Question:
In my view, a classic motorhome is a GREAT buy…IF you get one that was a high-end motorhome of its era (I’m speaking of the mid 1970s-early 1980s) AND is in the best shape you reasonably can afford. I’m talking about motorhomes such as Vogue, GMC, FMC, Apollo, Revcon, Travco, Sportscoach, Barth, Executive, the Airstream "Classic" 3xx-series, and some others. Sure, EXPECT to work on it but people should expect to work on ANY motorhome — or PAY someone else to do it — even new motorhomes…many of which nowadays are not as quality-made as some of those "classics" were despite their high prices, and some which are junk. Besides, if you don’t work on your old OR new HOUSE — or again, pay someone else to — it also will fall apart. And regardless of age/brand, ANY motorhome just sitting rotting away in someone’s yard — or fish pond with algae — will decay at the same basic rate, so it’s not just the old ones. Would rather buy a USED (being used) old one than a "backyard special" (even with LOW MILES)…AND get one where the owner already refurbished/restored it to 85-90%…so *I* don’t have to do any serious work on it, just a few minor things maybe but basically, just keep it up. And if you KNOW the motorhome in question BEFORE you consider buying it, you KNOW what to look for, its design flaws, etc…lots of people see a motorhome for sale, think "how cool," buy it, THEN start learning about it. They’re just asking for trouble. Yes, I’ll pay more for one restored/semi-restored but not too much more. In my view, quality THEN is still quality NOW (the reverse is also true: Some weren’t worth buying even when NEW)…and they’re simpler to work on if you’re a DIY-type and have SOME skills in auto mechanics — especially on "ancient" but much simpler engines — and in home-improvement/carpentry, etc…a "Handyman" type. So I don’t knock the classics…will get one myself in 3 years when I can make a cash purchase. John D. P.S. That Rectrans looks pretty trashed-out, but you know, SOME people like to do a complete restore — I would have (and did) at an earlier age — but at this later point in life, no thank you. JD – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A guy checked into the campsite next to me in a class C about that age. He said that the trip from Tennessee to Orlando was the most miserable trip he’d ever made anywhere, including the Korean War. The motorhome belonged to a friend, and had been stored in the back yard for several years. They licensed it, jump started it and drove off toward florida. Multiple failures occurred, including fuel tank, tires, brakes, radiator, belts, hoses, fan clutch and a wheel bearing. The trip took over a week, and he was considering leaving it in Florida for the friend to pick up, but he left after a couple of days. Nice! A three-week vacation ended up being 2 days. Moral: Stay away from old motorhomes unless you just want a project or a monument in your yard. My opinion, yours may vary. Bill Miller I’m looking at a motorhome that is being sold on ebay. I can’t find any info online about it, so I am asking the experts here for your opinions. I would appreciate any comments about this particular unit, the good, the bad or the ugly is welcome. I really like this unit so please, I need your help. http://makeashorterlink.com/?W57612656 Thanks, Larry
Response:
(midwesterner) writes: Here you go Lon and other cell phone users. The ad for the amazing motorhome. Current bid was $700 last I looked. ‘71 Discoverer Motorhome by RECTRANS, 25 ft. Vehicle Description
It sounds like a great project vehicle if you have _lots_ of time and money, and would like to drive a conversation piece, instead of a modern MH. Lon
Response:
snipped P.S. That Rectrans looks pretty trashed-out, but you know, SOME people like to do a complete restore — I would have (and did) at an earlier age — but at this later point in life, no thank you.
snipped This one looks like it was a really neat unit then and would be now. I have the Opera browser though and I can blow the pictures up easily. Looking at the degree of rust on the hitch, this one is a lost cause. The frame has to be badly rusted. The seller mentions the new springs, then mentions a hanger is broken. The fridge didn’t cost $2,000 to rebuild and it certainly isn’t new. It’s too bad someone didn’t get this unit before it became trash. HD in NY
Response:
You ain’t gonna believe it BUT there’s one of those at the storage yard where I store my TT. Maybe there’s an example in a dry climate like Arizona that hasn’t had 2 kilobucks thrown at the ‘fridge and that can untrack itself.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking at a motorhome that is being sold on ebay. I can’t find any info online about it, so I am asking the experts here for your opinions. I would appreciate any comments about this particular unit, the good, the bad or the ugly is welcome. I really like this unit so please, I need your help. http://makeashorterlink.com/?W57612656 Thanks, Larry
Response:
reckedvan? lol – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You ain’t gonna believe it BUT there’s one of those at the storage yard where I store my TT. Maybe there’s an example in a dry climate like Arizona that hasn’t had 2 kilobucks thrown at the ‘fridge and that can untrack itself. I’m looking at a motorhome that is being sold on ebay. I can’t find any info online about it, so I am asking the experts here for your opinions. I would appreciate any comments about this particular unit, the good, the bad or the ugly is welcome. I really like this unit so please, I need your help. http://makeashorterlink.com/?W57612656 Thanks, Larry
Response:
I’m looking at a motorhome that is being sold on ebay. I can’t find any info online about it, so I am asking the experts here for your opinions. I would appreciate any comments about this particular unit, the good, the bad or the ugly is welcome. I really like this unit so please, I need your help. http://makeashorterlink.com/?W57612656 Thanks, Larry
Response:
"the ugly" Dan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking at a motorhome that is being sold on ebay. I can’t find any info online about it, so I am asking the experts here for your opinions. I would appreciate any comments about this particular unit, the good, the bad or the ugly is welcome. I really like this unit so please, I need your help. http://makeashorterlink.com/?W57612656 Thanks, Larry
Response:
"the ugly"
There are two of those things for sale in a lot about 3 miles from my house. If you want a good ‘hobby project,’ then go for it, but if you are not mechanically inclined or a woodworker to redo the inside, I would pass it by. A second thought makes it like restoring an antique car. A ‘71 probably qualifies for the antique/vintage auto tag. Leanne
Response:
Hmmm…thought if you jump it and give it some starting fluid it fires right up?? Why is it being towed?
I’m looking at a motorhome that is being sold on ebay. I can’t find any info online about it, so I am asking the experts here for your opinions. I would appreciate any comments about this particular unit, the good, the bad or the ugly is welcome. I really like this unit so please, I need your help.
Sounds like an odd situation. Did you read what was added Oct-25-03 at 07:22:38 PDT "He could pull it up the hill with a tractor as he pulled it to its present location when it was in the way of his work. It has just been stored on his 27 acres there for years." You might start by phoning the repair place named and asking them to inspect it and give you an estimate for getting it running. Gypsy
Response:
Here’s some info from a Google search…… D Outstanding Engineering Alumni James G. Musser Mechanical Engineering B.S. 1957 President Knusaga Corporation Although James G. Musser built a soap box derby racer when he was a child, he says his real fascination with automobiles began during his teenage years. He fondly recalls his first car, a 1939 Ford Coupe. "I worked on it all the time," he says. Jim began his career in the automotive industry immediately following graduation. He worked for General Motors for three months before reporting for active military duty at the Detroit Arsenal, a fortuitous assignment that gave him the opportunity to learn about computers in addition to working on Army vehicles and tank suspensions. Jim returned to GM in 1959 and transferred to Chevrolet the following year, where he worked as a reaearch engineer on experimental vehicles. During the mid-1960
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