check list

[plumberfrank]

hi ya'll, my wife and i are looking to trade up to a used class a mh. i've seen some where on one of these forums that there is a check list for just that, as far as what to look for? any ideas where? also, is there any recommendations for dealers. we live in north carolina. travel is not a problem.

[tomwalt]

I'll get in trouble for this - but I found that dealing with individual sellers took more time but was well worth it. You meet a lot of decent folks (as most RVers are). There are honest dealers, but many just want to sell and will not offer (or do not know) the details of a used coach. They only know what they were told by the seller or they got it via Repos/auctions. In your area, Carolina Coach in Hickory are worth looking into, but there again you won’t know what you have until you use it for 6 months or so (they do repos which may have sat unused and unmaintained until repoed).

Your check list will depend on the type of Class A, roof/body construction, chassis, engine, age, etc. I recommend you build your own check list.
Must items: Roof condition (no soft spots), Tire age (learn to read the DOT number and you want less than 5 years – tire monitoring systems are a big plus but can be added later), and maintenance/upkeep/usage is important (low mileage but sitting for 5 years is not good). Pride of ownership is important as well as reason for selling (Get to know the seller).
Chassis/engine – go with what you know and feel comfortable with. Gassers are fine for recreational use (simple/cheaper/do the job), but Diesel might be better if you plan on being a true road warrior (more complex chassis).
As far as the house, look on this forum for the make/model/year and contact current owners - they will know what to look for. Each coach has it's own strengths and weaknesses (beauty and warts). If they survived the recession, they are all decent or they went out of business.
I hope this helps. Take your time – look a lot and never rush into a sale. If someone is pushy – walk away. In truth you do not know what you have until you use it several times. Also, whatever you get will not be perfect. Keep some $$ for fixing/improving/personalizing.
Good luck and have fun looking.

[vincee]

Remember, its not always nice outside during a camping adventure. My advice, go as big in size as the pocket book allows, Look for comfort items. Picture yourself inside with a couple of good friends on a stormy day. What would the seating arrangement be? Have the Mrs. check for enough counter space to prepare a meal. Seperate sink/toilet area from shower area. Furnace size, ducted or not, heat pumps on AC rock. Check wear and tear on interior as it may be a better gauge of use than mileage. How many house batteries (want 2 at least) and generator size, condition and hours used. Must have leveling jacks, prefer hydraulic over electric. Water tank size and how big waste tanks, grey and black. Hot water tank, you want electric and gas to use as your choice. Just some things that have dawned on my wife and I 5 years into our first class A, Allegro. Good Luck.

[wildtoad]

Originally Posted by plumberfrank

hi ya'll, my wife and i are looking to trade up to a used class a mh. i've seen some where on one of these forums that there is a check list for just that, as far as what to look for? any ideas where? also, is there any recommendations for dealers. we live in north carolina. travel is not a problem.

I have seen on this forum some good reviews of Tom Johnson RV. They have two locations - One in Concord and the other in Marion.

[lostagain]

Here is a list of CHECK LISTS

Checklists

[JimM68]

Go to the big dealers to look and kick tires.
Go to any / all rv and outdoor shows.
Look Look Look.

What kind of age / use / budget are you thinking?

[John H...]

Frank, What are you trading up from. I have an A for sale. kitfoxjh@verizon.net Contact me direct.

["007"]

Welcome Frank to irv2.
You will find all the checks lists plus in the New Rig Showoff forum.
Good luck in your hunt and enjoy the forums.