Community Forums

LETMGROW · 01-24-2016, 07:35 AM

Located in northern NY. ( as you can tell by the snow)

1997 31ft daybreak motorhomes

Lynn

Ranger Smith · 01-24-2016, 08:20 AM

It may appear to be a good deal but rubber seals and stuff have a tendency to dry out over the 20 years old it is now.I've done that with older motorhomes. Belts, hoses etc. Had one and didn't trust it at that age. Went with almost new.

TwelveVolt · 01-24-2016, 08:34 AM

It has done very little running in 19 years (unless the odometer does not have a 6th digit). Parts do tend to gum up and disintegrate by sitting for that much time, particularly with the range of temperatures. Snow and ice on the roof all those years may bear closer inspection.

FIRE UP · 01-24-2016, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

Located in northern NY. ( as you can tell by the snow)

1997 31ft daybreak motorhomes

Lynn

Lynn,
While it is a bit aged, and, quite possibly have some issues with certain areas, components etc., if you're handy and are willing to take on a "Challenge", it quite possibly could be a GREAT deal for you, (or anyone else for that matter). People have tendency to RUN from coaches that have age but, no miles. Big deal. Why do you think that low miles on many of the older cars, as in '60s through the '70s is such a great thing? It's because the general thought is, THEY'RE NOT WORN OUT!!!

So, on a motor home, with low mileage, it means the same thing. Motor homes are just bigger than cars so, there's more components to age OR wear out. With the way it appears in the picture(s), a little cleanup and TLC in proper areas, you more than likely can have a great little coach.
Scott

Mr Plymouth · 01-24-2016, 02:06 PM

I bought a 1997 Damon Intruder with 13,000 miles on it and 40 hrs on the Gen.I had an issue with the furnace and the hotwater tank circut boards but all is well now,we are very happy.Like Fireup said everyone wants a low mileage car (i have a 1965 Plymouth Belvedere with 65,000 miles on it what is the difference)Anyway good luck with your purchase

WillsDP · 01-24-2016, 04:34 PM

Looks good, until further inspection.
Yes like some other posters look at others, There are always good deals out there till you go and look at it. Expect to invest in some money for maintenance and items that may need fixing. If you or someone with you is handy is a big PLUS.
Good luck.

easdsa · 01-24-2016, 06:22 PM

Remember that the cost of the repairs/upgrades needs to be added to the purchase price. If it costs $20,000 to repair and upgrade that coach, then the true cost is more like $28,000. For that money you can buy a pretty nice coach. On the other hand, if you are able to do most of the work yourself AND you want something that is uniquely you such a find may be just what you want. Just remember that you won't recover your investment.

TwelveVolt · 01-24-2016, 08:42 PM

Check for rust and don't dismiss it as "surface rust". I am very relieved that the dealer turned down my offer on an older northern coach. Now that I have some experience, I see what a headache and money pit it could have been.

There is a great YouTube video by a guy who starts a project to replace some rusted components and ends up rebuilding the basement.

ernest917 · 01-25-2016, 03:45 PM

Just how willing are u to take on a challenge??? There will be issues - how many and how serious? No way to know until u get into it....

Also - I'm not sure how much MH you can get for $28K (without additional work on it as well)

I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for"....

Dsrtrider · 01-26-2016, 06:33 AM

Could be a nice starter coach for someone.

stepside454 · 01-26-2016, 06:41 AM

Ours is a 96 Bounder that we bought in October 2014. We live just south of St. Louis. We've put over 5000 miles on it since . The only expensive repair we've had to make is a fuel pump replacement . We also swapped the manifold for headers, not really a repair, but it needed a boost in power.

LETMGROW · 01-27-2016, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsrtrider

Could be a nice starter coach for someone.

That was my first thought when I ran across the ad. Not everyone has $100,000 laying around to buy a camper or even $28,000.
It might need a few little things but anyone would expect that. The low mileage would be a plus for me. I would sooner take a chance on a vehicle with 22K on the clock than one with 100K. At least you would know it wasn't run more than 22K miles without an oil change.
Lynn

Superslif · 01-27-2016, 05:19 PM

Class C RV's tend to be real cheap at the 10 year old mark. Everyone's disposable income is vastly different. So if you can get a rolling RV under $10k , with 20k miles where it allows you to camp in nature. Great !!

We tent camped for almost 15 years before we bought a pop-up, now on our second hybrid...but looking next (in the tire kicking phase) for a true 4-season RV trailer like a Arctic Fox.

dwhit · 01-27-2016, 06:08 PM

We have a '99 34 foot DayBreak we purchased three years ago. A great deal on a coach that we enjoyed upgrading. I think it's more a matter of knowing who had the coach previously. I purchased ours from a dealer who took it on a trade from a guy who I contacted. We enjoyed it tremendously while performing numerous upgrades while driving it 25,000 miles. It's not a crapshoot if it's an informed purchase. I should point-out that it was more reliable then the unit we have now. I'm buying the THIRD Dometic a/c unit tomorrow...no warranty. $1500.

Paying for upgrades is a pleasure compared to repairs/replacements.

Our DayBreak is garaged in Anderson, SC. looking for a new driver.