PLEASE HELP 2002 Fleetwood Bounder

[Hgallyn]

Hi all! We will be looking at a 2002 Fleetwood Bounder 32H (1 slide) with 20,000 miles on it. The asking price is $29,000. Would appreciate any advice, comments (good or bad), problems with this year etc. We live in California and motorhomes are selling like hot cakes. We are new to this, so any help and/or advice is very much appreciated.

 

[Neemer]

For a coach of that age, it’s all about the maintenance that has been performed. If you are purchasing from a private seller, ask to see maintenance and repair records. Dealerships will most likely not be able or willing to provide that.

Second, invest a few hundred dollars in an inspection by a RVIA certified inspector. Go to the RVIA website to find one.

20K miles is really low on a coach that old. It has sat a good part of its life. Low mileage on a motorhome isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Resist the urge to jump on something just because it’s available. Seller’s markets don’t last forever, but buyer’s remorse can linger a loooooong time.

Best of luck!

 

[Hgallyn]

Thank you so much Neemar! You have brought important points. Your wisdom is very much appreciated.

 

[donzoh1]

Dunno much about RVs but on the power train, I'd listen for any strange noises when it's running and look for smoke from the exhaust, either at idle or when it's under load going down the road. Before starting the motor, pull the dipstick. The oil should be a uniform color between honey/amber if it's been changed recently or dark if not changed for awhile. Droplets on the dipstick or fluid of two different colors or textures are bad. Also, look under the oil filler cap after driving and you don't want to see anything resembling a milkshake. After driving, also pull the transmission dipstick and check for a burning or smoky odor. When driving, it should track fairly straight on a level road and also under braking. If there's shuddering in the steering wheel under braking, it won't be long for front brakes. Squeaking might not necessarily be bad for brakes but grinding noises are bad. Check for tread depth on tires and for uneven wear and cupping on the tread. Also, checking on the sidewall is bad, even if the tread is good. There is a DOT number on the sidewall that ends in 3 or 4 digits. The last two are the year of manufacture and the first 1 or 2 are the week of manufacture between 1 and 52. Tires more than 7 years old are suspect, depending on sun and weather exposure. I'd flick every switch in terms of lights and accessories, operate slideouts, canopies, roof vents, windows, etc. If you find a problem, it's not necessarily a reason to walk away but might be a reason to seek a discount, depending on pricing. You could also do what was suggested earlier and hire an inspector. Sometimes it's good to weed out a couple options first but an inspection by a pro can give you some things to look for. Also, when driving straight in a marked lane, the sides of the coach should be parallel with the dashed lines. If you've ever driven behind one that wasn't that way, you know what I'm talking about.

 

[Hgallyn]

Donzoh1....Thank you so very much for the great advice! We have decided to look for a newer motorhome. We have also decided to hire an inspector. The biggest problem we are encountering is lack of inventory here in California. Most of the dealer’s listings were sold weeks or months ago, yet they don’t remove them. It’s quite frustrating. Thanks again!

 

[donzoh1]

Donzoh1....Thank you so very much for the great advice! We have decided to look for a newer motorhome. We have also decided to hire an inspector. The biggest problem we are encountering is lack of inventory here in California. Most of the dealer’s listings were sold weeks or months ago, yet they don’t remove them. It’s quite frustrating. Thanks again!

don’t limit yourself to dealer either. facebook, craigslist, rvtrader, etc.

 

[Donald Kemp]

Purchased an 05 Holiday Rambler with 90,000 miles on it. Think the dealer doctored the engine. I personally rebuilt the engine at about $15,000. Had to replace the alternator at 450, rebuilt the refrigerator at $1,200.00. That was with 2000 miles of trying to use it. At a dealer if I couldn't do the work it would of been $40,000.00+ and that is along with $600.00 a month payments. Yes, use an inspector and a fine tooth comb. We bought from Camping World! We live in a crook infested world, don't trust anyone! Best of luck and happy camping!

 

[donzoh1]

What do you mean by “the dealer doctored the engine?”

 

[Retired]

I just paid $28,500 private party, for an 06 Fleetwood Flair, 3 slides with 37,000 miles, Workhorse chassis, new tires 10 months ago. The Flair is an entry level trim, it has the sf and floorplan we like, nice add ons, new TVs and is in excellent condition. With all 3 slides in we can still use the kitchen, restroom, open the fridge and sleep in the bed, all important features for us.

05-ish is when Ford went to the 5 speed and Workhorse went to the 6 speed.

If the 02 is a Ford powertrain it will have the 2 valve heads and 4 speed transmission. Theres nothing wrong with that setup but the 05+ chassis is just better.

Remember the year of the coach is 1 model year newer than the chassis. So my 06 Flair is built on an 05 chassis.

As always, prices are subject to supply and demand and are regional. That coach in FL would most likely have a lower asking price.

You are inspecting two systems. The chassis and the coach.

Make sure that the seller operates all the systems to show you they are in working order. ACs, furnace, fridge and generator are all high dollar if you need to replace them or can not service them yourself.

Windows can fog, not a deal breaker because they can be fixed, but it is an expense item.

Chassis AC/heat, make sure the defrost, works and hot or cold air blows out all the vents.

Make sure the auto leveling and slides work as they should. They can be expensive fixes.

I got lucky, I didnt climb up on my roof before purchase, physically I couldnt, but the seller was honest on everything else so I trusted him. Look for water stains and soft spots on floors and walls. Check the exterior for delamination, you cant fix that and it only gets worse. Rust on the undercarriage.

Check the condition, tread and date code on the tires. The date code is 4 digits, ex: 1419 is 14th week of 2019.

Check the house batteries for type, condition and age. look at the wiring, is it clean or corroded?

Check the chassis fluids, ask for any maintenance records.

Beware of electrical problems, they are time consuming and expensive to track down. Electrical problems would be a deal breaker for me.

Make yourself a checklist on paper so you dont forget anything.

Thats pretty much what I checked, I spent about 2 hours and that was a rush job, Im a car guy so it was pretty easy for me. The general cleanliness and appearance will tell you a lot about the PO. There was a coach I was in love with until I watched a video the owner shot. It was obvious they had been living in the coach and had stuff crammed in every nook and cranny, yet they claimed the coach was a "little used weekend getaway."

Good luck.