Chaswick Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 What are other members thoughts on buying a 11 year old fifth wheel that has sat in the same camp ground since it was new? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Greg Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 What do you intend to do with it? Travel or be stationary? Does it have maintenance records? Who is the manufacturer? Greg Greg & Judy Bahnmiller Class of 2007 2014 F350 2007 HitchHiker Champagne Both sold 2/19, settled in Foley, AL after 12 years on the road http://bahnmilleradventure.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 If the price is good enough and it is in good condition, it might be OK but realize that you will need to go completely through the entire running gear and probably replace all bearings as well as the tires. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaswick Posted January 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 It is a 2006 keystone montana 3400rl. I know the original owners quite well and it is in very good condition. We plan to travel 3 to 4 months a year. I understand it would need new tires and bearings. Will be my first fw. Any and all suggestions will be helpful. I will be paying $16.000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Greg Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 The key to any used RV is how well it was maintained. As Kirk said get new QUALITY tires and new bearings and have the suspension system checked. Be sure to test the slides and levelers as they haven't been used. If it has been lived in full time for 11 years some interior things will be wearing out if not already maintained.....carpet, latches, toilet etc. If it has the original RV fridge it could be near the end of it's lifespan. Has the RV been carefully caulked and the roof maintained to prevent water leaks. Water damage is a common problem and can be very expensive to repair. I would suggest a professional inspector check it out. Greg Greg & Judy Bahnmiller Class of 2007 2014 F350 2007 HitchHiker Champagne Both sold 2/19, settled in Foley, AL after 12 years on the road http://bahnmilleradventure.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFchap Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 In addiiton to the above, ask the owner how they have handled the black and gray water waste tanks ... if they have left the black tank dump valve open, or dumped it only when full. If left open, it will likely have a mound of "solids" in the tank, drastically reducing tank capacity. If it is there, that mound is very difficult to break loose and get out. Paul (KE5LXU), former fulltimer, now sometimer... '03 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40E '05 Honda Odyssey Escapees, FMCA, WIT, SMART http://www.pjrider.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanhoyle Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 Also keep in mind most rubber roofs begin to deteriorate by 10 years. How well did they keep it clean and sealed. Jeanie and John Ford F-250 super crew Americana 34/35 GS (it's a Forest River Cardinal with extras) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 The NADA book shows the 2006 Montana 3400RL as having a price range of $14,950 to $18,000 so the price is pretty much in the middle of the market range. It isn't a big bargain, unless this is something really special. If it were me, I'd probably not pay more than $14,000 since you know that you will have to spend some money to get it on the road. I would also suggest that you get a professional to inspect the trailer for any hidden problems before you make any offer. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV fan Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 If from the southwest like Arizona it would be less likely to have any mold issues such as a rig kept in a humid area such as Florida etc. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaswick Posted January 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 It has been in a campground in Michigan where it was used on weekends from April untill September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty77_7 Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 One way to keep a good friend, is to never buy, of sell, anything from them....! That being said, does the fiver meet what you two feel you want for interior layout? If so, then it is as mentioned the inspect with an objective eye. An independent inspection documenting conditions would keep things more objective. Others have mentioned good things that an inspector should check too. Toss in batteries into that mix. And if it has been lived in full time, vs say a get away place to visit, then interior wear and tear comes into scrutiny too. Mostly, I go back to my first line on this post... Best of luck to you, Smitty Be safe, have fun, Smitty 04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaswick Posted January 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Unfortunately the friend died which is why it is for saie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Has the roof been kept sealed? All the exterior joints? Any water spots on the ceilings? Any soft spots in the upper inside corners? These are usually in cabinets and hard to access. Is the area around the toilet soft? Shower? Any delamination/bubbles on the exterior? Jim's Adventures Old Spacecraft.... Who knows whats next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markandkim Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Unit won't have all the stuff the new ones have, but I'll bet it's built better. Retired USN Engineer 2020 Ram 2500 Bighorn 6.7 Diesel 2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Unit won't have all the stuff the new ones have, but I'll bet it's built better. Are you saying that Keystone has declined in quality of construction for the Montana? I don't believe that all manufacturers have done so an some have even improved, but I'd not evaluate the Montana as I have not followed them but others here may be able to do so. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty77_7 Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Unfortunately the friend died which is why it is for saie. Sorry to hear that. But that then does remove that potential wrinkle of future problem opportunities... It's now all about business, and what it's really worth based upon condition and how you feel it will meet your needs. Best, Smitty Be safe, have fun, Smitty 04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlCherry Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 When we went looking for a used toy box fiver, we looked at about 30 of them around Texas. We wanted a Raptor, so that narrowed it down. The biggest problem I saw was RV's left out in the weather and not being maintained, to include washing the unit to include the roof, keeping wasps out of the ports in the unit and leaves clogging the A/C. We found one that had been kept under cover and was well maintained. We continued the same care and after 11 years it is still in excellent shape. 2008 Ford F350 PowerStroke DRW2006 Raptor 38132007 Harley Davidson ElectraGlide Classic 2010 Harley Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra ClassicStreet/Strip Harley Sportster RacebikeSFC (ret) US Army Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&R757 Posted February 12, 2017 Report Share Posted February 12, 2017 I am new to the forum, but I have done a fair amount of research in this area, so here goes: Does it have slides? If so, be sure to have them checked for proper operation, and bear in mind, earlier ones were not as strong as the newer ones today. Plumbing is a big issue, check all the connections for leaks, as the floors were typically anything other than marine quality plywood, and when exposed to water, the wood literally explodes. Wiring issues are also potential problems, and for sure the appliances. As mentioned earlier, the appliances are most likely near the end of their lives. One way to ruin an RV is to not properly care for the roof, once it starts leaking, you are in for big bills. If this unit was in a dry climate you can pretty well bet that all the caulking and sealants for the roof are cracked. Make sure they get cleaned thoroughly, and re-sealed with good sealants so when you get to a wetter climate you will be okay. I think you would be well advised to have an inspector check out the unit. Get a third party evaluation of the condition, and adjust the price accordingly. Good luck, and keep us informed on how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamRad Posted February 12, 2017 Report Share Posted February 12, 2017 Log into the Montana Owners Club website. Do a search for the unit in question. I'm sure you'll find as much information as you want. Good luck. HamRad Trailer: Montana 5th wheel, model 3582Rl, model year 2012 Truck: Ford 450 PSD Super Duty, 2002 Crew Cab, Long bed, 4:88 rear end, last of the 7.3 engines, Automatic Transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcrzr Posted February 12, 2017 Report Share Posted February 12, 2017 One thing I haven't seen addressed is the condition of the floor. My parents had a seasonal sight in WI & never moved their trailer. Over the years (maybe 10) the floor needed replacing due to moisture infiltration from sitting on the ground & not a slab. Another thing I don't care for in older models is the décor is usually very outdated. Upgrades can be done, at a price. Best of luck in your search. Todd “…nothing so liberalizes a man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people.” – Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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