Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-26-2022, 02:27 PM   #1
Taz
Living the dream
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 18
Hello, newbie here! Purchase decision?

Hello Winnie owners. My name is Taz. I've owned several tow behinds and most recently a 2018 35 foot 5th wheel which I just sold. My wife and I are actively looking at the Sightseer 29R as we like the floorplan and the 30 foot length.

We are looking at a 2005 (30,000 miles) workhorse and a 2009 (70,000 miles) Ford V-10. Price difference is $14,000. The 2005 has had shocks, steering stabilizers, rotors, brake lines and rear stabilizer replaced.

Being totally new to the motorhome side of rving would the 2005 be a good purchase? Besides the age of the MH are there issues I should be aware of?

Thanks everyone, looking forward to being a member of this site!

Taz...
Taz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2022, 05:03 PM   #2
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Pflugerville/Austin, Tx
Posts: 7,367
The biggest first thing on motorhomes is to learn about the batteries as they are one of the most common problems as many do not understasnd them fully and that mean they often let either the coach or chassis/start battery run down often enough to damage them!
They ay both have batytery disconnects but both the start and coach will STILL have small drains whioch run the batteries dead when stored, if we do not really get into digging the info out on how to keep them up!
When buying, assume you may need batteries soon!
__________________
Richard
Why no RV year, make and floorplan on MY signature as we suggest for others?
I currently DO NOT have one!
Morich is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2022, 08:24 AM   #3
Site Team
 
creativepart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Spring Branch, TX
Posts: 7,780
Hello and welcome!

For me, I would always choose newer when deciding about which motorhome to buy. But you also have a chassis choice to make.

The Workhorse chassis is very popular. The Chevy engine and Alison Transmission are a great pair. Many buyers seek out older motorhomes with this chassis. The main issue is that Workhose stopped selling this RV Chassis a number of years ago and some parts are getting difficult to source. Obviously, this issue will only get more difficult each year.

The Ford F53 V10 chassis is still being produced today and has sold in huge numbers over the years. So finding parts is much easier. The V10 is usually super reliable (though they can break, like any engine) and the transmission is an older Ford truck transmission. Ford built this chassis with heavy duty trucking in mind - hauling gravel, delivering goods, even for ambulance use. As a result it drives and rides like a gravel truck. Even a brand new 2023 gas motorhome would be characterized this way - though the V10 was replaced with a V8 in 2020.

I realize this doesn’t help your decision but I hope it fills in some blanks in your dataset about the two choices. The Workhorse isn’t a totally smooth riding coach, but I think it suffers less from the harshness that the Ford delivers.

PS. My motorhome is a Ford F53 chassis motorhome.
__________________
2017 Winnebago Adventurer 37F
2016 Lincoln MKX Toad
creativepart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2022, 12:33 PM   #4
Taz
Living the dream
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morich View Post
The biggest first thing on motorhomes is to learn about the batteries as they are one of the most common problems as many do not understasnd them fully and that mean they often let either the coach or chassis/start battery run down often enough to damage them!
They ay both have batytery disconnects but both the start and coach will STILL have small drains whioch run the batteries dead when stored, if we do not really get into digging the info out on how to keep them up!
When buying, assume you may need batteries soon!
I agree. The first thing I do is check the date on the batteries and replace them if 5 years or older.
Taz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2022, 12:42 PM   #5
Taz
Living the dream
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by creativepart View Post
Hello and welcome!

For me, I would always choose newer when deciding about which motorhome to buy. But you also have a chassis choice to make.

The Workhorse chassis is very popular. The Chevy engine and Alison Transmission are a great pair. Many buyers seek out older motorhomes with this chassis. The main issue is that Workhose stopped selling this RV Chassis a number of years ago and some parts are getting difficult to source. Obviously, this issue will only get more difficult each year.

The Ford F53 V10 chassis is still being produced today and has sold in huge numbers over the years. So finding parts is much easier. The V10 is usually super reliable (though they can break, like any engine) and the transmission is an older Ford truck transmission. Ford built this chassis with heavy duty trucking in mind - hauling gravel, delivering goods, even for ambulance use. As a result it drives and rides like a gravel truck. Even a brand new 2023 gas motorhome would be characterized this way - though the V10 was replaced with a V8 in 2020.

I realize this doesn’t help your decision but I hope it fills in some blanks in your dataset about the two choices. The Workhorse isn’t a totally smooth riding coach, but I think it suffers less from the harshness that the Ford delivers.

PS. My motorhome is a Ford F53 chassis motorhome.
Thank you.

I typically look at newer as well but being retired the funds I have to spend are limited. That's a very good point to consider as I was unaware of Workhorse not selling this RV chassis. Finding parts will become more difficult to find for sure.

That's why I liked the 2005 as the current owner has done a lot of suspension parts replacement.
Taz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2022, 06:50 PM   #6
Winnie-Wise
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 356
Another point to consider is the age of the vehicle's tires. A new set of tires can exceed $5k.
Mtn Charlie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2022, 03:46 PM   #7
Taz
Living the dream
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 18
That's one area I don't ignore. I always check the tire date stamp and replace them if over 5 years old.
Taz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
purchase, newbie


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hello All, newbie here. 1999 Adventurer 35C ItsMeKatrina Welcome Mat 6 07-29-2022 02:26 PM
hello. Newbie here. RightUR Welcome Mat 3 02-21-2020 01:34 PM
Hello, Newbie here Slane0128 Welcome Mat 1 07-10-2019 06:00 PM
Newbie here--Battery, electrical questions Keldog4511 Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 3 08-20-2018 03:49 PM
Newbie Here! just relax Welcome Mat 14 03-01-2012 10:22 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:43 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.