Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 01-14-2018, 08:42 AM

Hi,

I have a 2005 Damon Daybreak class A, I have added a LCD TV, bluetooth stereo and Tri metric battery monitor.

The rear tires and spare are 18 months old, front are 4 years old. I have peformed the CHF, added a steering stabilizer, alignment perfomed and 5 star tune (4 speed).

The plan was to keep the coach for 2 more years and then upgrade to a 7-8 gasser, but now I am thinking should I perform some upgradres.

Nada puts the low retail at 19,5k and average 22.5k. The same model 2003 is 13k and 16k and a 2007 is 28.7k and 34.5k.

I have had to patch the manual awning and the jacks are semi automatic.

Hit_the_Rhod · 01-14-2018, 08:50 AM

Yes!

I can't speak for your financial position, but consider:

Are you generally happy with the floorplan/floorspace of your coach?

Have you worked out all the bugs or do you still have nagging problems that you can't seem to get a handle on?

Can more upgrades be made cost effectively that will make the coach into the one you can reasonably expect to be happy with for at least, say, five years?

Have you kept up on routine maintenance over the time you've owned it, or are there issues looming up that may be REALLY expensive soon? Examples might be, transmission runs hot, or slips going up long grades, engine using excessive amounts of oil, roof will require complete replacement in near future, you get the idea.

Do you get turned away from campgrounds because of age/appearance of coach?

Do you want to deal with exhaust regen, pollution controls, DEF on newer coach?

Only you can answer the questions I've brought up, but for us, (and our coach is 4 years OLDER than yours) the only thing we would really like in our coach and another slide, however at this time, we know our coach, and it's condition. We aren't willing to sell it and move onto a new/newer one that may have significant problems that aren't apparent during PDI or in used inspection.

Better the devil we know . . . . . Good luck in your decision!

Unicorn Driver · 01-14-2018, 08:52 AM

I am posting on the phone app and hit submit by mistake.

The reason I am posting I have seen what Damon Diva did with their 1999.

If we decided to keep the coach for longer I would look to paint the cabinets, replace flooring and furniture. Add sway bars some solar and replace decals.

Also interested in tank heaters.

I am thinking I may be better saving the money towards a newer unit auch as a 8 year old Newmar Baystar.

Any thoughts?

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Unicorn Driver · 01-14-2018, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Yes!

Thanks,

Hit_the_Rhod · 01-14-2018, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Thanks,

Sorry, like you, I hit the wrong button (send) when I meant to continue the post. But please consider the points I brought up.

I am assuming that the 2005 is paid off, so I will add one more point.

Do you really want to add a monthly mortgage to the mix?

ga traveler · 01-14-2018, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Hi,

I have a 2005 Damon Daybreak class A, I have added a LCD TV, bluetooth stereo and Tri metric battery monitor.

The rear tires and spare are 18 months old, front are 4 years old. I have peformed the CHF, added a steering stabilizer and had an alingemnt perfomed.

The plan was to keep the coach for 2 more years and then upgrade to a 7-8 gasser, but now I am thinking should I perform some upgradres.

Nada puts the low retail at 19,5k and average 22.5k. The same model 2003 is 13k and 16k and a 2007 is 28.7k and 34.5k.

I have had to patch the manual awning and the jacks are semi automatic.

From a service managers point of view, If you are a mechanic, YES. The older a coach is, the more care it takes. My coach has almost 70,000 miles on it and is a 1998. Last year was the first time I had a real problem with it. I had transmission cooler line get eaten through with battery acid and blew out the #4 plug. The only other big job was in 2015 when I did a complete brake job. I plan on keeping my coach until I no longer can drive. I am 77 years old now.

Unicorn Driver · 01-14-2018, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Sorry, like you, I hit the wrong button (send) when I meant to continue the post. But please consider the points I brought up.

I am assuming that the 2005 is paid off, so I will add one more point.

Do you really want to add a monthly mortgage to the mix?

Hi Rhod,

We owe 10k on the coach. Its through our company credit union and got 70% of the 2.25% interest in a rebate last year. I will pay off the loan this year.

We have a service plan for another 34 months, the deductible is 34$ at the dealer
and 100$ elsewhere.

