2001 HR Endeavor purchase

Dread58 · 10-02-2011, 11:19 AM

Gentlemen, ladies,

We're soon to be new to the RV community, hoping to buy something soon. We're interested in a unit available near us, a 2001 HR Endeavor 40 PBD, diesel, in excellent shape, 4500 miles, everything looks new on the inside, outside, good tires. My wife says the decor is dated, but... We were told that the unit was bought new in 2001, the older owners took two trips in it and the gentleman got sick and passed away. The widow we're told, kept the unit in a climate controlled inside storage facility and finally decided that it needed a new owner that would put it to use. It seems like a great deal, I have driven it and it has no issues that I can detect. The dealer is asking 79K. My questions are, is it worth that much money, and what would the old sages here suggest be looked at as far as troubles or issues that would come along with an older unit as such? Seals, bearings, etc.?? We plan a cross country trip next summer to Ca. to visit relatives, do the tourist thing, about 5k miles over 3 weeks. Would it handle that kind of trip?

As we have no other resources on this subject , I appreciate any and all comments and advice in advance.

Thanx, and Geaux Tigers! LSU!

Bob

deandec · 10-02-2011, 11:33 AM

Low Retail is $50,000 per NADA.com.

Garaged and low use of the House portion may equal a premium price which could be Low Retail NADA instead of wholesale.

Check manf date code on Tires. They probably need to be replaced before the cross country trip due to age not wear.

Change the oil, coolant, oil and coolant filters, and probably hydraulic fluid.

For peace of mind, have a mechanic check the engine and transmission, but I would gamble on their being fine personally.

All the above being OK, that rig will make many trips across our country if so desired.

Rex · 10-02-2011, 02:56 PM

Bob, Dean gave you good advice. You said you are new to the RV community so you may not know about tires. There will be a date code on each tire showing when it was made. PAY NO ATTENTION to the tread, ONLY go by the date code. Most Motor Home owners will not drive their coaches enough to ware the tires out so they always have plenty of tread when they need to be replaced. The general rule is to replace the tires when they are 5 years old. Tires age even if not driven.

That year coach came with 255/70/22.5 tire size. They were under sized and should be replaced with 275/70/22.5. If they are Goodyear and the original 255/70/22.5, there was a large law suit settled by Goodyear for selling a tire for motor homes when they knew it was under rated.

TXiceman · 10-02-2011, 04:40 PM

First thing is it will need new tires. Next it needs to have the brakes pulled, wheel bearing repacked, new grease oil seals, brake fluid flushed and brake calipers and wheel cylinders checked The engine oil needs to be flushed and change, transmission flushed and serviced, generator oil change and serviced, generator checked, batteries replaced, all roof joints checked and possibly resealed.

Setting for so long is not good on an RV and it will require a lot of service. The price is way high. I'd over low retail and no more. Explain to the dealer all of the work and service it will need before it takes to the road. If he is willing to do all of the servie (proof required), new batteries and new tires, I'd go up by $5K.

Ken

deandec · 10-02-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Next it needs to have the brakes pulled, wheel bearing repacked, new grease oil seals, brake fluid flushed and brake calipers and wheel cylinders checked

Ken

I suspect he could skip some of these steps since there is no brake fluid or wheel cylinders that I am aware of on an air brake system?

My brakes have not been touched in the last 80,000 miles but do pass inspections.

Dread58 · 10-02-2011, 08:50 PM

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for the feedback, all suggestions will be taken to heart.

TXiceman, are you suggesting that I have the dealer do all of the maintenance discussed here, pick up the costs (including tires) and then offer them NADA low, 50k, plus another 5K for the trouble? So... 55k would be fair with all of the items mentioned above? Or perhaps you mean something else.. Please clairfy if possible.

Again all, thank you very much for the insight, my wife and I appreciate it.

Bob

N.W.Gypsies · 10-03-2011, 01:30 PM

Also if the unit is a 4 air bag system you will need to be aware of the trailing arms as they will need to be replaced they are kown for cracking aprox 3 grand $$$
do internet serch on that subject also check the refier as norcold had a lot of recalls good luck and happy trails

TXiceman · 10-03-2011, 06:50 PM

I think $55K to $60K is tops that it is worth, provided the dealer does the full maintenance, new tires and trailing arms replaced. I was not sure if it had air or hydraulic brakes, but the brakes need to be checked. Air bags and air system needs to be checked as well.

Or offer $50K and you can plan to spend another $5k to $10K for repairs yourself.

Ken

itdave · 10-04-2011, 07:55 AM

I don't think the HR Endeavors every were involved in the trailing arm issue.

targaboat · 10-04-2011, 08:23 AM

You get lots of advice, some good and some not so good. Since you are new you will need someone you trust to bring the coach up to shape. Tires alone will be around $4000. Also you need to make a medium length trip early on of over $500 miles and use it as you plan where you exercise all of the systems several times. You will find problems that way while your are relatively near home and not in some remote area where it is difficult to have find service shops. I estimate that you will spend in the area of $10,000 getting the unit into shape. However, that is still a good deal and well worth the money to get an excellent coach.

Dread58 · 10-04-2011, 09:13 PM

All, Again thanx for all of the great feeback. Yesterday I went and worked out a deal on the unit. 60K to include new Michelin tires all around, all new fluids and inspections, tax title and license and a warranty contract that covers all of the normal things like tires and such while on trips/whenever for 5 years. Took delivery today, went over the coach with a fine tooth comb, found some things that needed addressing, such as the airconditioning condensor fan (on the lower drivers side hatch towards the back) had to be replaced due to dirt dobbers building their nests in the fan and it burning out,. They replaced it along with my help. I made them demonstrate everything on the coach to be sure that it was all working. They did seem a little annoyed with me on some things but were happy to fix them when I called them on issues. It now sets in my driveway, and is it ever BIG!! The kids love it, the wife loves it, the dogs bark at it, the cats hide under it, the neighbors are impressed, and I am breathing better now. I truely can't wait to get it out on the open road for some family fun! It drove like a dream and 65 mph feels like 30. I've never driven anything this big before. And the fuel tank was FULL!

Thanx again everyone. I will post back when I have some miles under my belt and have a better idea if there are any issues.

Happy trails to all!!

Bob