Hopefully this post will help some neophytes determine if a "classic" (this usually means "old") Motorhome is right for them.
I think there are various steps we all take, in one form or another, in deciding if we should plunk down a serious stack of coins of the realm for what many would describe as a toy. We all must endeavor to accomplish some serious soul searching in order to avoid a potentially disastrous investment.
Some of these steps could include:
- Curiosity - Why would I want to invest in a classic MoHo? Does the answer involve Camping, Travel, Tail Gating, Lifestyle, or Associations?
- Determining a Manufacturer - Some will relate to Icon Recognition, Classic Styling, or Aluminum Romance. Others will merely "fall into a deal" (or, more potentially dangerous - into a lust/love relationship).
- Gathering Information and Determining Requirements - This is a really important step - How much will the MoHo REALLY be used, and for how long? The answer to this question directly affects the initial and investments.
- Make a Decision to Invest - This step should include some Time and Money Budgets - Purchase, Rebuild, Storage, and Maintenance budgets should be realistically determined - DO NOT underestimate any item here - overexpenditures are sometimes exponential.
- Search and Evaluation - I would believe the internet has turned into the primary search engine for pretty much everyone. Don't forget friends, relatives, and associations - sometimes there are great deals for both the seller and purchaser to be had if they could only get together.
- Purchase and Retrieval - Don't forget to budget both time and money to travel for the "right" product. Be prepared to walk away from a deal if you are uncomfortable for any reason - even if you have flown all of the way across the country to inspect the vehicle. If a deal does go south, make the most of it and enjoy a mini-vacation to the city you have traveled to.
Certainly this is not an all inclusive list of potential questions or pitfalls to be encountered in the quest for the "right" motorhome, but it is a start - I know others here will add or detract from what I have bullet-pointed above. The most important thing a potential purchaser should do is to ASK QUESTIONS!!! Search out all of the information available, ask questions of whomever you think is most capable of answering them, use the search feature of multiple forums, listings, and clubs. If utilizing forums, be sure to search the other posts of those responding to your questions - it will not take long to differentiate between those who "know their stuff" and those who "just post".
For anyone just starting a search for a new OldRV - welcome and good luck!
Dennis