Class C Ford Question

[timswi]

A lot of time has been spent talking about the drive train but what about the coach itself? I have had 7 travel trailers and am now on my 5th motorhome so I have been around a few of them. There is a BIG difference in the quality of construction from one brand coach to another. What brand is the coach? Does it have a rubber roof? If it has a rubber roof has it been maintained, has the coach been kept in a barn or shed? Does the refrigerator work in all modes, does the generator work, is there any sign of water damage inside? How long is it? Are the sides delaminating or starting to? Does it have fiberglass end caps, an awning? Right now motorhomes are selling very cheap due to gas prices and the fuel mileage they get.
A good place to compare the price to similar units is traderonline or go to an RV forum and ask a few questions. Good luck.

Its all fiberglass 29', the book I have says the roof is some kind of rubber. No signs of any leaks anywhere. Interior is perfect. This has been seasoned citizen owned since new, so no morons have had a chance to destroy it.

It's a Gulf Stream Conquest.

I'm going to run everything I can when I go back to drive it, but this guy is very honest to the point of things I mentioned above. I do have some concerns about the age of the fridge and stuff due to age, but the price might make it worthwhile.

I've had trailers in the past but never a MH, so I'm aware of the age risks of the appliances and that bothered me a bit too.

The only thing that acts up is the external electric step. It will drain the seperate marine battery after 3-4 months if left out without running the coach...Non issue to me.

The coach part is very nice for a 14 year old MH..The bling stickers on the box are the only thing faded...I can deal with those.

 

[timswi]

Having lived and traveled for work in a travel home, I'd not even consider a machine without a summer / winter insulation package. Most all units do not come with any resemblance of adequate insulation to sustain comfortable and economic conditions inside. A heater can run constanlty or an a roof AC can go all day and night with no relief due to poor insulation. Most units are built for perfect temperature and humidity conditions in the summer camping season. If that is your intent, so be it. If the unit does not have an insulation package, I'd not consider it. There is no perfect day for comfort in a poorly or uninsulated unit. Roofs are hot even with the white reflective coatings.

After three years in one, I learned one thing.... if I never set foot in another RV type unit again for the rest of my life, it will be too soon.

If casual use and seasonal comfort zones are your goals then don't be concerned about the construction of the living cabin.

You can call the manufacturer with the VIN and / or a manufactured number and they can tell you the build-out on the living cabin.

$0.02 (and that does not reflect the price of fuel).

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Thanks for the info, but we're talking 2 maybe 3 days at a time use in the summer...That's why I don't want to dump 50K on a new one, then I'll feel forced to use it. That kinda removes the fun of it all.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Sounds like a solid deal to me. The genny is what would sell me. I would just make sure everything works before taking delivery.

Chris

 

[timswi]

Sounds like a solid deal to me. The genny is what would sell me. I would just make sure everything works before taking delivery.

Chris

Thanks..There will be a BIG testout before that happens. I like what I see so far. This will probably hppen this weekend.

That drivetrain still gives me concerns...But since I'm paying cash, it is what it is and I'll deal with it (I hope not) as I go. Now's the time for FOMOCO to make me a believer:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks..There will be a BIG testout before that happens. I like what I see so far. This will probably hppen this weekend.

That drivetrain still gives me concerns...But since I'm paying cash, it is what it is and I'll deal with it (I hope not) as I go. Now's the time for FOMOCO to make me a believer:

I hear ya. I had to buy a boat this spring with a GM/Mercruiser motor no matter how bad it made my stomach turn. Just could not turn down the deal.

It been good to me so far.:thumbsup:

Chris

 

[timswi]

I hear ya. I had to buy a boat this spring with a GM/Mercruiser motor no matter how bad it made my stomach turn. Just could not turn down the deal.

It been good to me so far.:thumbsup:

Chris

Hope I have the same luck from the other side of the equation

 

[Diamondpilot]

Hope I have the same luck from the other side of the equation

I may have spoke too soon. I was out prepping it for a trip this weekend and it has used a qt of oil in the last 10 hrs. It only holds 4 qts so that pretty significant.

Chris

 

[timswi]

I may have spoke too soon. I was out prepping it for a trip this weekend and it has used a qt of oil in the last 10 hrs. It only holds 4 qts so that pretty significant.

Chris

What size GM motor holds only 4 quarts?

 

[Diamondpilot]

2008 6.2L. It's actually 4.5 qts. The year prior it held 5.5 qts.

Everything is getting smaller and lighter. Plastic intake manifold and timing chain covers also.

Chris

 

[timswi]

Sounds like a solid deal to me. The genny is what would sell me. I would just make sure everything works before taking delivery.

Chris

I drove it tonight...It runs good. Tranny shifts good and seems to have enough power for the tank that it is. Certainly doesn't handle like my pickup.

This guy is still concerned about the manifold bolts, I'm still trying to figure that out...Might just be a fixation on his part...He says they're good, but it does bother him.

Have to go back to run all of the accessories, he didn't want to do it due to the downpour going on tonight and a doctors appointment he has early tomorrow...Oh well, this will be a drawn out process. He wants to hold off transfer until spring and he's paying for the mine storage over the winter. Fair enough. He wants his plates and insurance to almost run out before we get it out next spring...He doesn't want the state to get an extra dime. I'm sympathetic to that thought.