Is Buying a used motorhome a good idea? Or would you be better off buying or building a new one? If you are not mechanically minded I would suggest that you buy a new or good second hand motorhome.
Could Life on the Road continue? With David Boat Building/Caravan Skills anything is possible.
Tips On Buying A Used Motorhome –
But please have it checked out by someone who knows what to look for. Some poor quality motorhomes are sold at a premium price by unscrupulous sellers. If you fancy yourself as a Cabinet Maker, Plumber, Panel Beater, Auto Electrician, Upholsterer and Mechanic Then I would refurbish an older motorhome. It costs much less and is quicker than starting from scratch. But read on to discover What challenges may lay ahead.
The Challenges Ahead When Buying A Used Motorhome
These are some of the challenges that I have ahead of me to renovate by buying a used motorhome. They are typical of the problems faced in older motorhomes, but obviously each motorhome will have its own unique set of faults.
As I have mentioned in a previous post the rear window and many of the side windows have leaks with rust also being an issue under the side window rubbers. There is substantial water damage in all of the rear bedroom furniture, which I have removed and started to rebuild. There is some water damage in both lounges as well. Neither lounge has seat belts either so I will have to replace and modify most of them to bring them up to the standard needed to fit seat belts including anchor points. The ceiling panel at the rear of the roof hatch needs replacing also as it has some rot in it from a leak that has been repaired.
The rust under the side window seals is well advanced and rusted through in many places which I will have to repair. There is also an area of rust in the front bottom corner between the door and front bumper. The roof rack has some sections completely rusted out that will need replacing as well. The remainder of the chassis and walls are rust free which is a relief.
The 24volt electrical system is a mess. It has been modified so many times over the last 40 years that even the last owner did not know how some of it worked, including the backup battery system. I will have to work out how it all works, replace, add to and rewire where needed so that we don’t get any nasty surprises along the way. There is no separate house electrical system to supply power to the lights, pumps and fridge. It all comes off the batteries for the engine with a set of spare batteries under the bunk That are dead from not being used.
Mechanicaly the suspension springs need to be reset, The diesel injector pump has a leak and the batteries are in pore shape from lack of use. Apart from those few things a good oil treatment for the engine gearbox and diff should take care of the other minor mechanical issues.
As you can see when Buying a used motorhome you can also be purchasing someone else’s maintenance issues that they chose not to deal with. If you are good with your hands and willing to give it a go, you will have a motorhome that you know inside out and can trust to take you where you want to go for years to come.
In the next post I will reveal exactly how bad the rust is in the window frames and how we are Replacing the Motorhome Windows
Are You Looking At Buying A Used Motorhome?
If we can help you in anyway with any questions, please ask them! We love to hear from you all 🙂
Cheers,
Dave
New Life On The Road
Hi Dave.
I know from experience, it certainly pays to put the preparation upfront to prepare your vehicle for a long journey around Australia.
Its always cheaper and easier to fix something at home, than when on the road, especially if something goes wrong in some remote place.
I can totally relate to the real enjoyment of working on your vehicle that will be your home for the next year or so.
I’m looking forward to hearing more on the repairs and your journey
Cade recently posted..Strapping Tape – Why and How Athletes Use It
Hi Cade,
I think that the enjoyment of preparing a vehicle for an extended trip comes from being able to do things the way you envisaged them and seeing the end result. It also gives you a good understanding of how everything works, which is esential when something does go wrong.
I will be taking care of the leaky windows on the drivers side of the bus this weekend come rain, hail or shine (maybe not hail) so I should have a post what I have done to fix them later in the week.
Cheers,
Dave
It certainly looks like you have your work cut out for you with your used motorhome but at least you can make it the way you want it when you do the work yourself.
Jackie Stenhouse recently posted..Infertility Treatments
Hi Jackie,
I do have a lot of work still ahead, but it will all be worth it in the end. When Lisa read this post she was shocked at how much needs doing.
Dave I take my hat off to you and Lisa. You certainly have the passion for your new life on the road and the bus is a test of this. Well done and great that you all have so many skills that you can do the work yourselves. As Cade says the preparation is so important and it certainly sounds like you will have this covered.
Thanks Benji,
When I was working in my trade I was usualy the one who took on all the projects that no one else wanted to touch. Mostly because it allowed me to be a bit more creative and test my skills to there limits alowing them to grow. Which I always enjoyed doing. This is one of those sort of projects. I was painting a picture in my mind of how it will look when it is finished even before I had started. One of the moments of joy that I have had was the other day when Lisa not only saw the first side of the bus almost finished, she also started to see the picture that I have been seeing every time I look at the bus and now it even has a name:)
Wow, what a journey you have going here, I love your site, its beautifully set out. I cant believe you two and five children are in this van. All the best and I look forward to following your adventures. If you are passing thru our way, you are more than welcome to visit.
Mandy Smith recently posted..The Next Stage of Planting Clumping Bamboo
One might consider renting a motor home before purchasing. This is a good site to find just the right one. RentMyBudgetRV.com
With the internet nowadays, I can research a car and buy it online. Or, research it and then go to the dealership armed with the knowledge I need to strike the very best bargain possible.
caravan finance recently posted..Get pre-approved before you decide on a car
One of the best parts about traveling in an RV is you can cook your own meals and avoid having to spend tons of money on fast food.