Community Forums

SteveSkinner · 10-23-2012, 02:25 PM

All this talk about how inexpensive a motorhome is compared to a boat or plane got me thinking.
So Saturday we are picking up our new to me Signature. (Drawing a long bow you may say)
Due to the vehicle history being unknown I'm driving it straight to a Detroit dealer to have all the fluids changed and a service.
Then possibly to a tire dealer for some new michelin tires. And possibly a wheel alignment.
What sort of failures should I be looking for
I understand radiator core is number 1.
What else should I check before it lets me down.
It's 2005 with about 50k on the clock

roscoesdad · 10-23-2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSkinner

All this talk about how inexpensive a motorhome is compared to a boat or plane got me thinking.
So Saturday we are picking up our new to me Signature. (Drawing a long bow you may say)
Due to the vehicle history being unknown I'm driving it straight to a Detroit dealer to have all the fluids changed and a service.
Then possibly to a tire dealer for some new michelin tires. And possibly a wheel alignment.
What sort of failures should I be looking for
I understand radiator core is number 1.
What else should I check before it lets me down.
It's 2005 with about 50k on the clock

Steve,

I have owned at least 10 airplanes in the past 40 yrs. All purchased used and all held their value. One I owned 7 yrs. and sold it for $20,000 more than I purchased it for. The upkeep on a plane is more expensive than a MH because of Annual Inspections, Insurance, and Fuel at $5.50 per gallon.

Have only owned 1 boat. Owned it for 2 yrs. Purchased it used. Sold it for same price as I payed.

MH is a quickly depreciating asset.

I enjoy my MH and I am willing to suffer the depreciation for the pleasure of traveling in the MH. I thnk the items you listed are the major ones that give trouble. You never know when the refer., batteries, or other items associated with the MH may go out, but on a 2005, you should be safe for many years. My MH is a 2005 and my big purchase has been for tires ($2600). Keep the water checked in the batteries, keep them charged and you should get a few more yrs. out of them.

Enjoy your MH.

Larry

SteveSkinner · 10-23-2012, 03:35 PM

My first aircraft was a mooney m20e which maintained value
The current one is a different story
M20m paid $300k @ 400 hrs to run. 0 timed engine @$80k Then gfc. Current price $220k if I'm lucky. Still trying to tell my wife it was a good investment.
I figure no motorhome could be that bad

SteveSkinner · 10-23-2012, 03:36 PM

Can anyone recommend a Detroit dealer, a tire dealer and maybe a truck alignment place in Jackson MS

**CLIFFTALL** · 10-23-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSkinner

Can anyone recommend a Detroit dealer, a tire dealer and maybe a truck alignment place in Jackson MS

Here is a link to rvservicereviews for Ms. Not much there for Jackson but maybe some of the other cities are close enough. http://www.rvservicereviews.com/StateList.asp?state=MS

Good luck

Cliff

SteveSkinner · 10-24-2012, 01:59 AM

Really slim pickings here

Anybody suggest a good service centre from Jackson MS on the way to Texas border - say maybe Vicksburg?
Maybe I should just get a mobile guy to come change the oil and filters and do the rest back in Lewisville Tx.
Stressing about old tires and the damage a blowout can do to the body work and paint

pcarrell · 10-24-2012, 02:02 PM

Steve; Speedco shows a location at Exit 3 I-20 at Shreveport. Once you get back towards Dallas RV Mobile Lube is available. Check the tire date if over 5 years find a tire store or drive slower.
RV Mobile Lube - Home

SteveSkinner · 10-24-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcarrell

Steve; Speedco shows a location at Exit 3 I-20 at Shreveport. Once you get back towards Dallas RV Mobile Lube is available. Check the tire date if over 5 years find a tire store or drive slower.
RV Mobile Lube - Home

Thanks
I just rang Petro in Jackson and they will do it open 24hrs
I've asked the vendor for the tire dates but no response yet.
I'll check out Shreveport also

vito.a · 10-26-2012, 03:53 PM

Did you buy the Signature Castle IV from Old South Sales?

Wow, that is a beautiful coach. Nice option list. Let us know how it all works out?

Best of luck!

SteveSkinner · 10-26-2012, 08:30 PM

Wilco

SteveSkinner · 10-28-2012, 01:29 PM

The coach was as described in the video pretty much
Mechanically sound paint good furnishings good tyres original and sad as expected
Things that don't work include toilet HWH leveling system, Aladdin, gas alarms, DVD player and tv - maybe I need a lesson on this
Heading slowly back to Dallas for tires and an RV tech should see it sorted

rpasetto · 10-29-2012, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSkinner

Really slim pickings here

Anybody suggest a good service centre from Jackson MS on the way to Texas border - say maybe Vicksburg?
Maybe I should just get a mobile guy to come change the oil and filters and do the rest back in Lewisville Tx.
Stressing about old tires and the damage a blowout can do to the body work and paint

Steve, Congratulations on the new coach!...

You might want to consider he FMCA and Monaco Int'l club discount program for Michelin tires. ASAP if the 05 still has the original tires.

If you want to go as far as Orlando FL there's Josam; they do a good job align many Monacos.

SteveSkinner · 10-30-2012, 12:48 PM

Thanks we are very happy with the purcgase.
We got lucky with the tires

I rang around b4 I left AUS and found TCI at Tyler had 6 295/80 and 2 315/80 energys so they are now on the coach and I was able to do the last 100 miles at 70 instead of 55mph
They were great, got the FMCA discount - that is seriously good value amazing discount
We pay $900 for 295/80s in Australia.
Apparently there is limited stock available world wide also.
My list of things needing fixing has reduced from 2 full pages to less than one.
The things that supposedly worked that are US include bedroom VCR/DVD, main surround sound system, sattelite dish wasn't connected and tech said replace with a traveler - done
Toilet magically fixed itself after the tech threatened it in a stern voice.
Replaced starting batteries in frustration on day 2
Replacing 4 of the 8 house batteries ( other 4 look near new)
So $10k and its a top coach - we won't want to go home at the end of the week

SteveSkinner · 11-08-2012, 09:28 AM

Following up on my last post

The list is down to just 9 items
My side of the bed goes flat so new bladder or bellows.
Won't bore you with the details but since the last post the bedroom tv failed now have a 22 " Toshiba (Samsung wouldn't fit shame)
Anamometer replaced hole in roof where previous one was.
The last on the list is a cut polish and wax and we will be very happy campers
End of thread