Any advice is welcome

[randysan]

I have no idea what I am doing but I know I want a Class A RV.
I plan to take extended cross-country trips, just myself and my dog.

My budget is max 10k and this RV seems appealing:(though i don't love the corner bedroom)

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2352837668294039?surface=product_details

Can anyone please tell me what they know to be true.

thanks!!
r



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[randysan]

Yes agreed. I starting looking at the Ascape ST and Travel Lite 14 as alternatives.

[scbwr]

When you start having that tight of a budget, whatever you buy is likely to require repairs. If you don't have a healthy budget for repairs, consider a different type of rv or wait until you can spend a little more. And, it also depends on how much work you can do yourself. RV labor rates tend to be higher than found in typical auto repair shops.

[185EZ]

Did you decide on an rv?

[dougrainer]

jplante4 wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
I would have an expert look really closely. Heater hose disconnected? Expect to spend money for a new heater core. Also money for new belts and hoses plus coolant flush. Then there is probably tires and brakes needed. In reality old RVs can become a money pit in a hurry. Motor homes especially so.

These older P30 chassis motor homes had an issue with the heater valve and the control cable. They just broke and whatever position the heater vale was in, that's what you got. When I got mine, there was another manual valve in the heater hose (which the buyer forgot to tell us about) that shut the heat off. Figured it out after a chilly trip in May.

My solution was to buy an electronic heater valve from Thermotion. Worked great and no mechanical cables. I had to do the same thing to the Sahara when the heater control broke.

I had my Monterey for 2 years and it cost me about $5100 for maintenance and running costs. I sold it for $1000 more than I paid for it. We bought it as an alternative to renting and it was a great decision. You do have to be handy or the shops hourly labor will kill you.

The Heater control valve and cable has nothing to do with Chevy or Ford if you had a Ford Chassis. They are ALL aftermarket controls and OEM coach builder installs. Doug

[Sam_Spade]

All I could afford wrote:
I’d seriously consider a smaller and simpler Ford or Chevy van nose class C. Cheaper, more maneuverable and easier to get fixed Out in the middle of nowhere

I too agree with this.
I had a "large" C for a few years and it would be fine for 2 occupants.
They can be had for less money but a decent one might still be above $10K.

[jplante4]

donn0128 wrote:
I would have an expert look really closely. Heater hose disconnected? Expect to spend money for a new heater core. Also money for new belts and hoses plus coolant flush. Then there is probably tires and brakes needed. In reality old RVs can become a money pit in a hurry. Motor homes especially so.

These older P30 chassis motor homes had an issue with the heater valve and the control cable. They just broke and whatever position the heater vale was in, that's what you got. When I got mine, there was another manual valve in the heater hose (which the buyer forgot to tell us about) that shut the heat off. Figured it out after a chilly trip in May.

My solution was to buy an electronic heater valve from Thermotion. Worked great and no mechanical cables. I had to do the same thing to the Sahara when the heater control broke.

I had my Monterey for 2 years and it cost me about $5100 for maintenance and running costs. I sold it for $1000 more than I paid for it. We bought it as an alternative to renting and it was a great decision. You do have to be handy or the shops hourly labor will kill you.

[jplante4]

I had a 1995 Cobra. Considering that it had been a beach camper it was in pretty good shape. It was on the old Chevy P30 truck chassis with the 454 engine and throttle body injection. I had it for 2 years and I put a fuel pump in it and that's about it. I would have done the brakes the year I sold it. BTW, I sold it for more than I paid for it.

It was an ok coach and would be perfect for a single. It was too small for us and the type of travel we were planning. Just make sure the brakes are working.

[Ralph_Cramden]

randysan wrote:


Can anyone please tell me what they know to be true.

thanks!!
r

What I think to be true is you had better have a budget of at least 2 times that $10K, just for the maintenance and repairs that could be required traveling around the country 24/7/365 in a 25 year old rig.

[tragusa3]

All I could afford wrote:
I’d seriously consider a smaller and simpler Ford or Chevy van nose class C. Cheaper, more maneuverable and easier to get fixed Out in the middle of nowhere

I agree with this. One person and a dog...a mid sized C would be a great option.

[All_I_could_aff]

I’d seriously consider a smaller and simpler Ford or Chevy van nose class C. Cheaper, more maneuverable and easier to get fixed Out in the middle of nowhere

[1492]

Moved from Forum Posting Help and Support

[randysan]

My pup and I will give a good lookin’ at this weekend and we’ll report back ??????

[Sam_Spade]

enblethen wrote:
Looks like a nice little rig.

Looks can be deceiving.

In general, I think that ANY Class A that is priced at 10K or below is likely to have some kind of major problem lurking. Maybe more than one.

If it has 22.5 truck rims, and 6 tires just replacing the tires can set you back $2000 or more.

[185EZ]

I can see why you like it especially for the price
Newer tires and all serviced
I would run the generator and make sure the air and all appliances work especially the fridge
Not much storage area
Our first rv was a corner bed. We would never do that again but I don't think your dog would complain.
good luck