any thoughts on this rv? 81 Mobile Traveler

[dogear52]

I'm thinking about driving 75 miles to look at an 81 Mobile Traveler 18 ft with 59k miles on a chevy 350 for $2600 on CL. Anyone ever owned one or have any info on these? The owner said he had it 2 yrs and put $1200 in repairs but needs some kind of emissions valve. Near new tires but no holding tank, lounge area is bare. It would be the perfect size for me.....looks like a cross between a class c and b.

 

[cyndi]

There's a couple of Mobile Traveler owners on the forum. I've seen one of them and it's a beautiful rig, but a little newer (87 or 88?)

I'm going to change the subject title on your post. Perhaps they'll weigh in

 

[dogear52]

Thank you, Cyndi!

 

[cyndi]

Be patient, dogear. they could be out on the road without access to the forums.

In the meantime I found a couple of groups, online

A mobile traveler facebook page (not real active, but I saw some good info and great pictures)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mobile-Traveler-Owners-Group/103407506403462

and a yahoo group
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mobiletravelerownersclub/conversations/messages
Yahoo groups canbe hard to follow but a great place to ask questions

 

[dogear52]

Decent. I'll check the sites out while I wait for replies. Thanks for the help!

 

[akrvbob]

Mobile Traveler is one of the better quality RVs and unless it was really thrashed I'd plan on buying it. I think that 18 foot model is THE IDEAL RV! I have a friend with one and every time I see it I think to myself I wish I had it!

I'm sure they have different floorplans, but his is one of the best I've ever seen. It makes a tiny RV seem much larger.
Bob

 

[dogear52]

Thanks Bob. I'll take a look at it if it's still for sale.

 

[dogear52]

Talked with the owner this morning....now debating whether to make the drive to see it. He said the pcv valve sticks causing white smoke from the exhaust pipe for a few minutes then quits as the engine warms and valve loosens.....runs great after that. After some research I'm not sure that would cause the white smoke....sounds like head gasket trouble since a pcv valve replacement should be cheap and easy enough to have already been done given it's importance. I'm thinking this RV sat unused for too long. Sound like a waste of time?

 

[Patrick46]

so...knock an additional $500 off the price, to have new head gaskets installed.

(offer him $1800 for it) the worst he can do is turn you down.

 

[dogear52]

Thanks Patrick46. I'll probably make the drive.....could use a little road trip....and negotiate a lower price after I check it out. Probably see if he'll let a mechanic of my choosing look it over. My knowledge about automotive is very basic anyway so a mechanic will have to see it or no deal.

 

[Tinman74]

A mechanic could probably put a pressure check on the cooling system to see if it is bleeding water into an engine cylinder, hence the white smoke.

Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

Or check the coolant for oil contamination. Easy to spot.

 

[cdiggy]

And check the radiator to make sure it has antifreeze in it. If it does and the smoke is coolant you will smell the unmistakable scent of steamy antifreeze coming from the tailpipe.

---

Plus steam will not linger like oil smoke will.

 

[dogear52]

Thanks for all the input. It was a no go unfortunately. In the future I'm going to look for one of these in better shape. Wish they made a 4x4 version.