RV Shopping With A Subscriber!

[@30AndAWakeUp]

Hey Gene...Jud sent me over. Great stuff! So glad I got my rig when I did...seems like a crazy market right now.

[@GenesTherapy]

Hi! Yes it's make'n it tough on Jud, but the right thing will come eventually, he's a smart guy. Welcome! PS check out the Travato review I did about a year ago, nice van.

[@JR828]

I can't thank you enough for coming out to help me with this coach, and making such an awesome video! As you know I've been following your channel for a number of years now. The first video of yours I watched was your review of the Independence 3 years ago called "This RV - Best Thing I Ever Did." I was not only impressed with your motorhome, but also with your thorough review and attention to detail in your choice. I saw a lot of similarities between the two of us, and was instantly drawn to your channel. That was the video that began my quest for knowledge of the Full Time RV lifestyle. Your channel has been, and still is a great resource for knowledge and information. Much of what I have learned to look for in a motorhome and RVing has come from your channel. I really appreciate the work and dedication you put into making videos with relevant content, in an easy to understand, enjoyable & entertaining format. Can't wait to get on the road and start making and posting my own videos. But I must say Bobby, your a tough act to follow.....I'll do my best, and learn along the way. Hopefully they'll be as good as yours one day! Cheers brotha!

[@GenesTherapy]

Thanks for the kind words Jud, my pleasure being there. Looking forward to when you pass through again!

[@JR828]

@@noreenn6976 Awesome....thk u!

[@JR828]

@@GenesTherapy 10-4!

[@nancykay6318]

@@noreenn6976 ..... Doesn't hurt that he's got that George Clooney look going on does it? LOL

[@leslieewing9088]

There was no discussion about a road test. I hope Jud takes it for a drive before too much longer. I have a 28 foot Class C. My sons ask how does it drive. It is a truck! I am enjoying my Class C, but it is good to know how it handles ahead of time. The shorter the motorhome, the more compromises have to be made, such as sleeping over the cab. However, this rig has some nice features. The bathroom across the back looks like there is room to maneuver. There is a window in the bathroom! The shower looks to be a pretty good size, as well. Nice. Best of luck to you, Jud, and I hope the shopping experience is a good one for you. Thank you, Bobby, for another look at an RV. I love looking, and I learn something from when I watch you review the RVs.

[@JR828]

Hi Leslie.....I did take the coach for a test drive, it wasn't filmed though. At only 24 ft, it was like driving a van and was easy to maneuver and handled great! One of the things I've learned through my research is that there's no perfect coach. Compromises have to me made as you stated. I feel the bunk over the cab is a good space saver as it gives me more living room, and yes a nice size bathroom where you don't feel cramped. Thank you for your well wishes and chiming in!

[@er1073]

Nice BG your friends look like they are pretty good volleyballers. I didn't notice a trailer hitch Jud will probably have a trailer for his motor cycle. It did look like it was taken care off but I would have the electrical all looked at because of that one pair of wires got caught just in case. Thanks for sharing your video with us. Ed

[@JR828]

There wasn't a hitch, you are correct. But I have one and will be able to tow my 2 bikes. The inspector that I hire does a thorough inspection on everything and then submits a detailed 10 page report. He also does a fluid analysis of the generator oil, engine oil, trans oil, and coolant. It gets sent out to a lab, results come back within 24 hrs. This way I'll have a fairly good understanding of what's going on in the moving parts of the engines. Thx for your input Ed!

[@er1073]

@@JR828 no problem it is nice to have somebody around with huge open eyes looking for problems. All in all that looked in pretty good shape.

[@GenesTherapy]

Indeed they are good a volley ball, I get tired just watching them ;)

[@er1073]

@@GenesTherapy yes they looked very elegant in spiking the ball.

[@tanastaton9521]

Great review! 🇺🇲✌🇺🇲

[@GenesTherapy]

Hi Tana, thank you!

[@EatSleepRVRepeat]

When we were looking for RVs we got a moister meter and an electric socket tested. It was the best investment we ever made. It saved us from purchasing 2 RVs that read high with the moister meter. Lou & Angie

[@JR828]

Excellent idea. Thx for the suggestion Lou and Angie!

[@EatSleepRVRepeat]

@@JR828 Glad we were able to help.

[@GenesTherapy]

Good stuff!

[@DeafDalmatian]

"Prime pooping position!" from Matt's RV reviews! LOL!

