Buying used from Cruise America

The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an RV or an interest in RVing!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Joined
Oct 9, 2014
Posts
5
Hello, my new friends, and may I just say thank you to any and all who have posted on blogs and utube which eventually led me here! I chose the lamp as my icon as I Need the path to taking off in my rv on my peaceful journey to have a lamp to show the way, and this forum will, I am certain, will add to that greatly!.

I am wondering about anyone who has invested in one if cruise America retired rentals. I am currently considering a 19G,their compact version. The one negative, is the miles. However they do offer both power train and general extended warranty and they have been well serviced over every use, a d they are late models.

Does anyone out there own one of their models? Or, does anyone have a take on this? I am open to suggestions, and it is definitely the time to buy!
Thank you for any spare time you have for some input!
 
Welcome to the forum!  :)
Though I haven't bought from Cruise America, I would consider it the same as buying from an unknown seller. Having owned used RVs in the past, each one has had it's own issues that I've ironed out over the years of ownership.
Do you do your own repairs or take it somewhere? Extended warranties are great (if not too expensive) for items that might fail.
How does it feel driving down the road, pull right or left, stopping power?
Transmission shift smooth accelerating and decelerating?

Check the inside for leaks in corners of roof, closets, around windows , etc.
Appliances, air, furnace all work?

Condition of tires, check for weather checks, look at DOT date code for week and year of manufacture.

Then again, it's like buying a used car, sometimes you have to go with your "gut" feeling on whether it is a deal or not.

Good luck either way
 
You should be extra careful when buying a former rental RV.  Most of the time they are rented by people who have never owned a motorhome and they frequently don't know much about them.  They probably have been driven hard and used hard for many miles.  I suppose it's possible to get a good one, but personally I'd be leery.  Have you ever owned a motorhome?  Do you know what to look for when purchasing one?  Do you know what to avoid?  You might find a "gem" but you're more likely to fall into a money pit - especially if you're a novice.

ArdraF
 
Rental RVs were typically used hard (by inexperienced people) but Cruise America had a pretty good rep for maintaining and repairing their rigs and they give a solid warranty on used ones.  High mileage on a late model vehicle is much less a concern than 15 years ago - you can expect 150-200k miles from the engine and drive trail. That doesn't mean you won't have any chassis problems, e.g. water pump, alternator, starter, etc., but the basic engine remains strong.
 
I've always wondered.... are those Cruise America coaches custom made, or are they off the shelf models with standard retail construction?
I read something someplace that led me to believe they might be some custom coach.  I've looked at them passing on the highway and can't tell what they are.
Just wondering because maybe if they are custom made, they are built a bit more rugged &/or a bit more simple to be forgiving to the potential hard usage form renters.
 
A friend of mine bought one to use as a hunting base camp.  So far he is happy with it.
 
I bought a motorhome from Cruise America's other main competitor, and so far, I am extremely pleased with my purchase. It is a 2008 Tioga 31M. It did not have an awning, but so far, I have not missed it. The outside is impeccable. It had 106,000 miles, but the engine sounds and runs like a fine Swiss watch. It was well taken care of, and not beat up by renters.  In fact, the oven had not been used. These rental companies do a far better job of maintenance than the average owner.  The 26 pages of documentation confirm that maintenance was strictly adhered to.  In order to rent these motorhomes, they need to be in tip top shape, and every single detail is addressed and taken care of for the next renter. Although mine had a sales price on the windshield, I was able to negotiate a price.  I am keeping up with maintenance, and will luck, it should last me a minimum of two hundred thousand miles.
 
blw2 said:
I've always wondered.... are those Cruise America coaches custom made, or are they off the shelf models with standard retail construction?
I read something someplace that led me to believe they might be some custom coach.  I've looked at them passing on the highway and can't tell what they are.
Just wondering because maybe if they are custom made, they are built a bit more rugged &/or a bit more simple to be forgiving to the potential hard usage form renters.

They are Four Winds "Majestic" models. I believe they are made specifically for CA (Cruise America). They have no slideouts as renters would probably drive with them out. CA removes the "rent me" stickers and installs the normal decal kit when they sell them.

I like the little ones build on an F350, but why don't they sell a Diesel!

I have a friend who bought one and it seems to be OK.

If they don't put new batteries in it, do that first or negotiate it. Most renters kill the batteries by running them down to about 1% SOC.

 
blw2 said:
I've always wondered.... are those Cruise America coaches custom made, or are they off the shelf models with standard retail construction?
I read something someplace that led me to believe they might be some custom coach.  I've looked at them passing on the highway and can't tell what they are.
Just wondering because maybe if they are custom made, they are built a bit more rugged &/or a bit more simple to be forgiving to the potential hard usage form renters.

Hi BLW2 and all,

The Cruise America Class C I rented a little while back in Indiana was made by Thor Motor Coach. They are basic but are a good start to learn your way around a coach.
 
Nothing to do with the quality of the used CA coaches but I once investigated into renting one for a two week trip.  I thought the price was high but doable considering the place I wanted to go had limited lodging.  Then I drove to a local dealer to look over the coach and was really put off by the fact that I would be driving a moving billboard and paying for the privilege of doing it.  I asked if they had any unmarked coaches and they looked at me like I was the looney one. So I drove away and stopped at a Camping World store just a few miles away.  I didn't buy there but did get a great chance to look over many makes and models and decide just which coach I would be looking to buy.  It took two more years but I finally found that coach from a private owner just a few towns away and bought it in the dead of winter.  After driving it over 3000 miles this summer, I am beyond happy with my choice and the price I paid and my coach is going into its 13th year.
 
The moving billboard is used as a warning to other drivers.  I see gazillions of the rentals here in Yellowstone, and while I have seen many mirrors duct taped on, the main thing is people taking the advice, they drive just like a car, and I see the renters parking nose in to a car size space, thereby sticking out by 12'. 

Would I buy one?  Not sure, would depend on the deal and the unit.  However from what I have seen these are really basic units.  If it fits your need and budget?  I suppose.

 
Didn't buy our Minnie from C.A., but it has been great and started its life as a rental.  I have posted before regarding buying a rental do a search.  We have had no problems, Ford makes a good chassis and Winnebago makes a good MH.  Dick nvrver
 
I have owned a former rental for some time now and have had no problems at all with it. There are quite a few others that have had the same experience and have shared them on another forum that you and others may be interested in.

I am the author of the thread and I thought it may be helpful to pass it on here so others that have questions about owning a Former Rental might get some useful information.
I have no affiliation with the companies that are in the thread. 

If there any questions that have not been answered there, please ask them or send me  the question and I will try to help.

I really like owning this rig and for the price and service I have gotten out of it I am very pleased.

If anyone is interested here is the link to that thread http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26035008.cfm


 
Apologies, I believe your post was inadvertently moved out of sight. I've restored it.
 
No problem. I believe the confusion came from our forum Rules. Entirely my fault, and one of these days I need to rewrite and simplify the rules. It's a gray area, and the intent was to stop folks from "re-directing" our members to other forums at the expense of our own discussions.
 
IAMICHABOD said:
I have owned a former rental for some time now and have had no problems at all with it. There are quite a few others that have had the same experience and have shared them on another forum that you and others may be interested in.

I am the author of the thread and I thought it may be helpful to pass it on here so others that have questions about owning a Former Rental might get some useful information.
I have no affiliation with the companies that are in the thread. 

If there any questions that have not been answered there, please ask them or send me  the question and I will try to help.

I really like owning this rig and for the price and service I have gotten out of it I am very pleased.

If anyone is interested here is the link to that thread http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26035008.cfm

Good thread and write up! 
 
Back
Top Bottom