dsplaisted
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2020
- Posts
- 35
Hi folks,
We're planning to buy our first RV. We found one that we liked and had it inspected by an NRVIA inspector. The inspection found a number of issues (probably unsurprising for a 20 year old RV). Since we're new to this, I'd very much appreciate feedback on some of those issues.
The RV is a 2000 Harney Coach Renegade Diesel Class A (37 feet). The asking price was $31K.
Background info: We're a family of 4 with children ages 4 and 9. I'm a software developer currently working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. We'd like to try going full-time or mostly full-time in the RV (probably not permanently, more like 3 months to a year) so I can work from the road while we visit different areas around the country, National Parks, etc.
Roof water damage
The roof appears to have water damage in two places: near the kitchen vent and the bathroom skylight. The roof appears to have subsequently been sealed so there is likely not an active leak in these areas.
Replacing the roof would be quite expensive (probably close to $10K, we understand). So our plan would be just to make sure it continues to be sealed, but otherwise not address the existing water damage.
Tires
The ad said "new" tires, but per the inspection they are certainly not new - the date on them indicates they are from the third to fifth week of 2011. The seller claims the tires have low mileage on them, that he only put 5000 miles on them in the past three years since purchasing the RV from the previous owner who said they had low mileage on them. He also claims that tires don't age much from the weather in this region (Seattle area) when they aren't in use.
The inspection report lists all the tires as in acceptable condition, with the exception of one which is listed as in Fair condition due to some cracking in the sidewall.
How urgent is it to replace the tires if they are "old" but apparently have not had too many miles and appear to be in OK condition? I understand that replacing tires is rather expensive, ie $500+ per tire for six tires.
Batteries
The house batteries (4 6-volt batteries) do not seem to be in good shape. The voltage of the batteries was measured at 11.3 volts (apparently even when charging). The inverter panel indicated low voltage and a fault code after operating for a while.
The seller has offered to replace the batteries as part of the sale. I understand that wet cell batteries can be from around $100 to $400 each. How could I evaluate whether the batteries the seller would put in are "good"? If we were to replace the batteries ourselves, what types of batteries and what price range should we be looking for?
Windshield crack
The passenger side window is significantly cracked, though it is restricted to the curved portion of the glass on the side. There is tape over the crack, and I think the current owner has been using it like that for the past 3 years that he's owned the RV. I've attached a picture of the cracked windshield.
He provided a quote he got for $811 for the replacement glass pane. With labor to install it, the price would probably be $1200 or more.
How urgent would it be to replace this windshield?
Resealing
Some seals were in fair condition and others were in poor condition. The inspector recommended that the entire RV should probably be resealed. An RV repair shop gave me a rough estimate of $2000 for parts and labor for a full resealing.
The seller suggested it could be a lot cheaper if I were to look for a handy man on craigslist to do the work. I?m pretty skeptical that would be a good idea. Thoughts?
Since the Seattle area is fairly expensive, and the RV is mobile, I?m wondering if it would make sense to look for an area of the country where the cost of living is lower in order to have the repair work done. Would that make sense? Have other RV owners from areas with a relatively high cost of living tried this?
Fluid analysis
The engine is a Caterpillar diesel rear engine with 78,500 miles on it. The inspection included taking fluid samples from the engine (and generator) and sending them off to a lab for analysis.
However, it will take up to 7 business days to get the results back. Everything in the engine looked good (or "acceptable" in the inspection report terminology), and I understand that diesel engines generally last a long time. How likely is it that the fluid analysis results would turn up any issues? I know I probably shouldn't rush an RV purchase, but we are eager to get it if everything else works out.
Once again, thanks for any feedback you can provide!
We're planning to buy our first RV. We found one that we liked and had it inspected by an NRVIA inspector. The inspection found a number of issues (probably unsurprising for a 20 year old RV). Since we're new to this, I'd very much appreciate feedback on some of those issues.
The RV is a 2000 Harney Coach Renegade Diesel Class A (37 feet). The asking price was $31K.
Background info: We're a family of 4 with children ages 4 and 9. I'm a software developer currently working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. We'd like to try going full-time or mostly full-time in the RV (probably not permanently, more like 3 months to a year) so I can work from the road while we visit different areas around the country, National Parks, etc.
Roof water damage
The roof appears to have water damage in two places: near the kitchen vent and the bathroom skylight. The roof appears to have subsequently been sealed so there is likely not an active leak in these areas.
Replacing the roof would be quite expensive (probably close to $10K, we understand). So our plan would be just to make sure it continues to be sealed, but otherwise not address the existing water damage.
Tires
The ad said "new" tires, but per the inspection they are certainly not new - the date on them indicates they are from the third to fifth week of 2011. The seller claims the tires have low mileage on them, that he only put 5000 miles on them in the past three years since purchasing the RV from the previous owner who said they had low mileage on them. He also claims that tires don't age much from the weather in this region (Seattle area) when they aren't in use.
The inspection report lists all the tires as in acceptable condition, with the exception of one which is listed as in Fair condition due to some cracking in the sidewall.
How urgent is it to replace the tires if they are "old" but apparently have not had too many miles and appear to be in OK condition? I understand that replacing tires is rather expensive, ie $500+ per tire for six tires.
Batteries
The house batteries (4 6-volt batteries) do not seem to be in good shape. The voltage of the batteries was measured at 11.3 volts (apparently even when charging). The inverter panel indicated low voltage and a fault code after operating for a while.
The seller has offered to replace the batteries as part of the sale. I understand that wet cell batteries can be from around $100 to $400 each. How could I evaluate whether the batteries the seller would put in are "good"? If we were to replace the batteries ourselves, what types of batteries and what price range should we be looking for?
Windshield crack
The passenger side window is significantly cracked, though it is restricted to the curved portion of the glass on the side. There is tape over the crack, and I think the current owner has been using it like that for the past 3 years that he's owned the RV. I've attached a picture of the cracked windshield.
He provided a quote he got for $811 for the replacement glass pane. With labor to install it, the price would probably be $1200 or more.
How urgent would it be to replace this windshield?
Resealing
Some seals were in fair condition and others were in poor condition. The inspector recommended that the entire RV should probably be resealed. An RV repair shop gave me a rough estimate of $2000 for parts and labor for a full resealing.
The seller suggested it could be a lot cheaper if I were to look for a handy man on craigslist to do the work. I?m pretty skeptical that would be a good idea. Thoughts?
Since the Seattle area is fairly expensive, and the RV is mobile, I?m wondering if it would make sense to look for an area of the country where the cost of living is lower in order to have the repair work done. Would that make sense? Have other RV owners from areas with a relatively high cost of living tried this?
Fluid analysis
The engine is a Caterpillar diesel rear engine with 78,500 miles on it. The inspection included taking fluid samples from the engine (and generator) and sending them off to a lab for analysis.
However, it will take up to 7 business days to get the results back. Everything in the engine looked good (or "acceptable" in the inspection report terminology), and I understand that diesel engines generally last a long time. How likely is it that the fluid analysis results would turn up any issues? I know I probably shouldn't rush an RV purchase, but we are eager to get it if everything else works out.
Once again, thanks for any feedback you can provide!