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10-23-2010, 08:07 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 401
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Coachmen 300qb 2007 should I buy it?
I am looking at a 2007 Coachmen 300Qb, Model Mirada, no slide Ford F53 chassis. This motor home has less than 5,000 miles (I think due to illness). I have not seen in person yet but have seen some photos. I have some concerns and would appreciate any feedback from owners of similar rigs.
First concern is year and chassis. Although it is a model year 2007 I suspect that the chassis is a 2006. I also am concerned about the size, vs. the chassis. The motor home specs say 31’8” the GVWR is rated at 15,700 (seems small) the unloaded weight is 13,200 dry. The spec does say though a GCWR of 24,000 lbs (I need to check this). I am concerned about a 31’ motor home on a 15,700lb GVWR.
I have only seen photos so I’m not sure about anything on the coach, only option is a back up camera. The coach does have a tow hitch 5,000 lbs and awning. It has a 4KW Generator, NO Slides. I know I have to see it, look for leaks and the usual problems, but any suggestions on what to look for.
Now if there is anyone out here with a similar size, and chassis my questions are when I read reviews one of the issues the Ford f53 in these years say the noise is very loud in the coach and even worse when you climb a hill. I also read about sway and handling issues on the older F53 chassis where folk have had to do a lot of mods to get them to ride nice.
I don’t need a headache so I wanted to ask for advice here and get the feedback from you folks. I would like to occasionally tow our horse trailer with a loaded rate of about 5,000 lbs. I’d like to hear about the 2006/07 ford f53 chassis is it a good design or should I stay away from it.
The seller is asking for the mid 30’s Low NADA book is about $32,000 but I’m hearing that private sales are going quite a bit below low book these days.. Where should I go and what would be fair if the coach is solid, dry and in good shape? It is out of warranty so any repairs or updates would add to our cost.
Sorry this has been so long of a question but I don’t know how to shorten it up.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Dave (a new member).
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10-23-2010, 09:09 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 177
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I did a lot of looking before buying my present MH, a Fleetwood Discovery. I went to numerouse RV repair centers and asked about problems with Class A's. They all said stay with Newmar, Fleetwood , Monaco. I had looked at a couple Coachmen I really liked, very nice looking, well laid out but they all said that Coachmen had electrical problems. Any vehcle that has that much wiring and electrical stuff is gonna, i have a few minor glitches, but it scared me off buying a Coachmen. I got a really good buy on my Discovery, very good shape and way below low NADA. If it's a diesel and below NADA it might be worth it.
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10-24-2010, 07:57 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 401
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Thank you for the reply CloneTrooper, Good advice. I probably should have been more specific on our needs and use. We may use a motor home 5 or 6 times a year for at most up to a week get away, we will not live in it or make any real extended trips, just a step up from a tent. I have had a Lazy daze 23' in the past (wish I'd never had sold it), had a Monaco for about a year, nothing but problems and we got rid of it and we have been without a motor home for well over 10 years. Now that we have moved and retired to the Nashville area we just want to take advantage of the areas around us, going to the smaller state and federal campgrounds so we really had been looking under 30' until this one came along.
The only reason we even gave it a thought is that they said it had only 3100 miles on it and less than an hour on the generator. I got a few photos of the outside and am asking for photos of the inside before we make the 2 hour drive to see it in person.
In my research I started to see folks complaining about the handling, ride and drivability of the Class A's (about any lower cost gas rigs) and they kept pointing to the chassis., so in further research I found that the Ford F53 motor home chassis is good, but up to 2007 seems folks do allot to make it better. Ford in 2008 looks like they have made some changes to the chassis in brakes, stability and design that now gives the chassis a much better riding and handling unit. There is a wide range of GVWR on this chassis, but when I look at the specs of this coach it just struck me that 15,700 on a 31'8" coach was quite light, especially when the unloaded weight is about 13,200 dry. Maybe I'm just looking at this wrong but chassis, weight and length all make up to be what the coach will handle like.
The Wheelbase of the coach is only 190" I'll have to do some research and see what other coach’s of that size are doing.. I know that even Coachman stopped making this unit and has gone to 32' on a heavier chassis with more GVWR and GCWR. I just don't want to buy a Tuna Boat that will porpoise down the road :-) And I want to make sure I am looking at the GVWR and the size of this coach as not getting in to something that is going to have to be modified heavily to make it stable.
As for the price, right now they are actually at NADA retail as an asking price of $38,000 the Low book is $32,000... So, are you saying that we should be quite abit under the low book for this (or any other used coach)?
