|
|
|
|
| Re: Newbie question [message #264688 is a reply to message #264686] |
Wed, 22 October 2014 21:04   |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
|
Senior Member |
|
|
JR wrote on Wed, 22 October 2014 20:36New guy here. Been lurking awhile but now I have a question.
I have been looking at these motorhomes for sometime. I really like the retro style. I've watched CL for ages and checked prices. It seems that you can get a decent one, up here (Vancouver Island), for the $15-$20k range. Lots of cheaper ones out there.
The question is this. Is it realistic to expect to pay $20k and get a reliable, trouble free MH?
When I read through the threads on this site I see so many potential issues. Old powertrain, suspension issues, typical MH mechanical issues etc.
There is no doubt the GMC is a cool looking machine. But if I want to pack up and head out for a couple months am I better off to look at a newer machine? Is the GMC more work than a newer MH?
I am close to retirement(less than a year) and am trying to convince the better half that this would be a great adventure. I just don't want it to be too much of an adventure.
Feel free to educate me.  The probability of getting a reliable GMC is generally higher if you pay a lot up front for one that is being used regularly.
Some new owners have had a good runner coast to a stop on the side of the road with a blown engine or transmission shortly after departing the PO's driveway.
Others have taken one that has sat for years and gone through all the systems and put it on the road in a few months.
You pays your money and you takes your chances.
Personally, I DO NOT subscribe to the school of thought that you need to spend $25k to get one to a state that it will do what you want. I paid $6800 for a 23' Sequoia (with 67,000 original miles) and put another thousand in tires, a couple hundred for a used fridge and horse traded for a jack knife sofa to replace the dinette so it would sleep 4 instead of just three. Once I install the donated rear dinette to replace the rear permanent bed in the back and spend a few more hours to get the Onan working (not planning to spend many dollars on it) it will be ready to use anywhere.
If you are handy mechanically, and at other DIY stuff, you can do it affordably. Otherwise, you will need to start with a high limit on your credit card.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Newbie question [message #264691 is a reply to message #264686] |
Wed, 22 October 2014 21:16 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
|
Senior Member |
|
|
JR, welcome to the prospective cult. I'll suggest that there are coaches and there are coaches. The one YOU want is one where you either get to KNOW the owner, or...perhaps better...know people who know them and can tell you how the coach was upgraded and maintained. Get involved with the local club and attend a rally. Tell them what you are looking for. They'll know someone who is aging out or moving to an SOB that has a good coach.
Be careful of one that " It ran great and everything worked when we used it last back in '09". The longer they sit, the more and faster they deteriorate.
There will be some local folks who will be willing to go with you when you look at these coaches and their insight is invaluable. YOU don't know what you don't know. They will and their insight can save you a ton of money and problems.
Good luck.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
|
|
|
|
| Re: Newbie question [message #264692 is a reply to message #264686] |
Wed, 22 October 2014 21:26 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
> Is it realistic to expect to pay $20k and get a reliable, trouble free MH?
IMO, it's do-able but you stand the best chance if you have someone here or one of the clubs vouch for the coach and its current and previous owners.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
[Updated on: Thu, 18 December 2014 18:37] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Newbie question [message #264702 is a reply to message #264690] |
Wed, 22 October 2014 23:40 |
Otterwan
Messages: 946
Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
lonestranger wrote on Wed, 22 October 2014 19:09I don't know if it will help your decision, but we have had newer (<2yrs old) 42-45ft motorhomes and have a 75 PB. We had mechanical problems with both. However, the "newer" MH cost average of over $1000 for each repair, having to be repaired by a heavy RV/truck repair facility, whereas the GMC is much more DYI friendly, if you have rudimentary mechanical skills and parts are significantly less expensive. Lastly, the GMC community and its vendors are very receptive to helping the individual member. I don't believe any other make has this depth of support. Just my opinion. I would welcome you and yours to our "family".
What he said. I bought a 2006 Arctic Fox truck camper new off the lot. One problem after another. The nice thing about the GMC is that it is basically simple. There isn't really anything on it that the average shade tree mechanic can't handle, as long as that shade tree mechanic is you.
I would say that unless you mechanically inclined, and by that I mean you could do pretty much any repair with good instructions, don't get one. There aren't a lot of folks left that can work on these for you, and the ones that can don't live in our neck of the woods.
1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
|
|
|
|
| Re: Newbie question [message #264710 is a reply to message #264702] |
Thu, 23 October 2014 07:22 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
The important thing to remember is that these are used vehicles - speaking mechanically, the basics tenants for used car purchasing still apply:
No matter how nice, you will need to spend a dollar amount to fix whatever it was that was "the last straw" for the previous owner. in cars it is about a 2k bill, GMCs can vary. But, you can't go wrong preparing for it. I ask folks what they would fix if they were going to keep it and had the funds to make it perfect.
Age counts as well as mileage - an original 40 yr old car with 10k in mileage is going to need every system checked out and renewed. Nothing may be be "worn out", but it is probably dry-rotted, rusted, chewed by varmints, etc.
Past performance is only as important if it was well documented. No documentation, plan on re-doing it all now.
These things seem to average out at 20 to 25k, all at once or in little payments, for a mechanically reliable example. You can pay a lot more in upgrades for particularly spiffy coach (new paint, modern interior, etc), but don't let a shiny paint job distract from the basics. If the coach is spotless, with a rebuilt engine put in 100k trouble-free miles ago, you are due to spend money on the powertrain.
Beware the anecdotes of trouble. Message boards like this are tremendous resources for getting issues worked out. As such the percentage of folks with issues seems high. We just had hundreds of folks go to several different rallys - the board would be filled with issues if these things were not generally reliable if properly maintained.
Personally, I'd rather have 40k in a GMC than some other here-today-gone-tommorrow stick and staple wonder. They all have issues and costs - go make friends with a used RV salesman if you want your eyes opened with horror stories of what the current industry offers.
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] rcjordan [message #264749 is a reply to message #264712] |
Thu, 23 October 2014 17:14 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
???
Did I miss something?
Kingsley Coach wrote on Thu, 23 October 2014 08:49The conversation heading was:
NEWBIE QUESTION
You should answer the question or make comment in that conversation and not
start a new one.
Mike in NS
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Newbie question [message #264800 is a reply to message #264757] |
Sat, 25 October 2014 10:24 |
bukzin
Messages: 840
Registered: April 2004
Location: North California
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
The thing to remember is the on-going costs.
Any coach or travel trailer has a bunch of systems and components which take a beating bouncing down the road.
Plan on a lot of time going into the coach (any age or brand). That time comes in 2 versions.
The first is in a waiting room of a RV shop and the other is with a tool in your hand. You can choose.
I fixed most everything on my '77 Palm Beach AND caught the 'upgrade bug' in the process.
Spent a ton of time adding/updating systems and parts.
Lots of fun and a fair bit of money. I am happy for all that I learned and all the help the pro's on this forum provided.
Back to the money, this is not the cheapest hobby or form of transportation you can find.
A ongoing repair budget is a must unless you want to learn to be a motorhome 'gear-head'. (many are and love it!)
Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
