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GearGirl · 10-03-2015, 01:03 AM

Hi!

I'm about to book a flight back out to Houston for this RV and an '05 Fleetwood Expedition as a backup plan.

Here's the skinny:

RV looks awesome inside (of course). Decent floorplan, seems a bit low on storage capacity. 4 slides. I had it independently inspected today and inspector found:

Main awning bracket broken; awning is manual and almost impossible to deploy/retract with bracket
W/D combo not functional (power to unit, but nothing works)
Convertible dining booth table broken
Dash AC not functional - stuck on defrost, no cold air

Those are the items I'm concerned about. The dining table is kind of a moot point, as I planned to replace anyway but would be nice if it worked in the interim.

Asking price was $47k. Seller agreed (prior to inspection) to $45k. Seller advertises WD, awning, etc...so IMO the $45k would be if all that stuff WORKED. I need to come back with a fair new offer post-inspection. I believe when you consider this RV is 11 years old, it's ridiculous to expect brand new anything, so I'm thinking maybe go halves on new WD combo, and maybe $500 towards new awning? Still need to find out what's up with the AC though - is it just a cheap switch or do I need a whole new unit?

Thoughts? I need to come up with a new price in 12 hours

Thanks!!
Melissa

GearGirl · 10-03-2015, 01:08 AM

Additionally, my backup plan is this 2005 Fleetwood Expedition 38N. I just read a whole host of complaints about the C7 engine. Coach has 150k miles on it, looks gorgeous inside and out, new wood floors and stone backsplashes. SO...makes me wonder, at $45k asking price if something is wrong with it?

Any suggestions? I'd love to get the inspector out there to give it a once-over but likely that won't happen in time to make a decision about the 2004 HR. Anyone had any issues with 2005 Expedition?

Thanks!
Melissa

MaverickBBD · 10-03-2015, 07:04 AM

Be wary of criticisms of the C-7 . It is a good engine and you have a good year on the '05. You can easily replace bearing pulley with lube or non-lube your choice. Check out turbo real good and if top end work had been done. This would be my coach choice. I know HR makes great RV's and there are some good used ones out there. It just sounds like from your description this one was rode hard and put away wet.

ahicks · 10-03-2015, 07:17 AM

An 05 is likely going to require some TLC. Nothing new there.

Generally parts for awnings are available. A broken bracket should be replaceable - without replacing the entire awning.

Same story on W/D.... You're likely looking at a repair there. Not replacement.

The dash AC will go to defrost by default when it is turned on with no vacuum available. That could be a blown fuse, a vacuum line pulled off/broken, or possibly a 60 dollar vacuum pump. So that's pretty easy. Not blowing cold could be just as simple, or MUCH more involved. That's the one to be concerned with. Some quick checks by a shop that's equipped could tell you for sure.

GearGirl · 10-03-2015, 07:40 AM

Thanks!

So given the fact that I don't have the luxury of taking the RV to a shop to find out exactly what's wrong with the HR, how much should I take off the price for the 4 items?

srh · 10-03-2015, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearGirl

Thanks!

So given the fact that I don't have the luxury of taking the RV to a shop to find out exactly what's wrong with the HR, how much should I take off the price for the 4 items?

I would say start at $40. Some of those fixes could be expensive. For example, it could be the AC compressor. Also, don't know the size and type of your awning. Replacing/fixing it could cost $s. Just think the typical RV shops charge $100 to $125 an hour.
Good Luck!

TQ60 · 10-03-2015, 08:47 AM

Go blind...

Assuming you have a local place in mind to service your unit take your report to them and ask for a couple NON - BINDING estimates.

A worst case, average case and best case scenario.

Worst case is replacement of awning and compressor while best case is just fuses while average case is whatever they believe it may be based on what they usually find for those complaints on mh like yours.

Use worst case as your leverage and request they be fixed by certified place with transferable warranty or amount of estimate removed from discounted price.

garbonz · 10-03-2015, 09:06 AM

40K or have the seller fix all items before you pick it up. Let the seller do the speculating, they probably know whats wrong anyway.

vsheetz · 10-03-2015, 09:15 AM

Give the seller the option to repair the items. If he dies not want to and you assume the risk, assume worst case money and work with the seller from there. The dash air is the biggest variable.

ahicks · 10-03-2015, 10:32 AM

That inspection should have included pics of any damage he reported, as well as anything he felt was questionable? The picture of that broken bracket could eliminate some guesswork anyway.

Also, we're talking about a pretty nice coach here - even if it does need TLC. If everything else checks out right (date code on tires?), I'd be working towards some cooperation on the AC repair and call what you have now a pretty good deal.

johnhicks · 10-03-2015, 09:41 PM

Those broken things would concern me and make me wonder what else might be beat up. Not that they're big deals themselves, but...

srh · 10-04-2015, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnhicks

Those broken things would concern me and make me wonder what else might be beat up. Not that they're big deals themselves, but...

Good point! A broken dining table raises a red flag; why would he put it for sale if the repair is minor. Same with the AC. Also, if the asking price is $47K and you offer him $40K I would say that would be a darn good offer for him. Let us put it this way, I don't think there are too many coaches that sell for the asking price.
FWIW, have you looked at PPL - they may have something you like. Most of theirs is on consignment and most of the time they are priced reasonably as the consignor gets a good input as to what the coach will sell for. I have talked to them about this at quite some length as once I was considering consigning my coach to them.
Keep us posted!
All the best!

89sandman · 10-04-2015, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearGirl

Additionally, my backup plan is this 2005 Fleetwood Expedition 38N. I just read a whole host of complaints about the C7 engine. Coach has 150k miles on it, looks gorgeous inside and out, new wood floors and stone backsplashes. SO...makes me wonder, at $45k asking price if something is wrong with it?

Any suggestions? I'd love to get the inspector out there to give it a once-over but likely that won't happen in time to make a decision about the 2004 HR. Anyone had any issues with 2005 Expedition?

Thanks!
Melissa

The something wrong is 150k miles. MH's with this kind of miles are VERY hard to sell. Why would you buy one with such high miles when there are so many with under 50k miles unless it is dirt cheap???

GearGirl · 10-04-2015, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srh

Good point! A broken dining table raises a red flag; why would he put it for sale if the repair is minor. Same with the AC. Also, if the asking price is $47K and you offer him $40K I would say that would be a darn good offer for him. Let us put it this way, I don't think there are too many coaches that sell for the asking price.
FWIW, have you looked at PPL - they may have something you like. Most of theirs is on consignment and most of the time they are priced reasonably as the consignor gets a good input as to what the coach will sell for. I have talked to them about this at quite some length as once I was considering consigning my coach to them.
Keep us posted!
All the best!

LOL this one is at PPL

I initially offered 42500 and they said no, 45 take or leave. But now that I have some new info (items mentioned) I probably have more leverage. The inspection was pretty darned thorough. I sent the inspector the link to my Plan B, and without laying hands on it recommended I buy that instead. Just landed in Houston, will go check it out in about 10 hours