Community Forums

Stacyod · 02-15-2014, 08:51 PM

Hello from Tennessee.

My husband is looking for an Rv as he will be traveling for work. We have never owned a trailer or rv. Before.

Each job site will require 1-2 months in one location. We are considering a 1992 four winds class c 43,000 miles Ford E350 chassis for $12,500 as is due to its age.

https://nashville.craigslist.org/rvd/4333459615.html

We placed a refundable deposit to hold it until 5pm Monday so that the engine could be inspected by a ford dealership. This motor home is being sold by camper world but we wanted a second non-biased opinion and a chance to research it before making a commitment.

Can anyone comment on this particular make/model, reliabilty mpg and possibly on whether camping world is considered a reputable dealer? Any help you can offer us is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Stacy

**JohnRR** · 02-15-2014, 08:52 PM

Good luck with your choice.

huntnski · 02-15-2014, 09:05 PM

Good luck, we personally had good luck with our local Camping World but you will find all sorts of bad stories about some. That said, check everything, get things in writing! Don't forget to check the age of the tires, not how they look but the age!

**TonyDi** · 02-15-2014, 09:42 PM

Get it checked throughly by someone who knows motorhomes. Good luck with it!

Dale Pruitt · 02-15-2014, 10:54 PM

TXiceman · 02-15-2014, 11:46 PM

On that age class C, besure and check the front bunk/overhead area for leaks. These units are notorious for leaks and rot. Pull up the cushions and check closely. Also check the back wall for leaks.

Ken

Stacyod · 02-16-2014, 06:15 AM

We are excited to join you in rv living. Please keep giving us such helpful posts.

We will check the age of the tires and pull up the cushions to check for leaks. Great ideas! thank you.

Deciding which mh to buy makes us nervous because we are such newbies. We are afraid of making rookie mistakes. I realize a 20 year old mh is not going to be perfect but I do want to know what we are buying before choosing this one.

We have in writing signed by the sales manager that we can opt out for any reason before monday at 5pm and have our deposit refunded. Cost is an issue for us since my husband just graduated and is just staring his career. Are we making a mistake to buy an older mh like this one? Should we consider a new one even though it would be a financial stretch?

Please continue to post any and all ideas so we can proceed with confidence. Thanks again. Stacy

Chiefbvfd · 02-16-2014, 06:34 AM

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your decision...

homeless · 02-16-2014, 06:49 AM

Howdy

Medico · 02-16-2014, 06:52 AM

Welcome and glad to meet you!

rskrbina · 02-16-2014, 07:12 AM

Hello Stacy and welcome. Very good advise mentioned above. Looking up on the roof would be something I would look at closely as well. Cracks in chaulking, roof material lifting etc. Good luck.

burgman50 · 02-16-2014, 07:38 AM

That price seems a bit high for a 1992. One thing to think serious about is the size. To me, it's one thing to spend a weekend in a small living area, but an entirely different experience staying in the same space for a month. I would suggest also looking at class A RVs. They are much much larger, and priced the same or less than this class C. Example, 1996 Newmar Dutchstar model 3658 with a slide out from a dealer in Greenville sc for under 15k. It's posted on Craigslist today . Compare the two and let me know which one you would want to live in for a month.

Just my 2 cents . Add a buck fifty to that and you can get a cup of coffee!

wincrasher · 02-16-2014, 07:51 AM

I use an RV as lodgings while working out of town, as do some of the guys I work with.

That looks like a good unit considering it's age - looks like they've spruced it up alitte - painted the wheels,etc.. Fairly spacious considering no slide-out. Don't expect much MPG wise - 8 mpg or so. Good thing is those motors are fairly simple, so parts and repairs should be on the cheaper side.

The only thing I'd caution you on, is if you have problems with your RV, it can become a big hassle to get it sorted, which will effect your work. They seem to take a dim view of a guy being away from work to get his RV fixed when others are not because they are at the hotel, apt or rented house. It just comes with the territory.

So choose your RV very carefully, and also make sure you have enough savings to deal with the inevitable. Additionally, if you can keep your husband at work because you are comfortable dealing with repair people, or fixing things yourself, all the better.

Most guys I know that do this buy trailers, not motorhomes. Most are in 5th wheels, some are in travel trailers.

Good luck and keep us posted on how it's going!

anotherone · 02-16-2014, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burgman50

That price seems a bit high for a 1992. One thing to think serious about is the size. To me, it's one thing to spend a weekend in a small living area, but an entirely different experience staying in the same space for a month. I would suggest also looking at class A RVs. They are much much larger, and priced the same or less than this class C. Example, 1996 Newmar Dutchstar model 3658 with a slide out from a dealer in Greenville sc for under 15k. It's posted on Craigslist today . Compare the two and let me know which one you would want to live in for a month.

Just my 2 cents . Add a buck fifty to that and you can get a cup of coffee!

Damn good advice for living advice. After hurricane andrew we had a real small class c to live in and then my brother gave me a 32 ft southwind

. Incredible difference. Units that old are priced really nice.
As was said the overhead front bunk areas on class c are notorious for wood rot. Also check every appliance especially the fridge , heat ,ac batteries tire age, generator, stove-oven, microwave, holding tank functions , roof could be rubber for tears.