Need opinons on '98 Discovery

D-n-Tyke · 01-01-2011, 08:21 PM

My wife and I have been looking for a pusher for a while now and ran across a coach that is what I think a killer deal. It is a '98 Discovery. We love the layout and think it fits out needs. However I can't really find a bunch of info on that coach (owners info that is) so while looking I came across this site. Looks like there is a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum. So what are your guys experiences with the '98 discovery? I know this is the first year with a slide, are there any issues with the "new" at the time slide? Any other common issues with this model?

justimagination · 01-01-2011, 09:34 PM

"We love the layout and think it fits out needs"

You will look @ a lot of units that WON"T do as you describe above. Does a Dealer have it ? Are you not able to contact the previous owner ? If truth be known, their not going to have any better info on the coach than you do, and even if they did, it's likely heresay.
Go with your gut feeling especially if it's within your budget, and your initial expense outlay is within reason. You will have to spend extra $$ on it after your purchase, that's just the nature of the beast.
We purchase our current 1997 Fleetwood 5 years ago because we really looked for this paticular floorplan, gasser with low mileage, new tires, non smoker, no slides, and really taken care of, as well as drove perfect and smooth even @ 65-70 mph. If I had to do it all over again, I would not change a thing. Good luck,
David G.

D-n-Tyke · 01-02-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justimagination

You will look @ a lot of units that WON"T do as you describe above. Does a Dealer have it ? Are you not able to contact the previous owner ? If truth be known, their not going to have any better info on the coach than you do, and even if they did, it's likely heresay.

I guess that didn't come across right. I was looking more for insight from people on this board that own or have owned this coach and their experiences with it. I have talked pretty extensively with the current owner an he has been very straight up with everything about the coach.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 01-02-2011, 09:55 AM

I think you will find that most Discover owners are quite happy with them. In those years, it was a very popular coach - good construction and amenities at a reasonable price. A significant step up from the Bounder Diesel, but not as classy (or expensive) as the American Coach family.

There are Discovery brochures on the Fleetwood site back to 1999. That's probably pretty close to the 1998 in terms of specs and equipment. Go to Fleetwood.com and choose Discovery and then Request Brochure. Once you get to the download page, you can choose what year brochure you want.

The General · 01-02-2011, 12:25 PM

D-n-Tyke,

I have a 1998 Discovery sales brochure and the freighliner spec. sheet for the 98 Discovery. If you are interested, email me or call:
gnlsjb@hotmail.com
916-363-2525

Steve Bernard
2008 Bounder 35E/Ford
2007 Saturn Vue Redline

TXiceman · 01-02-2011, 03:46 PM

Generally the Discovery does pretty well with the normal type RV problems. In a 1998 model here are a few things that you need to be concerned about:
-Water leaks from the roof or windows.
-Age of tires. Over 5 years old...replace them before any trips.
-brakes
-Battery system
-Maintenance records.

Before you plunk down the cash, have it checked by a 3rd party RV technician as well as a diesel/chassis mechanic.

Low generator hours can be a problem and a major expense to fix.

Also make sure the original Fleetwood and other owner's manuals are in the coach.

Ken

D-n-Tyke · 01-02-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Generally the Discovery does pretty well with the normal type RV problems. In a 1998 model here are a few things that you need to be concerned about:
-Water leaks from the roof or windows.
During my inspection of the coach I didn't notice water damage around the windows or repairs in these areas. However we had some pretty significant rain around here a day before I looked at the coach and the drivers side window (which is dual pane) had moisture between the pane. The guy said this is very common with the dual pane and no really a issue and drys out clear after a couple days? Is he full of it?
-Age of tires. Over 5 years old...replace them before any trips.
The tires all looked almost brand new. Although the DOT on the one tire I could see it on said late '06. He did keep stating that they are the "RTV" tires and the normal 5 year age issue didn't really apply to these tires.
-brakes
Are you just saying I should inspect the linings? Or are there common issues with the brakes on this coach.
-Battery system
Guy just replaced all the batteries on the coach since the unit has been sitting for the last year and the batteries no longer take a charge.
-Maintenance records.
Coach comes with all the manuals the came original with the coach but very few maintenance records.
Before you plunk down the cash, have it checked by a 3rd party RV technician as well as a diesel/chassis mechanic.
Yeah I am trying to find a diesel tech in my area (San Diego/El Cajon) to check over motor and chassis. And then should I just find a RV dealer around her to look over the house portion?

Low generator hours can be a problem and a major expense to fix.

Also make sure the original Fleetwood and other owner's manuals are in the coach.

Ken

See Above
Thanks for the input Ken. I really appreciate it.

That goes for everyone that replies.

TXiceman · 01-03-2011, 06:10 PM

RTV tires are still 5 year life...7 years at the outside. All tires have a UV/ozone protection agent in the rubber. It is depleted on the surface and the tires deteriorate. To keep the chemicals worked up to the surface, the tires need to be driven, flexed and heated. Since a motorhome sits a lot, the tires deteriorate befroe they wear out.

You can't ever believe an Rv sales person.

I would have them pull the front wheels and check the linings to see how much life is left before a brake job.

Ken

FreshAir · 01-03-2011, 07:59 PM

Tire Life. Recently a tire repesentive from three large tire recaping facilities owned by a tire distributer told me that they will not touch/recap a tire with a date code over 5 years. FWIW.

Triker56 · 01-04-2011, 06:48 PM

You will find several owners here

It does cost to join. If you do buy the D. You can get a lot of help that had done that fix already.

Quote:

During my inspection of the coach I didn't notice water damage around the windows or repairs in these areas. However we had some pretty significant rain around here a day before I looked at the coach and the drivers side window (which is dual pane) had moisture between the pane. The guy said this is very common with the dual pane and no really a issue and drys out clear after a couple days? Is he full of it?

Yes he is full of it. That window fogging is a problem with several
makes and models of RV's.
Cost to repair at a couple places is around $200 a window. Replacing the whole window can be up to around $400

Tires are your call. Some say replace at 5 years, they have a lot of money. Others say 6 some 7 and Michelin says they may make it to 10 years.
My G670's are now 6 years old with no cracks and I'm going for 10 with them. But I know how they have been taken care of.

Brakes should go 100,000K and better. Use the exhaust brake most of the time.

Quote:

Guy just replaced all the batteries on the coach since the unit has been sitting for the last year and the batteries no longer take a charge.

Batteries may still be good. The Inverter/charger will not charge the batteries up if they are below 10.5V and a portable charger will be needed to bring them up to around 13V then the inverter/charger will keep them charged up when plugged into shore power.
Unlike some MH's the charger on the D does charge both house & chassis from shore power.

The ISB should give you 10 + MPG.
My average for over 8 years is 10.23 MPG

It should also have a energy management system in the house 120V. You can run both AC on 30 AMP with it. Turn the micro on and 1 AC will auto cut off until micro done. Then the AC will start auto again. No worry about tripping breakers.

On edit I forgot. You can see the brake linings from the back side without taking any hubs off.