Deal breaker when buying a used MH?

[jimmy braden]

IMO, anything can be a dealbreaker depending on asking price (the comedian Stephen wright had a line - any place is walking distance if you got time). Starting with roof condition/obvious signs of leaks. Engine leaks or bad sounds/low boost. Gen missing/inoperative. Check engine lights or other dash alerts.

If they wont fix, keep looking. If they do, you might have a good opportunity.

At my initial look, the machine I got had some of these exact issues. They fixed them before I put a single penny down. And I got a screaming deal...

[Ludmilla]

Deal breakers for me would be:
No records or incomplete records
A coach that has not been taken excellent care of
Water damage
Paint checking or a coach that has issues with the paint
No updates to an older coach (TVs, etc)
No slides
Not enough towing capacity

[OLYLEN]

All good advice above. A comment I might add is in your price range you are going to be faced with an older rear or newer rear radiator. Don't be afraid of a rear, make sure it's clean, and getting to some places for maintenance is harder.

LEN

[tacaem]

Originally Posted by becks

Rear radiator was a deal breaker for me.

Why is rear radiator deal breaker?:dance

[TonyMac]

Remember, that rear radiator takes up a compartment, and those compartments get valuable, especially for full timers. It also adds components, the hydraulics to run the fan. I like rr too, but there are minuses too.

[MTK46]

My short list right now is Monaco, HR, Newmar & Tiffin. 38-40' ISL Cummins engine.
Side/rear radiator is my hanging point right now.

[PatStab]

Because dirt, oil, debris gets in a rear radiator and can plug it up and requires more cleaning then a side mounted one.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by TonyMac

Remember, that rear radiator takes up a compartment, and those compartments get valuable, especially for full timers. It also adds components, the hydraulics to run the fan. I like rr too, but there are minuses too.

I think you are referring to a side radiator.

[Gordon Dewald]

Unless you are driving through extremely adverse conditions the money you save by buying a rear radiator can be used for topping up the cost of replacing belts, etc.

In our ownership of our coach I anticipate we will have one change of belts. While it is more difficult to replace the radiator will not have to come out.

I also would like to compare the efficiency of a rear vs side radiator.

It would seem on the surface that the air flow would be more linear through a rear radiator assisted by the vacuum the rear of the coach creates.

A side radiator seems like the air flow would have to be re directed as well as deal with the buffeting created along the side of the coach.

For our purposes both are acceptable.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by FunGus

Rubber roof and rear radiator are a no go for me.

What about a BriteTek roof? Newmar used very successfully. It's a TPO and warrantied for longer than fiberglass plus it's quieter than fiberglass and suffers less damage from hail.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by TonyMac

Remember, that rear radiator takes up a compartment, and those compartments get valuable, especially for full timers. It also adds components, the hydraulics to run the fan. I like rr too, but there are minuses too.

Uh.. I think you mean side radiator.

[Mr_D]

Any RV with a Cummins ISX 2007 EPA 600 or 650 HP engine!! The new ISX15 600 units aren't having the valves break but the 2007 DOHC units do. Once they're fixed with the correct new parts they are OK though.

[MTK46]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Any RV with a Cummins ISX 2007 EPA 600 or 650 HP engine!! The new ISX15 600 units aren't having the valves break but the 2007 DOHC units do. Once they're fixed with the correct new parts they are OK though.

Any MH that has that engine isn't in my fuel budget or price range.

[BRex45]

TonyMac

It is the side radiator that takes up a compartment, not the rear.