Hi everyone. I'm BobCat from Connecticut ...

[BobCat]

Hi everyone and thank you for reading. This is my story...

WHO:
- Never owned
- 63 yo retired man
- 40-ish nephew will be my partner
- I have remodeled a couple dozen baths and kitchens in my day.
- Nephew can fix anything from toasters to truck engines

WHERE:
Near New Haven Connecticut

GOAL:
-Spend a summer/fall cruising about, towing an old awesome manual shift 4wd Jeep... to NASCAR, Rugby Tournaments, MLB and Maine
- (Late Winter and Spring is for finding, fixing and servicing)

WHAT:
-Class A unit 32ft-38 ft
-Deisel preferred
-Mechanical condition is FAR more important than aesthetics
-(The worse the inside condition, the better)

BUDGET:
- Max Purchase price is $20,000 with expectation of $5-$10k to get road worthy (insert praying hands emoji here)

LENGTH OF OWNERSHIP
- We're not sure we're going to love RVing and may well decide to sell after one year. This is the reason we're looking to purchase at lower cost .. to mitigate financial disaster downside.
- ( If we go to ALL the spots we're thinking ... 5,000 to 7,000 miles (ish))


SO:
We're both kinda sorta reasonably smart guys but buying an RV is a something that "We Don't Know What We Don't Know."

We'd be thankful if anyone could share your opinions on:

1. Buying from private owners vs dealers or brokers?

2. Deisel vs Gas preferences?

3. Preference: Newer+Higher Miles VS Older+Lower Miles?

4. Brands preferred assuming model years 1995-2005 or so?

5. What are a couple things "We Don't Know What We Don't Know" that more experienced folks have learned?

6. If you know anyone in the business of selling what we're trying to find we'd appreciate the referral (New England, Pennsylvania, Delaware, DC/Maryland area (within 300 miles or so of NY City) is where we'd travel to.

====================================================

Thanks very much!

God Bless and have a great day

 

[inspectagadget]

Welcome @BobCat to the party ?!!! I just picked up a used 2013 Jayco Swift Flight. It’sa travel trailer though. (I like driving my truck too much).

I learned that a lot in the past week and a half about what I don’t know. I joined a couple forums and started reading as needed while fixing up a lot of things on my trailer.

If I was you I’d go with an older Diesel engine with some miles on it that’s been well taken care of IF your nephew knows go to work on
. They tend to outlast the gasoline engines.

I found a great deal on ours on Craigslist. I would definitely buy from a private party instead of a dealer. Most salesman don’t know anything about fixing up or maintenance or how things work on what you’re looking for. Plus you’ll save money going with private party on an older vehicle. In Nevada we don’t have to pay sales tax if it’sa private party transaction, your state may be the same. That’ll be more money for you guys.

Welcome again and good luck!!

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Welcome!

Avoid rubber roofs.
Don't buy with signs of water damage.
Private party is the only party for older RV'S, you can glean a lot about the coach from the one that knows it best.

We are fully aware that cover-ups only show you not to reward the behavior.

 

[Jim]

Welcome to the forum and Good Luck. Anxious to see what you decide on.

 

[BobCat]

Welcome!

Avoid rubber roofs.
Don't buy with signs of water damage.
Private party is the only party for older RV'S, you can glean a lot about the coach from the one that knows it best.

We are fully aware that cover-ups only show you not to reward the behavior.

Thank you!

 

[BobCat]

Welcome to the forum and Good Luck. Anxious to see what you decide on.

Thanks!

 

[Gramps.busa]

Full maintenance records. Cost of new tires. Your nephew may know a lot about cars, but motorhomes are a whole new ballgame. Keep asking question here, there is an encyclopedia of knowledge.