Community Forums

texasford · 09-13-2012, 09:34 PM

I am looking at a 2004 Dutch Star 4025 with less than 10,000 miles.The current owners are full timers that are getting out of full time rv'ing.Based on the age of the coach and the low miles what should I look for when I inspect it.It basically has been lived in a lot and traveled a little.Thanks in advance for any help.

mercerc44 · 09-13-2012, 10:16 PM

First thing I would check would be the tires. We have an 04 and have replaced the tires. Not many miles for an 04. Doesn't seem to me that the engine is even broken in. Ours has 68K and we love it. Snowbird with it for the last 5 yrs. Some of the inside lived in stuff you can be replaced. Good Luck

Mr_D · 09-13-2012, 10:34 PM

I posted this on the other thread some hours ago:

Tires naturally.
Maintenance on the engine, trans and differential. The engine oil and differential require yearly changes even if not driven. The trans, if it has TES-295 fluid might be OK.
How about time on the gen? It should be run at least ½ hour per month. How about the dash air? Might not be important though as some just run the gen and use the house air cons or heat pumps.
How about the recalls on the refer? We had to replace the cooling unit on our 2002 4090 early this year so check that.
Wear on the inside will be more than usual

MJFZ · 09-14-2012, 07:53 AM

Being an '04 with only 10K on the chassis I would be concerned about the condition of the chassis components. It is never a good thing for drive-trains not to be run. I would suggest considering running the coach over the road for sometime( until fully heat-soaked) to make sure all the chassis systems are in good working order. I would be very tempted afterwards to do oil analysis on both engine and transmission and do an analysis of the coolant. Just sitting, the inside of the block could be corroding away if the SCA level had not been maintained. Often, with vehicles that have sat for longer period of times you will have brake issues due to corrosion—for instance slack adjusters. As other posters have stated, I would suggest that you will be replacing tires as time due to UV degradation not tread wear.

Mike

texasford · 09-14-2012, 08:57 AM

I apoligize if I posted this twice,I'm a newbie.Thanks for the replies.I haven't looked at the motorhome in person yet,but the owner told me he has replaced the tires this year and the washer/dryer and cooling unit in the refrigerator last year.The pictures he sent showed wear on the carpet and furniture.I can deal with that but my main concern is the drivetrain seals,gaskets,etc.from not being used much.I have owned two Newmar motorhomes in the past and really liked them and they were pretty much trouble free,but,they didn't sit unused much,as I kept them on the road as often as possible.Again,thanks for the replies and I welcome any additional advice.