Community Forums

ChrisGerhard · 04-04-2013, 07:39 AM

We just yesterday started our search and looked at two, a 31' 2004 Jayco Escapade with 16,000 miles and a 31' 2006 Four Winds Chateau with 12,000 miles. I liked both but I have never owned an RV and know nothing much about what I need to do to make sure we don't get something we will regret owning. The only observation I made that concerned me is both had Michelin tires with some sidewall dry rot. I think both have the same or very similar Ford V10 gas engine, I am confident both engines are solid.

We are in our 60s, the female head of household wants this purchase, I would never have suggested getting an RV. I suspect the models we looked at yesterday are very modest which is going to be my preference, of course along with reliability. She owned an RV about 10 years ago, her husband of 35 years passed away in 2005 and his illness prior to that meant they needed to sell it. She doesn't recall the model but research yesterday made me determine it was likely a Jayco Seneca, she has very fond memories of it and her master mechanic husband was happy with it.

We have 7 grandchildren and one on the way. My 3 children are popping those things out right and left, I will gone from 0 at the start of 2011 to 5 before the end of 2013 and nobody on my side is saying they are done, or even close to done. Grandchildren are scattered around, Florida, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. We live in Little Rock, AR and will travel to those states and the great northwest in the coming years. How often any of the grandchildren, or anybody else for that matter, will be with us when we travel isn't clear but mostly it will just be the two of us and our two Yorkshire Terriers.

I have not read anything here yet, just thought I would get the introduction done first.

MSHappyCampers · 04-04-2013, 07:50 AM

Hi Chris! Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you guys join us!

Hope you find the right rig for your needs! Sounds like you may need a big one if all those kids decide to join you!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

**CLIFFTALL** · 04-04-2013, 07:55 AM

Welcome to IRV2.

Cliff

Bruce C · 04-04-2013, 07:57 AM

Welcome to the site. RVing is a way to see the grandchildren. Good luck in your search.

Jim Estes · 04-04-2013, 07:58 AM

Welcome! You have come to the right place. Searching the internet is your best bet. Looking is a large portion of your overall success. The tires you mention would be a no-go...but often times dealers will replace with new...negotiate is the key word here. It really boils down to finding a floor plan you like and coach options you like. You will need to decide between diesel power and gas powered...lots of discussions on here about both! Take your time and find the coach that is right for you guys and your budget. Best of luck!

**JohnRR** · 04-04-2013, 12:08 PM

Medico · 04-04-2013, 12:38 PM

Welcome and glad to meet you!

We have found the RV is a great way to visit family, all of which are out of state from our stick home.

ChrisGerhard · 04-05-2013, 03:08 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I am just reading a little now and gaining some knowledge. We are going to Florida mid April and will probably stop a few places along the way just to look at RVs. Of course we are hoping this is a buyer's market.

Dale Pruitt · 04-05-2013, 03:30 PM

Pepper2 · 04-05-2013, 03:42 PM

Hello! If your going to Florida, there is a huge RV dealership down there called Lazy Daze. It would be a convenient stop to compare a lot of different motorhomes at the same location.

macantic · 04-05-2013, 03:51 PM

if you are not buying from a dealership I would highly recommend you get a professional RV mechanic to inspect it for you,it's well worth the few hundred bucks they charge.