1991 Minnie W

[Steeveebee]

Without much knowledge, just a field of dreams, we snagged a 1991 Minnie that will be delivered to us today or tomorrow. We have five days to inspect and try out, before the point if no return.

Any suggestions on where to focus inspections? 30 yrs old, 66,000 original miles...

For $1200, it seemed a pretty low-risk venture, financially...

Thanks all!

Steven and Kyu

[Eagle5]

Hi Steven & Kyu,
It sounds like a great deal, but I would go over it for safety considerations. All the typical things, such as tires, brakes, lights, wipers, etc. My F-350 truck is a 1988, and I would never consider selling it. Any machine is a collection of parts, so just keep after it, get everything in ship-shape, and have fun camping!
Welcome to the forum.
Eagle5

[be happy]

As you said you have little knowledge on RV's. I would get in touch with a local RV dealer to see if one they could or would check out the basics in the camper. Or two do they know a RV inspector in the area. This would give you some info on the status of the equipment that make it and RV.

I would also check with a local garage to see if they will give the motor and underside of the unit a going over.

Things you may want to do yourself. Check all tires for less then 7 year dates. If older they should be replaced. You could change all fluids so you have a starting point for future changes. Try the stove and water heater to see if they work. Really the list could go on and on. For 1200.00, the unit looks clean and good and you feel comfortable with everything go for it. But remember there will be costs of up keep in your future.

[Steeveebee]

When things seem too good to be true, they generally are. Turns out the sale was an attempted scam. Oh well. At least I did not fall for it. When “eBay Motors” told me to go to Walmart and buy $1200 in $200 cards, well, that was my sign.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Steeveebee

When things seem too good to be true, they generally are. Turns out the sale was an attempted scam. Oh well. At least I did not fall for it. When “eBay Motors” told me to go to Walmart and buy $1200 in $200 cards, well, that was my sign.

I see these scams on CL, eBay and FB all the time. Usually they're for much newer units, high end classics like an Airstream or vans, which are popular these days. I'm surprised "your's" didn't seem like more of a screamingly good deal. The five-day return period was also a warning sign.

By the way, had it not been a scam, but, and, had you ended up with having to junk it, you'd likely have had to pay to have it hauled away, possibly as much as you paid for it.

[be happy]

Glad you caught it before you gave them money

[creativepart]

There is nothing more expensive than a "cheap" 30-year old motorhome.

I'd say you were lucky twice - once because you weren't scammed and again when it was a real deal.

Had it been real you would have purchased a hole in the ground that requires you to regularly dump wheelbarrows of money.

[Lemonade]

So sad! We're loving ours. We probably should have paid 7500 to 8k. We saw it, wanted it and didn't check it out as well as we should have. We also overpaid. We have had a blast fixing it up the way we want it and don't regret buying it.

That said:
Look for any signs of leak damage in all the nooks and crannies. Crawl around on top. Sniff for any mold.

Make sure all systems work, including any awning.

Ask for maintenance records.

We don't regret buying ours, although it would be great if the gas mileage was better! The first question the morning after we get home is "where do you want to go next?"