Where to start looking for a New/Used Motorhome

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by proflemoi

no need for luxury models just something we can live in

You've stated twice in your thread that you don't need a luxury model. However, a more luxurious model usually equates to a better coach from insulation to appliances to equipment. You don't have to buy something with a lot of useless bling, but you may want something with a residential refer versus a propane model.

I also agree that floorplan is not everything. You could get a great floorplan and have a coach with no power, storage or other amenities. However, it does have to have a floorplan that works for you, so there has to be some compromise.

The first requirement on our last three coaches was length, then power plant and then floorplan. Often most companies make several floorplans in the same length on the same chassis. Newmar allowed us to take several of the floorplan items we didn't like and change them. For us, a free-standing dinette and chairs, a sofa sleeper and a single recliner were required.

If you go used, narrow down the coach/chassis/floorplan and then see if you can find one "optioned" the way you like it.

[AKIQPilot]

Another thing to note. In the last 20+ years there has only been 2 different Gas Chassis manufacturers. Ford with the F53 chassis and Workhorse with the W24, W22 and others. Workhorse stopped building motorhome chassis with the 2010 model year. So if you want something newer than a 2010 it's going to be on the Ford F53 chassis.

The fact that Workhorse no longer builds motorhome chassis definitely scares many people from the Workhorse chassis coaches but the reality is it's just as hard to find anyone willing to work on an F53 chassis coach as it is a Workhorse chassis coach. Your typical Ford dealer won't even touch your Ford powered motorhome even for an oil change, much less something more complex. Don't be afraid of a Workhorse chassis coach but realize you will be doing much of the maintenance and repair yourself.

If you are set on something newer than 2010 then you will be looking at a Ford F53 chassis and realize in 2016 the F53 got the new 6 speed 6R140 transmission. The 6 speed transmission was a significant improvement over the previous 5 speed transmission. Just something to keep in mind.

I agree with others here that in the last 10 years Newmar and Tiffin have pulled away from the others as far as quality goes. That said, there are still a lot of sub par components on every brand, especially in the last few years.

And lastly for this post. If you plan to do a lot of the day to day maintenance and repairs yourself don't be afraid of a 2006-2010 Winnebago on the Workhorse W24 chassis. This is an excellent chassis and a very good coach. Winnebago publishes every plumbing, electrical and mechanical diagram for every single system of their coach on line, for free. Every single part number for basically every component on the coach is offered on line, for free. With these free electrical and plumbing diagrams you can fix just about anything on the entire coach yourself. I don't know of any other manufacturer that offers this much information to owners for free.

[CptBill]

Originally Posted by DamonCamper

Look at PopRVs.com.

They are nation wide and you can select type, manufacture, year, milage of what you want. Anything you might want. Very easy to work with and very responsive.
Got mine thru them and am very pleased with their service and listings.

Good Luck!!

PopRVs, Popyacht, Stay Far Away!

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

Why limit yourself to under 10,000 miles, you are primarily buying a house that just happens to have a truck under it. Now I can understand wanting to limit mileage to something on a late model newer coach, but 10,000 is just a bit on the low side, though the average motorhome only sees about 5,000 - 6,000 miles per year on average long term, 10,000 miles may be only on or two long trips.

I agree that 10,000 miles is too low. The Ford F-53 gasser on the V8 chassis has a transferable 5 year/100,000 mile/4,000 engine hour drivetrain warranty.

I have the last year the V10 was produced. I think the V8 is noticeably superior: quieter and somewhat better mileage.

With a $150K budget I'd limit my gasser search to the V8 chassis, not a specific mileage.

Ford began building the V8 in 2020 so the first model years to use it usually are the 2021's.

Oh, and if you do buy used, be aware that most if not all motorhome manufacturers do not have a transferable warranty. Even if the original owner had it for a week and never used it, subsequent owners have no warranty at all from those manufacturers. The chassis warranty is a separate matter.

Ray

[NXR]

Originally Posted by AKIQPilot

And lastly for this post. If you plan to do a lot of the day to day maintenance and repairs yourself don't be afraid of a 2006-2010 Winnebago on the Workhorse W24 chassis. This is an excellent chassis and a very good coach.

Winnebago publishes every plumbing, electrical and mechanical diagram for every single system of their coach on line, for free. Every single part number for basically every component on the coach is offered on line, for free. With these free electrical and plumbing diagrams you can fix just about anything on the entire coach yourself. I don't know of any other manufacturer that offers this much information to owners for free.

True, especially about how Winnebago is the only one I know of that publishes diagrams. However, a chassis and motorhome that has not been built for over a decade poses other challenges, notably parts availability for both the chassis and the house. Think slide pieces-parts as a big one for the house part.

Someone just had the ECM fail on their 2009 F-53. He says he's called everywhere and only one place has his particular ECM and they want over $7,000 for it. Another person chimed in and had the same year and ECM. They had the same experience and shelled out the price because it was either that or junk their motorhome. Ford just said "Sorry, no availability."

Ray

[SandiaMan]

We recently went through the process of selecting a class A rig for extended trips when retired, this after 3 decades of RVing in travel trailers, 5ers, and toyhaulers. Sounds like you have time which is good, it took nearly 2 years to figure it out what we wanted, the pandemic hit while we were searching making it all the more difficult to see or drive units, many dealers were closed initially.

We used all sources possible utilizing local, regional, and finally nationwide to view and drive as many coaches as we could get our hands on. To the best of our ability we went in with an open mind, getting a feel for which brands, available chassis configurations, and floorplans would suit our needs best for our future RVing endeavors, keeping in mind there are no 100% perfect RVs.

Although prices are steeper post pandemic your budget is hefty enough to find a nice class A with a little diligence, we looked at several dozen units and drove the vast majority of them, our best experiences were with private sellers allowing ample time to examine a coach without duress. Glad we took our time, lot more to digest than towable RVs, don't let preconceptions hinder you.

[pameridan04]

Like the guy said everybody has an opinion, here's mine. The two leaders of the brands you mentioned are Tiffin & Newmar. More expensive than Winnie & Fleetwood, but IMO.... better quality.

By all means go to the Hershey RV Show. Pick specific brands and models you want to look at. By looking at 20 different coaches will just blur your comparisons.

There is also a reason more Jeeps are used to flat tow than any other vehicle. Easy setup, and tow great. Remember you are going to need, a Tow bar plates to hook up to vehicle, Tow bar itself, electrical setup vehicle, and you should get an auxiliary braking system. Poof about $5K.

Most NEW buyers rarely get the first coach they purchase 100% right. I am on my third Class A and there are still things I would change on another coach....LOL

Good Luck

[Marine359]

If you’re new to RVing, why in the world would you want to plop down hard earned retirement money on an rv before you know whether you’ll even like the rv lifestyle. RV dealer lots are packed with late model RVs that were purchased by buyers both young and old who sunk a bunch of bucks into an rv, and after a year, took a bath trying to get rid of it. Rving can be stressful depending on your mindset, can cause divorces, and definitely will consume copious amounts of money every year for maintenance, insurance, and registration before you even get out of the driveway. My advice (worthless cuz you didn’t pay for it), is to rent an rv first of the kind you are thinking of buying. If you’re thinking of full timing, or long timing, rent one for a couple of months. It will save you many times more than the cost of the rental and prevent heartache. You’ll also find out what you like and dislike about the rental rig, which will be crucial in making a buying decision. Take your time before you dive in. The best RVs will still be there waiting for you after you’ve rented and gone to a couple of shows.