Community Forums

kid gilmore · 03-27-2023, 06:24 AM

Can anyone comment on a good condition KA listed for $297,000 had two owners.
It's not pristine but in real good condition.

Will need tire soon and full service been garage kept and paint is good a few minor checks.

Would have to fly to see it first. I am also looking at 2008-09 Country Coach Affinity and Magna. Would be paying about $75,000 more fo a King Aire like the one here.
Thank you.

KenZ71 · 03-27-2023, 09:26 AM

No idea on what values are currently or specifics about the rig mentioned.

Having said that my 2012 King Aire cost me $300,000 June 2022 with 59,xxx on the clock. Paint is pristine with ceramic coating. I'm 3rd owner as well. Inside is spotless.

So either I got a bargain, the one your looking at is priced high or somewhere in middle.

Candidly would think better bargains would be showing up with recession fears brewing.

KenZ71 · 03-27-2023, 09:56 AM

For what it's worth.... Check this link
https://www.jdpower.com/rvs/2012/used/king-aire

kid gilmore · 03-28-2023, 05:29 AM

thank you! Did you purchase your KA from dealer or private owner?

Rev. Roy · 03-28-2023, 11:28 AM

You're looking at an additional $8k for tires. How old are the batteries? Is it all electric? I'd say that the price isn't that bad for that unit but I would try to get it down a little. On a side note, the other units you mentioned were "pre-def" if that is important to you. I am probably one of the few people who prefers the ones that have the DEF requirements.

KenZ71 · 03-28-2023, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kid gilmore

thank you! Did you purchase your KA from dealer or private owner?

My King Aire was listed by https://motorhomefinders.com/ at https://www.bus-stuff.com/

Rvt.com also has lots of listings which is much like craigslist

kid gilmore · 03-29-2023, 06:18 AM

I did learn this morning that 4 tires new last year they are Firestones not sure how they compare to mich and toyo.
all new batteries they are wet cells
Like you on the Def and either way is not a deal breaker,

Found a couple more at Premium in Gilbert Az. both KA and missed a darn nice CC

kid gilmore · 03-29-2023, 06:19 AM

thanks Rev and Ken!

ficodek · 03-31-2023, 08:05 AM

The cost of these items, and their availability, have increased by a breathtaking amount (at least to me). If this coach needs the Michelin XZA 365/70R22.5 tires in front, be prepared for a long and frustrating search for them. It has taken me over a month of hunting to find the 2 that I need. (Note of caution, make sure you check date codes on these, some places wanted to sell some that were 4 years old already). The 315/80R22.5 rears are somewhat more available, but you may have to hunt around a bit for them. Figure $1200+ for each front tire and $1000+ for each rear tire, plus mounting, balancing, etc. So close to $10K here in Central Florida. Don't forget to consider sales tax too.

Batteries also have increased dramatically in price. If you are looking to replace 8 AGM's, expect well north of $300 each plus installation if you have a shop do it. So figure probably $3K for new batteries all in, including sales tax.

As you can see, these are major expenditures but it may be worth it to find the coach you want. I would say to any prospective buyer (and any owner with tires close to aging out) to look long and hard about not only the cost, but the availability of the things that need replacing before you pull the trigger.

Just my 2 cents after a long and arduous process.

kid gilmore · 04-01-2023, 07:09 AM

Thank you, information is well mentioned for sure in these levels of Motorhomes the nickels and dimes are thousands and thousands but still not bad as a 300,000 boat!

Dennis C. · 04-01-2023, 07:56 AM

Good point on tire availability. I replaced all my tires with new Michelin X Multi Z tires in January. My local tire shop had a tough time getting them and it took close to 3 months for them to arrive. The good news is that they were newly manufactured and so they are very “fresh” tires.

ficodek · 04-01-2023, 08:49 AM

Glad you were able to get them. My local dealer was shocked the other day when he looked and found that Michelin had 12 of them available, and I grabbed six of them. I've heard of several people switching to Toyo M144's.

The real issue is the 365/70R22.5 tires for the coaches that have 20K front axles (think tag axle Dutch Star and up). I don't think people realize that only Michelin makes this tire in the size required, and a number of dealers have told me that all the meager production they have goes to Freightliner, Spartan, Prevost, Newell, Foretravel for new coaches. Virtually none are available for retail sales, so people who have these tires on their front axle are in for a long and very frustrating search to find them.

KenZ71 · 04-04-2023, 02:35 PM

I see the 365s on ebay from SimpleTire price is only about $100 higher than FMCA

ficodek · 04-04-2023, 06:15 PM

Yes, but if you try to buy them, they don’t actually have them in stock, but they say the work with “800 suppliers” to find them. As a result, they can’t tell you how old the tires are before they are shipped to you, only that they don’t sell tires that are more than 4 years old, as DOT law allows. I wasn’t willing to take that chance.

I bought mine from Pete’s Tires online. They had them in stock, and their service was top notch.