Community Forums

Eggbert · 01-30-2022, 02:00 PM

I am doing my due diligence on a 2003 Western RV Alpine Coach M40FD local to me in SW Florida.

Home prices (and rents) have rocketed, and time makes fools of us all, but my wife and I have decided to simplify/down-size and see what the RV life has to offer.

I currently work full-time in a good professional job in a fixed location, and plan to do so for the forseable future. Perhaps settling down on some rural acerage or a small RV friendly lot near to our wonderful local gulf beaches and venturing out for a semiannual RV excursion. If we decide this lifestyle is for us there's always the possibility of remote work in my field (the one good thing to come out of this pandemic).

As I mentioned earlier I am on the cusp of purchasing a Class A Motorhome, our first RV of any kind. I have a professional NRVIA certified inspection scheduled this week and I am fortunate to have a friend who owns several semis and runs a busy diesel repair shop who will test drive with me and look over the mechanicals in his shop.

I plan to do a little remodeling and renovation, but the RV looks very clean and well kept for a 20 year old motorhome. We love the residential style amenities in this coach.

I have no illusions of a free ride and I am going into this with eyes wide open and want to make sure we are not stumbling into a money pit. I have negotiated and budgeted with the assumption there will be $10-15k in "surprise" costs after purchase, but after that my savings would be stretched.

Thank you for this wonderful forum and hosting the Alpine Coach owners group. I have already enjoyed many hours of reading and would appreciate it if someone could explain how a noob can access any "members only" uploads and info I see mentioned in the Alpine Coach sub-forum.

Happy miles and sunny climes! -Eggbert

Alpine36 · 01-30-2022, 02:27 PM

Sounds like you've done your homework and hopefully the Alpine checks out favorably. They really are a well designed, great driving coach.
The iRV2 Alpine Coach owners forum is a wealth of valuable information.
Ask any question, you'll get nothing but straight answers.
Good luck with your purchase.
Take Care, Mike.

MSHappyCampers · 01-30-2022, 05:26 PM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

momdoc · 01-30-2022, 09:03 PM

Welcome to the forum. Congrats on the new rig and lifestyle. I seem that you have done your homework.

You are joining a good group of friends here with good information to share. Read the various threads here and ask questions as they come up or add information if you can,

Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

Eggbert · 02-05-2022, 05:32 PM

Well, as far as I can tell she passes muster. I'm now the proud owner of a 2003 Alpine Coach 40FDTS. (Can you ever really "own" such a magnificent beast?)

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.

Special thanks to @paul65k for information on Alpine Owner's Association and sharing the sales brochure and owner's manual for my coach.

I am happy to be among friends now.