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03-23-2023, 07:23 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
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1st time buyer
Hi
I’m new here I’m looking for advice I’m looking to purchase a 2002 Damon intruder Would this be a wise purchase?
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03-23-2023, 07:43 AM
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#2
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 2,484
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Only yoiu can make the decision to buy, but suggest hiring an rv inspector to survey the rv before you purchase........just did that prior to the purchase of a new fifth wheel trailer.
__________________
2022 Jayco Pinnacle 36SSWS / 2016 Ford F-350 6.7L diesel crew cab long bed 4x2 DRW
2022 Thor Palazzo 33.6 diesel pusher / 2021 Chevy Equinox LT AWD toad
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03-23-2023, 08:43 AM
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#3
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Community Moderator
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Weyauwega, WI US
Posts: 8,221
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We are glad you joined us. There is a wealth of RV info available to you here just by asking. Browse the forums that interest you and don't be afraid to ask questions as our members like to help when they can.
Keep us posted on your search for the right rig for you. Enjoy the forums.
Don
__________________
Don & Bev Morgan Weyauwega WI, 05 Itasca Horizon 40KD, 400 HP Cummins, Adopted by a great couple, Toad 07 Saturn Vue AWD, Air Force One, TST 510 TPMS, Mayor of Weyauwega 2007 - 2013, Waupaca Co Board Supervisor 2010 - 2014
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03-23-2023, 10:14 AM
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#4
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 52,900
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Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We’re sure glad you joined the gang here!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless! 
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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03-23-2023, 12:28 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 26,316
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Impossible to answer without tons more information about your travel plans, your wants & needs for space & amenities, the condition of the coach, and even your finances.
Some basics:
- It's 21 years old, so some things are old & maybe a bit tired. Not just automotive things either, cause it's a furnished house. The condition is all-important. Since you appear to lack experience with RVs, obtaining a professional inspection would be a wise move.
- The Intruder was a lower level unit in its day - the Daybreak was its higher end (and higher priced) sister. I'm not saying it's no good - just trying to set your expectation at the right level.
- Like a house, any RV has to be chosen to have enough space and equipment to suit the needs of its occupants. You didn't tell us the size of your family (including pets) or where you expect to travel or for how long.
- Details, like how long, how wide, does it have slides, etc. And the price.
- How comfortably does the price fit in your budget? Motorhomes are expensive to operate and repair, especially if you have to pay an RV shop to do most everything. You really need to plan ahead for potentially large expenses. For example, a set of 6 tires could easily run to $3000.
This 2002 Intruder brochure should help you learn a bit more about this coach.
https://library.rvusa.com/brochure/2002_intruder.pdf
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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03-23-2023, 01:00 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Madison, MS
Posts: 10,334
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer
Impossible to answer without tons more information about your travel plans, your wants & needs for space & amenities, the condition of the coach, and even your finances..........
This 2002 Intruder brochure should help you learn a bit more about this coach.
https://library.rvusa.com/brochure/2002_intruder.pdf
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According to the info in the brochure Gary provided, all 5 floor plans are on a 22,000 pound GVWR gasoline powered front engine chassis made by either Ford or Workhorse. Given a choice, I would chose the Workhorse W-22 chassis because of the 8.1L GM motor and 5 speed Allison transmission, because that is a better drivetrain (IN MY OPINION) than the Ford V-10 and Ford tranny. Almost all the rest of the chassis components are comparable.
Mileage driven and condition of the coach and no evidence of any water damage should be at the top of your list.
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03-23-2023, 03:41 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: CA
Posts: 42
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I've owned 2 Damon intruders. Depending on year, model, chassis and options they aren't bad. Some are lacking in useful amenities. Your question is too vague to give you a helpful answer.
Never under any circumstances buy an RV without a PROFESSIONAL evaluation. I do this for a living, and I see so many horror stories.
If it's the ford F53 chassis, there's some very important things to have PROFESSIONALLY evaluated.
First, it will need the roof resurfaced. It has a rolled EPDM roof that deteriorates.
Second, focus on how will you use it, and will it suit you?
Second third etc you need a full mechanical evaluation on the chassis, generator, ac units and electrical systems.
Go drive it! If you like it, and all the stuff works, then have it evaluated.
I'll look for your reply to see how I can contribute.
__________________
2006 Winnebago Journey 36G SE 300HP Cummins
2017 Chevy Equinox Toad
Lifetime Member Hugh Jass RV Club
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03-23-2023, 03:43 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: CA
Posts: 42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edgray
Given a choice, I would chose the Workhorse W-22 chassis because of the 8.1L GM motor and 5 speed Allison transmission, because that is a better drivetrain (IN MY OPINION)t.
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The workhorse is far superior to the f53 Ford chassis! I owned a 2001 Intruder on the F53 as well as a 2003 Winnebago adventurer with the w22 workhorse.
The w22 is better in every way I could think to evaluate it!
