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10-10-2024, 10:13 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 112
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Diesel with Low Mileage
After looking for almost 2 years we have found a coach we really like. It is a 2009 Ventana 3933 on a Spartan with a Cummins engine. It only has 29K miles on it, which is a concern. What should be be careful to look for and check on? Thanks.
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10-10-2024, 10:28 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 443
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Do an oil, tranny fluid, coolant analysis for sure. While you won't be able to get a trend because of a single data point, you can still tell a lot about what's inside the components this way.
Inspect the air bags and air lines/fittings/components.
Check all systems like AC units, furnace, aquahot etc.
Check slide function.
Check roof condition.
Really there's a laundry list of things. But I'd highly recommend the fluid analysis.
__________________
2008 Holiday Rambler Navigator Bismark IV 45ft
15L Cummins ISX (525HP)
Allison 4000 series in Roadmaster S Chassis
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10-10-2024, 10:57 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2024
Posts: 1,555
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I agree, oil samples are cheap. The engine oil won't tell you much unless it's terrible, but the transmission oil having any coolant or burnt, or the coolant additives being long gone, or not the right type to start with, will be a big red flag. As far as I've found, the CAT level 2 coolant test is what you want (more expensive one), in order to determine an unknown coolant. The rest will tell you the condition of a known coolant, but not ID unknown. Coolant problems kill way more engines than oil problems. If it hasn't been used regularly, don't be surprised if the engine oil seals start leaking, not a huge deal to do the front, but a lot more work to do the rear main seal.
Tire date codes are the other question for any RV. There are tires older than 09 on the road, but most would be looking at all new, assume they're original and you won't be disappointed.
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10-12-2024, 10:10 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: Carlisle, PA
Posts: 39
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I agree with having tests done, but the mileage does not surprise me. When I was looking, mileage were all over the place. Not all rvs ate for full timing. The one I bought, 19 years old, 45000 miles was used to go from Florida to central pa in the spring and return in the fall. If the interior represents the mileage, I would be happy as it seems you are. Rv's are also victims of life changes when owners have a plan, but life events alter it. Good questions, enjoy the process. Great place to learn here.
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10-12-2024, 11:47 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: Bohemia NY
Posts: 718
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Is this the one you are looking at?
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/200...128#sid=724891
This looks like it could be a very nice coach for the money. While the low miles is appealing give consideration to how you plan to use it. Will this be "couples coach" or "family coach"? Kids, Grandkids. Travels with gussets? The floorplan has limits.
Are you looking for winer use? Looks like a typical propane coach of the day. Small refrigerator. I do like the 4 slide outs.
This looks like a rear radiator set up. There are maintenance and cooling performance issues over time. However, side radiator can have significant maintenance costs.
Overall, this is a value designed coach. Pay attention to load capacities and towing ability. Don't go if the only real selling point is low mileage.
__________________
Dennis
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
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10-12-2024, 03:34 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Phx AZ
Posts: 196
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Agree with tests, but you have to be comfortable with the whole thing. Does the floor plan meet your needs? If so, how does it drive? How long does it take for the refrigerator (looks like propane and electric) to cool. The coach looks great if it is the one linked above. In 2019 we bought a 2003 Dutch Star of less than $50K. It was in good condition, great interior, some paint issues exterior, with 68K miles (low). We used it for 3 years and put roughly another $35K into it (tires, radiator, air bags, front end suspension...). We put another 30K on it, then traded it in new for a tag axle. Drivability was our biggest issue (hence front end suspension). You might strive for a lower price...2009 is now considered old... :-) Best of luck,
__________________
JD & Heather Harris
Newmar, 2022 Ventana, 4334
Toad 2020 F-350, 8' Bed
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10-14-2024, 07:17 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Apollo Beach & Key West , FL
Posts: 4,052
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Does it have maintenance records ? that would be a key point.
__________________
2013 DS 4338
2015 F-150 toad with kayaks,bicycles and a Harley in the back
new toad 2023 Sprinter with all the toys inside
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10-14-2024, 09:45 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Whitney, TX
Posts: 1,811
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jester47
It only has 29K miles on it, which is a concern.
