Older but low mileage motorhome?

[7arrow]

Trying to decide on purchase of a 17 yr old class b ( BT Cruiser ). Only has 58,000 miles . Has a 6.8L V10, F350 chassis. Does anyone have motorhome like this or with same kind of engine ? Have you experienced any major issues with it? Thanks for any feedback...

[Flyer15015]

Being that old, it might have the 1st generation v-10, which was prone to blow plugs out of the head.
You need to research that very well..........

Mike in Colorado

[wolfe10]

Could be a gem or a money pit.


The "care and feeding" it has had over the last 17 years will be a prime consideration.


The other major consideration is your mechanical skill set and interest in maintaining that age coach.


Re-read first sentence!

[hohenwald48]

On a unit that age you should beware of all the rubber parts as they deteriorate regardless of mileage.

[THenne1713]

Mine a 1999/2000, 42k miles, replaced two COPS after purchase w/ code and engine miss after 3000 mile trip; barely felt the miss; inspected all hoses (all OEM) 2-yrs ago and replaced a few 1/2" emission hoses under doghouse; never replaced plugs.

[Isaac-1]

As the owner of a now 21 year old motorhome (though on a different chassis than the one you are inquiring about), I can tell you that condition and maintenance history play a BIG role. It is not just about miles, but how lived in everything is, how and where it has been stored, initial build quality (plastic shower pans tend to crack with age, fiberglass not so much), etc. Also there are a lot of primarily rubber components that tend to age out somewhere around the 15 year mark, these including fuel lines, brake lines, and other hoses, as well as belts, steering and suspension bushings, along with components in various RV appliances, etc. there are a lot of these that are easy to forget about like the rubber diaphragm in the propane regulator, or the vacuum control lines in the dash air conditioner, so it becomes a never ending battle to find and repair these, sometimes before the fail, ie brake lines, and sometimes when they finally let go, ie that rubber gasket in the water shutoff vavle.

[7arrow]

Thank you everyone for your comments and sharing wisdom of older rv. The knowledge one can gain from the folks on this forum is priceless. I have decided to pass over the purchase for now.

[kwftlaud]

Im on my first trip 3000 mile trip ( 1100 so far ) with a 2001 Itasca, e450 V-10

Before I left I changed the oil, and tranny fluid and filter, new tires, new front brakes ( caliper,rotors, pads) flushed brake fluid, new steering stabilizer, new front sway bar. ( about $1,500 as I did the work )
80,000

The engine has been running great. 10-11 mpg going 60 mph.

I did have a bearing on my AC compressor fail, but $100 later that is all fixed.

All in all I am happy with it. It drives great and runs cool ( 190deg )

I got a great deal on mine $4000 from original owner ( ran great, water leak over cab ). Service records but wasn't used for 5 years.

The way I see it even if it breaks down a few times I'll be money ahead.
The ford V-10 engine is a know workhorse and many get 300,000 miles before a rebuild. I put 50,000 miles on my last RV over 10 years, and if do the same with this one I won't hit 150,000 by the time I'll be done with it.

This is my first class C, 28 ft, 2 slides.
I could not be happier with it .

Kip

[Mudfrog]

A bit late but I just came across this thread. My Mom bought a used 2004 BT Cruiser about 4 years ago.

Same Ford chassis as what the OP was looking at. Have to say that it has been pretty reliable and has had only minor issues that I was able to fix. New tires, battery, front brake calipers and routine fluid changes for the chassis. Had a problem with the solenoid that connects the batteries but that was an easy fix. On the coach, new gas solenoid valve for the water heater, new fill valve for the propane tank, water leak at the shore supply inlet that leaked under the sofa, and water heater connection that leaked are the only things I can think of. WAs able to reair them fairly easy as well. Appliances are original and all work well. Haven't had any roof leaks.

And it gets decent gas mileage, averages around 12 mpg.

[George Schweikle]

I agree that an older motorhome can be in perfectly good condition if it has been maintained. We bought a 2005 Safari Trek last year from the 2nd owner. 52,000 miles, stored under a canopy, in overall excellent condition and with extensive service records & upgrades dating from the original owner.

This has a Workhorse W20 chassis, 8.1 engine, Allison transmission and was built after Monaco bought Safari.

Issues during our 7000 miles use:

1. Water pump light. Replaced from the extensive spare parts stash that came with the sale.

2. Ceiling light. Replaced with spare part

3. Leveling jack switch. Replaced with spare part

4. Serpentine belt. Replaced with spare part

5. Harmonic balancer (engine part) had to purchase this

The passenger side double pane window is foggy & is scheduled to be rebuilt next month

[yeloduster]

Originally Posted by 7arrow

Trying to decide on purchase of a 17 yr old class b ( BT Cruiser ). Only has 58,000 miles . Has a 6.8L V10, F350 chassis. Does anyone have motorhome like this or with same kind of engine ? Have you experienced any major issues with it? Thanks for any feedback...

Hi Seven,

Someone mentioned the Ford V10 had a problem with blowing the spark plugs out of the hole. That issue was fixed with the 2006 Model year.

You don't say what year the chassis is but 17 years leads me to believe that it is a 2007. You shouldn't have the plug problem.

I have a 19 year old Class A. I bought it 5 years ago when it was 14 and had 42K miles on it. I have had relatively few problems. I've worked on it a bunch but not to fix broken things. Just improving/upgrading.

If you buy it these are things you need to be highly aware of are:

1. Tire age.
2. Regardless of appearance of hoses and belts on the engine, change them
3. Check the brake pads
4. Change the brake fluid
5. Check the age of the batteries, if they are more than 5 years old you may have to replace them
6. If someone has been living in it for extended period of time the interior may be worn out.
7. Have the transmission serviced.

[PanJH]

The so called spark plug problem really isn't a problem even on the early versions if torque specs are adhered to.
While you are checking/changing the hoses, look at the clamps. They had a bunch of bad spring clamps that tended to rust and allow leakage.
Overall the V-10 is a great engine. It does rev high so that takes some getting used to, but they are pretty much bullet proof

[sibe]

Originally Posted by 7arrow

Thank you everyone for your comments and sharing wisdom of older rv. The knowledge one can gain from the folks on this forum is priceless. I have decided to pass over the purchase for now.

Lots of good info here and if you look on and find a gem.. come and ask...

All I can say is short, I have bought low miles and high miles.. all being sweet units,, But each needed TLC in one form or another. Some things now anda few later,,
As mentioned rubber items get old, if years pass and it sits as most units do.. expect a few $$$$ to flow out.. Tires, batteries, belts, suspension bushings, etc etc.. If higher miles the same stuff can be just worn and its is time..

Either way in my units I have enjoyed many years out of them.. I was just with one of my sold units this weekend,, it has 200K plus and is leaving for a cross country trip in a couple weeks.. My own 26 year old now 40K miles unit has 13K put on this year and is ready for 40-50K more before it will need anything but tires/brakes..

Point is don't be afraid of older unit but do home work on it and yes you may get a sour note or hicup, take time, adapt, fix it and Enjoy..

If I had the cash to toss out there and let it sit or made it my new home.. I would handle stuff the same. learn, do homework etc...

[Mark_T]

Check the roof, leak fixes are hard to repair.