__________________
2006 Winnebago Journey 36G SE 300HP Cummins
2017 Chevy Equinox Toad
Lifetime Member Hugh Jass RV Club
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03-24-2023, 10:05 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
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Thank you all
Quote:
Originally Posted by rollinj
The workhorse is far superior to the f53 Ford chassis! I owned a 2001 Intruder on the F53 as well as a 2003 Winnebago adventurer with the w22 workhorse.
The w22 is better in every way I could think to evaluate it!
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Yes I intended on having inspections done. I will be spending time alone in this RV in Langley BC not too much travelling but I will spend a considerable amount of time in it parked on private property Any suggestions as to what kind of unit would suit me best. I would not have electrical or water it would be more like boon docking. Thanks everyone
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03-24-2023, 03:50 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Madison, MS
Posts: 10,334
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosey4123
Yes I intended on having inspections done. I will be spending time alone in this RV in Langley BC not too much travelling but I will spend a considerable amount of time in it parked on private property Any suggestions as to what kind of unit would suit me best. I would not have electrical or water it would be more like boon docking. Thanks everyone
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Without easy access to water and electricity, not to mention a sewer connection for wastewater disposal, I'm not sure any type of RV is ideal, but I don't know your whole situation. Generally speaking, if it isn't going to be driven regularly, a MH isn't the best choice.
A trailer without all the "running gear" that any motorhome will have, may be a lower cost alternative. However, you will need a mode of transportation to bring all the basic necessities to a trailer, whereas you could drive a MH to empty the holding tanks and re-fill the fuel supply for the generator to produce the electricity you will need. The propane tank will also need frequent refills for keeping you warm and running your refrigerator.
All the above seems to favor a MH, but you definitely don't need a DP, because they are best suited to much longer travels, and not well suited for short trips to take care of the necessities mentioned above.
Good luck with your decision.
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03-24-2023, 04:08 PM
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#11
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Community Administrator
Pond Piggies Club LA Gulf Coast Campers Outdoors RV Owners Club Entegra Owners Club Skyline Owners Group
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 38,479
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You need to give us much more info that you've supplied so far for us to provide advice,
I do agree w/Ed. If you are just parking it, then any motorized RV is not what you want. Those are meant to be driven, not sitting for years on end. For sitting, get a TT, 5-r or park model. The only reason I can see having a motorized RV is for the convenience of being able to move it quickly when you want to dump tanks/fill water & propane. Not having access to any type of hookups for lengthy periods while you are on your spot may be problematic. How are you planning on getting water, propane or electricity to charge the RV batteries?
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Lori (& Dave, my spirit guide) - FMCA #F419886 | RV/MH Hall of Fame Lifetime Member
2016 Phoenix Cruiser 2350S & 2014 CRV EX-L AWD, My iRV2 Photo Albums
2018 Phaeton 40IH,2006 Bounder 36Z, 2004 Cougar 285EFS, 2000 Aerolite 25FBR
There is great need for a sarcasm font.
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03-25-2023, 08:09 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Braidwood Il.
Posts: 7,530
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While I agree with a trailer buying better if not traveling . The current market for a nice clean 3/4- 1ton truck is still crazy. Especially with buyers willing to pay 10-25k over MSRP just to get a new one. Some Ford Dealers are selling new as used certified to bypass Ford attempt control their prices.
Check all the websites for fair prices and PPL has a way to see what used were sold for. The older a MH the closer higher and lower level models sell for.
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95 Monaco Crown Royale
M11 400hp, 4060 trans.
Aquahot, Generac Guardian7.5k
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03-26-2023, 01:18 PM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 26,316
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I wouldn't buy a big truck either if I wasn't towing the trailer regularly. Pay a delivery service to bring it where (and when) needed. It's not cheap, but neither is a big pickup or a motorhome chassis.
Forgive me (and others) for voicing alarm about your plans, but living in an RV in an isolated area without water/electric/sewer is challenging for anybody and newcomers to RVs rarely have any notion of what it takes, how much effort is involved, and how uncomfortable it can be in winter. Or even bad weather in the summer.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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03-26-2023, 02:55 PM
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#14
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Community Administrator
Pond Piggies Club LA Gulf Coast Campers Outdoors RV Owners Club Entegra Owners Club Skyline Owners Group
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 38,479
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer
...Forgive me (and others) for voicing alarm about your plans, but living in an RV in an isolated area without water/electric/sewer is challenging for anybody and newcomers to RVs rarely have any notion of what it takes, how much effort is involved, and how uncomfortable it can be in winter. Or even bad weather in the summer.
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I agree, Gary. On paper, it all seems easy & a cheap way to live. It's not.
Check out this member's blogs for just what can/does go wrong for someone new to RV's who didn't now what they were getting into:
https://www.irv2.com/forums/members/misjudg-306503.html
__________________
Lori (& Dave, my spirit guide) - FMCA #F419886 | RV/MH Hall of Fame Lifetime Member
2016 Phoenix Cruiser 2350S & 2014 CRV EX-L AWD, My iRV2 Photo Albums
2018 Phaeton 40IH,2006 Bounder 36Z, 2004 Cougar 285EFS, 2000 Aerolite 25FBR
There is great need for a sarcasm font.
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