Newbie needing help/input...

[soulrebel]

Hi there,  first time here - been following for about a year - in the process of selling my house - searching for new house on wheels.  Looking at this one https://comoxvalley.craigslist.ca/rvs/6380545708.html

no idea what I'm doing....but...I gotta GO!  Any input/experience/advice/inspiration would be greatly appreciated!!

BTW - I'm in Canada - needing to escape winter!

(not even sure if I'm doing this right!) :huh:

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums soulrebel! The RV looks great but the price seems very high. Hopefully, someone who has more experience in buying class Bs can give you more input.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[user 423]

^
Couple of points:

- Last year for carbs on that model and they can be a problem. Research 'carbs vs. fuel-injection'.

- It's probably at or near it's GVWR. Not much wiggle room for extra weight.

- Gas mileage will be pretty bad. I owned a similar '86 and got 6 mpg in town and 11-12 hiway.

- The quality of rebuilt engines can vary quite a bit. The original w/129k km would have probably been fine but I would be wary of a rebuilt...JMHO. If it has a warranty, you might have a problem getting it honored if you head south to the US.

- IMO it's over priced for an '88. He's trying to recoup the $6k.

- Finally,you may find it cramped if you plan on full-timing in it. Depends a lot on what size human you are.

 

[wagoneer]

Personaly I would recommend a smaller package that 88 is going to contain many outdated features start thinking less is more.

 

[rm.w/aview]

Hi there,  first time here - been following for about a year - in the process of selling my house - searching for new house on wheels.

no idea what I'm doing....but...I gotta GO!  Any input/experience/advice/inspiration would be greatly appreciated!!

Will the sale of your house put you in a financial position to buy a more recent vehicle, one without the issues (and inevitably more) that slow2day mentioned? Less certainly is more, and creature comforts regarding usable space & basic systems vary among us. I suppose that in the end that it'll come down to how much you are willing to do vs how much you are willing to pay for some one to do. Look very closely at used RVs for signs of water damage and collision damage at the rear & the top, and if it's a motorcoach have a mechanic look at it. You say you've been following for about a year so you're aware of the possibility of buying a recent van and making it your own, tailored to your personal needs & desires. There are both quality used RVs & labor intensive money pits on the market, so be patient & do your research. Use forums, blogs, youtube, and spec sheets to narrow your search. Also crunch the numbers regarding the sale of your house to determine your budget, perhaps allowing you to pay off the loan on a vehicle to be debt free.

 

[Almost There]

Personally, I think an '88 is way too old to be very dependable for long road trips such as escaping to the south for the winter but there are lots of people out there still driving them! If you can do some of your own wrenching then it makes a big difference. 

With 80,000 miles on it (it's Cdn guys!!), it's not done a whole lot of driving over 29 years..that averages out to less than 3,000 miles a year which means it's been sitting for a whole bunch of time. Low mileage is just as problematic as high mileage because sitting causes it's own problems with dried out rubber everywhere, not just the tires. If he put 12,000 miles on it in 15 months, that makes the math even worse.

He is trying to recoup that $6,000 spent on it for sure.

Also Dodges are known for their rust problems on the frame - and this ones' been near salt water from the sounds of it for a long time.

It might be worth it to you if you really love having a Class B and you make sure that it is absolutely sound to start with - frame, tires, all appliances, no rot from water entrance at any of the openings including the running lights up top, etc. etc.

IIWM, I'd talk him down by at least several thousand dollars. Sounds like he needs it sold before he goes to Asia so you might get a bargain there!

 

[BC Guy]

No generator. No air conditioning in the rear. No way. As others have stated, too much money. From the way the ad is written, there is only one house battery.
I am not sure what house prices on the Island are vs the lower mainland, but I think you should look at rvs that are only a few years old, if you can.

 

[mpruet]

Personally I think that it is decked out a bit too much.  In a class-B you need to have as much open space as you can get or your will feel claustrophobic. You really don't need a 4 burner stove top or a double sink.  That takes up additional space. 

