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Old 07-15-2012, 07:12 AM   #1
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Talking Dealer selling an rv with 14 year old tires

I have contracted to buy a 1999 Winnebago Adventurer 37G with 44k miles here in New England. The price is $22,000. The interior is dead new condition, the exterior is faded abit, The rear bumper is bent and the under carriage has the usual surface rust. The generator needs a new carburator, the hydraulic leveling jacks have sticky retraction due to weak, rusty springs. A/C's work great, as does frig, furnace, hot water and pump is new.

The front tires are a couple of years old but the rear tires ARE ORIGINAL. When i contracted to buy this i was unaware of the 6-7 year tire rule. The dealer claims the tires are still in good shape with no dry rot cracking and Michelin recommends 10 years...still, these are original Goodyear G159 Unisteel tires from 1999....assuming the chassis is built that same year, which is unlikely .

Please advise me if this is worth buying at this price and would someone have advice on where to buy replacements? How much would it cost to replace the rear 4 tires (245 70r 19.5) load f. here in New England. Thanks!

Please advise
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Old 07-15-2012, 07:20 AM   #2
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You cannot see the internal damage. The steel belts in the tire also starts to separate from the rubber and is not apparent.

With 14 year old tires, I would not take it on the road except to the nearest tire dealer.

Tell the dealer to put new tires on it all the way around and nothing from China. Or have him drop the price. As for tires, check with Costco, Discount Tire, NTB, Goodyear and Firestone to get an idea of the prices.

Ken
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Old 07-15-2012, 08:04 AM   #3
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The iceman is righton in telling the dealer to replace all the tires. He is selling you an unsafe ride. All other things should be corrected as part of the delivery.
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Old 07-15-2012, 08:13 AM   #4
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Old Tires

I wouldn't drive a MH with tires older than 5 yrs. unless it was to a tire dealer. Make him put new matched tires on it all around. I also needed to put a new carburator on one of my MH and they told me the generator had to be pulled and the carb cost about 700.00 and the labor was 500.00. Needless to say it never got done, so you better check the cost out before you buy. I would also have him fix the jacks as part of the deal. If you don't have him do it you may find out how expensive it is to fix things on a MH the hard way. Good Luck!!
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Old 07-15-2012, 08:14 AM   #5
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Way too old. I'd say no deal unless you get cash off to replace the tires. Did you also check out the front end for "wandering"? That could cost you more than the tires. Did you also have the brakes checked out? That too could cost you as much as the tires.

Believe me because I talk from experience.
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Old 07-15-2012, 08:38 AM   #6
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I don't think I'd buy anything from that dealer... Doesn't he under stand that he could be held liable if you had a blow out on the way home and were killed?
What else is not right and he's not telling you?
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Old 07-15-2012, 08:45 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by zr1sparky View Post
The front tires are a couple of years old but the rear tires ARE ORIGINAL. When i contracted to buy this i was unaware of the 6-7 year tire rule. The dealer claims the tires are still in good shape with no dry rot cracking and Michelin recommends 10 years...
  1. They're not Michelin tires
  2. Last time I checked, 14 is greater than 10
So much for this dealer's justification for not changing out the tires.

IF I continued to do business with this dealer (questionable, at best), I'd want the tires changed out and the defects fixed as part of the deal. Also, drive the thing and try everything out for yourself to find any other defects before writing the check.

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Old 07-15-2012, 09:51 AM   #8
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If the guy wants 22K for it he probably has about 10 K invested. Negotiate, get your tires or walk away (incidently he will call you back I'll bet). There are many many rigs for sale in great condition at great prices no reason to settle in a buyers market.
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Old 07-15-2012, 09:32 PM   #9
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How many hours on the generator. The carburetor may only need cleaning. Tires would probably be around $350 each. I use the same size tire and went with Hankook AH11 tires that I was able to get for $250 each.
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Old 07-15-2012, 09:48 PM   #10
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No such thing as a 6-7 year "rule" for tire replacement. Some people feel better if they replace the tires that often though.
I went 8½ years on mine and that was earlier than I really wanted to but the tires were available sooner than I thought they would be so I went ahead.