We don't have a bedroom slide which is no big deal. We are happy with the floorplan.

Unicorn Driver · 01-14-2018, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

From a service managers point of view, If you are a mechanic, YES. The older a coach is, the more care it takes. My coach has almost 70,000 miles on it and is a 1998. Last year was the first time I had a real problem with it. I had transmission cooler line get eaten through with battery acid and blew out the #4 plug. The only other big job was in 2015 when I did a complete brake job. I plan on keeping my coach until I no longer can drive. I am 77 years old now.

Thanks for posting.

I am not a mechanic at all, I do aome repairs myself on the house part

I see you have a Pace arrow, thats a nice coach.

Unicorn Driver · 01-14-2018, 09:30 AM

I do have two problems at the moment which the dealer has yet to fix.

The steps will not come in when the ignition is started and the power mirrors dont work.

Mike8253 · 01-14-2018, 09:44 AM

It seems to me that regardless of what model year motorhome you have you are going to be modifying it because (I presume) you do most of it yourself, doing them provides you enjoyment, you have the skillset to accomplish them, and you have the means to do so. You certainly manage the cost better than most because you do them yourself, but also, cost certainly isn't an impediment to doing your mods. If that's true, you will continue doing the same on your newer used coach as well. Might not be the same ones, but you will create a new list to do I think. If that's the case, and you truly have the means to do so, I would get your newer model coach and take advantage of the upgraded capability of your newer MH to improve your overall experience with it. I wouldn't throw more money at your current MH, I just don't think you will get it back. Good luck to you regardless.

Unicorn Driver · 01-14-2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike8253

It seems to me that regardless of what model year motorhome you have you are going to be modifying it because (I presume) you do most of it yourself, doing them provides you enjoyment, you have the skillset to accomplish them, and you have the means to do so. You certainly manage the cost better than most because you do them yourself, but also, cost certainly isn't an impediment to doing your mods. If that's true, you will continue doing the same on your newer used coach as well. Might not be the same ones, but you will create a new list to do I think. If that's the case, and you truly have the means to do so, I would get your newer model coach and take advantage of the upgraded capability of your newer MH to improve your overall experience with it. I wouldn't throw more money at your current MH, I just don't think you will get it back. Good luck to you regardless.

Thanks Mike,

That makes sense.

With what I want to do I could end up spending 5k which I could save towards another coach.

Our budget for a newer one will be about 50k.

RROLDSX · 01-14-2018, 08:42 PM

Don’t paint the cabinets, IMO you’ll reduce the re-sale value. If you have lots of years of RVing left and get good use, keep and eye out for a good deal on a quality unit and go for it if you can afford it. Meanwhile enjoy what you have and keep it maintained.

Unicorn Driver · 01-15-2018, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RROLDSX

Don’t paint the cabinets, IMO you’ll reduce the re-sale value. If you have lots of years of RVing left and get good use, keep and eye out for a good deal on a quality unit and go for it if you can afford it. Meanwhile enjoy what you have and keep it maintained.

Good advice in the cabinets.

I am going to pay off the loan rather than perform any upgrades.

Hit_the_Rhod · 01-15-2018, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Hi Rhod,

We owe 10k on the coach. Its through our company credit union and got 70% of the 2.25% interest in a rebate last year. I will pay off the loan this year.

We have a service plan for another 34 months, the deductible is 34$ at the dealer
and 100$ elsewhere.

We don't have a bedroom slide which is no big deal. We are happy with the floorplan.

That sounds like a great service plan! Bear in mind that you have made upgrades/changes to your coach that you wanted for personal satisfaction. In a new or new to you coach, you will probably have to start over again with that.

Others have stated that you will be unlikely to realize the money you've put into this coach when you sell it, but my philosophy has always been that I don't consider the next owners potential likes and dislikes when deciding on what I want to do with my coach for my own enjoyment! After all, if I liked mint green in the bathroom walls in my current stick and brick house, why should I live with drab flat white walls for the next 10 years just on the chance that the next owner of the house doesn't like green?

The upgrades I do on our coach NOW are for US, not for someone else down the road. After all, on our house, maybe the perspective buyer will LIKE mint green walls!