Community Forums

imouttahere · 06-15-2012, 06:59 AM

What, if anything, would you look for when buying a 5yr old Mobile Suites that was driven 100mi. new to an rv park & never moved from there. People from up north use it 5 mo or so ea year but don't travel in it. It just sits on the lot. They leave the AC on all the time and the tires are covered.

My question would be: would you replace the 5 yr. old 17.5" H tires (they have been covered all the time), would you repack bearings and what other preventative maint. would you do to get ready to travel FT. The unit has 2 AC's with a heat pump, 12 gal. water heater, 4 door fridg, etc. I would also check the specific grav. in the batterie(s) to see how good they are.

Thanks

RustyJC · 06-15-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imouttahere

...would you repack bearings....

I suspect the MS has the Dexter NevRLube wheel bearings - mine does. These are sealed unit bearings and can't be repacked. They should be fine.

Rusty

JohnBoyToo · 06-15-2012, 07:11 AM

Where is it ?
I will buy it for the right price

just kidding, but you could pay an rv inspector to come check it out as part of the purchase (just like they do with houses

)

that could give you some piece of mind. good luck !

oh - you could make $750 tire replacement part of the deal as they may have flat spots...

TXiceman · 06-15-2012, 07:14 AM

I would make sure the bearings are the NeverLube and repalce the tires. Check the brake drums for rust and that they do work.

Check the roof seams and repair any that are cracked.

Ken

imouttahere · 06-15-2012, 07:37 AM

Where could I find 17.5" H rated tires for $187 a piece?

imouttahere · 06-15-2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

I would make sure the bearings are the NeverLube and repalce the tires. Check the brake drums for rust and that they do work.

Check the roof seams and repair any that are cracked.

Ken

Thanks Ken. Never thought about the brake drums rusting, but they probably have. Not sure how I'd check the breaks to see if they work. Still need to buy a truck, hitch etc. I had planned on going up on the roof & crawling under to check those areas as well.

Johnboy - good idea about the rv inspector. You would do the same thing in buying a new s&b home.

gd

imouttahere · 06-15-2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

Where is it ?
I will buy it for the right price

just kidding, but you could pay an rv inspector to come check it out as part of the purchase (just like they do with houses

)

that could give you some piece of mind. good luck !

oh - you could make $750 tire replacement part of the deal as they may have flat spots...

Would $47K be a good price for this unit ("07 38RL MS). Also has 5500 gen, 2 40lb prop. tanks, trail air pin, slide-out tray in basement, 4 dr frig, heat pump in both ducted ac units, 40" flat screen, stack w/d, two awnings (one automatic), slide covers, painted graphics (not decals), artic package, etc., etc.

gd

RustyJC · 06-15-2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imouttahere

Would $47K be a good price for this unit ("07 38RL MS).

You might check PPL for comparable prices.

Rusty

jdoc · 06-15-2012, 02:19 PM

Make sure you find out if the recall on the fridge has been done also.

Jerry

imouttahere · 06-15-2012, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

You might check PPL for comparable prices.

Rusty

Checked them out. Price seems to be in line with what PPO is selling, but this one has the 17" tires, 4 dr frig, warranty, etc so this is a much better value at the price offered. Thanks for the link. Let you know what happens.

gd

imouttahere · 06-15-2012, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdoc

Make sure you find out if the recall on the fridge has been done also.

Jerry

Thanks for the heads up on the fridge. I did read somewhere about a recall but not owning one I passed it by. Was it just on certain models and what exactly were they recalled for?

gd

jdoc · 06-15-2012, 03:14 PM

Both Dometic and Norcold have had ongoing recalls for a few years now. The cooling coils leaked and could possibly start a fire. My wife and I witnessed one of these events. The motor home was 2 spaces down from us. That thing burnt to the ground so fast. The local VFD arrived within minutes of getting the call but, it was still to late. Luckily no one was in it when it happened.

Jerry

greyt-parent · 06-16-2012, 10:05 AM

It is almost like buying a unit that has been sitting on a dealers lot for 5 years. How has the rig been supported for the 5 years. Is it possible that the bearings might have developed irregularities from the weight constantly on the same spot?

imouttahere · 06-17-2012, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greyt-parent

It is almost like buying a unit that has been sitting on a dealers lot for 5 years. How has the rig been supported for the 5 years. Is it possible that the bearings might have developed irregularities from the weight constantly on the same spot?

I agree. That's one of the things I plan on looking at. It won't keep me from buying it if everything else is ok, but I bellieve in Zen RV - preventive maint. I'll also run the slides in 2 or three times & greese the tracks & gears if there are any. They have left the air on when they're gone for 6 mo. so there shouldn't be any mold or mildew. And being in FL I'm sure the pipes have never froze. It does help that it has a bumper to bumper warranty. Just have to find out who'll service it under that warranty. My checklist (that I downloaded from this forum) will have me there for two days checking everything out including filling up all the tanks & flushing them.