Community Forums

Fancy · 10-14-2012, 06:10 PM

Well I just confirmed my new purchase.
1993 Coachman Santara. Flying to get it on the 10th of November (Our 29th Wedding Anniversary)! It is my surprise to him.
I got a great deal on it and it seems to be in good working order.

But since I have never owned an RV is there anything particular I need to pay attention to?
I have already confirmed it has not set in a trailer park. I googled earthed it and can see it sitting by their house. They are older and have driven it very little and have owned it since 1997.
They said everything runs good and everything works. No leaks. Tires are good. But I don't want to be ignorant sooo...
What say all the professional RVers out there??

Thank You.

RVee'r · 10-15-2012, 04:34 PM

In spite of what they say, and since you have never owned before I suggest you locate and pay an RV tech near the rig and have him inspect it. At the very least you want the drive train & chassis to be roadworthy, including tires, since you will presumably drive it home.

When you get it home, then it's time to make a list of every system it has (fridge, water, air, furnace, etc) and start learning about them and testing them. It would be good if the current owner has repair records of things fixed in the past.

Congrats on the purchase - enjoy

paulmlac · 10-15-2012, 06:41 PM

Not to rain on your parade but...

Please tell me you (or someone - preferably who knows RV's) has physically seen & inspected the unit prior to purchasing it. Or that you haven't paid yet & have a chance to back out if it's not what you expected.

I say that because a 19 year old unit could easily have very serious (i.e., expensive to fix) problems.

I would not consider myself a professional RV'er (but not necessarily a newbie either) & offer these thoughts because we saw maybe 1 decent unit for every 20 we looked at.

Mr_D · 10-15-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulmlac

Not to rain on your parade but...

Please tell me you (or someone - preferably who knows RV's) has physically seen & inspected the unit prior to purchasing it. Or that you haven't paid yet & have a chance to back out if it's not what you expected.

I say that because a 19 year old unit could easily have very serious (i.e., expensive to fix) problems.

I would not consider myself a professional RV'er (but not necessarily a newbie either) & offer these thoughts because we saw maybe 1 decent unit for every 20 we looked at.

+ 1, 2 and 3!!

milasman · 10-15-2012, 10:16 PM

I will sell you some "air" for a real good price. I have owned it for a long time and it smells good, honest.

Fancy · 10-16-2012, 06:48 AM

We will be arriving and inspecting it first. Yes and the prior owner is taking it to the shop to have it inspected for me. Older couple in Florida. But I like the thought of taking it to a RV Tech. I wonder if I could get one to inspect it for me prior to me getting there to florida? I bet I could.

That is the best I have heard. Didn'tknow they existed.

Yes my husbands cousin has been looking for me too. All he has inspected had leakage issues.

Sad..

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulmlac

Not to rain on your parade but...

Please tell me you (or someone - preferably who knows RV's) has physically seen & inspected the unit prior to purchasing it. Or that you haven't paid yet & have a chance to back out if it's not what you expected.

I say that because a 19 year old unit could easily have very serious (i.e., expensive to fix) problems.

I would not consider myself a professional RV'er (but not necessarily a newbie either) & offer these thoughts because we saw maybe 1 decent unit for every 20 we looked at.

Fancy · 10-16-2012, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milasman

I will sell you some "air" for a real good price. I have owned it for a long time and it smells good, honest.

Sad they don't make things like they use too! I actually refer even older RVs I wanted an 80s model.. But I know my spouse and he wouldn't like the older model.

TXiceman · 10-16-2012, 10:25 AM

On any RV that age, things wear out and break. So, the frig, A/C, engine, transmission, generator, etc. Cost to repiar/replace:
Frig..$1100.oo
A/C...$800.00
Engine...$$$$$$
Transmission...$$$$
Generator...$$$$$

The tires can look good, but if they are over 5 years old...replace them...6 tires...$1500 and up.

A big issue on an RV that age is water leaks. Make sure it is well checked.

Good luck looking.

Ken

RVee'r · 10-16-2012, 03:34 PM

I just want to add that because it's a 19 year old rig it isn't automatically a bad purchase or a piece of junk. Mine is six years older than that one and I'm perfectly happy with it. Of course I have had to put money into it but for normal things like tires, brake job, etc., but they all meed that sooner or later.

