We bought our first RV five years ago. It is a 2006 42' Monaco Dynasty Class A diesel pusher. We thought about going new, but since it was our first RV we decided to go used for a couple of reasons. 1. If we didn't like it it wouldn't cost us as much to get out of it. 2. Our salesman was very honest. He told us that new RV's spend most of the first year in the shop. He said that with a used one the previous owner has worked all the bugs out of it. We have found this to be true. As for the 10 year rule we haven't had an issue. Most parks tell us our motorhome looks new. They ask if we are pulling their leg when we tell them the year. I definitely recommend going used for your first RV.
We are not full timers. Our first tv was a older trailer. I was not sure I was into camping but my wife grew up camping. We keep it for over 5 years and doubled our profit and upgraded to a larger. We bought it and it was about 7 years old. It got damaged from a hailstorm and insurance totaled it. Our 3rd rv we also bought used and kept it for about 20 years and just upgraded this last spring. It was still in great shape and we sold it ourselves. We people came to look they could not believe it was 25 years old. It was in very good shape. The wife wanted a bigger trailer since I have retired and are camping a lot more now. I think used is the way to go if you can wait and find what you want it took us about 2 years to find this one. We really enjoy this one.
We too bought a 2002 Safari diesel pusher. Solid wood cabinets, built like a beast. We have the CAT engine that can go forever. Sad part is we have to sell due to health. But loved the trips we went on.
Man the safari’s are beautiful and having the cat engine is huge in my opinion. We looked at a few safari’s before ultimately decided with all the modifications we were going to need to make, our current coach was the right decision.
I have been a subscriber for a long time, watch every video multiple times for tips. I am a 75 year old with a 1995 Monaco which I bought for a ridiculous price a few years ago. Class A diesel pusher with a Cummins engine, not too much different than my Dodge Ram 4500 truck except for being much more accesible. Solid maple wood interior in perfect shape. Changed the mattress and moved in. Thousands of mile later and many adventures I am absolutely sold on the quality and the fun! Thank you for the video
We bought a 2005 Fleetwood Terra 32' Class A in 2018 due to its affordability. Other than a blow-out (took two 2yo tires with 10k on them) we've experienced what I would consider normal maintenance items. I will say however that it helps to have mechanical/electrical experience as with any older vehicle, PM's are a must. Just sealed all the windows & roof penetrations & am I'm now working on the KwiKee power step having a mind of its own. With the tire blowout ($1500 for roadside repair with 2 new tires!) we're at $400/year for maintenance costs. Not considering the blowout we're at $150/year including new master cylinder, brakes & rear calipers this year. I vote for used as ours will go another 10 years easily with our big gas 8.1L & 44k on the ODO.
My husband and I both believe that new is not the way to go. Especially after covid. The quality of vehicles, both small vehicles and RVs just isn't what it used to be. We bought a 2017 Tiffin Bus last year. Yes, the price was more than we wanted to pay, but it was exactly what we wanted for his retirement. We will be going full time in 7 months. We couldn't be happier. Hope to see you out there some time!
I've discovered that gently used anything is the way to go. This from someone who used to have more than enough money...until after divorce. In hindsight I see clearly how much money was wasted. Should the good Lord bless me with wealth again, I'd still absolutely go with gently used, hands down.
Excellent presentation, 100% agree with your Old vs New thinking. To expand on the warranty thing, not just time and / or travel to get it done, but with the supply chain still messed up, you could wait weeks or even months for the parts. As an example, two of my Wife's recent vehicles (2017 Taurus and 2018 F150) had touchscreens go bad. Could not adjust the HVAC at all other than fan speed. Took weeks to get the displays and then have them installed and programmed. Last November, my 2018 Transit 250 was ready to retire (I spend an inordinate amount of time on the road). With a similar replacement looking like 50 or 60 grand, I decided to go back to my roots, and kind of paralleled what you did. Found myself a 1986 Chevrolet P32 Stepvan (Same chassis as was used on the Motor Homes of the day). It was in outstanding condition from a body standpoint, did a really good inspection of the major systems, and bought it. I knew what was good, what would need attention in the near future , and what needed immediate attention. I have a fully functional service vehicle, and I'm only into it for $10,000. That includes new tires and rims, a tuneup, and a Carburetor and manifold swap. No emissions equipment to maintain whatsoever, not even Catalytic Converters. I'm installing many of the same things you spoke of as time / money allow. Dual battery system, 12v a/c , power ports, etc. Maybe even EFI. If you can find them, and do a thorough evaluation yourself, great. If not, have a competent mechanic you trust go over it. No guarantees that there won't be problems, but those that do crop up won't cost you nearly what the new stuff will.
Thanks for this! The more videos I watch of other people buying older RVs the more confident I feel about buying my first one, which is going to be used. :)
Used - look for a well maintained low mileage. We bought a 2003 Bounder in 2015 0nly 36,000 verified miles, looked great, no leaks never a mechanical problem and used it for 5 years. We paid a rousing 35,000 dollars, we updated and added items. Storage was great. We sold it in even better condition for 29,000 dollars. We sold it within 2 days of listing it. We did add an Extended Warranty (service contract actually from USAA) never needed it. We did all the upgrades ourselves. We did have a mobile service do our regular oil changes, etc (even though I could have done them, (mechanic for many years) We also found mobile detailing services where we went, so it always looked like new. Met many people who wished they had bought used first, found what they liked before buying new and were disappointed.
Used all day long. Having a NRVIA Inspection is a must before purchasing though. Bought a 2005 Itasca Class-A Gasser June of 2022, and like you said, have not run into any weight issues even with full tanks and towing a car. Storage is different then the pass throughs, however, we are not even close to maximizing our open space. Finally, you can update the Chassis, Electrical, Entertainment and Living area's however you want and not have to worry about re-sale values. We have a quote for full body paint ($18k). Even with that expense, we will be under $60k in total dollars invested. That's the same amount of money that 30 monthly payments of a 15-year loan (180 months) will run you for a similarly equipped brand new Class-A coach. ;-)
First I want to thank you for your channel. My husband and I purchased a used 2006 itasca Cambria 2 years ago and paid cash. We needed to make some repairs normal wear and tear, generator tires. Our girl runs fabulously and is this perfect size for the two of us and our 17 pound Havanese. I have been watching your channel the past few weeks in preparation for a 2 month trip this spring. I figured full timers would give me an idea of what I can expect and know how to pack. thank you for the great ideas. I am enjoying your channel. Happy travels. Hope to see you on the road.😎
I want to comment that the "old RVs are better" rule applies to Class B RVs, too. I bought a 16-year-old Class B, and after seeing so many videos about bad quality in new Class B's, I can attest that, in general, quality was substantially better before 2008. Many of the later problems have to do with the recession, technology, the electronics, and complexity and, in diesels, DEF and other emissions systems. Older RVs are simpler with many fewer potential points of failure. I have had to do some of the expected normal wear and tear repairs but nothing compared to the total failures and disasters of some newer Class B vans. All major components worked perfectly upon my purchase and still do. Even those components, like fridge, A/C, furnace, water heater, etc. were built better back then. The "upgrades" that new RVs have are because those components are cheaper for manufacturers to buy, but the RV manufacturers and dealers make you think the newer components are better. For example, a 12-volt compressor fridge is a fraction of the cost of an absorption fridge, and my absorption fridge works very well and has no moving internal parts. Since RV manufacturers are pushing induction stove tops, they also have to push electric power and, therefore, lithium batteries and solar charging. Propane is a magnificent, clean, safe, efficient, and inexpensive fuel. Propane generators are expensive, so RV manufacturers try to brag about "no generator." With my "old" RV having a propane generator, a permanent propane tank, propane stove, 3-way fridge, propane furnace, propane water heater, convection microwave, and 120V A/C, I'm certain it costed more to build than a new hi-tech RV with lithium batteries, solar panels, compressor fridge, and an "underhood generator." That's what RV manufacturers are going for, the higher profit margin. How else could they start slashing prices by $100,000 at the end of the year? That proves how much people have overpaid. People with money to buy the glamour and glitz can have it as I tool around in my reliable and super-functional "old" RV. I'll give them a lift or jump start any time. People are supporting the corrupt RV industry by being suckers. I got questioned about the age of my RV only once, which became a non-issue after sending photos. I'd like to see how well today's new RVs endure for the next 15 years, or even 10. I bet you won't see many of them on the road.
