Motorhome

[owl]

   From your experience in actually owning one, which older, less expensive motorhome would to recommend?

 

[mockturtle]

For mid-priced units, older Winnebagos seem to hold up better than most.  Born Free [bought my 2000 in 2009] and Lazy Daze hold up really well but are not inexpensive, even used.  There are a couple of makes I would avoid but don't want to post that info here.  If you want to PM me, I'll give you my opinion on those.  

 

[sparky1]

i'm single with Cat as passenger.
1. 1975 Dodge Titan Class A (first motorhome---loved it.Blew up twice.sold it for junk.
2. 1976 Dodge Class "C"21 ft. loved it more.sold it to buy bigger.
3. 1984 Pace Arrow 34 ft. Class A drove it 113,000 miles it blew up in my drive way.Great motorhome.

4. 1990 Chevy Mark 111 3/4 ton Van still on the road.I tow my 2000 Casita 13 ft camper sometimes.Both on the road now.
5. 1998 Bounder 35 ft. class A ,on the road right now.

I do enjoy everything I buy,I have racked up many miles & repair & improvement expences,personal property Taxes $1200.
tires now are close to $500 per tire now,last yr ,2 windshields $3200.oo 4 tires $1300.oo,Hydraulic line for levelers $150.oo I installed it. 2, 6 Volt Battery's $290/oo power supply/converter $220.oo (2) slider dual pane windows(fogged)$350.oo.I installed them.Brake Pads $220.oo & I installed them.
now put that in perspective---see WHY i'm sitting @ home.thank god I can do most of my Maintenance.
sparky1 in s.Va.

 

[cyndi]

I looked for and hoped to buy a used <span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><a href="http://www.lazydaze.com/"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Lazy Daze</span></a></strong></span>,&nbsp;reputed to be&nbsp;the best that is out there in Class Cs. They are made with the full-timer in mind, very well insulated and built to last. Unfortunately, their owners appear to hang on to them. You don't see used models for sale, very often.&nbsp;

 

[mockturtle]

I looked for and hoped to buy a used <span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><a href="http://www.lazydaze.com/"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Lazy Daze</span></a></strong></span>,&nbsp;reputed to be&nbsp;the best that is out there in Class Cs. They are made with the full-timer in mind, very well insulated and built to last. Unfortunately, their owners appear to hang on to them. You don't see used models for sale, very often.&nbsp;

<br /><br />If you join the Yahoo groups, there is a Lazy Daze forum and quite a few LD for sale there, mostly older.&nbsp; Right now there are 24 listed, most 1990's.&nbsp; In order to have access to the For Sale Files, you need to join [free, of course] but the forum can be accessed here: <a href="http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lifewithalazydazerv/">http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lifewithalazydazerv/<br /><br /></a>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;A 70's Winnebago Brave, class A. They have an extremely robust suspension, foam laminate walls/ceiling, insulated floors and an interior steel 'cage'. Incredibly well put together units which, in some respects, are better than what's made today. ..Willy.

 

[wandering mike]

I am not sure there is much difference. I certainly agree that Lazy Daze and some others hold their value well. The thing I have found is that the problems are from the ancillary items; e.g. fridges, water heaters, tires, wheel bearings, furnaces, etc. These are pretty much the same and will break, no different than a "stix and brix" home. No different than and older home. Gotta keep up with it.

One thing. With Class C units look for cabover and roof water damage. Learn about it. It sucks. Some units, again Lazy Daze, use methods that minimize the risk of water leaking. But if you hang out in the desert, it matters less.

Good luck and God Speed.

 

[oldsoul]

1980-1985 ford E350 with either a 7.5l v8 with a c-6 or 351 windsor with a c-6. They are built like tanks and everything on the whole rig is built overboard on quality. Yes the gas mileage sucks, but who cares, its an RV. Just my opinion.

 

[owl]

Thanks for all the input. I'm helping a friend to get into a motorhome and any all info will help. Thanks again!

 

[wesmagyar]

<p>Older&nbsp;Winnebago&nbsp;Itasca's are good. ive owned one, it was great, ran like a champ had a 454 in it. Another friend of mine owns one with a 350. It runs great. has over 170k on it.&nbsp;</p><p>If you can find one of the smaller ones with a diesel i&nbsp;recommend&nbsp;those as well. they get great mileage and are tanks the problem with them is parts can be hard to find as the engine is&nbsp;European. &nbsp;but other then that they are solid.</p>

 

[cedric]

I owned a 1978 dodge tioga for several years and loved it but not the mpg ~7mpg<br /><br />I own a 1985 toyota motorhome with the 22r 4 cyl engine. It's a pretty nice rig but small inside.<br />It gets 12-14mpg and is horrible on big hills. If I were to buy a toyota rv again, I would go with the 6cyl motor.<br /><br />With any camper roof maintenance. Even a van with a roof vent on the roof will leak eventually unless you keep up with the caulking in my opinion. <br /><br />The comment about class c cab-over leaks is valid. Especially if it has windows in the cab over area. It is my experience that the front window on the cab-over area leaks the most often. The seal on mine dries out and needs silicon touch-ups every year.<br /><br />My toyota rv has the shower and toilet in the same area which I personally do not like. It feels really cramped in there. I prefer the tioga bath that had a separate tiny tub with shower setup.

 

[vtchris]

I have been full timing for 7 years and am on my second Toyota MH, the 6 cyl one and both from the '90's (the last one made was in 1994).&nbsp; I like them so much I bought another one after I wore out my first one LOL.&nbsp; Even though they were purchased 6 years apart.....I paid $11K for them both.&nbsp; Mine have the rear bath with separate shower.

 

[scottscott]

i wouldnt buy a motorhome without a fiberglass roof, the drive lines are not a big issue because they tend not to have many miles the roofs are another thing they tend to get water leaks lazydaze bornfree and bigfoot are the best built brands

 

[wandering mike]

Scottscott: &nbsp;I agree with you as to the brands that are viewed as very good (and hold their value a whole lot more too). &nbsp;But I think the Lazy Daze actually has an aluminum roof, not fiberglass. &nbsp;But I view that as at least being equal to your suggestion.