Catdave
North Carolina
Senior Member
Joined: 04/22/2004
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Some folks can handle the frequent problems presented by an older coach as things wear out, whereas others can't. The older coach has the advantage of costing less initially, but more money comes out of the owner's pocket to repair the old components that are constantly breaking.
The new coach owner has a higher initial cash outlay (or higher monthly payment) but generally will have fewer major problems. And when something does break it is likely covered by a warranty for the first few years, and up to 5-7 years if the owner has an extended warranty.
New and old coaches each offer their own benefits- I'd personally rather have a new coach with a higher payment and a warranty than an old coach with a lower payment but frequent out of pocket repair expenses.
Comes down to personal choice. 
2006 Fleetwood Excursion 39L
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Rex & Shirley
Bastrop, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 06/01/2004
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Many "rebuilt" A/C compressors are junk in the box. Telling a good one from a bad on is not possible. Same with starters, alternators, waterpumps etc. What good is a "Lifetime" warranty when you have to do the job 2 or 3 times?
Turbos are killed by shutting off the engine with out a cool off period, reving the engine when cold and dirt.
Shore power cords get burnt a lot because park owners will not change out worn out, loose receptacles.
Other stuff sounds like old age.
Rex & Shirley S.
4 big dogs in a
Gulf Stream FriendShip
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AyJay
South Eastern MA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/04/2000
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Good Sam RV Club
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I'm still on problem #1 with the power cord, you have to:
1. stop driving off while still plugged into the pedestal, or
2. shut the breaker off before plugging in a/o unplugging at the pedestal.
I've seen replacement plugs at Walmart for < $5.00
The rest of the stuff I agree with Sully2.
Remember %^&* happens.
AyJay (ARS W1GDJ)
1979 RTS Bus Conversion
DD 8V71TA, Allison V730
2007 Saturn Aura Toad
USAF Retired 1972
When I die I want to go like my Grandfather, peaceably, in his sleep.
NOT like his passengers who went screaming and yelling!
Inside Bus Pictures
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queensalmon
alaska
Full Member
Joined: 01/13/2005
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ive had that many problems and i have 2005!
fishonandon
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squadleader
Richmond, VA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2005
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I don't know but I'll bet you saved at least $100,000 buying a used unit.
You've driven it 15,000 miles a year for 3 years. That's three times the miles the average RV sees.
Sounds like you've had some less than qualified personnel working on it.
Bottom line you're obviously doing everything you can to save a buck.
Based on all this I don't see how you can say you haven't accomplished that goal. If you're careful and conscientious you have learned a lot about the coach and have knocked out several bugs by now. Hopefully you have also found a good mechanic too.
This is crazy talk. You're talking like a guy who wants to get rid of his wife cause the next one will be better. Yeah, right. Wives and coaches are both trouble (although we don't know it, so are we). Getting rid of one costs lots and lots of heartache and lots and lots of money. In a couple of years you'll have the same trouble with the next one and maybe worse. Dumb move.
While wives and coaches are troublesome occasionally, they will both take you places you that make life worth living. Places those without envy with good reason.
2002 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40DST
Great wife and six kids (13 and under)
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hottubkid
SCHAUMBURG,IL
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Joined: 12/29/2004
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I know none of have seen anything go bad right out of the box bran new.I can see some of this but on the same coach? It could be that he only has one dealer within twwo hundred miles Or could it be because it is under the extended warrentee that he has to take it to a certaun place and do they know what they are doing????????? Or was this coach sold the first time because it was a lemon?
Sully2 wrote:j.l.shand wrote:Been going through my repair records and since this is my first Class A wondered if my experience is unusual or just bad luck.
Owned the coach three years in january. Bought a nine year old 32" DP Cummmins 190 4 speed Oshkosh chassis with 32,000 miles. Have put an additional 50,000 miles on it since purchase.
Repair List
main power (shore) line (twice)
Dash air (twice) both times required new(rebuilt) compressor
pyrometer
Genset starter (twice)
coach water pump
city water entry
engine radiator fan (blade broke when seized compressor broke tensioner pulley}
toilet
electric steps motor
turbocharger
Fortunately most of these were covered by an extended service agreement which is now expired.
Is this an excessive number of things to go wrong considering coach age and 50,000 miles in three years???
Your opinions invited!!!
If I can count right...12 yr old coach..total of 82K miles !
main power (shore) line (twice)
Dash air (twice) both times required new(rebuilt) compressor
pyrometer
Genset starter (twice)
coach water pump
city water entry
engine radiator fan (blade broke when seized compressor broke tensioner pulley}
toilet
electric steps motor
turbocharger
....
1) Should have been fixed properly the first time
2) Same answer
3) Could happen to anyone
4) See answer 1 & 2
5) Again..can happen to anyone
6) Same as #5
7) Same answer again...age and milage did it
8) Can happen to anyone
9) Same answer
10) Again..same answer
Ya got to remember..it WASNT and ITS NOT "new". Things wear out..its as simple as that. But I bet you saved a TON of money as compared to buying "right out of the box BAND NEW"!!
Id look at the "repeat " fixes. No excuse do have to Re-do things in a 3 year time frame. Get a different mechanic!
And..Id watch the reefer! 12 yrs old...it can go at any minute
hottubkid60193@yahoo.com
2004 SOUTHWIND 36E Tow 2003 CRV
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jerryag
Florida
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Joined: 07/26/2005
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I would not consider your list excessive.
The two power line problems sounds like a problem though.
One poster mentioned what i would suspect and that is the loose connection when plugging in. Lose connections , whether worn receptable or failing to push the plug home good can cause overheating of the plug blades, which can then burn up the connector.
The worst problem i experienced with my 1992 coach was the frig going out.
I like you had the other things on your list, water pump, electric step.
Things wear out no matter how good the maintenance,,fact of life, repair and continue on your way.
Jerry
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