My class C is almost 25 yrs old and still doing great. Ive never had an issue getting in a park. Its been well maintained and kept clean. I almost sold it right before covid started to get a newer one . After seeing the problems with covid era rv's I'm sure glad I didnt do it.
After having bought a new gas Class A in 2017 and spent a substantial amount in upgrading the chassis I would now rather buy a used Class A Diesel or if available a gas RV with liquid springs. That said, we will keep our Newmar Canyon Star as Long as it lasts as it has given us little headache and now drives great.
We love our 17 year old Bounder 35 E ! We are super fortunate the former owners took very good care in maintaining it. While I'm not a skilled mechanic , with help from You Tube , a very knowledgeable and friendly lead tech who seems to always have time to give suggestions , and a bit of reasoning on my own , I fix most all our problems. As to quality of older over new , I must agree with you. Having walked through a number of models built after 2020 , I am surprised by the general decline in attention to detail and quality of materials. Just my two ( four if you tack on inflation ) cents worth. Love all your videos. Happy trails to the Grateful Glampers !
I have had and am on my fourth Bounder, and mine is 20 years old but it has low miles, and is in great condition and the reason I keep going back to Fleetwood and Bounder is because of just how amazingly well built they are for an RV. Of course nothing is perfect, these are all made by humans but when you walk in my Bounder compared to my 2019 Jayco you can immediately tell the difference in build quality. Besides maybe Newell’s, and other high end rigs I feel like RV’s built in the early 2000’s up until 2008 when the recession hit are the best built rigs out there!
I just sold my 2011 21QB, with not being able to boondock anymore at Walmarts, campgrounds seem to want units less than 10 years old, & since 2020 I have not been able to get back on the road... I think my next purchase is going to be a new home.. then if I can sell my present home before the real estate market collapses maybe I will buy a brand-new RV and be able to travel again
Great video I can’t agree more with everything you say. We bought 8 years ago gulf-stream 04 BT cruiser. Outside it needing a slight detailing which I do on side it came back to brand new. It only had 26k miles on it and on e 450 v10 Only issues we had were calipers which froze and I myself took towed car and bought them at auto parts and changed them myself in parking lot where they froze up . I carry tool and electric impact wrench with 12 bottle jack. Using generator impact wrench spins off wheels I can change a dually tire in 15 min if need be. But all the years we had her that’s only issue we had . The inside of coach was a nice factory inside but I upgraded a lot to make it a real upgraded leather coach. Wood floors which I added heat under them plus 500 watts solar and many more. Plus when not used it’s garaged. This coach inside and out is a show piece it’s a hobby for me to keep it new looking it’s never dirty even on the road. We have same story with that 15 year rule and when I pull up at campgrounds and they see it I always hear its cleaner olthen most newer ones. The money we saved and the fact I and I keep it well maintained We retired 2 years ago and buying it when we did and all the upgrades we safely go anywhere for as long and can Boondock as well. Buying used and the older units like you say are way better made with better materials a lot if solid oak I even added granite countertops. She’s a show piece that has saved us thousands verse buying new. She only has 45k miles and have many years of adventures.
Couldn't agree with you more about the quality and structure of the older model RVs, it's just that if you don't know what your buying, like me, you will spend more than unexpected ans that will put a mindset of what the he'll did I do... 😢😢lol ... can I ask, did you have pro come and install your thermostat and does it have to be the same brand as the air unit. How hard was it to do if you did it on your own. Need videos from people like y'all showing and explaining. I think you made a wise choice. Love it. You will be very happy... Sending y'all my BEST WISHES ❤❤❤
USED!! My mom and dad had a $100k motorhome and kept it in their pole barn. It was immaculate and when they sold it after 20 years it looked brand new! The new owners were AMAZED at the condition. ALSO: you can cruise the Palm Springs and Palm Desert area and find motorhomes for sale at very reasonable prices. Sadly, when an old person dies and the spouse is left behind they sell the motorhome at a very good price when the living spouse just wants to sell all of it off and fly home.
I just found your channel and am in love. Your content is awesome! I literally just sold our travel trailer 2 days ago and are currently looking at a 2005 Holiday Rambler DP. I'm scared to death but also excited? lol. I hope we can find something that works out well.
Regarding campground "rules" about various rigs, a lot of private RV parks / campgrounds ban RVs like I have: Truck Campers. Mine costs more and looks better than a lot of little travel trailers, but they still aren't allowed.
I worked for a very large RV sales place for 3 years. In conversation with people every day. I was told by a few people buying a new camper that it sometimes takes 2 years to work the bugs out. Meaning flaws and thing that did not work right.
Nice rig, I'll just say after buying our 23 yr old diesel pusher, that RV's (motor home in our case) are money pits, but that is the cost of RV'ing. We bought ours the first summer of C-19 while there seemed to be a shortage and in retrospect we paid way too much. It is fun, comfortable and continue to make fixes and improvements. Being a jack-of-all trades, now talked myself into SPC LVF flooring. Keeping my fingers crossed. Think I will do a video of our replacement under the slide out as I found not one relating to our rig. We'll see.
500, 000 waiting in line for recalls on new ones, 6 months to a year out on repairs, best to shop for 2016 and down. Non-def 2009 and down. Cummins 8 plus liters is best for heavy towing.
In 2018 I purchased a 2004 Tiffin Allegro Bus, 38’ with 65k miles for 60k. Yes it needed repairs and we got them done or did it ourselves. Do the math, no DEF, and a solid rig when building these rigs with quality was more important. Plus we own it free & clear.
Definitely buy used, we bought a 2007 alfa gold and have been out fulltime for 6 years,it helps to be an airplane mechanic for sure,agree with you on the warranty good luck getting in somewhere, thanks for sharing your Fleetwood, the Mittons and their kittens 😸 😻👱♀️👴
I bought a 2022 Thor 24CM Coleman in April of this year. It had 3500 miles on it so pretty much new. I have only been able to use it three times for weekend trips over the course of the six months of ownership due to it developing leaks, electrical failure, stabilizer motor failure, slide motor failure, black tank pipe fracture that turned out to be duct taped, which we did not realize may have been hiding a fracture. This motorhome was my retirement life plan. Sell the house, and get on the road. I used every dollar I had saved to purchase and fit this out. Camping World has given me nothing but lip service. I finally cancelled my storage space fees that I was paying for while it sat in their "service area." And don't get me started on the extended warranty and roadside assistance policy they soaked me for. Not worth the paper it is printed on.
I live on property. My rv is 1984! The fridge just conked out. Had to buy a fridge to keep outside. Had to seal roof .....leaks. so it requires more upkeep
I think the older rvs are built better, sturdier then the newer ones that are priced outrageous and cheaper made. As I type this your saying this same thing, lol
Plus A Diesel engine U can push to A 1 Million Miles. Maybe more as long U do All U-R Maintenance on the Engine it will take care of U. Just Like Truck Drivers. Stay Safe Good Luck Remember to use good GPs Or Truck Routes.
RV industry warranties are not worth the paper they are written on for the most part. Manufacturers look for ways to get out of covering problems, there are still issues with parts availability and dealers often make things worse, and dealers can be backed up for months. So good luck with your warranty. You are better off getting a lightly used unit and a good, third party inspector who tests EVERYTHING.
Bought half a dozen used, another half dozen new. Last used one had 10K miles and was 9 years old, but half the cost of new and same features. Like cars I prefer letting someone else take the initial depreciation hit.
