California
Newbie
Posts:1
Registered Users
 |
| 08/25/2007 12:06 PM |
|
Just sold the pop-up (1976 Apache Solid State) and considering the jump to a classic (perhaps late 80's to early 90's) motorhome, but have heard and read MANY negative things about the reliability of older motorhomes. What are some of the things that can -- and do -- go wrong with these coaches? Am I being a bit too cautious (I can buy a like-new 1988 Rexhall for $9500)?
Would very much like to hear some positive input -- as well as what to look for in a used coach.
Thanks! |
|
|
|
|
COOPERHAWK
Moderator
Expert
Posts:843
Administrators
East Central Minnesota
|
| 08/25/2007 12:10 PM |
|
| This forum is made up of folks with older classic motorhomes of all brands. I myself have an Airstream 345 and we love it. It is 22 years old and just broke in. One thing is, you need to be able to fix a few things yourself. You can get lots of information on this forum. Just be paitent. Most folks are out camping right now. |
|
1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
VFW,Legion, NRA
FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
http://www.cooperhawk.net
mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
"People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets." |
|
|
guy99
Not a Newbie
Posts:26
Registered Users
|
| 08/25/2007 12:42 PM |
|
| I have an 84 Airstream MH on a chevy P30 chassis. Most people will tell you that the purchase price is just a down payment. What it will cost depends on how much you will do yourself and what you are willing to put up with. Often a low mileage rig has more problems than one used regularly. Tires need to be replaced based on age, not just miles or tread. |
|
|
|
|
Airstream345
Site Host
Classic Master
Posts:1335
Administrators
Louisville, KY
|
| 08/26/2007 1:53 PM |
|
Reliability is certainly something in the "well that depends" category. Mine (an 86 Airstream on a Chevy P30 Chassis) has certainly had it's share of breakdowns. Most were in the driveway but a few happened on the road and delayed our travel a little. That said, I work in the RV industry and hear reports all the time from people with brand new motorhomes about how they broke down here, or the genny quit there, etc. The reality is that these are large, complex machines with lots of system and many times (even on new units) things break.
The good news, is that if you are handy and mechanical, the parts are cheap and almost anything can be done by the shadetree mechanic. Not to mention you can usually get a really good deal on an older motorhome that was the top of the line in it's day. |
|
Steven Webster
1986 Airstream Classic 345
Host, ThisOldRV.com |
|
|
Balrgn
Moderator
Expert
Posts:805
Registered Users
Southern NH
|
| 08/26/2007 8:37 PM |
|
| With a little maintenance these ole rigs for for a very long time. My 77 has only 85k on it now, no worry with the running gear of any of the systems. |
|
1977 Argosy 20
454 V8 Gas
Southern NH
Maintenance Analyst
www.balrgn.com |
|
|
Airstream345
Site Host
Classic Master
Posts:1335
Administrators
Louisville, KY
|
| 08/26/2007 9:36 PM |
|
I should add that while I've had some mechanical issues with mine, they were all realted to the [lack of] maintenance by the PO. I spent a fair amount of time just correcting issues created by his "handy work". I also know of another motorhome older than mine that was owned for years without a single major issue. Drove that thing everywhere. I got to see it in person twice - very clean and well loved by it's current and all of it's previous owners.
|
|
Steven Webster
1986 Airstream Classic 345
Host, ThisOldRV.com |
|
|
bigbusguy
Newbie
Posts:7
Registered Users
Idaho/Cambodia
|
| 08/28/2007 12:02 AM |
|
My every day drive car for the last 15+ years is a 1954 Chevy car and it never let me down once.
My motor home is a 1974 Shasta. I just getting into getting every thing the former owners screwed up.
Most drive train items are all most the same in older motor homes as in new ones. I would worry about what the former owners did to the motor home they can really mess up a good thing.
What you will get with a older motorhome is roof leaks maybe . Water leaks from bust pipes = soft rotted floors. Junk in the fuel tanks rust dirt. Look for lots of add on fuel filter and lots of spairs. There is 100's is things that can be wrong or go wrong or almost nothing.
When i bought my Shasta 4 of the 8 plug wires was on the wrong cylinders. A 5 min fix.
Brian |
|
1974 Shasta class A motorhome
soon the travel asia by motorhome |
|
|
Honcho
Newbie
Posts:3
Registered Users
|
| 09/22/2007 9:01 PM |
|
I'm in the process of buying a 1989 345LE. I've always loved the airstream look and couldn't see buying any other motorhome or trailer. With that, I've never owned a motorhome before and I'm looking for some advice on what to look for when purchasing.
At 59k miles what kinds of problems are common (engine, drive shaft, etc . . .)?
Thanks,
Honcho |
|
|
|
|
COOPERHAWK
Moderator
Expert
Posts:843
Administrators
East Central Minnesota
|
| 09/23/2007 10:33 AM |
|
If the tires are six years old or older, no matter how they look, plan on replacing them. Start up the fridge, water heater, ac's,(2), and furnaces,(2). See if they actually work. Also, run the genset. All these things can be replaced, but it can get expensive. Any dents? Do the rear air bags pump up? You should hear the compressor in the rear of the coach and it should shut off when the air bags are inflated. Then of course, run the engine and take it for a drive. Look for blue smoke and oil leaks.
One thing about these Airstreams is that they are repairable. The only thing is that it can become an ongoing hobby for quite some time. Most of us think its worth it though. |
|
1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
VFW,Legion, NRA
FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
http://www.cooperhawk.net
mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
"People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets." |
|
|
allthingsclassic
Not a Newbie
Posts:34
Registered Users
Marietta, GA
|
| 09/23/2007 11:36 AM |
|
| This brings up a good idea we need for the site, a checklist potential buyers can use when thinking about buying an RV. I recently bought a motorhome and wish I would've had a checklist to go over just to make sure I was checking everything. I didn't check the battery isolator and turns out it was bad, who would of thought to check the battery isolator. That cost me $200. Let me know what you think. |
|
Brian Paden
1992 Monaco Crown Royale
1985 Airstream 345 (For Sale) |
|
|