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Buying Used RV, how to know if everything in good condition?


breister

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We are looking at purchasing a 2004 Holiday Rambler Imperial DSP. It has been kept outside for its entire life and was used full-time by the first owners for about 10 years. It is now on 2nd owner. IT seems to be in good condition from an appearance standpoint although I noticed some little "ripples" in paint on one side when the sun hit it right. Is the fact that it has been outside for 11 years something to be concerned about? There are no leaks or water stains anywhere. Both owners have only used Amsoil oils so it seems to have been well taken care of. There are a few rock chips on back end, but I assume this is from towing a toad? I am wondering about a full inspection but not sure where to look to get that done? I live near the Twin Cities in MN so any suggestions would be appreciated. The unit is loaded and comes with a lot of extras that were put on it including tow bar, toad braking system, tire pressure monitors, etc. The tires and batteries are about 8 years old so with no sign of wear whatsoever, but should probably be replaced soon. It is a great price for a unit like this but again, I want to be sure everything is in good working order. Any other suggestions to look for? Thank you everyone!

 

Brian

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If it were me, I would want such a unit to be inspected by either a professional RV inspector or by a mobile RV tech to make sure that everything is as good as you seem to believe. Even though I have many years of RV experience, you are far more likely to get a good inspection by a professional who has no preconceived opinions. I would also want a complete chassis and power train check by a trusted diesel mechanic. If you have not done so, I'd also want to verify the proper price range with NADA or some similar publication.

 

On RV inspections, I did a cursory search of Google and found these two... There are probably others.

 

Carrier RV Service Pinnacle Auto Appraisals

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

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Good advise from Kirk and money well spent. We just bought a 2004 Scepter in December. We knew the owner and the history of the MH. If we had not we would have paid for an inspection.

If you have not already found it there is a Yahoo Forum for HR owners that is very active and full of great information. We just returned from the annual maintenance session that is held each year in Goshen IN. That a was good experience.

 

Coleen M. Elkins

Escapee Since August 2008

Full-time 2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter

with one retired husband and two very sweet Border Collies

Wintering in Arizona 

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When we bought our used MH we shelled out the money and took it to a truck repair facility (Freightliner because a Cummins wasn't available in Tuscon). For about $500 they went over the engine, drive train & chassis. all fluid samples out for testing. We knew it was out of pocket for us if there was an issue that prevented us from buying. Best money we spent

As for the other items (water heater, appliances etc) that's really a crap shoot. They may work fine today and not tomorrow. Because we had previously owned a 5th wheel we knew how to look for water damage etc

Ron & Linda

Class of 2007
2000 Monaco Diplomat

2005 Honda Element

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt

"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail"

"When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments."

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Totally agree with Kirk's suggestion. I used a professional RV inspector when I looked at purchasing a 2010 Fleetwood Discovery. As our first ever RV, "It looked good to me". Well, the inspector found enough items to give me reason for concern. We ended up with a 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire that passed a professional inspection. Sleeping easier as each night of the journey goes by.

2019 Jayco 5th Wheel 28.5RSTS  2017 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2L

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What Kirk said, and especially what Ron & Linda said. Make sure your professional inspector takes an oil sample and sends it in for analysis. Although there are no guarantees in life, and certainly not in human built mechanical devices, what's floating around in your oil is the earliest warning if there is something going awry. And with that in mind, become VERY suspicious if the oil is brand new.

Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/

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