You have to be a bit crazy or just love to spend money to buy new. The quality is not there in many cases and the depreciation is horrendous on expensive units. Pre DEF is the way to go.
What make, model and year is your rig? When we bought our first RV last month the driving factor was storage. We can’t find storage at a reasonable price so it had to fit in our driveway. We looked at used and found some gems but they were too long unfortunately.
I'm not sure what year theirs is, but it looks like a Fleetwood Discovery?? Someone local to me is selling one that looks identical to the one in this video, and it's a 2004.
I'm looking but I'm asking if it's better for going used since I am reading how the newer RV aren't being maintained or built haphazardly so I am asking what is the best option???
I'm not sure if you would like to share or not, but I'm curious as to how much this cost when you bought it. I saw an identical one on our local marketplace for just under $60K and I'm wondering if that's a reasonable price.... I have been researching campers and so I know what those would normally go for, but I know nothing about RVs. Lol.
I’ll never buy new again. Most RVs are built so hastily that you’ll be taking it back for warranty work constantly. Let the first owner take the depreciation hit and take care of all the warranty work.
We bought a 2003 Tiffin Phaeton Class A never had a problem with the 10 year rule. It is insured with Good Sams. Solid sturdy construction. We put a fresh coat of paint inside and some other decorative upgrades. Absolutely love it. and no where near the expense of a newer RV
As with anything else (RV and otherwise) KNOWING yourself and what you want, your intentions and limitations are your first steps. There's at least 5 major systems in every RV: 1) Water/Plumbing, 2) Electrical, 3) HVAC, 4) Electronics 5) Mechanical. If you are unwilling or uncomfortable to build first-hand independent knowledge of ALL these systems (but still want an RV) and think you can buy your way clear of them - BE PREPARED FOR EXASPERATION regardless of how much you paid. Over the past 5 years manufacturers have scaled up production to meet unprecedented demand but all that means is they have to get stuff out faster. About the only place left for manufacturers to lean out production costs is quality control steps - thereby passing the discovery to the dealer. As most dealers have minimal testing facilities this means it's now up to the buyer of a new RV to discover failed components. This vid makes a great point "Where will you be when something goes wrong and you have only a limited availability and locations to resolve these troubles "under warranty." Now, thanks to high-volume (not high-quality) production objectives, warranty servicing is overloaded and you're more likely to be facing long delays, parts shortages and other frustrating limitations. It's a classic case of passing the buck, except in this case it's thousands of bucks ...and buying new means it's all out of YOUR pocket. A used but updated and maintained RV means the previous owner has already found and corrected most of these issues. By buying direct (privately) from the previous owner you can also assess the nature of the individual you're buying from, and most importantly why they're selling. New or Old you're buying problems too, the only question now is how many are now solved with the specific rig you've bought, and how many options are available for you to correct them?
I am SDOOO glad to hear this! I just bought a 2005 Jayco Greyhawk! And, per your recommendation, I am taking the NRVTA training. I am a 60-year-old Nana with a handicapped husband, and we decided to go for it!
I’m so thrilled to hear you aren’t letting whatever is going on with your husband stop you from doing what you want to do. People ask us “what if” & we just say, you work with it & ensure the needs are met. It’s just as easy to take diabetic medication in a RV as it is in a house. Rare that accommodations can’t be made.
Great video. Do you know if trailers vs RVs have the same rule about “age appropriate” in campgrounds? I found a 1972 vintage but after watching your video it made me question if this would be a wise decision for being able to park in RV parks throughout the US. Thank you.
Good for y’all! You’ll have a blast! I just took the NRTVA class for owners, and it was great: you can’t find better people ANYWHERE! I’m 64 and my husband is 76 and disabled, and we will hit the road on Dec 1! God bless y’all!
It would be nice to have full hook up campgrounds that have a lot of trees and remote feel like most national forest and parks campgrounds, and less like a glorified walmart parking lot. They are so rare. One of our lottery dreams lol
Whether you buy new or used, get the RV inspected BEFORE you buy. I’ve had both new and used, and it just depends on the rig. Two of the same rig (same age, same maker) can be in completely different shape based on how they are used, how careful the previous owner/manufacturer was in maintaining/building the rig. Regardless, they require attention, just like anything else (human body, car, home, relationships). Life and all her bits will always require regular attention.
Some were built better. Look for something that was high end in it's day. There are certain brands and levels of quality that I would stick to. Then have an inspection done by a third party who checks EVERYTHING. Never take a dealer's word for something and never sign on the dotted line until all repairs have been made. Don't think that just because it's a new RV everything is perfect. Quality in the RV industry has gotten very bad. Do your research.
We bought our first rv last year (2022)and it was 20 years old. My husband is a fantastic mechanic. He has put about 10 thousand dollars in parts and repairs. We plan on retiring next year and traveling more.
Well done!! We bought our first RV (class C) in 1993.. it was 20 years okd and had been a former boss’s (he passed. we bought it from his widow who never went into it ) it was his HUNTING/ FISHING ‘cabin’😜 We had 3 young ones. It was a challenge! It had the true orange SHAG carpeting etc😂 It has been some of the most funny memories our kids have🤷♀️ When baby #4 came along we went to a 36’ TT (no slides) that one I had the most fun in. Blessings on your new adventures!!
We just purchased a 1999 Class A Diesel Pusher two weeks ago. It is in beautiful condition, super clean, well maintained and we couldn’t be happier! Just over 100,000 miles so it has many, many more miles left to go. The Freightliner chassis is beefy and solid. We think if you can find an older Motorhome in great shape, go for it! We love ours! Oh, and we are living in it full-time as well.
I'm looking to get something similar to what you have gotten but I am worried about roof and other areas of the body leaking etc. Is it true these need to be contstantly maintained?
Great video! Yup, agree with the pros and cons of new vs. used, pretty accurate assessment guys! In December 2020, literally on the last day of the year, we purchased a model year leftover (2020) Newmar Dutch Star, which we absolutely love. However, the dreaded DEF head failure reared its ugly head shortly afterwards, fortunately while still under warranty, otherwise that would have been a hefty bill. But even going forward, given the highly publicized and well-known high failure rate of DEF heads, the issue is always in the back of my mind. What a ridiculous emissions solution - derate the engine of a 50,000 pound coach down so that it will only go 5 mph in the middle of an interstate highway while surrounded by heavy traffic! The system response to a DEF head failure is worse than the failure itself, people can be killed because of this, absolutely asinine! I have written to local and state representatives about this issue until I'm sure they are tired of hearing from me - GRRRR! But I digress, there are many advantages to buying used, but no matter which way you go, my advice is to ALWAYS hire an RV inspector, even if buying new, heck, especially if buying new!
Great video, and its true. I bought a 2002 Holiday Rambler Imperial back in 2007. Its now 21 years old and was built on the Monaco S chassis (Semi Monocoque). We have driven all over the US several times over. My total repairs add up to about $2000 over the 20 years. It now has very close to 200,000 miles and continues to run and drive like a dream. I have had 6 motorhomes before this one, non came close. We have also upgraded the technology, even adding a WiFi connected monitor and control so I can see tank levels on my phone, operate lights and slides. Still looks good and have never been turned away from a campground after inspection.
What you said is all true. Wife and I bought a 2002 Newmar Kountry Star diesel pusher, cummins engine, two slides, four years ago. Everything is manual, except the slide and the electric solenoid on the fuel pump. I do 90% of all the work but when I don't, I go to a frieghtliner shop. In and out normally in one or two days, never to an RV shop. I am the fourth owner, 82,000 miles and $30,000 later it was mine. I allowed $15,000 for new tires, a bumper to bumper check at frieghtliner with all new fluid. In four years I have spent another $15,000, almost new now. We spend three to five months traveling. Is it worth it? Yes. Is it cost effective? I say, what is the value of memories. As seniors with the national park lifetime pass, we stay 50% off. We also dry camp more often now, memories. If you like nature, don't wait. I recommend used class A diesel before 2010, for many reasons. Happy trails.
