retired - buy a '92 Bounder?

[bjs11243]

We are considering a 1992 Fleetwood Bounder with about 68,000 miles @ $10,000. Do we or is there another year we should consider? I don't mind the age and mileage, I just can't afford a money pit? What would you suggest, especially those of you who own or have owned a 92 within the past 10 years?
Thanks,
bjs11243

[Elkhartjim]

What conditions are the components?
Do the appliances (refer, stove, oven), toilet, water pump, air conditioner, furnace, water heater, etc work?

How about water damage from leaks? Fluid leaks; do the jacks work?
Age of tires, not condition, age? Much over 7 years will need to be replaced.

Those could be money pits.

[Gary RVRoamer]

At that age, condition is everything and a money pit a real possibility if you don't know much about Rvs and/or are not handy at fixing things yourself. But a year or two newer isn't going to change that much - you probably need to get up to around 1998 to improve your chances much. If you don't know Rvs, find somebody to help you, either a friend or a pro.

[tomwalt]

Some thoughts - IMHO $10K for a 1992 is not a great deal. For a little more than $10K you should be able to find a 1998 and newer gasser - you'll get the factory installed R-135A air conditioning and ODBII (on board diagnostics).
Look at the construction - wood framing will rot if there are leaks - aluminum framing won't.
Look at the roof - if it is rubber it should be white - black areas are where the rubber wore off (if it is not leaking you could re-seal it with liquid roof). Also etern-a-bond tape is good stuff for fixing leaks.
Someone mentioned tire age - make sure the tires are not too old for you (read the DOT number for date they were made.
Safe extra $$ - they are all money pits:>)

[aldersoc]

Hi, we bought our 92 bounder last year. We paid $8500.00 for it. Everything works and tires were 1 year old. We love it!

[TXiceman]

It maybe a good one it maybe a money pit. A new frig will run $1100, a new A/C,..$700, New batteries...$200 PLUS, new tires...$1200 PLUS, fixing leaks...UNKNOWN, Transmission...$4000 plus, generator repairs....$1000 and up.

A 19 year old RV will start to need repairs. What repairs has the previous owner done...maintenance?

Ken

[GOLDWINGER2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman It maybe a good one it maybe a money pit. A new frig will run $1100, a new A/C,..$700, New batteries...$200 PLUS, new tires...$1200 PLUS, fixing leaks...UNKNOWN, Transmission...$4000 plus, generator repairs....$1000 and up. A 19 year old RV will start to need repairs. What repairs has the previous owner done...maintenance? Ken

Makes you wonder why we have them....huh? They are a lot of fun. Some are money pits, some are not so bad. If you can't afford a money pit don't take the chance. This may not be the hobby for you, these are truly toys for big boys and girls.
J
P.S. My '88 Pace has been a dream (knock on wood) built by the same folks who built the Bounder you are thinking about.

[bluepill]

As a retired mechanic, the last thing I want to do is repair my own vehicle.

(Well, actually the very last thing is to pay someone else to do it for me)

I use the 10/15 rule for my vehicles: If it's a feature-rich vehicle such as an RV or a luxury car, I sell it before it's 10 years old. If it's a simple vehicle (think basic Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla), I'll go as far as 15 years because there are few "extras" to fail.

Remember that equipment failures are not only an expense, but also can ruin your trips when you break down on the road. Worst case, they are dangerous - think brake failure or power loss on a busy road.

I mention the following in case you are planning to own a rig for only a few years.
We bought our current MH as a used unit early this year, and expect to keep it only a few years before we sell it. Bought it quite a bit below market value, so I hope to be able to get most of my investment back. With a loan rate under 3% it's not costing that much to finance, and I expect it will NOT be a money pit because it's a late model quality rig.

[Topflite51]

What is the length and what chassis?

Basically overpriced. Go to NADA and check the price there. Pick the chassis and model number and list mileage and DO NOT ADD or check anything else. Most supposed options on the rig are long past their life span. You will get a better picture of the price then by asking here or anywhere else.

I bought an 83 Southwind in '01 for $ 5K, it had only 28K in miles on it, put tires on it and a carb and the rest of the money I spent on it was for yearly maintenance only. I sold it for $5K 3 years later, that owner sold 2 years later for $5K, he only put a new alternator on it. The last I heard, the current owner had it painted and had the interior redone and is traveling around the country full timing in it.

[Capescout]

We bought a 1993 Bounder last year for $7,000. 33K P30

50 k on the miles and 110 hours on the genset. We have put almost $3,000 in the last year fixing it up.

[bjs11243]

I appreciate your support. I think at $7,000 plus the $3,000 is about what I would expect. For $10,000 you've got yourself a coach that should last you quite a while; Don't you think?

[bigdale]

We bought a 1991 32ft sportscoach (coachman) w/49,000 mi on it new tires, rear bed, couch, carpet and cushions. Has a gen 870 hrs. everything works good, looks good also. Paid $6000.00 for it. (Insurance company valued it at $12,000.00 to replace.) Drove it just over 1,000 mi to Maine, spent 10 days at our sons. Really loved it, what fun. We did have a problem, muffler pipe worked loose and leaned over into rear airbag and ruined it, cost me $300.00 to have a new one put on.
You can find some good deals out there in this economy. I think $10,000.00 to much money for a 92, just my 2 cents.