My New Ride

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Lou Schneider

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Just thought I'd post a few pictures of my new-to-me motorhome.  I've been looking for a Class C for several months and came across this in the Los Angeles Craigslist.  It's a 1992 Hall Chaparall Class A on a Chevy chassis with the fuel injected 454 and overdrive transmission.  I bought it from the second owner with 22,000 miles on it - he bought it from his neighbor in 1994 when it had 2,000 miles.  A thick folder full of complete maintenance records and manuals came with it.

A front living area with a couch (a full length table is stored underneath), a side table and swivel chair, center kitchen, full size rear corner bed and useable dry bath and shower in just 23 ft. bumper to bumper. 

Costs so far have been $7k to purchase, $850 for 6 new tires (16"), $400 to replace the air bags in the front coil springs, $250 to install a hitch receiver, and $50 for an oil change and lube.  Oh yeah, and $25 for a new black dump valve - the old one jammed on a piece of debris left over when the black tank and toilet were replaced 6 months ago.  So I'm still well under that magic $10k number.

I left Los Angeles on May 3 and made a beeline for Elkhart, IN and the Escapees Escapade.  In spite of being in some horrendous weather for a good part of the trip it's proven to be leak free.  Now I'm meandering back towards Los Angeles at a more leisurely pace.  So far the motorhome has performed flawlessly.  In the rush to get to Elkhart I averaged 9.5 MPG towing my Sentra at speeds of 70 MPH -75 MPH.  The sloping front end makes a big difference in aerodynamics compared to a slab fronted RV.  That combined with good weight distribution and the short rear overhang makes the rig handle more like a sports car than a motorhome.  I expect that mileage to improve now that I've backed off to more reasonable speeds.

So yes, good under $10k motorhomes can be found.  It just takes some looking and patience.
 

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Good for you, Lou!! You've come a long way since the "Trash Can" days.  :)

What brand of tires did you get 6 for $850?

Hope to do a walk through of your new ride in QZ.
 
Congratulations, Lou.  I was thinking of the "Trash Can" when Bob took the words right out of my fingers.
 
Hi Bob -

Tires were Hankook DynaPro HT 235/85/R16 from Discount Tires in Los Angeles.  I'm not too concerned about overloading them - I had the rig weighed at the Escapade and I'm at about 60% of the maximum rating on the front tires, 50% on the back.

The old tires were purchased "just a few years ago" and had plenty of tread left - but they were made in 2002.  ;)
 
Congratulations Lou! It looks like it was well cared for. 9.5 MPG!!!... while towing at 70+ MPH!!! I get about half that when I'm coasting downhill, with the engine off, with a tailwind and while drafting a semi.  :p I hope to hook up with ya someday.

Kev 
 
That's a very nice looking machine, lou.  Best of luck with it.
 
12 year old tires- I would have been afraid to walk past them. Good find on the new tires
 

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