Higher Mileage Used Super C's

[RCBrust]

We're looking to upgrade our 2007 Seneca to a 2020-2021. There are some coaches that have the kind of mileage that you'd expect, like 5k to 9k miles. Then, there are quite a few that have what I'd consider to be a lot of miles for a coach that's a couple years old, like 20k to 30k.

Any thoughts as to what these vehicles may have been used for? We don't know if we should stay away from them or not. Are there some standard scenarios like college sports parents buying a coach to follow their kid's games and then getting rid of it? Just seems kinda odd that you'd buy an RV, drive the heck out of it and then sell it fairly quickly.

Thanks,
Randy

[Ron Dittmer]

The miles on the chassis would not bother me at all. Given the miles driven, any structural issues with the house will likely have surfaced, making them easy to find.

Most motorhomes don't ride nicely. The house typically takes a serious beating during motion. I made effort to soften the ride with our rig, but only so much can be done.

[ChrisDParise]

Here in the upper midwest a trip to Glacier NP is over 5,000 miles round trip assuming your route includes Yellowstone. Do 2 trips a year and your at 10-12k miles a year. So 20-30k for 2 seasons isn't high mileage in my mind.

Plus, it's likely all the powertrain and coach issues have been addressed.

I'd want to see maintenance records if from a private party.

Have a mechanic inspect it before you buy.

[Flyer15015]

I traded our 2007 Jayco Seneca 33ss with 43K on the clock two years ago, for a 2004 Pace Arrow 37c class A, with just over 36K on the clock, because the DW could no longer slither down into the cab, and once there could not stand being confined to a fixed sitting position.
Now she sits on the same level as the coach floor and can swivel her seat around and get much more comfortable.
The Jayco with the LBZ Duramax, though one of the best diesels around, always made me nervous, as I don't know much about them. The 8.1 gasser in the Pace Arrow is something I can work on. Plus, we have a lot more room inside with the 3 slides, whether we have them out or not.
Both get about 8 MPG, but since gas is about a buck a gallon cheaper, I'm a happy camper.
JMHO

Mike in Colorado

[cbigham]

Hmm. My 2004 funmover 39c had almost 94k on it when I sold it. C7 caterpillar diesel and an allison 3060 Trans. Had a lot more in it at that mileage. You're fine.

[Isaac-1]

Unless it was over 60,000 miles I would not be concerned about mileage on a 2020+ model Super C, these are all built on what is essentially a medium duty truck frame with a 500,000+ mile design service life.

[George Schweikle]

I suggest there are 2 completely different levels of super C; those based on medium duty trucks like the Seneca and others, and those based on 18 wheeler-style chassis. Both can be good products , but the latter type are the true million mile chassis and probably bring higher level coach construction, quality, and price (!).

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

Unless it was over 60,000 miles I would not be concerned about mileage on a 2020+ model Super C, these are all built on what is essentially a medium duty truck frame with a 500,000+ mile design service life.

[petrel]

As previously stated, mileage sensitivity depends on chassis and converter. Also, sitting is worse for the chassis than driving. Given a quality long wearing chassis and converter, I’d prefer the one that accumulated the miles quickly over the same miles on an older build. They are also more likely to be a higher percentage of highway miles.

However, it is a good idea to research any chassis you are considering to see if there are any known common problems that the current owner was attempting to avoid.

[Paul_D]

I agree it is a balancing act. When I bought, I was very suspicious of low mileage used Sprinter based C's. I wanted a unit that was driven, not parked in a driveway or RV park. Internal engine lubrication, transmission seals, wheel bearings, brake caliper/pistons, linkages, DEF pumps, and suspension all benefit from road time. I passed on 5K units that were three years old for a 30K unit of the same age. The only downside was the wear on the interior.

[Paul_D]

I agree it is a balancing act. When I bought, I was very suspicious of low mileage used Sprinter based C's. I wanted a unit that was driven, not parked in a driveway or RV park. Internal engine lubrication, transmission seals, wheel bearings, brake caliper/pistons, linkages, DEF pumps, and suspension all benefit from road time. I passed on 5K units that were three years old for a 30K unit of the same age. The only downside was the wear on the interior.

[1972VWbus]

Keep in mid that 2020-2021 were COVID year production rigs.

[outlawten5]

I would say most are used for towing race cars. If it's a Seneca they are probably trading up for more power. I would'nt be afraid of the mileage. Diesels like to work hard

[petrel]

Originally Posted by outlawten5

I would say most are used for towing race cars. If it's a Seneca they are probably trading up for more power. I would'nt be afraid of the mileage. Diesels like to work hard

Very accurate👍

When we test drove our super -c it had a 31’ race stacker attached.

[CWSWine]

When we were looking for a used Class A we found two extremes we were looking at 4 to 6 years old. We found a low mileage coach that was lived full time for 4 years and had a very low mileage of fewer than 4,000 miles but had 2 adults and children and the interior shows it. Then we found a 5-year-old one in Texas that had over 50.000 miles on the clock but was used to attending sports events at his son's college that was 1,000 miles away and the interior was spotless. The only reason we didn't buy the high-mileage coach is he was about 15% above what I could buy elsewhere.

My advice is that mileage is less important but it's what shape the entire coach is in and being able to see the maintenance records. You have to judge each coach on its merits.