NOT a part time RV for us.
Terry