Quote:
Service Life for RV/Motorhome Tires
The following recommendation applies to RV/Motorhome tires. Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire itself. These component properties evolve over time.
For each tire, this evolution depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance, etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible.
That is why, in addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance by consumers, it is recommended to have RV/Motorhome tires, including spare tires, inspected regularly by a qualified tire specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s suitability for continued service. Tires that have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually.
Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’ visual condition and inflation pressure, but also of any change in dynamic performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration, which could be an indication that the tires need to be removed from service to prevent tire failure.
It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their calendar age alone. However, the older a tire the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.
While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.
For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations, when specified (but not to exceed 10 years).
The date when a tire was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each tire. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation or DOT code on the tire that begins with DOT and ends with the week and year of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with “0304” indicates a tire made in the 3rd week (Jan) of 2004.
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Old 07-15-2012, 10:09 PM   #11
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I'd be worried about ALL the original rubber on a '99 motorhome with such low road miles- if the belts, hoses, etc. are also "original', they may not have much life left in them. Do try to closely inspect those (often overlooked) items!
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Old 07-15-2012, 10:11 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Rick Long View Post
I don't think I'd buy anything from that dealer... Doesn't he under stand that he could be held liable if you had a blow out on the way home and were killed?
What else is not right and he's not telling you?
I agree on not buying from that dealer, but what would he be liable for?
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:36 AM   #13
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How many hours on the generator. The carburetor may only need cleaning. Tires would probably be around $350 each. I use the same size tire and went with Hankook AH11 tires that I was able to get for $250 each.
There's 60 hours on it, that's all. But, from what i read cleaning is usually unsuccessful so i just planned on having to replace it. I can do it myself and it's readily accessible on this unit.
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:38 AM   #14
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I'd be worried about ALL the original rubber on a '99 motorhome with such low road miles- if the belts, hoses, etc. are also "original', they may not have much life left in them. Do try to closely inspect those (often overlooked) items!
Thank you for that helpful suggestion...you know, it's funny how the dealer actually made it a point to advise me to replace the hoses due to that very issue but was comfortable with the tires being that old.
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Old 07-16-2012, 07:21 AM   #15
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I don't think I'd buy anything from that dealer... Doesn't he under stand that he could be held liable if you had a blow out on the way home and were killed?
What else is not right and he's not telling you?
Don't forget you also may end up killing or injuring someone else. For that price he should include new tires and a working generator.
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Old 07-16-2012, 07:43 AM   #16
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Hey ZR1,

I would walk away form this coach and not look back. There better deals out there. I bought a 2000 Dutch Star, without the assistance of a pro. I screwed up there but the dealer stood by the major problems I had but there were other items that should have been repaired that I didn't find til later. I there are no maintenance records make them do all the service items 1 above the current ones. Look around, there are a large number of great coaches out there without these problems. Definitely get the tires replaced if you get this coach.

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Old 07-16-2012, 10:41 AM   #17
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Just remember. when you buy a used piece of equipment it is AS IS; and the price generaly reflects that... We all want to buy at the cheapst price then we expect the whole farm to be inclueded in the deal.. if you feel unsafe with the tires. it needs to be settled between you and the seller, as with any other issues you might have... I have ashed potentual buyers polightly to leave my place of bussiness, when they have tryed to nogiate a sale price, as the price is at a near loss allready;;.. LOOK NO ONE IS IN BUSSINESS TO LOSE MONEY. if you think they are, there is a problem somewhere...
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Old 07-16-2012, 10:50 AM   #18
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Just remember. when you buy a used piece of equipment it is AS IS; and the price generaly reflects that... We all want to buy at the cheapst price then we expect the whole farm to be inclueded in the deal.. if you feel unsafe with the tires. it needs to be settled between you and the seller, as with any other issues you might have... I have ashed potentual buyers polightly to leave my place of bussiness, when they have tryed to nogiate a sale price, as the price is at a near loss allready;;.. LOOK NO ONE IS IN BUSSINESS TO LOSE MONEY. if you think they are, there is a problem somewhere...

Fine make money JUST DON'T LIE OR ATTEMPT TO DECIEVE ME OR RISK MY FAMILY'S WELFARE!
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Old 07-16-2012, 05:54 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by zr1sparky View Post
I have contracted to buy a 1999 Winnebago Adventurer 37G with 44k miles here in New England. The price is $22,000. The interior is dead new condition, the exterior is faded abit, The rear bumper is bent and the under carriage has the usual surface rust. The generator needs a new carburator, the hydraulic leveling jacks have sticky retraction due to weak, rusty springs. A/C's work great, as does frig, furnace, hot water and pump is new.

The front tires are a couple of years old but the rear tires ARE ORIGINAL. When i contracted to buy this i was unaware of the 6-7 year tire rule. The dealer claims the tires are still in good shape with no dry rot cracking and Michelin recommends 10 years...still, these are original Goodyear G159 Unisteel tires from 1999....assuming the chassis is built that same year, which is unlikely .

Please advise me if this is worth buying at this price and would someone have advice on where to buy replacements? How much would it cost to replace the rear 4 tires (245 70r 19.5) load f. here in New England. Thanks!

Please advise
I believe "any" rv dealer that has been in the business for some time knows full well the condition or should know the condition of the rv's on his/her lot. They inspect them for repairable items and other items that may/may not need to be fixed as part of any future deal. It's a well known fact that rv tires normally have an average 5-7 year life span(14 yrs is unacceptable even if never used) and most likely should be replaced regardless of their outward appearance. I am convinced that this dealer did in fact know the true condition of this rv and all of its flaws and only disclosed/acknowledged the obvious ones. He seems to be lacking certain admirable human traits such as integrity and morals. If you are indeed interested in the unit, find a professional inspector to look at for your or walk away. Your possible inexperiance in these matters could end up being a very costly mistake.
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Old 07-16-2012, 06:14 PM   #20
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It's a well known fact that rv tires normally have an average 5-7 year life span(14 yrs is unacceptable even if never used) and most likely should be replaced regardless of their outward appearance.
I guess it's "so well known" that none of the major tire manufacturers say it in their printed literature! It's too bad when an internet rumor gets posted as the truth with no facts behind it.

What is true is that tires are more likely to have problems the older they get and should be inspected by a professional.
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