There's plenty of almost new rigs that have big expensive problems as well, so age is not necessarily the determining factor. Just read some of the horror stories on the forum and you'll see what I mean.

Fancy · 10-16-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

On any RV that age, things wear out and break. So, the frig, A/C, engine, transmission, generator, etc. Cost to repiar/replace:
Frig..$1100.oo
A/C...$800.00
Engine...$$$$$$
Transmission...$$$$
Generator...$$$$$

The tires can look good, but if they are over 5 years old...replace them...6 tires...$1500 and up.

A big issue on an RV that age is water leaks. Make sure it is well checked.

Good luck looking.

Ken

I know that is why I have been sooo picky about my choices. Fingers crossed for me folks!
It has been lightly used only 40,000 miles they have service records. They just changed alternator this spring. Now looking for a rv tech that might be able to meet us at airport.

Fancy · 10-16-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVee'r

I just want to add that because it's a 19 year old rig it isn't automatically a bad purchase or a piece of junk. Mine is six years older than that one and I'm perfectly happy with it. Of course I have had to put money into it but for normal things like tires, brake job, etc., but they all meed that sooner or later.

There's plenty of almost new rigs that have big expensive problems as well, so age is not necessarily the determining factor. Just read some of the horror stories on the forum and you'll see what I mean.

I hear you on that newer vs used. I figure I knocked them $2000.00 below the book value so....
We stay on top of our tires and upkeep on our autos so totally understand the same upkeep basically is what will be needed on the rv but on a larger scale.
I have chosen our autos and all of them have been good purchases new and used. I just didn't want that type of payment I wanted to pay cash and RV with no payment. Peace of mind.

I wouldn't dare buy one new spend that kind of money without husbands thoughts. For sure. Wouldn't be married then.. Haha.
Our first RV I figured if he doesn't like Rving then we could sale and get our money back.

I am looking for a tech in the Melbourne Florida area know of any down there?

TXiceman · 10-16-2012, 07:54 PM

Fancy, we have had vintage RVs...a 1979 Silver streak and a 1989 Avion (silver)...both of which are excellent RVs. I am just wanting to caution you as to the possible expenditures. Going into an older RV, it will be a big asset to have a lot of hands on knowledge with electrical and plumbing.

I am a mechanical engineer and worked on cars, trucks and home repairs before we got our first RV. I would hate to think of the money we would have spent if I had not been able to make a lot of the repairs.

Ken

Fancy · 10-17-2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Fancy, we have had vintage RVs...a 1979 Silver streak and a 1989 Avion (silver)...both of which are excellent RVs. I am just wanting to caution you as to the possible expenditures. Going into an older RV, it will be a big asset to have a lot of hands on knowledge with electrical and plumbing.

I am a mechanical engineer and worked on cars, trucks and home repairs before we got our first RV. I would hate to think of the money we would have spent if I had not been able to make a lot of the repairs.

Ken

Ken
My son is our mechanic my husband is an electrician. For plumber we have a family friend.
Totally get that $$$ adds up very quick. We just had to buy a new boat motor and it cost more then the RV! Sad.
I am excited about the new purchase but wanting to make sure I have everything checked for the be safe checklist. You have been very helpful and I appreciate that.

Oh folks there is a new device made by TAG it is a pet tracker and it syncs to your phone or a website!! Sounds good.

Fancy

RVee'r · 10-17-2012, 11:32 AM

I think you have all your ducks in a row.... and you have a sound approach to your purchase. I can't tell you where to find a tech in the area you're looking, but maybe check with the truck repair centers and rv shops. I don't remember if you said what the chassis is, Ford, Chevy, etc. If you can at least make sure the running part of the rig is good, that's a big step. The house (rv)part you can at least check for proper functioning yourself, turn on the fridge, air, water, etc, etc. And also your tolerance for something that isn't working, and your flexibility to get around it, if so. Some people go nuts if the microwave doesn't work, others just break out the BBQ grill and go on enjoying their trip.

As mentioned before, water leaks are a biggie so look for water stains/damage.

You have all your repairmen lined up already; let's hope you rarely need them