Buying an older used RV- how high is too high for mileagle?
doganddisc said
09:32 PM Aug 13, 2013
I found a Winnebago Brave (not sure of the year but I'm guess it is late 90's) on Craigslist for $15,000. Just outside my budget but it seems to be in immaculate condition judging by the photos. New tires, well recorded maintenance. The only downside is that the RV has 79,000 miles on it already.
If we are planning on full timing and doing a fair amount of traveling (for work), would it be daft to purchase an RV with such high mileage?
The Bear II said
10:43 PM Aug 13, 2013
It's built using commercial truck/bus components which are designed for 500,000 trouble free miles.
Watch for gaps in the documentation; for example regular oil changes every 5000 miles but there's a gap where an oil change was done and not another one until 10,000 miles had gone by. This may indicate there was a problem during the next 5000 miles so the owner left that receipt out of the stack to hide the problem.
Have a certified mechanic check over the MH.
Even if everything seems OK, be prepared for possible problems. Have a cash reserve ready just in case. It seems like RVs go through periods of problems and periods of no problems no matter how well they are cared for. Each problem will be a minimum of $500 to repair on average.
doganddisc said
10:45 PM Aug 13, 2013
Fantastic advice, thank you!
Lucky Mike said
10:45 PM Aug 13, 2013
I have bought Gassers at 125k plus mileage.... if it was maintained and towing was minimal or a small package you should get another 100k out of the running gear......the coach I have now had 112k (gas 460..97) on it when I bought it and other than tire and brakes she runs with the wind!!
SnowGypsy said
10:57 PM Aug 17, 2013
Mileage shouldn't be your only concern. If the appliances haven't been replaced, they are old. I would have someone inspect both the engine and the house part especially the appliances. Sometimes the frig still runs but doesn't cool properly and same problem with the A/C, water heater and furnace can cause some problems too. Look really hard to see if anything has leaked or if anything is separating. Our first motorhome was a Minnie Winnie Class C with 93,000 miles and it presented some challenges since it was older and we were in the learning phase. The big problem we had was when we took it to AZ and had to pass emissions tests in the 90's.
I found a Winnebago Brave (not sure of the year but I'm guess it is late 90's) on Craigslist for $15,000. Just outside my budget but it seems to be in immaculate condition judging by the photos. New tires, well recorded maintenance. The only downside is that the RV has 79,000 miles on it already.
If we are planning on full timing and doing a fair amount of traveling (for work), would it be daft to purchase an RV with such high mileage?
Watch for gaps in the documentation; for example regular oil changes every 5000 miles but there's a gap where an oil change was done and not another one until 10,000 miles had gone by. This may indicate there was a problem during the next 5000 miles so the owner left that receipt out of the stack to hide the problem.
Have a certified mechanic check over the MH.
Even if everything seems OK, be prepared for possible problems. Have a cash reserve ready just in case. It seems like RVs go through periods of problems and periods of no problems no matter how well they are cared for. Each problem will be a minimum of $500 to repair on average.