Thoughtful Advice Wanted

[Deano2002]

We have had a 1989 34' gasser for 8 or 9 years now that I have put lots of time and a far amount of money in it but, it is starting to delaminate and the paint job from the baggage doors down is starting to peel and there's some rust bubbling and I just don't know if I want to keep chasing the cosmetic issues or not. The inside is basically new with cabinets floors and all new furniture over these years. Last summer I bought 2 new ac units, new windshield's 3 years ago. All this work and still not a diesel pusher with heavier built chassis. I am going to look this weekend at a 2 slide HR 34' Endeavor with either a Cummins or a Cat engine, owner says 5.9 Cat but I don't see that on the internet. It has 140K miles and owner says everything works including the 7.5 diesel generator. Looks like it will need tires, the back tires have aggressive tread for some reason. The front generator cover is cracked at the bottom but, that's all the damage I can see from the pictures. He was asking 14K then 10K and now 9K over the last few weeks. What kind of things should I be looking at? How could I check that the water supply lines are good being it is winterized? Looking at the dipstick should I be looking for something being its a diesel?

 

[TheBar]

I would be wary of any diesel pusher selling for 9k. Remember the old adage "there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes". Diesel rigs are like that. If you can't get a mechanic to inspect it I'd stay with your ugly old rig. Don't worry about what it looks like. Are you camping to have fun or to impress strangers?

 

[CharlesinGA]

Cat assigned four digit model numbers to most of their engines. Cummins has lettered series designation and then a cubic displacement, such as a B5.9L. It is most likely a Cummins if he is calling it a 5.9.

Personally, I'd run fast from any old diesel pusher. Its old, too old. Tires, hoses, belts, brake system flushing (if hydraulic), trans fluid, and a whole lot more. That $9K can easily be triple that by the time you finish making it reliable.

Charles

 

[Larry N.]

I am going to look this weekend at a 2 slide HR 34' Endeavor with either a Cummins or a Cat engine, owner says 5.9 Cat but I don't see that on the internet.

What year HR? $9K is awfully cheap- and it would also bother me that the asking price has been reduced several times. So I'd be sure to get a thorough inspection of both chassis and engine/drive train. The delamination would bother me, too.

And as others have mentioned above, One single thing wrong with a diesel could range from a few hundred dollars up to $10K-$20K or more, depending on what the problem is.

The front generator cover is cracked at the bottom but, that's all the damage I can see from the pictures.

Pictures often don't show defects that are there, so be careful relying on those pics- also, when were they taken?"

Sounds like a big money pit, to me. It's possible you'd have $50K plus (after purchase) in it before it was completely fixed, though there is a slight possibility that it won't be that bad.

 

[Deano2002]

its a 2000 year. Its posted on Facebook up in Wheaton, IL and was listed as Monaco Endeavor, also if its a Cummins 5.9 with 275HP I have read people are disappointed with performance pulling their toad up through mountains and, we go through them in Pennsylvania although we pull a Geo Tracker @ 2500lbs

 

[Camper25-iRV2]

I drove a 5.9 one time up some mountain roads in NC. Even fully loaded 18-wheelers were passing us when climbing the 6% hills. Never again...

 

[DutchmenSport]

It sounds risky to me for all the reasons stated above. But if you are still really interested, then go ahead and make the trip to see the camper in person. You still have the option to decline a purchase if it does not meet your expectations. It's possible it "could" be a gold star win; and then again, it could be the devil in disguise himself! You'll never know for sure if you don't go.

 

[Deano2002]

I drove a 5.9 one time up some mountain roads in NC. Even fully loaded 18-wheelers were passing us when climbing the 6% hills. Never again...

he sent me a video of the engine running from under the bed, it is the cat 3126 7.2 engine. I'm still going to take a look, as far as the price its low value book price is 9K so, I'll go from here. I bought this ole gasser when lots of people said not too but, for the price I paid there was room to fix.

 

[Deano2002]

well, i was supposed to go look at it this morning and the guy marked it as sold last night, he was in Florida and returned thursday, he didn't tell me he had someone else looking at it. The last we conversed I asked if he had valid plates so we could take it out on the highway, no reply other than seller marked it as sold. Oh well might be better off

 

[Kirk]

Oh well might be better off

You probably are. There are better choices out there.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Yep.