Age VS Mileage? (Seeking Advice)

[AdventurousAdriana]

Hi Yall,

As many of you know, I'm searching for a small used class c or b+ rv (nothing over 24ft) for under 15k (even less would be better since I want to make some boondocking upgrades like solar, cubic mini woodstove, natures head, wifi ranger, etc).    

I'm finding that with that budget I can either get something newer with more miles (early-mid 2000's between 55-100+k miles) or something older with less miles (1990's and earlier with 20-50k miles).  Which would be better in yall's opinion? 

At the moment I'm thinking my ideal rig (subject to change!  ha!) would be the newest I could find in that price range, 22ft class c, rear bed/bath area, with a e450 engine (I'll be doing a lot of travel in mountains and am guessing a bigger engine is better?).  

Thanks for the advice  :heart: :heart: :heart:

 

[highdesertranger]

if you work on your own vehicles, older can be a great deal, if you don't you need one that's as reliable as possible.

note, an E450 is the series number it has nothing to do with the engine size. highdesertranger

 

[WanderLoveJosh]

I've seen a lot of great used Class C's on rv trader for under 15K, some between 1994-2003 with low miles.

 

[tx2sturgis]

note,  an E450 is the series number it has nothing to do with the engine size.  

Well that's technically true but Ford did not put the small V-8 or V-6 in the E-450's as far as I know. 

E-250 and E-350 can have either a smaller V-8, larger V-8, or V-10 Tritons. But the later E-450s (and up) will likely have the larger V-8 or the V-10, or possibly a diesel. 

AA, the E350 and E450 as a motorhome can both have the same larger V-8 or V-10. So a smaller Class C on an E-350 can still have the larger engines...you will have to look at the description.

 

[SoulRaven]

I would go newer with more mileage than older with less mileage. Sitting can be harder on the RV than running it. With some lower mileage, they may have been lived in full-time or snowbirding which would be a lot of wear n' tear on all the RV systems.

 

[rickr]

Be patient. Be ready to buy. Get the newest lowest miles you can afford. p.s., I have the ford v10, and it has all the power you'll need!

 

[Burbanlife]

I would go newer..at least newer than a 1998 that way if you have to worry about emissions it is done by OBDII and no dyno testing and a plus is fuel injected and no carbuerator too

 

[becida]

55-100k is NOT high mileage IMO, I expect a modern vehicle to go to 250k but that's me.  
The newest with the lowest mileage you can afford for a regular van but with something already built I'd look for a layout I liked. It needs to fit "you" & feel right.
Good luck!

 

[AdventurousAdriana]

So I'm considering these vehicles... which one do yall think looks better?

2004 Dynamax Carri-Go 58,000 miles

2003 4Winds 72,000 miles

 

[Bwanderin]

Hi Adriana, 

I'm not actually as familiar with C classes in general but that 04 DynaMax sure looks sweet!  With the V10 and low mileage it seems worth driving and investigating further - especially if you are near Houston.  I have a travel trailer currently, lots of friends with all different RVs, and am  currently looking seriously at B classes so I have looked at tons of RVs and I think this one looks pretty clean in the pics - I would certainly be interested. Be sure to take a good look at ceiling and walls for any evidence of leaks.  And of course, see if you can get a mechanical/RV inspection.

IMHO I think it looks really nice - I would go further with it!

Happy shopping

FYI the link for the 03 4Winds says the listing was deleted

 

[rvwandering]

It looks like the Four Winds has sold. Of the two the DynaMax is a higher quality construction. The cabover is a solid piece and the rear edge moldings are solid too eliminating many potential leak areas. The mileage is low but not so low that it didn't get regular use. It appears to be in excellent condition. The only con is the wet bathroom but that's not a big deal for many people. Check the fresh water, gray and black water capacities. Sometimes they are very unbalanced. The wastewater tanks should match the fresh. If you will be boondocking and not taking daily showers you may want the black tank to be larger - or the other way around frequent showers and a larger gray tank - but no matter what, combined they should still be a match or larger than the fresh.

 

[closeanuf]

If you are looking at any vehicle in South Texas remember the flood that happened there.  Get someone to inspect it to be sure there is no water damage, especially to any electrical systems.

 

[Cammalu]

Adriana I have that exact model Carrigo but a 2002. I would buy mine again in a heartbeat. I love it. Cabinets are oak and there is actually counter space in the kitchen to cook.


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[AdventurousAdriana]

I'll probably try to find some time this week to go see the Dynamax-Carrigo in person.

HOWEVER: I did find more pics of it on the dealer site and it looks like there might be some rust... does this look excessive to yall or normal-ish for it's age (see stepwell, hitch, and exaust pipe photos in this link)???

https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/used-rvs-for-sale/mini-motorhome/2004-dynamax-carri-go_rv-37643

 

[tx2sturgis]

The rust is telling you to look very closely underneath.

It might just be from camping or stored near a lake or in a humid area, but I'm guessing it's either been in a flood or operated on salty snow-covered roads up north. Of course Houston is a coastal area and this can take a toll on metal as well.

Hard to tell the extent so you will need to look under it, wear jeans, (not a dress or skirt) and bring a piece of cardboard to kneel or lay down on, and maybe take a flashlight. I would do this FIRST. Inspect this one from the bottom to the top, not the other way around. 

Surface rust is kinda normal but with some rust on the steps and inside the threshold I would be very cautious about what you might see underneath. If you see rust flaking off in chunks, RUN!

 

[AdventurousAdriana]

Hard to tell the extent so you will need to look under it, wear jeans, (not a dress or skirt) and bring a piece of cardboard to kneel or lay down on, and maybe take a flashlight. I would do this FIRST. Inspect this one from the bottom to the top, not the other way around. 

Surface rust is kinda normal but with some rust on the steps and inside the threshold I would be very cautious about what you might see underneath. If you see rust flaking off in chunks, RUN!

Thanks TX, will do.  In addition to any inspection that I do,  I'll also be hiring an RV inspector to take a look as well.  Since I'm such a newbie at this I want a professional's opinion in addition to my own.

 

[Wanderer]

I would go newer with more mileage than older with less mileage.  Sitting can be harder on the RV than running it.  With some lower mileage, they may have been lived in full-time or snowbirding which would be a lot of wear n' tear on all the RV systems.

I agree. I'd love to find one with records. Like you said "Sitting is hard" and that applied to us old birds also

 

[wagoneer]

I loved my 1986 one ton GMC Duramax van pulled my airstream to hell and back