Help Me Find a Good Used Diesel Pusher...

[SWFL]

I've owned several tow-behinds but I've decided to give RVing a go. I'm looking for a good used diesel pusher that meets the following criteria

$70,000 maximum budget. (prefer to spend much less, like sub $50k, but will pay for the right unit)

30'-40' in length (prefer under 40' but I'll use 40' as max)

Pre EPA equipment era technology. I don't want to deal with DEF/DPF, ect.

At least 2 comfortable sleeping areas. I don't want my daughter to have to sleep in a converted dinette or crappy jackknife sofa.

Comfortable ride, fun to drive. I assume this means only looking at air-ride rigs but I'm not positive. I just know that the drive is a big part of the trip for me so I want a rig that drives and rides really well.

High quality brand and a model without any inherent, fatal flaws. This is where I need the most help since my budget is going to put me into a 10+ year old unit. Many of these mfg's are no longer in business and I don't really know what was top of the line and what was entry level back then.

My location is Southwest Florida but will travel for the right unit.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[R.Wold]

Originally Posted by SWFL

I've owned several tow-behinds but I've decided to give RVing a go. I'm looking for a good used diesel pusher that meets the following criteria

1. $70,000 maximum budget. (prefer to spend much less, like sub $50k, but will pay for the right unit)

2. 30'-40' in length (prefer under 40' but I'll use 40' as max)

3. Pre EPA equipment era technology. I don't want to deal with DEF/DPF, ect.

4. At least 2 comfortable sleeping areas. I don't want my daughter to have to sleep in a converted dinette or crappy jackknife sofa.

5. Comfortable ride, fun to drive. I assume this means only looking at air-ride rigs but I'm not positive. I just know that the drive is a big part of the trip for me so I want a rig that drives and rides really well.

6. High quality brand and a model without any inherent, fatal flaws. This is where I need the most help since my budget is going to put me into a 10+ year old unit. Many of these mfg's are no longer in business and I don't really know what was top of the line and what was entry level back then.

My location is Southwest Florida but will travel for the right unit.

Thanks in advance for any help!

# 4 will be a challenge - your best bet is to find one with a pull out or jackknife and replace it with a better sleeper sofa

#5 will definitely be air ride, but handling on older rigs varies a lot with brand quality, mileage, and maintenance habits. Also Newmar introduced “Comfort Drive” in 2008 on their full line of DPs. But there is after market stuff that improves ride and handling.

#6 is probably the biggest challenge. You will probably have to look in the 15-20 year range for that budget. At here are a lot of good coaches with pre ‘07 emissions, and some that were built a couple years later with ‘07 engines the manufacturers bought up, but that was also about the time things went bust for a lot of them.

What I have done is to go on RVT and RVTrader, create some advanced searches with alerts, and when “the rig” comes up, put a deposit on it that day and jump on a plane and go get it, because if you find what you’re looking for in your price range, you’re going to have some competition.

Here’s an example: https://www.rvt.com/New-and-Used-Cla...ort=price_high I’d concentrate on Monaco, Country Coach, Tiffin, Newmar, Holiday Rambler, Winnebago, and Fleetwood - not necessarily in that order. There are other good “orphan” coaches some I don’t know enough about them to comment, and others such as Foretravel and Alpine probably won’t appear in this price range.
Good Luck!

[Ljwt330]

[Mod Edit]

I agree with the two sleeping areas being something to work around, unless you find a custom optioned coach. Everything else on your list is doable with a good search and patience. Pre-2007 model year engines are what you want, but the year of the coach might be up to two years newer. Do some asking about engine serial numbers on coaches you like.

The key to a good older coach is maintenance. Records are very important. Being an orphan is not really an issue, IMO, as the chassis and running gear is still manufactured in most cases, and the appliances are all third party. Outside of body work or cabinetry, there are few proprietary parts.

Your budget should find you a high quality vintage coach in well kept condition, but prices are at a premium right now. I’d suggest you also go for the highest hp engine you can find and either a Cummins ISC or ISL. or comparable Cat.

[R.Wold]

Here’s a relatively low mileage Alpine 40 ISL sneaking in under the wire at $69,900. 293 pics, a video and the floor plan. I haven’t examined it but it looks like a good add. Enjoy!
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/200...DTS-5014979487

[Peter_Crowl]

Here..for example
https://www.facebook.com/groups/382720752398629

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by R.Wold

Here’s a relatively low mileage Alpine 40 ISL sneaking in under the wire at $69,900. 293 pics, a video and the floor plan. I haven’t examined it but it looks like a good add. Enjoy!
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/200...DTS-5014979487

I am pretty familiar with Alpine coaches and think highly of them.