[@JR828]

@DeafDalmatian - I was wondering who would notice that! Lol! This coach definitely got the 4P's - Porcelain Prime Pooping Position!

[@GenesTherapy]

We all have our priorities lol

[@Keith80027]

I never owned a RV liked this, but are you sure you want to climb in and out of bed daily? How about making that bed and changing the sheets?

[@JR828]

Hey Keith...I did consider all of that. As I mentioned in another comment, there's no perfect coach, and compromises must be made to get the most important features. Once I realized that this is the size that will work for me (cost of rig, operation cost, maintenance, livability) I started researching floor plans. Many of these coaches have the bed in the left rear corner. Getting in and out of those, and making the bed isn't simple either. However, I felt that the space that the bed occupies in the left rear corner is wasted when not sleeping, and all the coaches with that floorplan only have a dinette and no sofa. This floor plan offers a dinette/workstation, sofa, kitchen with ample counter space, and a bathroom that has a good size shower where you don't feel squeezed. As for changing the sheets and making the bed, the sheets don't get changed on a daily basis, and making the bed doesn't have to be perfect...I have curtains up there to hide the sleeping area if need be. Climbing up and down is a small nuisance, but a sacrifice I accepted with this floor plan to have more livability during my waking hours. Thx for your comments!

[@Keith80027]

@@JR828 You have thought it though. Did you get it?

[@JR828]

@@Keith80027 I made them an offer, and they refused to budge from the original asking price. I contacted them a couple days after to let them know that I am still intrested, however due to the cosmetic things that this coach needs, I cannot pay full asking price. I am willing to come up some, but the owner has got to be willing to come down and be more flexible. They said they would get back in touch with me on Monday, and as of today have heard nothing. 🤷‍♂️

[@Keith80027]

@@JR828 As a long time owner of RVs, I would not be to concern about how the outside looks, but you will need to recaulk everything, get new tires and fix what doesn't work if anything. I live in the Rockies so rust is not a problem here, I not sure about your low milage coach. RVs drop about 1/2 in 5 years, so people think theirs doesn't, but there are others out there. Good luck. Have fun in your travels too.

[@JR828]

@@Keith80027 Not only are the stickers on the outside faded, but the paint is faded also. If it's not taken care of, it only stands to get worse and devalue the coach as time goes on. The tires need to be replaced, the house batteries and engine battery needs to be replaced as they are all original, and the awning is completely shot and needs to be replaced. This coach has been for sale since November with an original price of $75K. Now it is down to $60K and still not moving. I also had a professional appraisal done and provided them with a copy so they can have a realistic idea of what their coach is worth… and they still did not budge on the price. I'm in no hurry, am a cash buyer and am ready to buy once I find the right coach at the right price. It will be a smooth and easy transaction. Right now the market is kind of hot, but that doesn't mean I have to overpay either.

[@Teresa-K]

Nice of you to go with your buddy to look at the RV. Appears esthetically to look good for a 2013 model. I’d be concerned about the exposed wire. Good he’s having an inspector check it out. Happiness, Teresa

[@JR828]

Hi Teresa ......The inside of the coach was practically mint. Given that it has just over 10K miles, it was barely used and very clean. However, the paint on the outside was faded along with some of the striping, and the awning was frazzled and needed to be replaced. The lose wiring was a concern also, but is an easy fix so long as it's done properly and it hasn't caused any other damage. Thank you for your comment. Happiness right back atcha!

[@mariahsteffekaraan7741]

Enjoyed the editing as always and I like the arrangement of this one making it looks spacious inside also like the chopping board fit perfectly in the sink space saving ideas are my favorite

[@JR828]

Bobby's editing and effects are so cool! I'm into the space saving and maximizing every square foot also, hence this floor plan with the bunk over the cab and swivel captains chairs gives maximum livability with a kitchen, dinette, sofa, and spacious bathroom! Thx for commenting!

[@gwenabbott4574]

Looks like Bobby Gene has found a new side hustle!😎

[@JR828]

He's good!

[@selec21]

Did he buy it? How much was it , 70 k ? Just curious

[@GenesTherapy]

Nah the owner would not adjust asking price to compensate for needed repairs etc.

[@johnanderson2432]

I wonder if that sleeping loft can be too hot or cold being that close to the ceiling.

[@JR828]

Hi John....The owners that I've spoken to about that never had those issues. There are windows up there to let in air, also the AC and heat work well. When I got up in the bed and laid flat, I could extend my arm straight up and just about touch the highest point in the ceiling. That would be at least 2ft from the ceiling, plenty of distance to not be affected by outside temps. Thx for your comment!