Thanks again for your reply... One of these days I'd love to have an American Dream with a big Diesel to move on down the road :-)
Dave
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10-24-2010, 09:10 AM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,671
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Those are fairly typical weight and wheelbase numbers for a bare-bones coach of that size. With no frills, its about what I would expect. A heftier chassis and longer wheelbase would be better, of course, but for what you say your usage will be, it sounds adequate.
I would be concerned about lack of use, especially on the generator. They need to be run and this one has obviously sat around unused. A gas generator should be run 30 minutes a month under load, whereas this one was probably only used once or maybe twice. Odds are there will be generator problems, either right away or in the future.
I would expect to do some work on the front suspension if you are at all fussy about handling. Probably a track bar, for sure. And with a short wheel base and solid axle, basic shocks and springs, well, the ride, though, is not going to be more than tolerable.
I wouldn't pay over $30k for a rig like that, but if it suits your needs it may be bargain. Remember that NADA RV prices are based on average depreciation and not actual sales in your area.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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10-24-2010, 09:33 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 53
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I owned a 2005 Mirada Coachmen 300QB. I added the front safety steer and rear track bar. The ride was not great but not poor. The coach towed well (20ft enclosed car trailer). Having no slides and no levelers was a negative. I can tell you we never had a problem and never broke down. The coach only had one 12 volt battery so I added another. We did enjoy the coach and moved up to something with more features but I do miss her.
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10-24-2010, 09:54 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 401
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This is great to have the quick feedback from you folks, It is a hard decession because we had originally been looking at a 28' 5th wheel (we have a brand new GMC 2500 HD Pick up truck already). We were looking at putting about $25,000 in to that but it was nicely appointed and brand new, all aluminum chassis and in the mid to upper end line. We just happen to mention the other day we were lookig at RV's and this guy spoke up and said I have one for sale and started to tell me his story.
I suspect he has been trying to sell it for quite some time and only using it locally with the full hookup. I hear your concern on the generator I have concerns also but if I can buy this at the right price it would proably leave me some money to upgrade it. It's just hard to buy another engine if you know what I mean.
Thanks also for the comment on the weight and handeling, my sister had a Pace arrow 30' and it handled pretty well, it was on a chev chassis though.
So depending how low he will consider we will go take a look at it.. but if he is staying close to NADA it's probably over priced...seems like folks are looking for slides...we even found that in the 5th wheel world, since this unit does not have one I think it just makes it harder to sell in the used market that is already in bad shape.
Keep the comments and suggestions comming our way, all this info just helps me make the right decession.. I look at RV lots, and on line, the prices are all over the place.. but so was the 5th wheel, they started talking at $38k and have now landed about $25k for new... with warranty.. I guess I'm just trying to see is it worth buying a used motorhome or be happy with my truck and a 5th wheel..
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10-24-2010, 11:04 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Golden Village Palms, CA
Posts: 1,988
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Keep in mind re-salability. If you decide after using it a while that it will not suit your needs, it may be tough to resell a non-slide model. Allot of people that are looking for newer pre-owned class A's are upgrading from a smaller rig or are needing more room.
__________________
John
'98 Gulf Stream Sunsport 325, 7.5L Banks Power Pack, Koni FSD's, Air Bags, ReadyBrute Elite,
2000 Honda Accord
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10-24-2010, 11:27 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 125
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You don't want it
Hi davidki, As I read your writings it is plain to me that your gut feelings say that you don't want this rig. Keep looking. There's lots of rigs for sale. It is a buyers market. You'll know when you see one that suits your needs and budget. Listen to your gut feelings.
Have fun!
Milt
__________________
Joyce, Milt 2000 Safari Trek 2830
Kettle Falls, Wa
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10-24-2010, 12:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 401
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John and Milt.thanks for the response. John, your right, No slides and that is what I think the owner is hearing from potential buyers.. for us, I'm not sure if it is that important, but your correct resale.. that is a factor and why I"ve attempted to talk to the owner about his pricing.
Milt. Wow, your probably right, but before I completely cross it out.. I just want to make sure I do all my research... and at the same time, I contiune to look at the market and everyday new units come available, time will tell.
Dave
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02-16-2014, 07:41 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
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Just curious if you bought the Coachman? We have a 2006 Coachman Mirada 300qb.
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02-16-2014, 07:53 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 401
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Coachman 300qb
Well, we ended up not buying it, No real reason other than it didn't seem like it fit our needs.... matter of fact, we changed to a small 26' Jayco Travel trailer instead .. we already had a almost brand new Crew Cab GMC 2500hd with the large 6.0 gas engine.. for the amount of time we get out it just fits our needs right now..
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