fastbacker
california
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Joined: 07/02/2009
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I was hoping I could find some help with my motorhome search.
MY EXPERIENCE:
-never owned one
-rented about 8 motorhomes in past(mix of class a and c with and w/o slides)
-been on a few friends rigs
-read some forum stuff
-looked at quite a few classifieds ads on craigslist in northern cal
-mechanically inclined with lots o tools
MY NEEDS:
-pull race car and trailer (6000-7000#) (infrequently over steep grades) to and from racetrack(s) - usually +/-200 miles each way
-occasionally use for nor cal traveling/camping
-stays cool (ac)in frequent 100 degree plus days
-flexible on length
-needs to be mechanically sound and reliable
-vintage to be from 80's or 90's
-budget is $10k max (as of July 2009's buyer's market)
MY QUESTIONS:
-Can this be attained for $10k or less and if so:
-What's a good power to weitht ratio rig to look for?
-Anyone have a link to a check list for buying something like this?
----I'd like to be able to do the pre purchase inspection myself
-Any tips on what to stay clear of?
Thank you-
Craig Backer
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whem2fish
arlington texas
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Joined: 10/09/2007
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i have a 1985 southwind 454 chevy 28 ft. i have pulled 4500 lbs. often brakes on the trailer. had to install stronger hitch. i fulltimed in it for a year in fort worth texas i have 1 ac it would stay in lower 80's inside in 100 degree temp. i fell you can get a nice rig under $10000
pm me if neccesary
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TZScales
Maryland
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Joined: 02/10/2008
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I presume you are handy mechanically. There are some 1980s vintage motorhomes out there for $10K or less; however, you are going to have to research extensively.
Employ the services of a competent inspector (coach and chassis/engine) to obtain an unbiased non-emotional evaluation of the unit before you buy and also, if possible, have it weighed on all four corners independently to give you an idea of how much it weighs as compared to the gross combination weight rating (the rating of the motorhome plus any trailers).
Best of luck!!!!
TZS and Wife 
2000 Fleetwood American Eagle 40DS, Cummins 8.3 ISC
Spartan Mountain Master GT Chassis
Toadless for now
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Stim
NE Florida
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Joined: 05/23/2007
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Drive it and see how it handles, some were built handling bad. Check the smell when you first enter, if you smell damp or mildew run don't walk away- bad roof, big bucks to fix. Check fridge, make sure it cools well-new fridge- over $1000. easily. No generator, no deal! also big bucks and I consider a necessity.
If you shoot for a 1989 or newer you should get fuel injection and overdrive. If you race I don't have to explain those!
Check Cl , find a cl search engine, it will cover a mileage radius around your zip and give a lot more results and RVTrader.
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John Wayne
Long Beach, Ca
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Joined: 02/13/2001
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I'd say wanting to pull the weight you have listed you should be looking at Class A diesel pushers. Most gas A's of that year were rated to pull 5000 lbs and some only 3500 lbs. It's mostly because when they extended the frame rails they used lighter material that limits the tongue weight. Look for an older Beaver, Country Coach. Foretravel (sp), etc.
John & Carol
01 31'Sea View single slide, F53 V-10
96 Toyota 4-Runner auto 4x4 (Remco, M&G brake system)
KF6HCH
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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I seem to remember that Motorhomes with slides did not exist until at least 1990. You may need to spend more than 10K to get one that will meet your desires. As others have said check the structure of the unit carefully. You will probably need a class 3 or heavier hitch. Good luck
93 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel, DRW, Crew Cab. PullRite Hitch. 90 Nomad 28' 5er, 375 Watts Solar, 2800 Watt Yamaha Generator, 1750 Watt Inverter, 4 Trogan T105 Batteries, Spare tire and wheel and folding ladder. Me, wife and 2 spoiled Maltise furkids.
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fastbacker
california
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Don't need a slide.
"Look for an older Beaver, Country Coach. Foretravel (sp), etc."
-Are these gas or diesel?
Thanks all for the replies.
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vosks
Washington
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Joined: 01/30/2006
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If you want to tow that much weight and stay with a gas coach, you'll need to look at the shorter rigs. The frame rails only go back so far. Longer gas coaches had frame rail extensions welded on that are fine for holding up the back end, but limit the amount you can tow. Unfortunately, a shorter coach will have a shorter wheelbase and may not track as well as a longer one. Many coaches could be had with multiple chassis as an option. There were three choices available for mine, each with a different towing capacity.
1990 Pace Arrow
502 GM Crate Motor
Gear Vendors
Stan's Headers, 3" mandrel bent exhaust and Magnaflows
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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There is not a $10K gas unit built to pull 7,000 pounds that I know of. A $10K DP might need $10K of work but would have a shot at pulling the load.
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topflite51
In The Desert of Nevada
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Joined: 05/13/2004
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Gasser and pulling 7000 lbs - nope. DP pulling it - yep. As Gale says maybe 10 and 10.
 David
Just rolling along enjoying life
w/F53 Southwind towing 87 Samurai looking to golf or fish
Simply Despicable 
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