Community Forums

Saluton88 · 12-04-2018, 06:52 AM

Hello, all.

My wife and I are years away from settling down with a house of our own due to changing jobs and other life unknowns, and we've decided living in a MH would be a workable solution. We would like to travel a few times a year, but we would not be putting serious miles on the MH.

We've come across a '94 Holiday Rambler Navigator 38WB that's only a few hours from us. It's a Class A (of course) with a 300HP 8.31 Cummins engine. I believe the generator is 10KW. It's got 153,000 miles on it. We've been looking a while for a MH with a separate toilet room, washer/dryer, heated tanks, and no slides that fits in our budget. This one fits the bill.

Aesthetically, it looks good from the photos online. Online research shows this was likely a $200,000+ rig when it was new, which I believe due to the real wood carpentry and beautiful interior.

As mentioned, we are considering this unit as a full-time home beginning this month and we would get it inspected by a NRVIA pro before purchase.

Does this sound like a decent rig to you more experienced folks? What should we be cautious about? Based on the basic info above, do you think it would meet our needs? Anything else to keep in mind?

Thanks.

Isaac-1 · 12-04-2018, 07:30 AM

I would not call that high mileage for the age, often 6,000 miles per year is cited as an average mileage for a typical motorhome, which casual surveys of members here agree with. 25x6,000 = 150,000 so this one is right on track for average mileage. This should not be a concern in itself, as many of the same wear items one would be concerned about as a maintenance perspective at this mileage also have an aging concern. Primarily rubber suspension and steering bushings, hoses, belts etc. which should have all been replaced on a 25 year old coach, perhaps more than once over the coarse of its life.

Kjlunda · 12-04-2018, 07:54 AM

Couple other things to look at: 8.3 cummins in those years had issues with the exhaust manifold warping/cracking. Also, the valves may need to be checked. Otherwise, excellent running engine. Mine had 165,000 when I sold it and it's still going strong for the owner.

jacwjames · 12-04-2018, 08:02 AM

Maintenance, or lack of, would be the issue. Check all maintenance records to confirm oil changes etc and any major issues.

I would suggest you get oil samples for the engine, transmission, and generator. These would tell you of any major issues.

If not familiar with motorhomes of this type I'd recommend an inspection service.

You are probably close on the original MSRP, my 2002 Windsor's was ~$240K and the Navigator was top of the line HR.

brandss · 12-04-2018, 08:40 AM

I agree with what the others are saying and will add to have a totally separate account that you fund monthly so that when, not if, something needs repair, you have the cash and the built in attitude of "this is what the money is for". For me it tends to lesson the stress when "it" happens. Good luck with your search.

goseejoe · 12-04-2018, 09:49 AM

Ask for service records, tire date codes, receipts. The Navigator is a nice coach.

ThePowells · 12-04-2018, 09:08 PM

Welcome to the forum!!

jcussen · 12-04-2018, 09:38 PM

HR Navigators of that era were very high quality coaches. If price right, and in relatively good shape, would not hesitate.

followingsea · 12-04-2018, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saluton88

Based on the basic info above, do you think it would meet our needs? Anything else to keep in mind?

Thanks.

Love our HR. Just turned 160k miles. The previous owner did his own maintenance and I do most of mine.

So I would not worry about the mileage or age but it helps if you are handy. There are lots of things you can do to make it your home.

beenthere · 12-05-2018, 04:12 PM

this is in no way to sway old coaches but to be wary of.Now here is like worst thing im gonna present. I do know that many of these years were properly taken care of and its the ones that look like it but not is the thing. when looking its a aaaawww thing. but just for comparisons look at 10 yr old coaches and compare systems ect not that its your price range but for expectations... the thing on old coaches is the age not maintenance or looks good but isn't. shocks are worn out rubber suspension pcs are worn and is the tranny serviced or hydraulics for steering or levelers ect. the water system has been shaken for thousand hours. and the tank supports have shaken equal. the seals on every connection like windows and doors and caps and basement doors is the underneath solid or one that has those insulation and a plastic sheet over it like mobile homes. I had a '97 London Aire those are top of line inside looked like new but all the stuff outside looks good till I really seen the sealing and underneath and stuff under hood where the gen is. the engine probably never had hoses changed or belts ect. If ya know someone with a 0-10yr old coach aske them to come with and be honest before you hire a sevice

Papa_Jim · 12-05-2018, 04:57 PM

In my mind, the miles mean absolutely nothing.

Check the roof, CAREFULLY. Inside and outside! Make sure it is not leaking and has not been leaking. Make sure there are no cracks in the roof fiberglass.

Check the sidewalls outside. Make sure there is NO, I said NO, delamination.

Check the sidewalls inside. Make sure there is NO, I said NO, sign of water leakage.

Check the wet bay. Make sure the floor is absolutely solid, and there is no indication of water damage in that wet bay.

Check the floor at the kitchen sink and at the toilet in the bathroom. Make sure those floors are absolutely solid with no indication of water leakage damage or rot.

These are all the 'deal breaker' problems that you could find on a coach of this age. Anything else that shows up is easily repairable.

Jim

BeachRV · 12-05-2018, 05:56 PM

My big turn-off to an older coach is the towing capacity. It seems pre-2000, many only have a 3,500-4,000lbs towing capacity. As mentioned, delimitation can be an issue (glue can fail even without water intrusion), but I know older HRs could be optioned with smooth aluminum siding.

Cacique · 12-05-2018, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachRV

My big turn-off to an older coach is the towing capacity. It seems pre-2000, many only have a 3,500-4,000lbs towing capacity. As mentioned, delimitation can be an issue (glue can fail even without water intrusion), but I know older HRs could be optioned with smooth aluminum siding.

There is no way I would buy a unit with any sign I mean any sign at all of ever having water issues. I can deal with just about anything but not water problems did it before when I was fooled by a RV place in Fort Meyers and kearned my lesson.

lwmcguire · 12-06-2018, 11:29 AM

If you aren't handy and fairly good at maintaining a home then you better buy the newest and best condition MH you can afford. They all require a lot of tender loving care and across all the systems. When mine is in the shop here at home I always have good company with a great representation of the high end (no issues or maintenance coaches) in there as well.