Happy to hear about your experiences with an older RV. We bought a 20+ year old motorhome because it was cheap enough for us to pay cash and we've put a lot into repairs and upgrades, it was a high end model and in good shape. It's still nowhere near what a new one would cost either. This will last us a good while.
We just bought a 2007 Tiffin Allegro Bus. Used is the way to go. It’s our 2nd RV we’ve owned. You’d be surprised how nice the older ones are when taken care of. On both, never had an issue of the 10 year rule.
We have been traveling in our 2004 Monaco 40' high end class A for the last 2 1/2 years. We were denied access to only one RV park traveling. This RV park was in Las Vegas. but there were other parks that took us in. If they have a year limit, usually a couple pictures will do the trick, as our motorhome is in good shape. All there really trying to do is keep the junk out of there park, and I understand that, but just to be denied access just because of age is counter productive for a park. This summer we have mostly been staying at dispersed camping or BLM land out west..
I think a determining fact is that the cost of new to newer, those under 5 years old, being as much as a sticks & bricks home. There are a lot of older RVs that have been well taken care of, probably not updated, but that's lipstick & rouge. I've also seen where people are painting & rewrapping the exterior so that it looks newer which makes getting in to age restricted campgrounds easier.
In 2016 we wanted to try RVing for dog shows. Bought a quality 20 year old class A gas. Enjoyed it until we constantly ran into the problem with obsolete parts. After four years we sold it and moved up to a 2013 class A gas. We picked 2013 because it was before schwintek slides and computerized lighting controls; love simpler things like regular old switches. No warranty or service plans for either rig. The 1996 is a much better build than 2013. I would never buy new because I want to spend more time camping and not be in for repairs. No one is building a quality class A that is simple. We like our propane fridge and old fashioned wall switches. We will keep ours another ten years minimum - until parts are obsolete. 😊
I would go with the used because of the depreciation factor like a car. My opinion. I have read and heard that new RV's quality in construction is not that great. What your are stating in your video concerning the upkeep of the brand new RV's is a nightmare!
We bought a 2006 Country Coach Inspire, absolutely LOVE it. Purchased from Premier Rv of Oregon, best place for service and purchase. Unit has a Cat C9, tows a F150 with no problem.
This video resonates with me. We purchased a 20 year old Fleetwood Discovery diesel pusher with 79K on the odometer. We are mainly weekend campers and maintain a sticks and brick home too. We paid cash and perform most of the repairs and maintenance ourselves. And as you mentioned, the build quality is outstanding. All of our furniture is covered in real leather, and our cabinets and doors are made of real wood.
You basically just backed up my lottery fantasy, having basically enough money set aside to buy new, then buy used (probably a Thor Majestic 30 footer) and use the left over money to modernize/fix up. It would need cameras, mattress(es), crash mitigation system, tires, run flat for the steers, fire suppression, and I could go on, starting, of course, with an inspection.
We also have a 20+ year old gasser rv. Our rv sat up several years in overhead storage before we bought it. We had lots of work to do before we could start making trips like complete roof coverage, shower drain leak’s repair, replacing hot water tanks, awning replacement, step motor replacement, leveling fluid leaks and all 6 tire replacements. Yes, the work took over 4 months to complete but she is completely dependable. I just believe that the older models are just put together differently but the newer models have a lot more bells and whistles. Thank you for all your great videos of information and how to do it yourself.
We have a 2007 Exel 5th Wheel and LOVE IT. I am a HUGE advocate of older RVs for the very reason you describe. They were built BETTER. Yes, we are heavier and have less storage in the belly than new 5th wheels, but I have yet to see a floor plan I like better and I am AMAZED by our trailer's beauty and quality every single time we take her out! I LOVE your videos and your RV!
Agree with you 100% - We have a 2004 40' Newmar Mountain Aire and love how simple it is. If I could have bought one with roll up windows I would have. I got to upgrade all the components with what i wanted. We have been full time in it for 1 1/2 years. Why I choose older: Pre-DEF, issues worked out, upgraded everything with what works for us, Cost (10% invested on what the same model would be new). The 10 year rule has never been an issue for us. We only use campgrounds and typically stay a week to a month. They key is finding one with good bones. Appreciate your videos!
we own a 99' Tradewinds from National and we love the quality of construction. Solid CAT diesel engine with and Alison transmission - sure is fun passing folks on those mountain passes! I agree that being basic even I can work on most things inside with some (UA-cam support of course - Hillbilly RV and AZExpert have been very helpful). As far as the 10yr rule, we too have had very few experiences with that and when we did they only asked for a picture in advance of accepting our reservation - no problem... Have we had break downs? you bet $3k for a broken air compressor line which included a tow but because its diesel a truck repair shop in Quanah Texas (thank you 287 Diesel Service!) quickly had us up and running (3 days whilst we stayed in the rig in the truck yard with power and water) would see that at any Ford dealership.
We went FT 5 years ago in a 99 National Tropical. Buying it was the best decision we ever made. We haven't had any drivetrain problems to date. Sure, we've had many minor issues, but it has never seen the inside of a repair shop as we have been able to fix them all ourselves. Luckily our roadside assistance plan has remained unused so far. It is indeed well made. We have a gasser, so won't be passing many folks in the mountains, but we haven't found a grade we couldn't climb yet - and believe me, we've tried. We like to boondock most of the time and really appreciate the lighter weight of a gasser when taking it down muddy, rutted fire roads, through pastures or across sand washes.
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We bought a 2005 RV Diesel Pusher. My husband is a diesel mechanic. He wanted pre-def. We paid cash, too.
We bought our first RV five years ago. It is a 2006 42' Monaco Dynasty Class A diesel pusher. We thought about going new, but since it was our first RV we decided to go used for a couple of reasons. 1. If we didn't like it it wouldn't cost us as much to get out of it. 2. Our salesman was very honest. He told us that new RV's spend most of the first year in the shop. He said that with a used one the previous owner has worked all the bugs out of it. We have found this to be true. As for the 10 year rule we haven't had an issue. Most parks tell us our motorhome looks new. They ask if we are pulling their leg when we tell them the year. I definitely recommend going used for your first RV.
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@GratefulGlamper Hey love your dog!
We are not full timers. Our first tv was a older trailer. I was not sure I was into camping but my wife grew up camping. We keep it for over 5 years and doubled our profit and upgraded to a larger. We bought it and it was about 7 years old. It got damaged from a hailstorm and insurance totaled it. Our 3rd rv we also bought used and kept it for about 20 years and just upgraded this last spring. It was still in great shape and we sold it ourselves. We people came to look they could not believe it was 25 years old. It was in very good shape. The wife wanted a bigger trailer since I have retired and are camping a lot more now. I think used is the way to go if you can wait and find what you want it took us about 2 years to find this one. We really enjoy this one.
We too bought a 2002 Safari diesel pusher. Solid wood cabinets, built like a beast. We have the CAT engine that can go forever. Sad part is we have to sell due to health. But loved the trips we went on.
That's what we had safari chetta 05
Know we have 04 gas georgie boy love it 30ft
Man the safari’s are beautiful and having the cat engine is huge in my opinion. We looked at a few safari’s before ultimately decided with all the modifications we were going to need to make, our current coach was the right decision.
What does a 2002 Safari diesel pusher go for and what are the miles?
