Community Forums

BoBo26 · 04-08-2014, 09:34 PM

Hey all, looking to purchase my first coach! Was wanting your alls opinion on a 2003 American Tradition 40t as my first purchase. Thanks!

SarahW · 04-08-2014, 09:52 PM

Howdy and welcome to iRV2!

Certainly the American Tradition is a quality motorhome. That said, the condition of the RV and how it has been maintained are as important as the brand you buy. Good luck.

BoBo26 · 04-08-2014, 10:18 PM

Thanks for your input! The coach is in immaculate condition and seems to have been well cared for! Just don't no if iam jumping into a big headache or not, iv owned several fifth wheels, do the common problems that come with owning a motor home comparable to owning a fifth wheel? Besides the motor and transmission of course!

Medico · 04-09-2014, 06:48 AM

Better get an independent inspection. This is an 11 year old coach. Looks can be deceiving. Have it inspected prior to a purchase!

gacamp · 04-09-2014, 07:05 AM

Even at 11 years old if it has been maintained properly it could very well be the last coach you will buy, they are that solid and nice of a coach. My 15 year old American coach product with 95,000 miles and normal maintence is sound and has many more years of touring in her. Have it inspected and make sure EVERY system works properly and have at least oil analysis done on the engine and transmission.

Scottspence · 04-09-2014, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gacamp

Even at 11 years old if it has been maintained properly it could very well be the last coach you will buy, they are that solid and nice of a coach. My 15 year old American coach product with 95,000 miles and normal maintenance is sound and has many more years of touring in her. Have it inspected and make sure EVERY system works properly and have at least oil analysis done on the engine and transmission.

Well said, I recently purchased an 04' American eagle 42.5. Again the unit has a mechanical trail of paperwork and was very well looked after. Lot of the time it is better to have an older unit that is regularly used then a new unit that sits. You willi love the Coach. Great quality in all systems. Mine has many updates, furniture, TV;s and such that makes a big difference. Good Luck!! Scott

BoBo26 · 04-09-2014, 10:35 AM

Thanks for the advice! It's from a wholesale dealer and they said they do an inspection before they actually purchase the coach and they said it all came back good! The motor home has 76000 miles on it But I will be sure to ask for some paper work on it all to see what all was inspected! Thanks again!

Cat320 · 04-09-2014, 07:51 PM

The Tradition is a fine coach, and AC support both at the factory and on the tech phone line is excellent.

gacamp · 04-10-2014, 06:17 AM

Please do your own inspection if capable or pay to have one done. I personally would not take a wholesale dealers word that their inspection came back good. I looked at literally dozens of MH over a years span many of them bought by wholesale dealers at auction and the most common fact was that most of them had issues of varying severity.
At the very least arrange for at least one day "camping" in the MH. During that time try out every switch, button, breaker etc. in the coach, not once but two or three times. Have the A/C's run for several hours both on AC and generator. Run the gen. for several hours and be sure to use the inverter for the TV's and microwave. If at all possible test out the grey and black tank dumping systems, I found one that both handles were disconnected!
When all that is done and noted tell them you want at least a 25 to 50 mile test ride, they might resist, tell them you will pay for the diesel but that is the true test of the MH. Oh yeah tires, be sure and determine the age and if they have 5 or more years on them negotiate replacement cost in your negotiation.

Tradition are great coaches and there are a lot of them out there so be cautious in relying on someone else's inspection.

sgibson · 05-03-2014, 04:16 PM

Searching for the location of where the left turn signal switch would be located in a 2003 Fleetwood American Tradition. Signal stopped working...already checked bulbs and fuses.

Scottspence · 05-05-2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgibson

Searching for the location of where the left turn signal switch would be located in a 2003 Fleetwood American Tradition. Signal stopped working...already checked bulbs and fuses.

My relay for that is under the entry steps