Buying a Used Motorhome for Short Trips on a Cash Budget

[kdreger]

Looking to purchase a used Motorhome for a little travel, so I want to research what you all think about them.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Have you ever owned or used an RV in the past?

 

[rjshiflet]

I strongly suggest you "drive before you buy". I've known of so many people who bought motorhomes only to be scared to drive them anywhere because of the rocking and swaying motion that is inherent to many/most of them.

Most people who have found themselves in that situation could have avoided the problem by test driving and getting a feel before they bought.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The RV lifestyle covers a rather wide variety of travel styles and vehicle types. Anything from a local overnight trip in a van to full time living in a large & luxurious motorhome or trailer. When you say "purchase a motorhome", where in that spectrum do you think you will fall? Or maybe the better question is, "How do you expect to use it?".

New comers to RVs often have a rather romantic notion of what it's like, expecting a carefree, inexpensive wanderlust where you simply pull over and spend a night or two at some idyllic spot. Rarely is that the case. Please provide a brief explanation of what you are expecting from this motorhome and an idea of the budget for purchase. That way we can target the advice much better.

 

[kdreger]

Have you ever owned or used an RV in the past?

Yes, had a 35; 5th wheel, Oh does a 41' Sailboat count? ha ha

 

[kdreger]

I strongly suggest you "drive before you buy". I've known of so many people who bought motorhomes only to be scared to drive them anywhere because of the rocking and swaying motion that is inherent to many/most of them.

Most people who have found themselves in that situation could have avoided the problem by test driving and getting a feel before they bought.

Can't be any more motion than a 41' Sailboat in the ocean....

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Are you planning on pulling a car behind it?

 

[kdreger]

The RV lifestyle covers a rather wide variety of travel styles and vehicle types. Anything from a local overnight trip in a van to full time living in a large & luxurious motorhome or trailer. When you say "purchase a motorhome", where in that spectrum do you think you will fall? Or maybe the better question is, "How do you expect to use it?".

New comers to RVs often have a rather romantic notion of what it's like, expecting a carefree, inexpensive wanderlust where you simply pull over and spend a night or two at some idyllic spot. Rarely is that the case. Please provide a brief explanation of what you are expecting from this motorhome and an idea of the budget for purchase. That way we can target the advice much better.

Good questions. Will try to answer. Looking to do some local traveling and a few trips to Idaho to visit with grandkids. Need to have something we can rely on because of our age and our unfriendly lower intestinal "ISSUES". Mine is now short by 18". We would plan on doing about 250 miles per day and want to keep the initial expense down to $13,500 + Taxes, etc., paying cash. I am pretty handy. We had a 5th wheel for a few years and a 41' sailboat, so I know some things to watch out for and repair, I think. Doing a lot of reading about RV issues and trying to learn more each day. At 79+ years, it isn't something I would want to jump right into and get in over my head.

 

[kdreger]

Are you planning on pulling a car behind it?

No, been there done that and never again, Want a Motor home....

 

[kdreger]

Are you planning on pulling a car behind it?

Prob 2 electric bikes

 

[Bearcatrp]

No, been there done that and never again, Want a Motor home....

If you brake down, you’re stuck. Good reason to have a toad.

 

[garyb1st]

Bought our current 2005 Pace Arrow in 2017. Paid $44,000. It had 32,000 miles on the clock when we bought it. Currently it has about 82,000. Other than normal maintenance, brakes, tires, shocks, batteries, etc., we've only had one major expense. That was when they had to drop the gas tank to do a repair.

I'll be 83 in a month. Started RVing in 2008 when we bought a travel trailer. I never worked on my cars so had limited experience with auto mechanics. If you experience with the mechanical aspects of an RV, you're way ahead of the game. Both from the DIY perspective and more importantly from the ability to keep high paid RV repair facilities from misdiagnosing your problems.

There are a lot of quality RVs for sale today. I've been looking at Facebook Marketplace and have looked at several of those. Facebook may not be the best place to search but it's a source that seems to be growing in popularity.

The one question that comes to my mind is the amount of money you plan on spending. If $13,500 is a down payment, then you need to consider financing. That is challenging on older motorhomes.

 

[Isaac-1]

Can't be any more motion than a 41' Sailboat in the ocean....