I have been a subscriber for a long time, watch every video multiple times for tips. I am a 75 year old with a 1995 Monaco which I bought for a ridiculous price a few years ago. Class A diesel pusher with a Cummins engine, not too much different than my Dodge Ram 4500 truck except for being much more accesible. Solid maple wood interior in perfect shape. Changed the mattress and moved in. Thousands of mile later and many adventures I am absolutely sold on the quality and the fun! Thank you for the video
Thanks for being a long time viewer! 💙
We bought a 2005 Fleetwood Terra 32' Class A in 2018 due to its affordability. Other than a blow-out (took two 2yo tires with 10k on them) we've experienced what I would consider normal maintenance items. I will say however that it helps to have mechanical/electrical experience as with any older vehicle, PM's are a must. Just sealed all the windows & roof penetrations & am I'm now working on the KwiKee power step having a mind of its own. With the tire blowout ($1500 for roadside repair with 2 new tires!) we're at $400/year for maintenance costs. Not considering the blowout we're at $150/year including new master cylinder, brakes & rear calipers this year. I vote for used as ours will go another 10 years easily with our big gas 8.1L & 44k on the ODO.
My husband and I both believe that new is not the way to go. Especially after covid. The quality of vehicles, both small vehicles and RVs just isn't what it used to be. We bought a 2017 Tiffin Bus last year. Yes, the price was more than we wanted to pay, but it was exactly what we wanted for his retirement. We will be going full time in 7 months. We couldn't be happier. Hope to see you out there some time!
I've discovered that gently used anything is the way to go. This from someone who used to have more than enough money...until after divorce. In hindsight I see clearly how much money was wasted. Should the good Lord bless me with wealth again, I'd still absolutely go with gently used, hands down.
Excellent presentation, 100% agree with your Old vs New thinking. To expand on the warranty thing, not just time and / or travel to get it done, but with the supply chain still messed up, you could wait weeks or even months for the parts. As an example, two of my Wife's recent vehicles (2017 Taurus and 2018 F150) had touchscreens go bad. Could not adjust the HVAC at all other than fan speed. Took weeks to get the displays and then have them installed and programmed. Last November, my 2018 Transit 250 was ready to retire (I spend an inordinate amount of time on the road). With a similar replacement looking like 50 or 60 grand, I decided to go back to my roots, and kind of paralleled what you did. Found myself a 1986 Chevrolet P32 Stepvan (Same chassis as was used on the Motor Homes of the day). It was in outstanding condition from a body standpoint, did a really good inspection of the major systems, and bought it. I knew what was good, what would need attention in the near future , and what needed immediate attention. I have a fully functional service vehicle, and I'm only into it for $10,000. That includes new tires and rims, a tuneup, and a Carburetor and manifold swap. No emissions equipment to maintain whatsoever, not even Catalytic Converters. I'm installing many of the same things you spoke of as time / money allow. Dual battery system, 12v a/c , power ports, etc. Maybe even EFI. If you can find them, and do a thorough evaluation yourself, great. If not, have a competent mechanic you trust go over it. No guarantees that there won't be problems, but those that do crop up won't cost you nearly what the new stuff will.
Thanks for this! The more videos I watch of other people buying older RVs the more confident I feel about buying my first one, which is going to be used. :)
We are part time campers and I love it, sometimes I wish we could go full-time but it is not possible now considering our age
Used - look for a well maintained low mileage. We bought a 2003 Bounder in 2015 0nly 36,000 verified miles, looked great, no leaks never a mechanical problem and used it for 5 years. We paid a rousing 35,000 dollars, we updated and added items. Storage was great. We sold it in even better condition for 29,000 dollars. We sold it within 2 days of listing it. We did add an Extended Warranty (service contract actually from USAA) never needed it. We did all the upgrades ourselves. We did have a mobile service do our regular oil changes, etc (even though I could have done them, (mechanic for many years) We also found mobile detailing services where we went, so it always looked like new. Met many people who wished they had bought used first, found what they liked before buying new and were disappointed.
Used all day long. Having a NRVIA Inspection is a must before purchasing though. Bought a 2005 Itasca Class-A Gasser June of 2022, and like you said, have not run into any weight issues even with full tanks and towing a car. Storage is different then the pass throughs, however, we are not even close to maximizing our open space. Finally, you can update the Chassis, Electrical, Entertainment and Living area's however you want and not have to worry about re-sale values. We have a quote for full body paint ($18k). Even with that expense, we will be under $60k in total dollars invested. That's the same amount of money that 30 monthly payments of a 15-year loan (180 months) will run you for a similarly equipped brand new Class-A coach. ;-)
First I want to thank you for your channel. My husband and I purchased a used 2006 itasca Cambria 2 years ago and paid cash. We needed to make some repairs normal wear and tear, generator tires. Our girl runs fabulously and is this perfect size for the two of us and our 17 pound Havanese.
I have been watching your channel the past few weeks in preparation for a 2 month trip this spring. I figured full timers would give me an idea of what I can expect and know how to pack. thank you for the great ideas. I am enjoying your channel. Happy travels. Hope to see you on the road.😎
Thanks so much- maybe we will see you out there
I want to comment that the "old RVs are better" rule applies to Class B RVs, too. I bought a 16-year-old Class B, and after seeing so many videos about bad quality in new Class B's, I can attest that, in general, quality was substantially better before 2008. Many of the later problems have to do with the recession, technology, the electronics, and complexity and, in diesels, DEF and other emissions systems. Older RVs are simpler with many fewer potential points of failure. I have had to do some of the expected normal wear and tear repairs but nothing compared to the total failures and disasters of some newer Class B vans. All major components worked perfectly upon my purchase and still do. Even those components, like fridge, A/C, furnace, water heater, etc. were built better back then. The "upgrades" that new RVs have are because those components are cheaper for manufacturers to buy, but the RV manufacturers and dealers make you think the newer components are better. For example, a 12-volt compressor fridge is a fraction of the cost of an absorption fridge, and my absorption fridge works very well and has no moving internal parts. Since RV manufacturers are pushing induction stove tops, they also have to push electric power and, therefore, lithium batteries and solar charging. Propane is a magnificent, clean, safe, efficient, and inexpensive fuel. Propane generators are expensive, so RV manufacturers try to brag about "no generator." With my "old" RV having a propane generator, a permanent propane tank, propane stove, 3-way fridge, propane furnace, propane water heater, convection microwave, and 120V A/C, I'm certain it costed more to build than a new hi-tech RV with lithium batteries, solar panels, compressor fridge, and an "underhood generator." That's what RV manufacturers are going for, the higher profit margin. How else could they start slashing prices by $100,000 at the end of the year? That proves how much people have overpaid. People with money to buy the glamour and glitz can have it as I tool around in my reliable and super-functional "old" RV. I'll give them a lift or jump start any time. People are supporting the corrupt RV industry by being suckers. I got questioned about the age of my RV only once, which became a non-issue after sending photos. I'd like to see how well today's new RVs endure for the next 15 years, or even 10. I bet you won't see many of them on the road.
I would buy used always
Yes, gently used anything is always the way to go. There's nothing better than a great bargain!
My class C is almost 25 yrs old and still doing great. Ive never had an issue getting in a park. Its been well maintained and kept clean. I almost sold it right before covid started to get a newer one . After seeing the problems with covid era rv's I'm sure glad I didnt do it.
Used for sure. We have a 20 year old Monico love it bullet proof
After having bought a new gas Class A in 2017 and spent a substantial amount in upgrading the chassis I would now rather buy a used Class A Diesel or if available a gas RV with liquid springs. That said, we will keep our Newmar Canyon Star as Long as it lasts as it has given us little headache and now drives great.
Just bought a 20+ Newmar Dusty Star…just discovered a major water issue though…so I’ll let you know.
We love our 17 year old Bounder 35 E ! We are super fortunate the former owners took very good care in maintaining it. While I'm not a skilled mechanic , with help from You Tube , a very knowledgeable and friendly lead tech who seems to always have time to give suggestions , and a bit of reasoning on my own , I fix most all our problems. As to quality of older over new , I must agree with you. Having walked through a number of models built after 2020 , I am surprised by the general decline in attention to detail and quality of materials. Just my two ( four if you tack on inflation ) cents worth. Love all your videos. Happy trails to the Grateful Glampers !
Thanks!