Anything that old is going to have appliances that need replacing.  Is the fridge working?  What about the water pump and water heater?  It can cost a lot of money to get those things replaced. 

It looks like it doesn't have a microwave.  That means that any cooking you are going to do is going to require propane.  While you might not like using a microwave, cooking with propane is going to require you make a lot of trips to get the propane tanks filled because class-B RVs don't have large propane tanks.  I like my microwave convection oven because I can do normal baking/roasting as well as quickly heat up prepared frozen meals.

Check the seams for leaks under a pressure washer.  Personally, I prefer as few seams as possible so as to minimize any leaks.  I'm not going to comment on the age of the engine/chassis as other folks have already covered that. 

If there is no rust and the engine seems to be solid, then it might be a good deal.  It's not what I would want but then I'm a bit of a minimalist and would want something a bit less crowded.  It's good that it fits in a normal parking space.

 

[duckwonder]

I have an 04 class b, and all the points folks have made are good ones. The only thing I'd add, you said dual batteries? I'd find out more. Do they mean 2 brand new house batteries? If not, I'd pass. Must have room on the rig for maybe 4 6v batteries to update the solar, especially if there is no generator.

Sent from my FRD-L14 using Tapatalk

 

[soulrebel]

Wow, thanks everyone for your input!  First time on a forum and I'm grateful for the feedback (once I figured out how to access it!)
I didn't go see the van - got caught up in dealing with the house sale - 2 offers!  It's happening!  And.... considered all the good feedback - thank-you!
So now I've got a guy in Washington State contacted me with a Chinook (which is what I'd really like!)  He responded to my "wanted" ad on Craigslist.  1995 - 85,000miles - $12,000  - looks in really good shape.  I crunched the numbers and it'll come to around $18,000 after the exchange (CND $ still in the loo!) and 12% taxes. Then the hassle of importing it  :s
Another one I saw today https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1309881513&requestSource=b
pretty pricey - but I know they are! (Pretty much my max budget)  No shower, solar, generator.... Sent an email...
This one's cool, but I'm kinda leery about it being so top heavy - wind storms?! https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1313513234&requestSource=b Higher kms... 
I need something that's close to having all the amenities as I'm really not into building something out and am not mechanically inclined and need to move into it when the house sells.
Pretty slim pickings up here - especially here on the island!
Any input/experience is appreciated - wish me luck!!

 

[Zardor]

Youll find what your looking for, my advice, if possible, be patient. Your going to be living in this purchase for a while. Be picky. Also, unless a nomad has owned it before you, your likely going to be ripping everything out and reinsulating. So interior is not as important as the structure and mechanics. If you having already. Rent something you like for a weekend. Nothing will serve you more than actually living in the space before committing.

 

[rm.w/aview]

Wow, thanks everyone for your input!  First time on a forum and I'm grateful for the feedback (once I figured out how to access it!)  It's happening!  - wish me luck!!

Good Luck!! I wish you all the best!! I'm new on this forum also, 6 months now, and heartily agree with you that the folks on this forum are amazing!

 

[BC Guy]

1995 Roadtrek 190 Popular $20,000 (Chev)
https://abbotsford.craigslist.ca/rvs/d/1995-roadtrek-popular-190-rv/6374976115.html
From the pictures (5 + 8), you can see that it has a\c. If it has a generator, I would consider the price to be okay.
Seller says that he has the work order for the $3900 just spent on it.

 

[BC Guy]

1979 Chinook Concourse $15,988. This is a Class C. I know that it is old, but you said you wanted a Chinook.
http://www.usedvancouver.com/classified-ad/1979-Chinook-Concourse_29193652
It was gutted and rebuilt with new appliances. The dealer has a mechanical report on hand.
Nothing is said about a\c or generator. The 1990 Chinook I had did not have either.
This is in Lantzville, north of Nanaimo.

