First MH and new guy

[RLKBOB]

Wife and I just bought our first MH. 29' Coachman, 1995 E-350 with the EFI 460. Could not pass up the deal. $6500, very good condition and only 5,000 original miles. Under the hood and under the MH is like new. Oh yeah and the generator only has 38 hours on it. How often do MHs this age with this little mileage come up for sale? Hope to make some new aquaintences and find out lots of info here.

[texnet]

Congratulations on your new MH and welcome to the forum. Sadly there are lots of MHs out there that never get used much, but that is good for someone that is looking for a good buy.

Even with that few of miles you need to replace the tires ASAP before you take it on a trip as 12-13 year old tires won't last very long! It would also be good to change all the fluids!

[sdennislee]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I second texnet's advice on both tires and fluids. WHile everything is virtually new, the tires at 12 years old are well past their serviceable life. Generators need to be exercised under load periodically, so fire that baby up and make a pot of coffee and some popcorn, let it run under load for 30 minutes.

Other than those relatively minor items sounds like you got a really great deal.

Hope you have many safe miles.

Congrats on the purchase.

[RVNeophytes2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdennislee Hi and welcome to the forum. I second texnet's advice...

Ditto. Fluids, belts, hoses, tires. Plus, I'd drive the dickens out of it for awhile locally, maybe do an overnight at the house and exercise all the systems. That low-hours generator is something to watch. But, once you get the shakedown done, you've made a great investment!

[Arch Hoagland]

Good move for a first motorhome. Can't hardly lose very much on this one.

[Chickadee]

Gmornin Bob (RLKBOB):

Sounds like ya found a good one. Congratulations!!

Yup, as mentioned above, there are some unusual things to become aware of when you become a motorhome jockey.

That issue about your generator for instance. Generators DO need to be exercised under load and low hours is not a good thing, although we would have thought the same thing when we first started. They're built to run and they do perform better with more use.

That tire issue is another thing we had to learn. I would have never thought so, but tires, even low and no (0) mileage tires simply deteriorate over time and many, if not most RV'rs know to replace tires every 5 to 7 years. Some extend this 10 years but seldom beyond that.

There are a number of little quirks to learn about running an RV and you'll pick up on these things over time.

Congratulations again, welcome to the iRV2 gang, and we hope to meet ya down the road sometime.

Steve & Lynette

[HD4Mark]

Take a look at this link before replacing the tires. Tire Tech Information - Determining the Age of a Tire
Chances are they are original due to the low miles but you never know. If you do replace them the vinyl covers are a cheap investment to keep the sun off them.

Good luck and have fun with the new toy!

[rovinredneck]

Welcome, Bob. I too, bought a used class c with low milage. A 2002 south wind chateau w;ith 16k on the engine and 63 hrs on the gen. It had been kept garaged since new. I took it to an RV repair center to have it checked out...We had mud daubers in the air intake of the engine and in the back of the frig. I just returned from a trip from Alabama to New Hampshire without a flaw. I hope you have as good luck as I've had

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Bob! Congrats on the new MH! Sounds like you stumbled onto a great bargain! Have fun & God bless!

[RLKBOB]

Thanks for all the welcomes and replies. You are correct, the tires are original and will def be replaced before we go anywhere in the spring. The oil is getting changed this week and all the other fluids in the spring. I'll do like I normally do with all the belts and hoses and put on new ones and keep the old ones for spares. Good thing is although I'm new to motorhomes I'm very familiar with Fords so I'm already completely comfortable with everything under the hood. Since I work for Ford also I get a discount on any dealer only items. Thanks again everyone!

[historyljc]

Welcome Bob. Don't forget the generator when you changing the fluids. Usually you change the oil in them at 50 hours for the first time, but since it's been sitting, I wouldn't wait. My service tech says about every 100 hours after that.

Come on down out of the cold.

[cutrell01]

[ghoststories]

Hello and welcome.....

[Steve N Sal]

Welcome to the forum. Hope you get to enjoy many funfilled miles with your new to you rig. Check those tires!!!! Hopefully they have been replaced with some newer rubber. Well be safe and Happy Motoring!!!