dockrocker
New member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2006
- Posts
- 3
Hello all, first time poster, long time lurker (well, not really but it sounded good! 
)
The Mrs and I are looking at going the RV route for "family time" after we sell our boat. Two kids, 5 and 2, and a 110 lbs dog who *may* make the occaisional weekend trip with us. We are leaning toward a TT, but I have found a 1996 Newmar Mountain Aire 3757 at a somewhat local dealer. The MH in question has the Ford 460 w/ Banks PP, tag axle, Onan 6500 watt genset, shows 37,500 on the odo. They are asking high 20's for it. I have not yet seen the unit, only pics on the web (too busy putting up Christmas lights this weekend...)
From what I gather, Newmar has a reputation as a higher-quality builder, so I'm not too concerned about the overall engineering and build quality. I am somewhat clueless about the chassis and related components used in that year, as well as the pro's and con's of the 460 Ford of that vintage.
Curious as to basic maintenance (suspension, tires, etc) costs, as well as insurance and MPG (I know it's going to be bad, the question is more along the lines of "bad" or "truly horrendous"). The plan is to use it for weekends and the odd week long vacation. Almost certainly will *not* be making cross-country trips - more like a couple hundred miles, each way. I also have a 2000 Mercury Sable I will be inheriting that we can use for a toad, so thoughts/advice on that would be appreciated (even a newbie like me knows that my F-250 CC or the wife's Durango is not really toad material unless we bought a Prevost!)
I like the idea of the kids having a bit more space to keep them occupied rather than buttoned down right behind us in my truck, so the MH appeals to me. Any guidance would be appreciated!
)The Mrs and I are looking at going the RV route for "family time" after we sell our boat. Two kids, 5 and 2, and a 110 lbs dog who *may* make the occaisional weekend trip with us. We are leaning toward a TT, but I have found a 1996 Newmar Mountain Aire 3757 at a somewhat local dealer. The MH in question has the Ford 460 w/ Banks PP, tag axle, Onan 6500 watt genset, shows 37,500 on the odo. They are asking high 20's for it. I have not yet seen the unit, only pics on the web (too busy putting up Christmas lights this weekend...)
From what I gather, Newmar has a reputation as a higher-quality builder, so I'm not too concerned about the overall engineering and build quality. I am somewhat clueless about the chassis and related components used in that year, as well as the pro's and con's of the 460 Ford of that vintage.
Curious as to basic maintenance (suspension, tires, etc) costs, as well as insurance and MPG (I know it's going to be bad, the question is more along the lines of "bad" or "truly horrendous"). The plan is to use it for weekends and the odd week long vacation. Almost certainly will *not* be making cross-country trips - more like a couple hundred miles, each way. I also have a 2000 Mercury Sable I will be inheriting that we can use for a toad, so thoughts/advice on that would be appreciated (even a newbie like me knows that my F-250 CC or the wife's Durango is not really toad material unless we bought a Prevost!)
I like the idea of the kids having a bit more space to keep them occupied rather than buttoned down right behind us in my truck, so the MH appeals to me. Any guidance would be appreciated!
