Question About Age of RV

[Wanderer2]

Hi everyone. The house isn't a done deal yet but I am brushing up on my rv education and looking at different models online to get an idea. I don't want to spend all of my money on the rv but want a used Class B with a slide. My question is how much should I think about age. Say if an rv is 10 years old with low miles, well maintained and passes rv inspection, should I think about metal fatigue, not driven enough? Things like that. Or am I over thinking it?

[Acadianmom]

Most Class B's are motorhomes built into the footprint of a van. Some have the roof raised. I would think they would be less likely to leak than a Class C which is a box built onto a van chassis. Older Class C's are notorious for leaking. Class B's cost more new and seem to hold their value so the price of a used one is still going to be more. A lot of the used ones I have seen have high milage. Maybe because they were used as a second or only vehicle. Every once in a while someone will find a good deal on one. You are going to have the usually maintenance as with any vehicle. How well a used one was maintained would make a lot of difference. I guess it would be what your comfort level is traveling in a vehicle with high milage. My motorhome is 14 years old and has 80,000 miles on it. I don't think I would go to Alaska in it. I think about traveling on holidays or Sundays and at night. If I have trouble I would like to be able to get help.

At 10 years old you could be looking at the refrigerator going out. Mine went out 2 years ago. I bought my motorhome when it was 4 years old with 17,000 miles. I had brake problems because it had been just sitting for a couple of years. You want to be sure the tires are almost new.

Martha

[Wanderer2]

Thanks Martha. I have seen quite a few with low miles and no they are not cheap. I just don't like that big overhang on the class C and they are notorious for leaks especially in the overhang from what I have read. I don't want anything too large, especially starting out. Still sometimes think about a trailer so that I have a car to explore. I will figure this out as I know that nothing is going to be perfect either way. Plus and minus's to each. Thanks again.

[longdog2]

You might think about a B+. They are a little bigger but a little less expensive than a B and don't have the front overhang. Be careful if you get something too old with low mileage because that may mean it was rarely used and that isn't always a good thing. You will want to test every system. If you find one you really like you may want to hire an RV inspector to go over it thoroughly. A lot also depends on how well it was maintained.

[Wanderer2]

Thanks, I will definitely have it inspected no matter what it is. This will be an interesting adventure just finding one at the right price, size and features important to me. I am taking the list from this forum with the recommendations on what to look for.

[gingerK]

My motorhome's 21 yrs. old, in excellent shape mechanically and all systems work as they should, had 34K miles. I just bought it last year, from a private party who were it's second owners. First owner maintained it meticulously. You have to do some searching, but they are out there.

[retiredhappy]

I bought my Roadtrek on line, sight unseen, from Vantastic Vans in Albuquerque, NM. It was a 1999 with 100,000 miles on it BUT I would be only the 2nd owner and ALL the maintenance records came with it. Yes, I had to replace the frig rather quickly but the motor, which was a big Dodge motor, was in great shape. I put another 60,000 miles on it and never had a mechanical problem and no leaks ever. The upside to a B is that since it is basically just a van, you can disconnect and use it to sightsee during the day. Be sure you go inside one and make sure it isn't too small. I like it fine since it was just me and my 3 dogs. I also took a friend on a couple of trips and have to admit it was pretty cramped with two people and there's no privacy. I also had a 30' class C but HAD to have a car to tow for sightseeing, grocery shopping, etc. I much preferred the B.

[Redetotry]

I have a '03 Pleasure Way Class B built on a '02 Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis. That is supposed to be a really great engine but I have found even with that and a low mileage of 62,000 when I purchased it, I have had to do multiple repairs. It looks like new inside and out although now having paint peeling off issues. It was in my price range but if I were to buy again I would look for something no more than 6-8 years old. This one has no counter space, and the air bags are not the newer kind that sense your size. I am extremely thin in my upper body and worry about the danger of the older style. Also I would look at a class B+ as the bathroom in the PW is so small that an average sized person would have difficulty getting off of the stool without the door being open and I'm not sure I could take a shower without sitting down. So if you plan to boondock or like me prefer not to use the campground showers you will want a bit more space. So bottom line, I think 10 years is too old but everyone has different experiences. I would hire an outside person to do a complete inspection both on the engine and the chassis of whatever you decide to purchase.

[Wanderer2]

Thanks again for all of your comments. I think that I just need to find the right one at the right price, inspected as well as possible. I am thinking B plus so that i have a little more room for my crafts and my dog. I am exhausted right now with the contract on the house and trying to get more done. The good thing is that if this goes through, I can stay here for a short time to rest and look more. They don't need the house right away. We shall see if this works. Details are in progress. Have a Happy 4th everyone. I am staying home. Things to do.

[DearMissMermaid]

Look at both B's and C's.

I thought I wanted a B in 2009 when I was shopping but I fell in love with a 15 year old Class C.

I kept looking at rigs and thinking "6 months from now this rig will make me crazier..."

When I saw this C, it was old and needed some work, didn't realize how much until later, but anyhow, I looked at it and knew that I would be happy in it for a long time. The layout was just so livable for my particular lifestyle.

Over the years, I have made it more comfy and customized.

Well here it is 2016 and I've repaired and upgraded this and that, and I am still in it, and I am still very happy!

So keep on looking, sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find the prince.

More about my rig on my daily blog.