Question What is getting up there in mileage on a Newmar coach

[sheridany]

What is considered “higher mileage” on a used Newmar. I hear all kinds of numbers thrown around. Obviously a well cared coach will last longer but at some point you are headed toward doing more maintenance and fixing things that need repair or replacement. I am looking for general ranges based on your experience.

 

[Amigobaja]

60k

 

[MapNerd]

What a great question @sheridany! I have no idea but I’d be interested to hear everyone’s thoughts.

 

[J&JD]

Way more than 60k. Our 2017 has almost 40k after 2 1/2 years of ownership and the engine/drive train might as well be new. Except for the initial 1 year service, which we had done at Gaffney, I have done all the service and I know it was done well and on time or early. At 100k I believe the drive train, including brakes, will be near new in condition. If you find a coach that is well taken care of I believe mileage is a small factor. (We are NOT full timers)

 

[MapNerd]

Way more than 60k. Our 2017 has almost 40k after 2 1/2 years of ownership and the engine/drive train might as well be new. Except for the initial 1 year service, which we had done at Gaffney, I have done all the service and I know it was done well and on time or early. At 100k I believe the drive train, including brakes, will be near new in condition. If you find a coach that is well taken care of I believe mileage is a small factor. (We are NOT full timers)

40k Miles in 2.5 years?! ? How?!

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

The chassis on a diesel pusher should be good for several hundred thousand miles. The box, if well-cared-for, should be good for at least 20 years. Appliances, etc. will probably have a normal residential lifetime of 5-10 years. I would have no qualms purchasing a diesel pusher with up to 100K miles on the chassis. My preference would be to stay within an age range of 5-7 years or less.

TJ

 

[J&JD]

40k Miles in 2.5 years?! ? How?!

My bad......meant to say 3 1/2 years. Time flies when you travel a lot in your Rv ???

 

[NWIP]

I wouldn’t be that concerned about mileage as much as how old is the coach. I would much rather have a 3 year old coach with 70,000 miles than a 7 year old coach with 15,000 miles. You can probably get 250,000+ out of a set of brakes.

So to answer your question more concerned about how old than mileage

 

[Amigobaja]

As a retired dealer my experince has always been 60k for motorhomes. Ive bought thousands of motorhomes at dealer auctions and i would never bid or buy a used motorhome with over 60k. I found over the years that it doesnt matter if its gas or diesel 60k was the sweet spot.

 

[redbaron]

I put between 12k and 15k a year on the RV and sell it before it hits 75k or 6 years.

 

[skychs]

I was really excited when I started reading all of this. 100-200K miles on a Newmar diesel coach. Then I started to see the limitations on age and I wasn't so happy. Reason .... I just picked up a 2015 Ventana LE with only 7200 miles. I understand the issues related to chassis and engines. They are strong work horses and if properly maintained last a long time.

In regards to age .... why can't the same be said? A well maintained box should last a long time as well. Is it cosmetics? Appliances? What happens at age 5-6 that concerns you?

 

[redbaron]

Age only matters with resale value, due to banks willingness to finance.

If you plan to keep it and not sell, then there is nothing wrong with a 20 year old coach

 

[skychs]

Age only matters with resale value, due to banks willingness to finance.
If you plan to keep it and not sell, then there is nothing wrong with a 20 year old coach

Ok. Thanks. I understand your point and I feel much better. We went with Newmar (first MH) because of the quality and with the anticipation of keeping it a long time.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Ok. Thanks. I understand your point and I feel much better. We went with Newmar (first MH) because of the quality and with the anticipation of keeping it a long time.

It's more about how you use your coach. If you haven't read about the 10 year rule it would behoove you to read up. Many RV parks don't allow RVs older than 15 years. This is the real limitation on how long your coach will last. It can still be a beauty but!!!

 

[redbaron]

I have seen parks that limit the coach age, but those are the *EXCEPTION* and not the rule. These apply more to resorts, and lots that cater to a luxury crowed. Even those parks that have posted a 10 or 15 year rule do not enforce them. It is more of an excuse to keep the "Cousin Eddies" out, which is kind of dumb way of handling it. I have seen some cousin Eddies in a brand new RV.

We travel a lot, and have been to most of the lower 48 states. You should not worry at all about having an older coach while traveling. There is always going to be plenty of places that you can use the coach.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I have seen parks that limit the coach age, but those are the *EXCEPTION* and not the rule. These apply more to resorts, and lots that cater to a luxury crowed. Even those parks that have posted a 10 or 15 year rule do not enforce them. It is more of an excuse to keep the "Cousin Eddies" out, which is kind of dumb way of handling it. I have seen some cousin Eddies in a brand new RV.

We travel a lot, and have been to most of the lower 48 states. You should not worry at all about having an older coach while traveling. There is always going to be plenty of places that you can use the coach.

I agree that that is how it is used. But that does not change how the financial institutions need to look at that number rule. I have an 83' fifth that has no problem getting into many parks. had a 91' kwick camp tent trailer behind my wing and a Good Sam refused me. Have not been back in a Good Sam's and never will, as the trailer was totally restored as was the bike. When people ask about Good Sam's you can bet I don't recommend them either.

Sorry for the rant that was the first and only time one of my vintage rigs was refused.

 

[skychs]

Is there an exemption for vintage RV’s?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Is there an exemption for vintage RV’s?

Nothing in writing. Only the discretion of the manager I guess. A restored or re-manufactured RV is in fact a new RV for all practical purposes. The attraction for many that it is in your park and you get to look at it most of the time up close and personal without going to a show is incentive enough for many parks to let it in.

 

[redbaron]

as @Kevin D Pem stated, some parks are complete jerks. The good sam park rating system is another example of a complete load of manure. Good sam will charge the park to become a good sam park, and then charge them to move up in the ratings. It has very little to do with what the park actually provides, and a whole lot on how much marketing dollars the park pays to GS. I have provided consulting services for many RV park owners over the years and have advised that they raise their standard prices by 10% on all advertised prices, and to drop the paid marketing for GS, FMCA, AAA, etc. They then ask the guest if they have any discount memberships, and no matter what the guest has...they offer a 10% reduction.

All parks have reported increased profits doing this method. The other discount that I recommend is the stay for 6 days, get the 7th for free. This helps to encourage longer stays, which reduces the change over moves in and out. Those change overs are where most of the damage occurs for an RV park.

I will never understand a park that will allow a $35k 8 year old class A into the park, but will deny a fully restored Wander Lodge because its too old. That is plain stupidity.

 

[Webz]

Looking up the value of my coach on NADA. When it came to mileage I saw this:

Mileage
Mileage MAY be taken into consideration for gas engine only.
Enter Mileage:
(DO NOT use for diesel engines)