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Why?
That's 6,000 per year average, and in 2020 it probably never went anywhere.
I could/ have done 6,000 miles per year, with 100 nights of usage, and never left the eastern half of Texas. Fully 75% of the people I've met with DPs never travel far. Many are still working, or even if retired, have ties and commitments in their community so they can't leave for months.
We full-timer, long trip RV folks are pretty rare. Probably under 3% of owners of all RVs.
One couple I know made a single trip each year, from their permanent residence in the RGV of south Texas to the Dallas area, then to Pagosa Springs, CO for 3 months, and return the same route. About 2,800 miles per year - in a 2013 45' Itasca. Did that from 2016 until 2023 when she developed altitude sickness. Sold the pristine condition bus over the winter.
__________________
Sometimes I wonder what happened to folks after I give them directions.
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10-14-2024, 04:08 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dieselboy
Do an oil, tranny fluid, coolant analysis for sure. While you won't be able to get a trend because of a single data point, you can still tell a lot about what's inside the components this way.
Inspect the air bags and air lines/fittings/components.
Check all systems like AC units, furnace, aquahot etc.
Check slide function.
Check roof condition.
Really there's a laundry list of things. But I'd highly recommend the fluid analysis.
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Uncanny! I was just about to post a question about fluid analysis, I do oil in my airplane every 25 hours. Which lab do you use? I’ve always liked Blackstone.
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10-14-2024, 06:10 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North East Texas
Posts: 4,979
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldBaldFat
Why?
That's 6,000 per year average, and in 2020 it probably never went anywhere.
I could/ have done 6,000 miles per year, with 100 nights of usage, and never left the eastern half of Texas. Fully 75% of the people I've met with DPs never travel far. Many are still working, or even if retired, have ties and commitments in their community so they can't leave for months.
We full-timer, long trip RV folks are pretty rare. Probably under 3% of owners of all RVs.
One couple I know made a single trip each year, from their permanent residence in the RGV of south Texas to the Dallas area, then to Pagosa Springs, CO for 3 months, and return the same route. About 2,800 miles per year - in a 2013 45' Itasca. Did that from 2016 until 2023 when she developed altitude sickness. Sold the pristine condition bus over the winter.
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our bus is a 2008 and we have 32k on the clicker
we havent left texas in a while
and stay long time in places (3 or 4 weeks)
she always gets her oil and filters every year
as well as all the other fluids
she runs like a champ
last 2 years she only burned up about a 100 miles because life happens sometimes and you have to be around the house.
she is a well kept and garaged rv
all new appliances over the last few years,
research on a used low miles one is ESSENTIAL because lot of folks let em sit and never do any preventive maint or scheduled maint
__________________
USN Retired, Life time member of the DAV.
Enjoying the 2008 Damon Tuscany 4056, #3998 no your eyes are fine, there are really 6 slides
2022 F150 King Ranch towed, or the 23 explorer ST on the trailer
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10-14-2024, 11:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 519
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If you have been looking for 2 years, you know it when you see it, that it's the one. If it stands out, its been maintained well over the years. Definitely do oil samples . Mileage shouldn't be a deciding factor.
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10-15-2024, 12:53 PM
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#12
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Member
Newmar Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Posts: 74
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Sure looks like a winner if everything checks out. Beautiful Coach for the money!
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10-15-2024, 03:38 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 737Captain
Uncanny! I was just about to post a question about fluid analysis, I do oil in my airplane every 25 hours. Which lab do you use? I’ve always liked Blackstone.
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I have submitted samples to 3 different labs and also prefer Blackstone but they all seem to do a good job and probably use the same testing equipment. I once sent the same sample to two different labs and there were virtually no differences between the two. My only concern in your situation is whether the PO changed the fluids on you recently.
__________________
SoCal
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10-17-2024, 07:12 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 25
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Ditto on Blackstone.
We purchased a 2008 in 2021. Made it cross country and almost all the way back without major issues. Almost home and we got a check engine light. It turned out the turbo failed. Most likely due to the PO starting it throughout the winter without driving it the shop told me.
All good for years now. Oddly a lot less power with the new turbo. Rock solid reliable though.
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