I have had and am on my fourth Bounder, and mine is 20 years old but it has low miles, and is in great condition and the reason I keep going back to Fleetwood and Bounder is because of just how amazingly well built they are for an RV. Of course nothing is perfect, these are all made by humans but when you walk in my Bounder compared to my 2019 Jayco you can immediately tell the difference in build quality. Besides maybe Newell’s, and other high end rigs I feel like RV’s built in the early 2000’s up until 2008 when the recession hit are the best built rigs out there!
For sure, thanks for watching
Thanks, trying to decide if I want to purchase a new RV, slightly used or a 15 year old RV. I think a 06-08 Monaco Dynasty is the way to go.
That year range of Monaco’s are built very well!
I just sold my 2011 21QB, with not being able to boondock anymore at Walmarts, campgrounds seem to want units less than 10 years old, & since 2020 I have not been able to get back on the road... I think my next purchase is going to be a new home.. then if I can sell my present home before the real estate market collapses maybe I will buy a brand-new RV and be able to travel again
Great video I can’t agree more with everything you say. We bought 8 years ago gulf-stream 04 BT cruiser. Outside it needing a slight detailing which I do on side it came back to brand new. It only had 26k miles on it and on e 450 v10
Only issues we had were calipers which froze and I myself took towed car and bought them at auto parts and changed them myself in parking lot where they froze up .
I carry tool and electric impact wrench with 12 bottle jack. Using generator impact wrench spins off wheels I can change a dually tire in 15 min if need be. But all the years we had her that’s only issue we had .
The inside of coach was a nice factory inside but I upgraded a lot to make it a real upgraded leather coach. Wood floors which I added heat under them plus 500 watts solar and many more.
Plus when not used it’s garaged. This coach inside and out is a show piece it’s a hobby for me to keep it new looking it’s never dirty even on the road.
We have same story with that 15 year rule and when I pull up at campgrounds and they see it I always hear its cleaner olthen most newer ones. The money we saved and the fact I and I keep it well maintained
We retired 2 years ago and buying it when we did and all the upgrades we safely go anywhere for as long and can Boondock as well. Buying used and the older units like you say are way better made with better materials a lot if solid oak I even added granite countertops. She’s a show piece that has saved us thousands verse buying new. She only has 45k miles and have many years of adventures.
Awesome!
Couldn't agree with you more about the quality and structure of the older model RVs, it's just that if you don't know what your buying, like me, you will spend more than unexpected ans that will put a mindset of what the he'll did I do... 😢😢lol ... can I ask, did you have pro come and install your thermostat and does it have to be the same brand as the air unit. How hard was it to do if you did it on your own. Need videos from people like y'all showing and explaining. I think you made a wise choice. Love it. You will be very happy... Sending y'all my BEST WISHES ❤❤❤
USED!! My mom and dad had a $100k motorhome and kept it in their pole barn. It was immaculate and when they sold it after 20 years it looked brand new! The new owners were AMAZED at the condition. ALSO: you can cruise the Palm Springs and Palm Desert area and find motorhomes for sale at very reasonable prices. Sadly, when an old person dies and the spouse is left behind they sell the motorhome at a very good price when the living spouse just wants to sell all of it off and fly home.
I just found your channel and am in love. Your content is awesome! I literally just sold our travel trailer 2 days ago and are currently looking at a 2005 Holiday Rambler DP. I'm scared to death but also excited? lol. I hope we can find something that works out well.
So glad you found us! Sate travels and maybe we will see you out there!
Regarding campground "rules" about various rigs, a lot of private RV parks / campgrounds ban RVs like I have: Truck Campers. Mine costs more and looks better than a lot of little travel trailers, but they still aren't allowed.
We run into the 10 yr rule everywhere! Some just say no, some have the picture thing.
I worked for a very large RV sales place for 3 years. In conversation with people every day. I was told by a few people buying a new camper that it sometimes takes 2 years to work the bugs out. Meaning flaws and thing that did not work right.
Nice rig, I'll just say after buying our 23 yr old diesel pusher, that RV's (motor home in our case) are money pits, but that is the cost of RV'ing. We bought ours the first summer of C-19 while there seemed to be a shortage and in retrospect we paid way too much. It is fun, comfortable and continue to make fixes and improvements. Being a jack-of-all trades, now talked myself into SPC LVF flooring. Keeping my fingers crossed. Think I will do a video of our replacement under the slide out as I found not one relating to our rig. We'll see.
Good luck, thanks for watching
500, 000 waiting in line for recalls on new ones, 6 months to a year out on repairs, best to shop for 2016 and down. Non-def 2009 and down. Cummins 8 plus liters is best for heavy towing.
In 2018 I purchased a 2004 Tiffin Allegro Bus, 38’ with 65k miles for 60k. Yes it needed repairs and we got them done or did it ourselves. Do the math, no DEF, and a solid rig when building these rigs with quality was more important.
Plus we own it free & clear.
Definitely buy used, we bought a 2007 alfa gold and have been out fulltime for 6 years,it helps to be an airplane mechanic for sure,agree with you on the warranty good luck getting in somewhere, thanks for sharing your Fleetwood, the Mittons and their kittens 😸 😻👱♀️👴
You always give such good advice!! LOVE this channel!!
💙
Great video, 60 yr old very able mechanic. Looking for a diesel pusher. Pre def.
I bought a 2022 Thor 24CM Coleman in April of this year. It had 3500 miles on it so pretty much new. I have only been able to use it three times for weekend trips over the course of the six months of ownership due to it developing leaks, electrical failure, stabilizer motor failure, slide motor failure, black tank pipe fracture that turned out to be duct taped, which we did not realize may have been hiding a fracture. This motorhome was my retirement life plan. Sell the house, and get on the road. I used every dollar I had saved to purchase and fit this out. Camping World has given me nothing but lip service. I finally cancelled my storage space fees that I was paying for while it sat in their "service area." And don't get me started on the extended warranty and roadside assistance policy they soaked me for. Not worth the paper it is printed on.
Oh man, that would be disappointing
I live on property. My rv is 1984! The fridge just conked out.
Had to buy a fridge to keep outside. Had to seal roof .....leaks. so it requires more upkeep
I think the older rvs are built better, sturdier then the newer ones that are priced outrageous and cheaper made. As I type this your saying this same thing, lol
Thank you for sharing. You’ll are amazing. Wish we could do our own repairs and upgrades.
It was really cool running into y'all at the campground
Glad we could meet!
Plus A Diesel engine U can push to A 1 Million Miles. Maybe more as long U do All U-R Maintenance on the Engine it will take care of U. Just Like Truck Drivers. Stay Safe Good Luck Remember to use good GPs Or Truck Routes.
If using an RV for approx. 4 weeks out of a year, a little camping in new england, used is the way to go for me.
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RV industry warranties are not worth the paper they are written on for the most part. Manufacturers look for ways to get out of covering problems, there are still issues with parts availability and dealers often make things worse, and dealers can be backed up for months. So good luck with your warranty. You are better off getting a lightly used unit and a good, third party inspector who tests EVERYTHING.
Bought half a dozen used, another half dozen new. Last used one had 10K miles and was 9 years old, but half the cost of new and same features. Like cars I prefer letting someone else take the initial depreciation hit.
At what point does experiences become things? I’m not sure that collecting experiences isn’t exactly the same as collecting things
We have a 2022 Tiffin Allegro 37BA Arvie and we have been stuck in Washington for a week with a broken hydraulic motor. 😢
Oh no!
I say buy used, less bugs and gremlins to work out. But still better have everything checked out before buying it.
A pre purchase inspection is definitely the way to go.
@@GratefulGlamper regrettably, we didn't do that. We bought it as is and we have been learning some big lessons out of this RV.
Used definitely
Geeh, woow, nice, i have a tiny vw campervan😂👍
You have to be a bit crazy or just love to spend money to buy new. The quality is not there in many cases and the depreciation is horrendous on expensive units. Pre DEF is the way to go.