BUT, the amount of salt and corrosion on that one would sure rule it out for me.

[Cooperhawk]

Our Journey has a long couch that electrically flattens out into a large bed. The nice thing is that even with it opened you can still get by it.

[TXiceman]

Check Motorhomes of Texas in Nacogdoches, TX. Several nice looking older units.

Ken

[SWFL]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Check Motorhomes of Texas in Nacogdoches, TX. Several nice looking older units.

Ken

Thanks for the referral, they do have some pretty nice looking older DP's.

They've got several Foretravel coaches listed, I don't know anything about that brand. I assume it's a high end/higher quality brand based on the pics and prices?

[amosnandy]

Originally Posted by SWFL

I've owned several tow-behinds but I've decided to give RVing a go. I'm looking for a good used diesel pusher that meets the following criteria

$70,000 maximum budget. (prefer to spend much less, like sub $50k, but will pay for the right unit)

30'-40' in length (prefer under 40' but I'll use 40' as max)

Pre EPA equipment era technology. I don't want to deal with DEF/DPF, ect.

At least 2 comfortable sleeping areas. I don't want my daughter to have to sleep in a converted dinette or crappy jackknife sofa.

Comfortable ride, fun to drive. I assume this means only looking at air-ride rigs but I'm not positive. I just know that the drive is a big part of the trip for me so I want a rig that drives and rides really well.

High quality brand and a model without any inherent, fatal flaws. This is where I need the most help since my budget is going to put me into a 10+ year old unit. Many of these mfg's are no longer in business and I don't really know what was top of the line and what was entry level back then.

My location is Southwest Florida but will travel for the right unit.

Thanks in advance for any help!

You can find DP's for 50k, but you'll get a lot more if you can get into 65k range. The bunkhouse models are rare, but sometimes I have seen them go cheaper because most do not want them. I started searching last year about this time and found 2 I really liked. A HR 40PDQ and a Winnebago 39K. Both were between 60-70K

If possible, I would try and find a private party one. I got the Winnie off an elderly farm couple that took it to Arizona for the winter and it went in the shed in Iowa for the summer. Don't get concerned about the difference between 35k miles and 65k miles. Both are nothing on a DP if they have been maintained.

I bought what was in my budget at the time, knowing in a few years I would upgrade one more time. Yes, I do make more money in retirement than I did working. So I have been shopping. Seems like the prices are a little better Midwest and not to far SW. Florida seems high.

FYI. When I first semi-retired I bought a 2000 HR Endeavor 36' V10 Ford and took it to Mazatlan Mx every winter for 5 years. This was the first trip in the DP and I was amazed how I ever survived pounding it and myself down the road. Air ride DP is like going from a Pinto to a Lincoln.

[GOLDandGREY]

Originally Posted by SWFL

Thanks for the referral, they do have some pretty nice looking older DP's.

They've got several Foretravel coaches listed, I don't know anything about that brand. I assume it's a high end/higher quality brand based on the pics and prices?

Many people here would lose a digit to own a Foretravel

[Roy-c]

Check out buybyebluebird. Randy is a really straight shooter. The Wanderlodge Owners Group has all of the schematics and the expertise to maintain these buses and are always ready to help. Eliminates a lot of concern about owning an orphan. they drive like they are on rails when properly set up and are built on a million mile chassis. Best value around. get one with complete maintenance records. One word of warning on ANY older RV. If you can't do most ( or all ) of the maint yourself it can get very costly, very quickly.

[SWFL]

Originally Posted by GOLDandGREY

Many people here would lose a digit to own a Foretravel

This one isn't too far from me...

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/200...320-5016085506

is there something inherently wrong with it? Of is it worth a look?

[SWFL]

Originally Posted by Roy-c

Check out buybyebluebird. Randy is a really straight shooter. The Wanderlodge Owners Group has all of the schematics and the expertise to maintain these buses and are always ready to help. Eliminates a lot of concern about owning an orphan. they drive like they are on rails when properly set up and are built on a million mile chassis. Best value around. get one with complete maintenance records. One word of warning on ANY older RV. If you can't do most ( or all ) of the maint yourself it can get very costly, very quickly.

The Bluebird idea is pretty cool to me. I'll take a look, thanks!