Community Forums

Wildlifezone · 09-21-2021, 04:15 PM

Hi all,

Yes we are newbies to the RV world (not to trucks, but...anyway). We need to go x-county, cosmetic appearances and whatnot not nearly as important as reliability.

We are going to check out this offer, but when it says, "Steering Track Bar Bushings & Sleeves replaced March 2021" is that a good thing, because it's replaced, or a bad thing because...hmm, what else may be wrong in that arena? What questions should I ask about this kind of fix?

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/199...5FT-5017590140

Around here sellers can be resistant to having it inspected, but I am going to ask if they want to sell that's what we do...

TIA

Renee

cwit · 09-21-2021, 04:26 PM

That’s a good thing. R.v. Looks nice.

HarryStone · 09-21-2021, 04:30 PM

It's a 99. Many components on that RV are at their end of life, or nearing their end of life. The fact that they replaced some suspension components is not an issue, it's to be expected.

gnvrvin · 09-21-2021, 05:20 PM

Check age of tires...
Mileage does not count as much as age of tires....especially steer tires

Looks.like a nice.coach

Service history would be nice to have as well

Manuals.still ther owners and chassis manuals?

Greg

TXiceman · 09-21-2021, 05:59 PM

1999 was back when Ford was having sparkplugs blowing out of the heads. There was also and issue of the plugs getting stuck in the head and having to have Heli inserts put in the head to reinstall a plug. Have the plugs been serviced by Ford?

Ken

catmandoo62 · 09-22-2021, 07:50 AM

wasn't the plug poppers just the 5.4 v8 engines?can't recall ever hearing of it happening on the v10's

TXiceman · 09-22-2021, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catmandoo62

wasn't the plug poppers just the 5.4 v8 engines?can't recall ever hearing of it happening on the v10's

Nope, the v-10 spit plugs as well.

Ken

dfuelman · 09-22-2021, 09:02 AM

Looks like decent coach at a reasonable price. BUT if the seller refuses to allow you to have an inspection done at your expense, walk away, he is hiding something.

Now if he wants a reasonable deposit to hold the unit until the inspection is complete and sets a reasonable time for the inspection to happen, that's understandable. Too many time waster's out there.

Good luck.

donr103 · 09-22-2021, 09:04 AM

Yes.. pass.. RED FLAG... seller does not want inspection.. that tells you.. not worth time and money..
Just keep looking until you find seller that is open to inspection.. always have 2 inspections done.. 1 mechanical and 1 coach.. today most seller already have inspection done and will show you up front.. before all this.. walk the roof.. yourself.. look for cracks, gaps and soft spots.. then inspections.. also run carfax.. get vin and run.. if a lot of money run background check on seller..

When cash hits dash.. seller hits street.. and buyer fixes rv..

I bought off major rv dealer.. regret I did not have inspections..
Good luck and let us know what you did and maybe better members then me will help you oh.. if any roof problems.. walk away.. unless you have experience in rv rebuilding.. if roof goes.. the rest is waist of time and money..

mr.tommy · 09-23-2021, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donr103

Yes.. pass.. RED FLAG... seller does not want inspection.. that tells you.. not worth time and money..

Agreed. No inspection, NO BUY. Private sellers are accustomed to this protocol.
You want an inspection of the entire chassis and everything in the coach. Usually around $450 for a gas rig like this.

Tell him you'd be more than happy to put down a deposit of say a $1,000 and your purchase is contingent on a good inspection or you get your deposit back immediately. Get everything in writing. If he doesn't agree to that what he's really saying is, FOR SALE AS IS.

I wouldn't be surprised if the inspection shows several things that need to be addressed. IT'S 22YRS. OLD. At the end of the inspection you can either decide if you want to proceed with the sale or turn it down. I mean it's only $15K. If you have to put 5K into it to get it up to snuff you still only have 20K into it. But the inspection will tell you if it's going to take a lot more than 5K or not. Ask him if he has any maintenance records, all the manuals and does it have a clear title.

This rig is 22yrs. old and will definitely need some things replaced inside and on the chassis. And then of course you're going to want to do some upgrades inside too to freshen it up which will be more money.

dadej · 09-23-2021, 07:19 AM

This rig is only $15000. If you are know smart enough the inspect this rig you should not be buying it. This is not a Prevost.

Fast E · 09-23-2021, 05:16 PM

Reputable dealers can sell you junk just as anyone else. Do your homework, peruse this site and if in doubt ask questions.

Ray,IN · 09-23-2021, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donr103

Yes.. pass.. RED FLAG... seller does not want inspection.. that tells you.. not worth time and money..
Just keep looking until you find seller that is open to inspection.. always have 2 inspections done.. 1 mechanical and 1 coach.. today most seller already have inspection done and will show you up front.. before all this.. walk the roof.. yourself.. look for cracks, gaps and soft spots.. then inspections.. also run carfax.. get vin and run.. if a lot of money run background check on seller..

When cash hits dash.. seller hits street.. and buyer fixes rv..

I bought off major rv dealer.. regret I did not have inspections..
Good luck and let us know what you did and maybe better members then me will help you oh.. if any roof problems.. walk away.. unless you have experience in rv rebuilding.. if roof goes.. the rest is waist of time and money..

Carfax is meaningless IMO. Reporting to them is strictly voluntary.

Sweetbriar · 09-23-2021, 05:46 PM

Maybe I'm too blind to see it but where is the indication the owner will not allow an inspection? The coach is a bit ruff on the edges but 22 years that's to be expected. The low mileage and generator hours is more of a concern for me.

Offer the seller $12.5K but walk if the seller won't go below $13K or maybe $14K if the tires are less than five years old.