No, but sailboats don't pass 18 wheelers going the other way at 75 mph 2 feet to their left

 

[Isaac-1]

I am not going to say that you can't find a decent motorhome for $13,500, just that it would be a LOT easier with a larger budget. My brother in law bought a 24 year old 37 ft diesel pusher for $15,000 last year, I was really impressed with its overall condition for the price, though it did need some TLC, the tires were dry rotted, house batteries were shot, and most of the plastic cargo compartment latches were broken, but otherwise it was in good shape for the age. $5,000 later it is pretty much road ready.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Given your needs and budget, I''d say you are looking for a gas-chassis Class A vintage 1998-2004. A lot of those will be in poor condition and all will need some work, but you should be able to find a well-cared for coach that a handy person can make road & comfort ready without huge expense or effort. Expect to spend at least a few thousand on it, though. Tires & batteries alone can total that much and both are highly likely to need replacement. When shopping, figure the asking price is negotiable, so don't be afraid to look at rigs a bit over your price target.

Plan on search far & wide to find a good one. You might get lucky locally, but don't count on it. And don't be in a hurry. You are buying a furnished house as well as a vehicle, and you & your spouse will depend on it when far from home, so you need to be confident in its reliability and safety.

Here's a search to give an idea of what is available. Go look at several examples to get an idea of the quality, condition, amenities and layouts (floor plans) you will encounter. Then start making a list of features you must have as well as though that are highly desirable but maybe not showstoppers is missing. This is a lot harder than it sounds, but critical to success.

 

[Seilerbird]

Any RV under about $20,000 is basically junk. If it was decent it would go for a lot more.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Any RV under about $20,000 is basically junk. If it was decent it would go for a lot more.

There are a lot of 25+ year old coaches on the market and prices are surprisingly low. But yes, shoppers will have to "kiss a lot of toads to find a prince", as the old adage goes. A $15k-20k budget would greatly improve the odds, though.

 

[Isaac-1]

Any RV under about $20,000 is basically junk. If it was decent it would go for a lot more.

I would tend to agree, but I also saw what my brother in law bought last year for $15,000 (2002 Fleetwood Discovery diesel pusher 37ft with 2 slides) By far the biggest issue with it beyond tires and batteries was that most of the plastic cargo compartment latches were broken, but that is an easy $500 fix. Of course being a mid level DP of that era it has cracking vinyl graphics, but that is strictly cosmetic.

 

[TheBar]

Most people here are Class A owners and will steer you towards them and away from a Class C. Many are living in their motorhome or take 3 month vacations. So their needs and wants are not the same as yours.

I disagree because I've owned both. With your budget you are way more likely to find a serviceable Class C. Since you will not be living in a motorhome full time storage space and weight are not show stoppers for you.

Most negative Class C stories are false but some are true due to the ones over 30 feet. Because they are based on an extended van chassis you should stay away from those. Even a 30 footer is pushing the weight and drivability limits.

I've been driving both Class A and C's for 45 years. With a Class C 30 feet or less the drivability between the two is the same.

In fact I prefer driving a Class C. Most Class A's are similar to a Greyhound bus. Because I'm not driving a Class A every day a Class C is way easier to transition to from driving a car. Even the dash gauges and switches are the same.

The biggest plus side of an old Class C is the drivetrain is 95% the same as a standard Ford or Chevy van. Which means any mechanic anywhere can work on one.

Parts from the windshield to the tires will be a fraction of the price. The windshields, drivetrain, cab, and dash parts will be available in any small town or at least overnight. So you won't be stranded somewhere for a couple weeks waiting on parts. It is rare for a Class C to end up in a salvage yard if it wasn't wrecked or rotted out.

Class A's are based on heavy truck chassis which means way fewer of those chassis were made. And other parts were adapted from who knows where or were custom made for that motorhome only. Many old Class A's end up in salvage yards just because one part isn't made any more and used parts can't be found. Not fun if you are 1,000 miles from home.

Another plus is you can find 24 foot or less Class Cs which are no wider or longer than a dually pickup truck. Parking at gas stations, stores, restaurants, or tourist sites would not be a big issue.

 

[Seilerbird]

I have owned many sub $20k RVs that worked for me. But I have been driving RVs all my life and living in one the last twenty years. I know how to shop for an RV and it takes about three months of intense shopping before finding a gem.