Community Forums

frondina · 07-09-2012, 05:58 AM

My husband and I saw an RV parked in a vacant lot and went over to it. Turns out it's repossessed and in good shape. We called the bank and the guy we talked to doesn't know much about it. I guess my question is--is National a good brand? We'd never heard of it before and we very much liked the layout. We are going back today with a looong checklist to go over. Any information you can give about National and the Sea Breeze would be welcome.
Oh, I already checked using the VIN# and the brake issue has been dealt with.

Any link to an owner's manual??
Thank you,
Francine

JJH3rd · 07-09-2012, 06:26 AM

It is always best to pay a qualified RV service person to check out a pre-qowned RV before buying it. Call a local RV dealership or do a web search for the names of folks who can do the survey. Schedule the examinations so that you can be there with a cameria and ask him or her to explain what he/she finds and document it with pleanty of pictures and notes.

After the soundness of the motors (propulsion & generator) the biggest issue with any '04, class A unit is the age of the tires. The life expectancy of tires is 7-10 years and unless the tires have been replaced, the tires on the coach are at least 8+ years old. A new set of 6 tires will run you about $3000 (+/- $500) installed. With 22.5"(radius) RV tires, the sidewalls will start cracking long before the tread wears down. ask the person who checks out the RV to tell you the production date of the tires; its imprinted on them.

We are the 2nd owner of out '05 Dolphin and have really enjoyed it.

JJ

Richard S. · 07-09-2012, 08:23 AM

I will post a link below that will give you some general information. I have the same model 8321 2007, this is my second National RV and you cant beat you bang for the buck.

NRV Pages Click on2000's then go down to 2004 Seabreeze

hope this helps.

desobelman · 07-09-2012, 09:19 PM

Francine,

I, too, am on my second National product. Although National is out of business (November 2007), they made one of the better motorhomes on the market. When they are available at one of our local RV sales lots, they do not last long! Many other brands sit on the lot for much longer periods of time.

As also mentioned, have a qualified RV mechanic check it over for you. It will be well worth the couple of hundred dollars it may cost to possibly avoid thousands in the future.

Check out the local National RV owners club in your area. There are FMCA Chapters devoted to owners of National RVs all across the US. I am a member of The Dolphins, which is the original NRV club located in the Southwest. You can find links to other NRV clubs on The Dolphins Website. www,dolphinclub.com

Happy Trails!

Darryl

Mr_D · 07-09-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJH3rd

With 22.5"(radius) RV tires,

I don't think you want 45" wheel diam. tires, you want 22.5" wheel diam tires to fit the 22.5" diam wheels.

Good friends had a Dolphin, they liked it and it was pretty well built too. I did some work on it wasn't too bad. Wasn't up to their 2000 Dutch Star DP (yep they had two MH's) they also owned but not bad either.