Community Forums

Viking257 · 03-18-2016, 05:00 PM

This is what I looked at when I checked mine out at dealer.

Turn on everything a/c, heater, water pump, burners ,stove, fridge on lp and electric, run the generator, make sure everything works. Sinks ,shower faucets.
Go up on the roof and look at it carefully for any damage, cracks or holes where water can penetrate.Check for dried and cracked sealant that might need to be scraped off and resealed. If its a rubber roof that's been sitting in the California sun for the last 9 or 10 years it might need to be recoated if it hasn't been done recently.
Check under chassis for leaks, differential,oil pan, trans pan. Any thing loose or hanging off. Heavy rust etc.
And bring a strong flashlight to look in cabinets, closets, walls and at the ceiling for water stains.
Open the awnings make sure they are in good condition..
Exterior lights all work.
Bring your smart phone, if you find something that needs to be fixed or replaced,look it up to see the cost involved, and negotiate that off the price.
Don't let the seller rush you through, take your time.
That's all I can think of at the moment, good luck hope everything checks out.

Gene

SDGreenroom · 03-19-2016, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viking257

This is what I looked at when I checked mine out at dealer.

Turn on everything a/c, heater, water pump, burners ,stove, fridge on lp and electric, run the generator, make sure everything works. Sinks ,shower faucets.
Go up on the roof and look at it carefully for any damage, cracks or holes where water can penetrate.Check for dried and cracked sealant that might need to be scraped off and resealed. If its a rubber roof that's been sitting in the California sun for the last 9 or 10 years it might need to be recoated if it hasn't been done recently.
Check under chassis for leaks, differential,oil pan, trans pan. Any thing loose or hanging off. Heavy rust etc.
And bring a strong flashlight to look in cabinets, closets, walls and at the ceiling for water stains.
Open the awnings make sure they are in good condition..
Exterior lights all work.
Bring your smart phone, if you find something that needs to be fixed or replaced,look it up to see the cost involved, and negotiate that off the price.
Don't let the seller rush you through, take your time.
That's all I can think of at the moment, good luck hope everything checks out.

Gene

Stellar list Gene, thank you! Will advise!

Brian W · 03-19-2016, 05:00 AM

Looks like a clean rig. You can Google RV PDI Checklist and there are some pretty thorough ones on there you could print out to bring with you. Good luck.

vsheetz · 03-19-2016, 05:40 AM

2007 coach with original tires - it is due for a new set of shoes no matter what they look like. If a tire fails it's not just the tire expense and the safety issue, but also the damage it can do to the coach. Please do yourself and others on the road the favor and budget for a new set of shoes right way.

Also be sure and get Coach Net or Good Sam ERS in place before taking delivery.

Blacksmoke2 · 03-20-2016, 07:23 AM

I think your making a good move. As long as everything checks out before signing. It's a very nice looking rig and some very low miles to be 9 years old. I would definitely check everything up one side and down the other.

SDGreenroom · 03-20-2016, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacksmoke2

I think your making a good move. As long as everything checks out before signing. It's a very nice looking rig and some very low miles to be 9 years old. I would definitely check everything up one side and down the other.

Well everyone, I did just what we discussed. Spent a combined 2-3 hours on a PDI and found some maintenance (or lack thereof) concerns. The coolant had fragments in it and the tranny fluid was brown. The owner wasn't certain or if any oil change had been done. Just a few too many red flags, so back to the drawing board!

Thank you for all your help and support, stay tuned for the next one!

Viking257 · 03-21-2016, 04:53 AM

Sorry it didn't work out, better to find issues before you put your money down, than after.

Bug512 · 03-22-2016, 06:28 PM

Sorry but glad to hear your news.. There is another one out there with your name on it.

I bet you learned a lot form this one experience. I can say from experience that when you are looking at RV's you tend to have rose colored glasses on.

Keep us posted on what you find.

Dsrtrider · 03-23-2016, 10:16 AM

allison fluid known to get dark. I wouldnt let that scare me. Just change filters and fluid as long as it shifts ok.

oakcreekeric · 03-23-2016, 10:44 AM

Personally, I wouldn't let those two minor issues scare you off... It's an Allison transmission.. those are pretty bullet proof.. I would think a thorough flushing, along with new filters would do the trick...

As for the coolant... again.. a thorough flushing of the fluids would be in line..

I can't see how either of those two issues could lead to a catastrophic failure... I would make some calls and get pricing on both flushes and then go back with an offer.. If everything else has checked out.. you maybe be passing up on a diamond... Please consult your local Chevrolet garage to confirm your suspicions.. but the 8.1 engine is a great engine and I cannot imagine a few fragments would be much of a big deal..

Edit: Since it's an Allison.. You could always get an oil sample and send it in to make you feel better.. It appears both of the fluids in question have been overlooked due to low miles.. People forget there is always a "time" component to every "mileage" component.. Often, we only use the mileage one...

desobelman · 03-23-2016, 02:17 PM

I agree with dsrtrider & oakcreekeric,

A good flushing of the radiator and transmission would be in order. Allison tranny fluid is known to get dark, especially when sitting for long periods, which I think this did. Also, sometimes short trips do not let fluids circulate and heat up enough and they tend to actually need replacing more often.

Tires are a definite issue at that age. Does not matter how they loook on the outside. Inside cracking of sidewalls is the issue.

$47K is a good price as NadaGuides lists $53.5K to $64K as price range from low to High Retail. Might indicate owner was having issues. I would ask him if you could take to your own mechanic and have it checked out. If he agrees, that is good. Means he is not afraid of you finding a secret problem.

If you really like this MH and do decide to go further, please PM me and I will ask my RV friends who live in El Cajon fora recommended RV mechanic to take it to.

Just my 2c

Deano56 · 03-25-2016, 09:24 PM

price is good, according to nada, if the seller knows what the value is, he might not budge for the tires, even though they are way out of date

Bruce C · 03-26-2016, 04:54 AM

$47K is a good price as NadaGuides lists $53.5K to $64K as price range fr

If you really like this MH and do decide to go further, please PM me and I will ask my RV friends who live in El Cajon fora recommended RV mechanic to take it to.

Just my 2c[/QUOTE]

How can you beat this.

SDGreenroom · 03-26-2016, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bug512

Sorry but glad to hear your news.. There is another one out there with your name on it.

I bet you learned a lot form this one experience. I can say from experience that when you are looking at RV's you tend to have rose colored glasses on.

Keep us posted on what you find.

Thanks Bug512, well I did just that! We did find one! I made the 5-hour drive to pick it up and will be posting a thread on here real soon! Thanks for the support! Stay tuned!