What make, model and year is your rig? When we bought our first RV last month the driving factor was storage. We can’t find storage at a reasonable price so it had to fit in our driveway. We looked at used and found some gems but they were too long unfortunately.
I'm not sure what year theirs is, but it looks like a Fleetwood Discovery?? Someone local to me is selling one that looks identical to the one in this video, and it's a 2004.
@@jenniferfrasle6574 thank you! I have friends considering a used class A
I'm looking but I'm asking if it's better for going used since I am reading how the newer RV aren't being maintained or built haphazardly so I am asking what is the best option???
Read the comments 😉
I'm not sure if you would like to share or not, but I'm curious as to how much this cost when you bought it. I saw an identical one on our local marketplace for just under $60K and I'm wondering if that's a reasonable price.... I have been researching campers and so I know what those would normally go for, but I know nothing about RVs. Lol.
We got a steal of a deal on ours (we bought in 2017). We paid way less than the one you mentioned for sale at 60k
@@GratefulGlamper thank you so much for responding! The one in our area has been for sale awhile…. maybe I should ask how motivated they are. 😇
God bless
Yeah, we own a 2001 newmar dutchstar with great bones and we enjoy making it like new again. Its been so reliable.
In 70s camping and rv s was cool...now you got these monster home on wheels..overkill..like everything else..they should have there own parks
Used
We buy used and no payments. Pay in cash 👍
Great 👍
used
Warranty just means you bought something that is likely to break and you won't be able to use it.
I’ll never buy new again. Most RVs are built so hastily that you’ll be taking it back for warranty work constantly. Let the first owner take the depreciation hit and take care of all the warranty work.
We bought a 2003 Tiffin Phaeton Class A never had a problem with the 10 year rule. It is insured with Good Sams. Solid sturdy construction. We put a fresh coat of paint inside and some other decorative upgrades. Absolutely love it. and no where near the expense of a newer RV
As with anything else (RV and otherwise) KNOWING yourself and what you want, your intentions and limitations are your first steps. There's at least 5 major systems in every RV: 1) Water/Plumbing, 2) Electrical, 3) HVAC, 4) Electronics 5) Mechanical. If you are unwilling or uncomfortable to build first-hand independent knowledge of ALL these systems (but still want an RV) and think you can buy your way clear of them - BE PREPARED FOR EXASPERATION regardless of how much you paid. Over the past 5 years manufacturers have scaled up production to meet unprecedented demand but all that means is they have to get stuff out faster.
About the only place left for manufacturers to lean out production costs is quality control steps - thereby passing the discovery to the dealer. As most dealers have minimal testing facilities this means it's now up to the buyer of a new RV to discover failed components. This vid makes a great point "Where will you be when something goes wrong and you have only a limited availability and locations to resolve these troubles "under warranty." Now, thanks to high-volume (not high-quality) production objectives, warranty servicing is overloaded and you're more likely to be facing long delays, parts shortages and other frustrating limitations. It's a classic case of passing the buck, except in this case it's thousands of bucks ...and buying new means it's all out of YOUR pocket.
A used but updated and maintained RV means the previous owner has already found and corrected most of these issues. By buying direct (privately) from the previous owner you can also assess the nature of the individual you're buying from, and most importantly why they're selling. New or Old you're buying problems too, the only question now is how many are now solved with the specific rig you've bought, and how many options are available for you to correct them?
I am SDOOO glad to hear this! I just bought a 2005 Jayco Greyhawk! And, per your recommendation, I am taking the NRVTA training. I am a 60-year-old Nana with a handicapped husband, and we decided to go for it!
Awesome, welcome to RV life.
I’m so thrilled to hear you aren’t letting whatever is going on with your husband stop you from doing what you want to do. People ask us “what if” & we just say, you work with it & ensure the needs are met. It’s just as easy to take diabetic medication in a RV as it is in a house. Rare that accommodations can’t be made.
Great video. Do you know if trailers vs RVs have the same rule about “age appropriate” in campgrounds? I found a 1972 vintage but after watching your video it made me question if this would be a wise decision for being able to park in RV parks throughout the US. Thank you.
Warranty is a joke
Good for y’all! You’ll have a blast! I just took the NRTVA class for owners, and it was great: you can’t find better people ANYWHERE! I’m 64 and my husband is 76 and disabled, and we will hit the road on Dec 1! God bless y’all!
It would be nice to have full hook up campgrounds that have a lot of trees and remote feel like most national forest and parks campgrounds, and less like a glorified walmart parking lot. They are so rare. One of our lottery dreams lol
Whether you buy new or used, get the RV inspected BEFORE you buy. I’ve had both new and used, and it just depends on the rig. Two of the same rig (same age, same maker) can be in completely different shape based on how they are used, how careful the previous owner/manufacturer was in maintaining/building the rig. Regardless, they require attention, just like anything else (human body, car, home, relationships). Life and all her bits will always require regular attention.
So true, thanks for watching
Big Bo down there at Ringold Georgia's tell ya folks you gonna have maintenence no matter what ya buy😆
@@ronmoore3987 Im in Dalton Georgia, is Big Bo someone i should get to know.
I never felt very secure in older rvs until you said they're just built better. And that changed how I feel. Thank you❤ 😊
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching
Some were built better. Look for something that was high end in it's day. There are certain brands and levels of quality that I would stick to. Then have an inspection done by a third party who checks EVERYTHING. Never take a dealer's word for something and never sign on the dotted line until all repairs have been made. Don't think that just because it's a new RV everything is perfect. Quality in the RV industry has gotten very bad. Do your research.
Of course they're better. ALL the old stuff is BETTER.
We bought our first rv last year (2022)and it was 20 years old. My husband is a fantastic mechanic. He has put about 10 thousand dollars in parts and repairs. We plan on retiring next year and traveling more.
Safe travels and thanks for watching
Well done!!
We bought our first RV (class C) in 1993.. it was 20 years okd and had been a former boss’s (he passed. we bought it from his widow who never went into it ) it was his HUNTING/ FISHING ‘cabin’😜
We had 3 young ones. It was a challenge! It had the true orange SHAG carpeting etc😂
It has been some of the most funny memories our kids have🤷♀️
When baby #4 came along we went to a 36’ TT (no slides) that one I had the most fun in.
Blessings on your new adventures!!
You have the BEST WARRANTY= HANDY HUSBAND:)
We just purchased a 1999 Class A Diesel Pusher two weeks ago. It is in beautiful condition, super clean, well maintained and we couldn’t be happier! Just over 100,000 miles so it has many, many more miles left to go. The Freightliner chassis is beefy and solid.
We think if you can find an older Motorhome in great shape, go for it! We love ours! Oh, and we are living in it full-time as well.
Awesome!
I'm looking to get something similar to what you have gotten but I am worried about roof and other areas of the body leaking etc. Is it true these need to be contstantly maintained?
Great video! Yup, agree with the pros and cons of new vs. used, pretty accurate assessment guys! In December 2020, literally on the last day of the year, we purchased a model year leftover (2020) Newmar Dutch Star, which we absolutely love. However, the dreaded DEF head failure reared its ugly head shortly afterwards, fortunately while still under warranty, otherwise that would have been a hefty bill. But even going forward, given the highly publicized and well-known high failure rate of DEF heads, the issue is always in the back of my mind. What a ridiculous emissions solution - derate the engine of a 50,000 pound coach down so that it will only go 5 mph in the middle of an interstate highway while surrounded by heavy traffic! The system response to a DEF head failure is worse than the failure itself, people can be killed because of this, absolutely asinine! I have written to local and state representatives about this issue until I'm sure they are tired of hearing from me - GRRRR! But I digress, there are many advantages to buying used, but no matter which way you go, my advice is to ALWAYS hire an RV inspector, even if buying new, heck, especially if buying new!
