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Old 12-31-2016, 06:59 PM   #1
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What to do when you buy a used MH

I was just wondering if anyone knows of a website or list of items to work through to completely check out a used MH after you buy it.

I am redoing all of the sealant around doors and storage bins, resealing the running lights, resealing vent seams, checking the batteries, working up all the plugs and breakers...

I was just looking for an organized way to go at it rather that hunting and pecking through all of the posts here, and not a refurbishment where I am tearing out floors, walls or couches.

Thank you for all your hints as I am using them to compile my own list to use.
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Old 12-31-2016, 07:12 PM   #2
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Here's what I did (7 years ago) - focus on safety first, acquire documentation and keep a log:
Added TST TPMS
Replaced 3 aged/damaged tires and moved the best old tire to the spare
Replaced all 4 brake calipers/rotors
Resealed roof
Added roof vent covers so I can have air flow thru the RV all the time
Re-insulated the dog house/engine compartment
Replaced the belts/hoses
Greased chassis
Upgraded the 'AC to DC Converter' to a 3 stage converter
Did the RV refrigerator safety update (a Dometic Refrig recall)

Learn as you go - you'll never be done; there will always be something to fix or upgrade :>)
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Old 12-31-2016, 09:44 PM   #3
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IMHO, it would depend to a large degree on the age of the MH and maintenance records that were with it. Older with no records would require more than newer, or older with good up to date records. It would also depend somewhat on vehicle mileage and trip length.

Just my 2c.

Steve
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Old 12-31-2016, 11:35 PM   #4
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Hoses. Radiator, heater, etc. I replace all at ten years.

Tires. If older than 5-6 years and you don't know how they have been maintained, replace.
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Old 01-01-2017, 08:03 AM   #5
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Assuming the tires are safe, I think you're smart starting by assuring there are no/will be no water intrusion issues. That's the one that destroys more coaches than anything else.

If all appliances seem to be working, and nothing on the interior is in need of immediate repair, I would work towards a complete liquid/filter change from bumper to bumper - to 0 time the regular scheduled maintenance and give you a solid place to work from for the future - and it would make no difference to me if there were records or not. I have little faith in other's workmanship, unless the old owner did the work himself and the coach was in stellar condition.

After that, if the coach is over 10 years old or so, it would be on to belts and hoses.

Then on to how it looks.....

Etc, etc, etc.

The last 2 coaches I've had were older, and each took me about 2 years of just picking at them to get them to the point where I could really relax and just take care of "stuff" on a need to do basis.
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Old 01-01-2017, 09:02 AM   #6
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Roof: get on the roof...
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Old 01-01-2017, 09:46 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bargeman View Post
Roof: get on the roof...
Yes, most definitely. Any signs of leaks inside or out are red flags.
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Old 01-01-2017, 10:15 AM   #8
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The same list you should have used BEFORE buying it. Of course, few of us have the time and access to do it all, so we finish up after buying. There are a couple excellent checklists in the Library on this site: Library

I recommend "Motorhome Delivery Checklist" or "Smokey's PDI Checklist" and work your way through the items. Most won't need any attention, but you will find the ones that do.
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Old 01-01-2017, 01:09 PM   #9
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Thanks everyone. This is what I am talking about, an organized way to go through everything.

I built my own from my PDI checklist, but like you I don't trust anyone on what they did to a MH, and fluids reset to mile 0 and go after leaks is at the top of the list.

I'm just working in keeping it in great shape as all MH's seem to go downhill from the day they rolled off the lot for the first time.

Maybe I will post my list one of these days. I was also thinking of using my list as an annual checklist to review each year.

Here is to a new year and more great travels.

J n J
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Old 01-01-2017, 02:21 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ahicks View Post
Assuming the tires are safe, I think you're smart starting by assuring there are no/will be no water intrusion issues. That's the one that destroys more coaches than anything else.

If all appliances seem to be working, and nothing on the interior is in need of immediate repair, I would work towards a complete liquid/filter change from bumper to bumper - to 0 time the regular scheduled maintenance and give you a solid place to work from for the future - and it would make no difference to me if there were records or not. I have little faith in other's workmanship, unless the old owner did the work himself and the coach was in stellar condition.

After that, if the coach is over 10 years old or so, it would be on to belts and hoses.

Then on to how it looks.....

Etc, etc, etc.

The last 2 coaches I've had were older, and each took me about 2 years of just picking at them to get them to the point where I could really relax and just take care of "stuff" on a need to do basis.
BTW...can you let us in on the secret of what coach you bought?

