RV Itasca ?

[carreola765]

My parents want to buy a Itasca just like this http://www.maplegrovervsales.com/inventory/listings/1992ItascaSunrise.html

Its a 1992 and has 50k miles on it. Good condition almost like the pictures. The guy is selling it for 10k

What do you guys think? I told them maybe if they retire they can live in it But it will be more expensive than a van. And to keep in mind how big these are and how much gas they take.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I think this is probably the wrong forum for this question, simply because the vast majority of the people here appear to be living in vans or pickup trucks.  You'd find a much larger sample of RV owners to ask about how they like their Itasca over on the mainstream RV forums like:

http://www.rv.net/   or www.rvforum.net

That said, there is an online price guide to used RVs at http://www.nadaguides.com/RVs

You can also check out buyer's guides by searching Amazon for "RV Buyers Survival Guide"

Finally, the standard advice about paying a mechanic to check out any used vehicle you want to buy applies in spades here.  You may need TWO different inspectors - a mechanic for the engine, drive train and other running gear, and an RV Technician to check out the various house systems, plumbing, appliances and so on.

Regards
John

 

[wagoneer]

Agree they will be comfy. A slush fund will help. I have a handful with my 20ft TT. Newer the better IMHO.

 

[compassrose]

Looks nice. I would offer 8K for it and dicker on price (As in "I have $8K CASH in hand... Do you want to sell it for that including taxes ,etc?"). It is a 23 yo vehicle. Plus I would rip the carpet out of the bathroom. There might be problems under it.

 

[GotSmart]

I have seen those blown all over the road by the wind and semi's going in the other direction. That is why they travel in packs, for protection. Go to the RV forums and ask questions before dropping 10K on one. The new ones are better about the wind.

 

[rvpopeye]

A couple of other RV forums Escapees and irv2

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I have seen those blown all over the road by the wind and semi's going in the other direction.  That is why they travel in packs, for protection.  Go to the RV forums and ask questions before dropping 10K on one. The new ones are better about the wind.

There is a thriving aftermarket for dealing with that particular problem.  Which suggests that it is a rather widespread problem.  Blue Ox is one such example.  For the money these things sell for, you'd think these aftermarket "solutions" would be factory standard . . .

Regards
John

 

[ZoNiE]

Mechanically, it is a Chevy P-30 Step van Chassis, so mechanical maintenance will be nearly identical to a GM G series Van.

It has a solid surface roof, which is good, and appears to be in good shape.

Check in the back of all cabinets high and low, and in all corners under carpet if you can, for signs of wood rot from leaks.

Check for signs of problems with the waste tanks, like rtv gooped around the pipe flange where it mounts to the tanks. Signs of "stuff" mean that some icky repairs may be needed.

The aftermarket tachometer indicates that the owner cared about keeping the engine in the correct rev range, so it should be in good mech shape.

$7-9K is the right price range for this.

at 27ft, it is a pretty good size compromise from space and parking.

 

[Canine]

ZoNie is leading you onto the right track.  Best thing to do is go onto each of those forums, use their search tab and type in the exact brand and model.  Then read up.  Whenever there are handling issues that can take thousands of dollars to fix.  Certain models, overhang lengths, chassis to frame ratios are better and some are downright horrible.  Look up chassis or overall length to frame ratios and you'll get a percentage, like 60 or something, to stay at.  Less than that is big handling issues.

On the plus side it's extremely clean, probably one of the cleanest I've ever seen. Being that a dealer has it, there's at least a 3K markup. How old are the tires? No matter what percentage of tread is left, if 8 yrs plus in age, they are junk.

The 454 exhaust manifolds were famous for broken bolts, resulting in a ticking sound and bolts that would have to be drilled out. If it has headers or a Banks kit that would have fixed it.

My biggest concern is the frame to house ratio for handling. Just looking at it, empty, it seems like the front end will get light very quickly. Make sure that the fresh water tanks are not behind the rear axle!!!

Good luck

 

[jonthebru]

Am I understanding that your potential purchase is not the one shown (Which looks perfect!), but another of the same model? It is old and all sorts of parts of it even if it looks good. Plastic and rubber becomes brittle. You really must have a grasp of what you are getting into.

 

[wagoneer]

I for one would not consider a home that has a motor. It just raises too many red flags for me. I would rather a Prius with a tent. 4 Cylinder volvo wagon with a tent or anything with a cargo trailer.

 

[carreola765]

Just to let you all know my parents did buy it! It looks very similar to the link but it is a shorter 23 ft version. They got it for 8k and are very happy with it! the owner took very good care of it and they kept it covered so the exterior looks very good. They also put new tires, struts or shocks howver u call and radiator! Its in quite good condition very clean on the inside .

 

[Canine]

Well a 23 footer is about ideal, remember that's not much longer than an extended van, like maybe 3 feet. Glad they found a smaller one that was well taken care of and had recent maintenance. Just have them make sure the roof has been recently sealed around any protrusions and if it has a window above the cab, that is resealed as well. The sealant dries out and cracks allowing water in, then you get rot. (Ask me how I know).