Great video, and its true. I bought a 2002 Holiday Rambler Imperial back in 2007. Its now 21 years old and was built on the Monaco S chassis (Semi Monocoque). We have driven all over the US several times over. My total repairs add up to about $2000 over the 20 years. It now has very close to 200,000 miles and continues to run and drive like a dream. I have had 6 motorhomes before this one, non came close. We have also upgraded the technology, even adding a WiFi connected monitor and control so I can see tank levels on my phone, operate lights and slides. Still looks good and have never been turned away from a campground after inspection.
Nice!
Wow, 2grand , onlyfor all those years cousin, that's hard to beat!
Made better back then. So many horror stories about new Rv and 5th wheel, trailers being a disaster waiting to happen
What you said is all true. Wife and I bought a 2002 Newmar Kountry Star diesel pusher, cummins engine, two slides, four years ago. Everything is manual, except the slide and the electric solenoid on the fuel pump. I do 90% of all the work but when I don't, I go to a frieghtliner shop. In and out normally in one or two days, never to an RV shop. I am the fourth owner, 82,000 miles and $30,000 later it was mine. I allowed $15,000 for new tires, a bumper to bumper check at frieghtliner with all new fluid. In four years I have spent another $15,000, almost new now. We spend three to five months traveling. Is it worth it? Yes. Is it cost effective? I say, what is the value of memories. As seniors with the national park lifetime pass, we stay 50% off. We also dry camp more often now, memories. If you like nature, don't wait. I recommend used class A diesel before 2010, for many reasons. Happy trails.
Thank you I’m looking for one now
Happy to hear about your experiences with an older RV. We bought a 20+ year old motorhome because it was cheap enough for us to pay cash and we've put a lot into repairs and upgrades, it was a high end model and in good shape. It's still nowhere near what a new one would cost either. This will last us a good while.
That is awesome!
We just bought a 2007 Tiffin Allegro Bus. Used is the way to go. It’s our 2nd RV we’ve owned. You’d be surprised how nice the older ones are when taken care of. On both, never had an issue of the 10 year rule.
We have been traveling in our 2004 Monaco 40' high end class A for the last 2 1/2 years. We were denied access to only one RV park traveling. This RV park was in Las Vegas. but there were other parks that took us in. If they have a year limit, usually a couple pictures will do the trick, as our motorhome is in good shape. All there really trying to do is keep the junk out of there park, and I understand that, but just to be denied access just because of age is counter productive for a park. This summer we have mostly been staying at dispersed camping or BLM land out west..
I think a determining fact is that the cost of new to newer, those under 5 years old, being as much as a sticks & bricks home. There are a lot of older RVs that have been well taken care of, probably not updated, but that's lipstick & rouge. I've also seen where people are painting & rewrapping the exterior so that it looks newer which makes getting in to age restricted campgrounds easier.
Yep I bought a 2000 Monaco Dynasty in 2017. I still live full time in it from 2019 and still love it.
We have a 23yr old motorhome. The current new prices would not allow to buy.
In 2016 we wanted to try RVing for dog shows. Bought a quality 20 year old class A gas. Enjoyed it until we constantly ran into the problem with obsolete parts. After four years we sold it and moved up to a 2013 class A gas. We picked 2013 because it was before schwintek slides and computerized lighting controls; love simpler things like regular old switches. No warranty or service plans for either rig. The 1996 is a much better build than 2013. I would never buy new because I want to spend more time camping and not be in for repairs. No one is building a quality class A that is simple. We like our propane fridge and old fashioned wall switches. We will keep ours another ten years minimum - until parts are obsolete. 😊
GOOD JOB! From a 22 YO Beaver Patriot THUNDER owner! I Can't agree more about that warrantee Thing! Buying an older RV is definitely the way to go!
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RVs built before 2008 are better built. Mine is a 2001.
Interesting channel, just don’t understand the “camp ground”, it looks like row housing with no privacy.
I would go with the used because of the depreciation factor like a car. My opinion. I have read and heard that new RV's quality in construction is not that great. What your are stating in your video concerning the upkeep of the brand new RV's is a nightmare!
We bought a 2006 Country Coach Inspire, absolutely LOVE it. Purchased from Premier Rv of Oregon, best place for service and purchase. Unit has a Cat C9, tows a F150 with no problem.
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Used makes scene brand new has problems because of electronics and poor workmanship
This video resonates with me. We purchased a 20 year old Fleetwood Discovery diesel pusher with 79K on the odometer. We are mainly weekend campers and maintain a sticks and brick home too. We paid cash and perform most of the repairs and maintenance ourselves. And as you mentioned, the build quality is outstanding. All of our furniture is covered in real leather, and our cabinets and doors are made of real wood.
You basically just backed up my lottery fantasy, having basically enough money set aside to buy new, then buy used (probably a Thor Majestic 30 footer) and use the left over money to modernize/fix up. It would need cameras, mattress(es), crash mitigation system, tires, run flat for the steers, fire suppression, and I could go on, starting, of course, with an inspection.
We also have a 20+ year old gasser rv. Our rv sat up several years in overhead storage before we bought it. We had lots of work to do before we could start making trips like complete roof coverage, shower drain leak’s repair, replacing hot water tanks, awning replacement, step motor replacement, leveling fluid leaks and all 6 tire replacements. Yes, the work took over 4 months to complete but she is completely dependable. I just believe that the older models are just put together differently but the newer models have a lot more bells and whistles. Thank you for all your great videos of information and how to do it yourself.
Thanks for watching and sharing!!
We have a 2007 Exel 5th Wheel and LOVE IT. I am a HUGE advocate of older RVs for the very reason you describe. They were built BETTER. Yes, we are heavier and have less storage in the belly than new 5th wheels, but I have yet to see a floor plan I like better and I am AMAZED by our trailer's beauty and quality every single time we take her out! I LOVE your videos and your RV!
Thank you!
Howdy from HTSAYTC Group!
I would have never guessed your DIscovery was 20 years old.
Hi there and thanks for watching
Agree with you 100% - We have a 2004 40' Newmar Mountain Aire and love how simple it is. If I could have bought one with roll up windows I would have. I got to upgrade all the components with what i wanted. We have been full time in it for 1 1/2 years. Why I choose older: Pre-DEF, issues worked out, upgraded everything with what works for us, Cost (10% invested on what the same model would be new). The 10 year rule has never been an issue for us. We only use campgrounds and typically stay a week to a month. They key is finding one with good bones. Appreciate your videos!
For sure - thanks for watching
Used, let someone else eat the depreciation and find all the issues.
we own a 99' Tradewinds from National and we love the quality of construction. Solid CAT diesel engine with and Alison transmission - sure is fun passing folks on those mountain passes! I agree that being basic even I can work on most things inside with some (UA-cam support of course - Hillbilly RV and AZExpert have been very helpful). As far as the 10yr rule, we too have had very few experiences with that and when we did they only asked for a picture in advance of accepting our reservation - no problem... Have we had break downs? you bet $3k for a broken air compressor line which included a tow but because its diesel a truck repair shop in Quanah Texas (thank you 287 Diesel Service!) quickly had us up and running (3 days whilst we stayed in the rig in the truck yard with power and water) would see that at any Ford dealership.
We went FT 5 years ago in a 99 National Tropical. Buying it was the best decision we ever made. We haven't had any drivetrain problems to date. Sure, we've had many minor issues, but it has never seen the inside of a repair shop as we have been able to fix them all ourselves. Luckily our roadside assistance plan has remained unused so far. It is indeed well made. We have a gasser, so won't be passing many folks in the mountains, but we haven't found a grade we couldn't climb yet - and believe me, we've tried. We like to boondock most of the time and really appreciate the lighter weight of a gasser when taking it down muddy, rutted fire roads, through pastures or across sand washes.
These things generally sit around and are not driven.
Older RV's are better made without all the hi-tech electronics & emissions garbage.
Had three new ones now I’m looking for used