2x. Very good advice especially on all the fluids to establish a base line. As soon as we bought our used MH, and knowing we probably are going to go FT in the next year or so, I really wanted to thoroughly go through everything & get this coach the way we want it before we dive in. So, right off the bat, I had every chassis system completely flushed & fluids replaced with BG Products when we first took procession of ours 5 months ago at a BG authorized local shop:
Coolant, power steering, brakes, Fuel injection System deep cleaning, Transmission and Differential.

Then I changed the oil to Motorcraft 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil and a correct oil filter (Motorcraft FL820S Silicone Valve Oil Filter) because it had a Wix filter on it which is the wrong one, added a Fumoto Oil Drain Valve F106N, air filter, greased entered chassis and completely went through generator. Spend 2 days under the chassis tying up all wiring harnesses, tightening and spraying all electrical grounds, fixing anything that rattled, used spray rubber on all critical electrical boxes and made them water proof, wherever wiring harnesses went up through the floor I reinsulated those areas and made them water proof as well. Entirely cleaned the outside of the tranny, engine and surrounding area with mineral spirits...that whole area looks brand new. Removed doghouse and added sound proofing. Had entire inside steam cleaned including valances and furniture. Replaced all 3 batteries and then completely redid the entire roof. (you can read & see the rood details here) http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/fina...ne-316925.html
Compounded, polished and waxed the entire outside including the headlight lenses which were foggy but now are like new. Resealed every window & all access doors. Lubed every hinge and cleaned and serviced entry stairs. Changed out all light bulbs to LED's. Tore out OEM double plastic useless sink & fixtures and installed new s/s single basin sink with a Moen tall faucet with pullout sprayer. Replaced shower head with a large adjustable Moen shower head. Replaced old 19" bedroom TV with a 32" smart TV. Totally insulated wet bay & pipes from freezing. Bought new mattress and have repaired or upgraded a ton of other small things. Serviced slides. In the process now of yanking out "J" couch and installing a leather love seat with a center console with cup holders in front of TV area and building a work desk next to that for my computer equipment to run my business while on the go. Installed hard wired 50amp Progressive surge protector. Sanitized fresh water tank. Flushed out HWH. Installed TPMS system. Chrome 18" tips on both engine & generator exhaust pipes. Installed 5 star tune. 2 new steer tires came with the coach and the back 4 are only 4 yrs. old and are in great shape. I still have a pending list of final details that I’m working on now and should have them all completed by spring.
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Old 01-01-2017, 08:40 PM   #11
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The first MH was a '93 HR 34'. Tag axle, Chev. chassis w/4 speed and throttle body inj. Thought it was HUGE, which is what we were looking for to do what we wanted to do. We got a pretty good deal on it, allowing us to spend a LOT of time time and money bringing it back up to 100% - including tires, a new radiator, new front springs (bags are a bad joke IMHO), and new paint for the bottm half of the coach. After all that, it didn't take but a few longer trips to realize only one person could be standing in the galley at a time, and the dogs were in the way about anywhere. That, and the brakes, though they were in near perfect condition, scared me on occasion. SO...

The second coach you'll see in my signature. This is the one I should have bought first - though you would never have convinced me we needed something this big to just get the job done right for our purposes. The large slide out and galley arrangement made all the difference in the world for us. And it will stop! What more can you ask for! We still have this one, and have been all over the country in it for the last 5 years or so. This one will likely last us until we decide to scale back into something that will just be used for shorter trips and our snow bird commutes.

I spent 20 years as a service manager at a larger full service RV store early in my career. That experience gave me an appreciation for the Holiday Rambler line that lasts to this day - though I know there is little of the company I once knew fairly well left. -Al
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Old 01-01-2017, 11:07 PM   #12
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Since you requested an actual checklist, Changin' Gears a prominent RV website, has one that can be used for both new and used RVs. It's pretty comprehensive and even lists "Items to Take to Inspection." As Gary mentioned, you'd want to do this before buying a used RV and lists such as the ones he mentioned and this one are actually intended to be a PDI checklist.

I've attached it to this post in a PDF
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Changin' Gears - RV Inspection Checklist.pdf (104.6 KB, 58 views)
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Old 01-02-2017, 10:12 AM   #13
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I have a 2005 Winnebago Voyage 33V that we acquired in November 2016. It's a great rig but I am just looking to go through everything to make sure everything seems to be checked out and working, yea I can't prevent everything but I can try.

I have been searching this site to add to my list of things to check out, that's why I asked about checklists or websites, and what all of you have mentioned is great thank you.

I like the fact that the most consistent recommendation is to have a list of "things" to keep track of everything. Second most consistent is to keep at it and checking it all out, knowing how it works and checking it all out again.

Please keep chatting about all of your experiences in all of the forums as I am lurking on all of them updating my lists.

Here is to a new year with low fuel prices, low repair bills, and high fun times meeting you.

Thanks

JnJ
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