Seriously thinking about a 2005 Minnie 24V

[kmesaaz]

Hi--I am totally new to MHs, have been looking for a while, but really don't know what I am doing, (or thinking of doing...) Arizona has its share of "RV Rows" and I have been to several and checked out A's, B's, B+, and now C and they all look good. Your input would be greatly appreciated!

I tent-camped for years, bought a popup camper, sold it and bought another, sold that, bought an Aliner, sold that and bought a teardrop camper which I just sold. I have discovered that space, ease of setting up, and meal preparation without burning the rig down are important to me.

At this point, I know that I do not want to tow. period. I travel alone and hitching and unhitching is a task I don't want to do. period. So, that means a MH.

I like the corner bed, the barrel chair, the shower with a skylight (headroom), and a sturdy dinette. I do not want a slide (less likely to have to deal with something getting stuck open or closed). Levelling is a bit of a murky area to me. Levelling a pop up was critical for doors and refrigerators to work correctly. The BAL leveller was wonderful, but that obviously won't work on a MH.

I am looking at a 2005 Minnie 24V with 24,000 miles and a Ford 6.8L V10. It is an E350 and it is 24' 7" long. I could probably get it for $18,000 which seems like a good price. This is an out of state purchase from a dealer who sells only used RVs, and I am having it checked out by a mechanic before I drive over.

So, what am I not thinking about? What questions should I be asking? Are there any particular problem areas (such as what I have read here about Steer Safe and Safety) that should be addressed? I really want this to be my last purchase.....Thanks!

[NLOVNIT]

First, let me say . We're glad you're here & you've come to the right place for help.

Having a mechanic you trust go over it before you commit to anything is the #1 rule of thumb when dealing with a used RV. A good going over top to bottom, front to back & everything in, around & between should uncover any issues, i.e. leaks, engine, drive train, mechanicals operating, tires (if original, count on getting new)...etc.

If it's got a Norcold fridge in it, make sure the recalls have been done on it. Then if it checks out sound, you like the floorplan & can get it for a good price, I'd say go for it!

Lori-

[04Sundancer]

make sure you FILL all the tanks (not necessarily all full at once) and then drive it a ways.

I got stung by not doing that and it cost me a lot.

The gas tank leaked but not until it was filled right to the top (3/4 didn't have a problem) that one cost over $1000

The other was fresh water tank issue, that one was fixed by me but,
still, I would have known had I filled it all the way up and drove it.

I didn't have issues with grey or black tanks but I can only imagine
how bad those problems would be!!

I bring this up because I got stung ... literally nothing else went bad
but I looked it over pretty closely .. except filling tanks!