Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: Starting search for 20 year old Lux coach. Have questions


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MN Ben

Minnesota

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Posted: 01/31/22 08:07pm

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My wife and I will be looking for a rig in 2023 or 2024. I have begun the search of luxury coaches in the 2000-2008 years. After that I think they are getting above what I want to spend. I am keeping my eye on Beaver, Foretravel, American Coach, Nemar, Monoco, etc. I have been searching forums and reading a lot. The question of roofs came up as I just got down from my current Lance maintaining the seams around the items sticking through the roof.
I am wondering about the coach roofs and the chance of leaks. I understand the Eagle from American Coach had a fiberglass roof. Are there others that may have a fiberglass roof? Or maybe others that have a roof that I dont have to worry about leaking.
I am used to truck campers and 5the wheels. So other than the old Winnebago Chief I owned for 1 season, I am new to the Class A.

Thanks,
Ben

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MountainAir05

New Mexico

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Posted: 01/31/22 08:43pm

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Prevost and Newell metal, but you could have damage, something you need to check. There is always fiberglass connecting to this which almost always will have cracks due to stress. You also might run into Rubber.

diplomatdon

Blaine, WA

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Posted: 01/31/22 08:53pm

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I would recommend watching a you tube channel called AZ expert. He inspects and repairs Rv's in the Phoenix area. You are wise to look for fiberglass roofs. I have already learned a lot about roofs from him. Monaco and there coaches HR, Beaver etc have fiberglass or metal roofs. Good luck in your search. Don.

larry cad

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Posted: 02/01/22 07:33am

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In the era you are researching, yes, the American Coach Eagle has a fiberglass roof. Also in that era, the American Coach Dream did too. I have a 2000 American Coach Tradition which is one step below the Dream, and we have a rubber roof (Which is in good condition after 22 years with lots of care) We love our Tradition after over 130000 miles.

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way2roll

Wilmington NC

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Posted: 02/01/22 07:44am

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As you are looking for coaches that are 15-22 years old, I'd be more concerned with overall condition and care of the coach than roof material. All roofs, regardless of material, have holes in them to allow for vents, AC's, Antennae's, sky lights and seams. Usually leaks develop around those areas and not failures of the material itself - sans actual damage. Any coach you buy of that age will require a very thorough inspection by someone qualified and if it checks out, the roof material shouldn't be a deal breaker. Roof materials all have their plusses and minuses. Sure fiberglass roofs are great but they aren't without their own share of failures. Fiberglass can develop cracks - especially after 20 years and are exponentially more expensive to fix or replace than a Rubber or TPO roof. And there are countless TPO, Rubber roofs out there that are 20+ years old with no issues.

* This post was last edited 02/01/22 12:16pm by way2roll * View edit history

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Sandia Man

Rio Rancho, NM

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Posted: 02/01/22 10:54am

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Other than condition of powertrain and chassis, roofs are a major concern when shopping for used class A rigs. We went through this about a year ago after an exhaustive search into the class A world, seen and drove over 30 rigs to figure out which chassis and powertrain would suit our needs best. Truthfully, I was not as concerned about the build or materials used for the roof, moreover was condition and general upkeep on seams and seals around roof protrusions.

To that point, I did not actually know which kind of roof our current class A had, just knew it was properly sealed after walking atop during personal inspection prior to purchase. Turns out our Monaco was built with a metal roof, would not have mattered if it was made from other materials to us, again I was looking for condition and upkeep. It was in immaculate condition for it's age, prior owners were older (78 & 84) and had all maintenance and upkeep done professionally.

Lwiddis

Cambria, California area

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Posted: 02/01/22 11:39am

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If you are interested in a MHs that old, your inspection needs to be very complete and detailed...house and drivetrain.

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wallynm

Los Alamos NM

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Posted: 02/01/22 12:08pm

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We ordered our 2002 DSDP and I spoke to a Newmar rep and he told us to order the TPO roof and not fiberglass. We never have had a problem.

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