 

[BC Guy]

1979 Chinook $7,999 Very little info given.
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/rvs/d/1979-rv-chinook-for-sale/6323385242.html
Mission, B.C.

 

[BC Guy]

1991 Dodge Roadtrek 190 Versatile $10,000
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/rvs/d/dodge-roadtrek-conversion-van/6367732684.html
228448 kilometers, new tires last year, has a/c.
Located in the Mount Pleasant area of Vancouver.

 

[soulrebel]

1979 Chinook Concourse $15,988.  This is a Class C.  I know that it is old, but you said you wanted a Chinook.
http://www.usedvancouver.com/classified-ad/1979-Chinook-Concourse_29193652
It was gutted and rebuilt with new appliances.  The dealer has a mechanical report on hand.
Nothing is said about a\c or generator.  The 1990 Chinook I had did not have either.
This is in Lantzville, north of Nanaimo.

Hi BC Guy,  Thanks for your input - I've looked at these a few times, I'm a little leery of the high mileage.  Makes me think I should persue the Chinook in Washington.....just cringe at the hassle of it all.  As you know, they're few and far between here!  How did you like your Chinook?  What do you have now?  I'm kinda nervous of the idea of driving something that big - I know I'll get used to it - just need to do it!
What do you think about the Okanagan?  Would the bulk up top make it harder to drive and would it be bad on gas?

 

[BC Guy]

I never should have bought the Chinook. I had it inspected by BCAA and he missed a lot of problems.
I have a Roadtrek now. Much better construction and gas mileage.
I have never driven an Okanagan. I hear that the gas mileage is around 12 to 14 mph which is better than I got with the Chinook.

 

[lf6998]

Wow, thanks everyone for your input!  First time on a forum and I'm grateful for the feedback (once I figured out how to access it!)
I didn't go see the van - got caught up in dealing with the house sale - 2 offers!  It's happening!  And.... considered all the good feedback - thank-you!
So now I've got a guy in Washington State contacted me with a Chinook (which is what I'd really like!)  He responded to my "wanted" ad on Craigslist.  1995 - 85,000miles - $12,000  - looks in really good shape.  I crunched the numbers and it'll come to around $18,000 after the exchange (CND $ still in the loo!) and 12% taxes. Then the hassle of importing it  :s
Another one I saw today https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1309881513&requestSource=b
pretty pricey - but I know they are! (Pretty much my max budget)  No shower, solar, generator.... Sent an email...
This one's cool, but I'm kinda leery about it being so top heavy - wind storms?! https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1313513234&requestSource=b Higher kms... 
I need something that's close to having all the amenities as I'm really not into building something out and am not mechanically inclined and need to move into it when the house sells.
Pretty slim pickings up here - especially here on the island!
Any input/experience is appreciated - wish me luck!!

A Chinook would be the only RV/Camper pre made that I would purchase, they were made with quality.  Today's are built cheap and not meant to live in full time. They stopped ( I think company closed in 2006-07) but they are making them again but new ones are really pricy.

Do you have to import it or can you get to WA to pick up and start road life from there???

Good luck!

 

[soulrebel]

A Chinook would be the only RV/Camper pre made that I would purchase, they were made with quality.  Today's are built cheap and not meant to live in full time. They stopped ( I think company closed in 2006-07) but they are making them again but new ones are really pricy.

Do you have to import it or can you get to WA to pick up and start road life from there???

Good luck!

Thanks for your input!  I missed out on a 96 Chinook that was registered in Panama - got paranoid about the transfer!  I wouldn't be able to register or insure the vehicle in the states - being Canadian.  I would have to import it into Canada and pay all the taxes - 12% total!! and have it inspected in order to register and insure it.  I wish there was an easier way - but everyone has to get their piece of the pie!
I have now sold the house and will be homeless by Jan. 6th - so the push is on to find my new home!!