Gene in NE
Omaha
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Joined: 09/15/2003
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skippy102162 wrote:We have the opportunity to purchase a 2001 21 ft Class C for a great price from a relative who lives in another state--the only issue is it has 108k miles. It is on a Chevy 3500 Chassis with a Vortex 454 engine... My previous unit was a Class A with a Chevy 454 that had over 103,000 miles when I sold it. The engine was the shining star of the motorhome. Would sit all winter and then fire up on the first cylinder to ignite in the spring. Liked gasoline, but it was much longer than the 21' you are considering. There is a topic B+ motorhomes started by a gentlemen in Texas. He bought something exactly like you are considering. Last I knew he had over a 100k miles and he still loved the power and driveability. You can fix anything your money can buy. The trick is to pay enough to own the unit, but not so much you hate to spend money on the fixes.
2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy
Gene
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TexGeorgiaBoy
Fort Worth Texas
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Joined: 12/04/2002
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The chassis is more the problem on older chevy class c's. I had a similar unit with that same engine. Couldn't hold the thing on the road. What a pig. I had to drive with two hands and a firm grip. With that many miles I would be more concerned with how it drove down the road. If the ball joints and shocks are gone that thing could be dangerous! Tex
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sonuvabug
Mid-Western, ON Canada
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Joined: 06/08/2006
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Skippy, I only buy used vehicles and here's what I look for. I want to see maintenance records ... a demonstration the owner took care of the machine, did all the required maintenance and jumped on the little things that inevitably go. Als, if they've held onto allthe original manuals, this is usually a sign they cared about their unit.
I look at the condition physical condition of the unit ... both inside and out. A 20 year old, well taken care of rig in the right hands can outshine a 6 year old rig in the wrong hands.
I'd take it for a nice long test drive and also pay a knowledgeable RV mechanic to give it a thorough once over and list what needs doing immediately and in the next 12 months. This may cost a couple hours of time ... but it's well worth it.
Since the sellers are relatives, perhaps ask to "rent" it for a weekend outing. This will give you a chance to experience the rig "first hand" and see if it suitable for you and your family.
Lastly, I'd flat out ask the owners what works on it, what doesn't work, what they liked about it what they didn't like and any troubles they've encountered with it. Hopefully with relatives, they'll shoot straight with you.
It is a truck and 108,000 miles is not that much if it has been reasonably driven and well maintained. However, I agree with the advice to expect to put some money into it. Even though there may be nothing obviously wrong right now, with RV's ... there will be something on the horizon that will cost buck$!!! ~ sonuvabug ~
1993 Glendale Royal Classic Ford E350; 460EFI; E4OD;
Drives 26'/Sits 29' with rear slide; Michelin LTX/M&S; New Monroe "SC2955" Damper & anti-sway bar bushings; Rebuilt Rear Leafs; Bilstein B46-1613/14; Should be "pristine" by 2009 or 2010 or ... 
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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Joined: 06/24/2006
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I know this is a GM built chassis, but on a Ford with the twin I beam front suspension, it will need going through within 100K, ball joints tye rod ends Etc, and the last one I had done cost several hundred dollars, but drove like new after that, as well as it had zerk fitting then.
And I suspect the GM front end is similar in its life expectancy, but if the rigs price is good, having this done is not that big a deal, and if done right, it will drive as good as new, with good tires, and last you 100K +.
Fuel injection is one reason these gas engines last into the 2 and 300K+ miles, it eliminated the wet washed down cylinders on cold start ups, and cut down on the rich mixture, and long fast idle as well. This and the new modern lube oil really cut down on engine ware, and extended there life.
This is just a couple of reasons not to be so worried about 100K on the clock, like we did 30 years ago.
Mike.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
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Gweber3369
Cedaredge, CO
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Joined: 09/18/2001
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Last February I sold my 1998 Class C with 185,000 miles on it (Ford V-10), still uses no oil between oil changes. Still ran like a top, but the key was in the running. I am convinced a high mileage rig will keep running better than a low mileage rig that spent most of its life parked. I would also be leery of a low usage generator.
We sold it because we are getting on in years and felt we would last longer than it would, and so we bought a new rig, same brand, same layout, same color even. Looking forward to many more miles on the road.
Gus Weber
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