[@sgit1]

Overall size is appealing for maneuverability but the trade-off "bedroom" would be a deal-breaker for me. If you are not feeling well, or just not paying attention, or if you have to get up at night to go to the bathroom - possible injuries await.

[@selec21]

Bad times for buying anything RV, overinflated prices across the board. Because of covid19, and hotel lockdowns everyone and their brother are fleeing to buy RVs. RV storage facilities are busting at the seams. Good luck if you're in the market.

[@Dave-zl2ky]

moisture meter?

[@GenesTherapy]

I didn't see it David, respond to one of Jud's comments so he can confirm that.

[@PhiLeo7973]

A few salient points a prospective RV purchaser might want to consider and for Judd to ponder: 1)Unlike cars in most states, there is no Lemon Law for RVs and many are house expensive. 2)RV fridges, Airconditioners, & Slides are brutally expensive to repair & problematic. 3) Mercedes & BMW luxury chassis's out of warranty have exhorbitant parts , service costs, & reliability issues according to KZbinr and master mechanic Scotty Kilmer & others e.g. Consumer Reports. 4)Bring along an OBD2 bluetooth scanner to check for code flags, emissions, and check engine light clearings. 5)Check for Accident, Flood,Body damage etc 6)I would not buy a vehicle without being able to speak directly to the owner to verify maintenance&service records,clean title, mileage, etc,and look him in the eye while asking said questions. Having a vehicle on consignment, imo, adds another layer of due diligence as it's not the owner and complicates any future legal redress.(I am not an attorney) 7) Cutting boards & shoeless mattress testing are fine, but compression testing the engine by a fine mechanic and confirming a tranny that might cost many thousands to repair are priorities obviously😀. 8) Have fun even though it is a minefield. It requires exceptional due diligence, luck,& knowledge to find a great RV at a fair price. There are just so many thousands of out of warranty Flood Vehicles, repaired salvage title vehicles, hard to trace electrical problems,etc that it is imperative to be very careful. Good Luck. Be safe & Happy Trails on the road guys.phil P.S. Bobby Gene's sharp eye caught the tire date codes. A full set of new tires can cost thousands.

[@JR828]

Excellent points....all humbly taken. Thank you Phil for taking the time to give me your feedback. Best to you!

[@PhiLeo7973]

@@JR828 My pleasure Jud. I wish u the very best Your excitement was palpable, and as a lifelong RV buff, I can relate, but I wouldn't want you to get stuck on the hook for many tens of thousands. Search Lehto Law RV on KZbin. Anything by Kilmer. Though I have never purchased from them, I watch all the videos by " Big Beau" over at the parkwayrvcenter KZbin channel. I like his business model and u can learn much from his KZbin sale channel. He is in Ringgold,GA. Always be safe, say hi to Bobby Gene, phil

[@JR828]

@@PhiLeo7973 I wouldn't wanna be on the hook for 10's of 1000's either! Thanx for turning me on to Big Beau....knowledge is power! Safe travels Phil.

[@PhiLeo7973]

@@JR828 Honestly, just read this article on Mercedes Sprinters. You will blanch. All the best Jud. www.linkedin.com/pulse/fatal-flaw-mercedes-benz-sprinters-tom-robertson Knowledge is power and that's why we all share, comment, & mutually learn.

[@TheBuddyandlilly]

I'd probably have it full body painted to really dress it up

[@JR828]

That would be nice. Most probably a $5-7K expense. I might consider it if they take my offer. Thx for commenting!

[@nomadrvmontreal2733]

i had one similar, with the same engine... didn't find it powerful enough... i had about 90K miles on it and started to have problems too (engine related) and had a new transmission installed at about 60k miles . hope that those infos can help.

[@JR828]

@Nomad RV Montreal - This model has a 6 cylinder Turbo Diesel. Was your Turbo? I specifically look for the turbo diesel as I plan on towing about 3K lbs between my trailer and motorcycles and the turbo gives more torque. When you say it wasn't powerful enough....in general, or for towing and hills?

[@shirley-BEE-Van-Life____]

Interesting video. 😊👍

[@JR828]

Hi Shirley, thx for commenting!

[@bean6528]

It is a cute unit and I love the size for maneuverability. However, I would be concerned about the super low mileage. Allowing an RV to just sit is not exactly good for the longevity of the mechanical parts inside the RV and the unit's engine. I wonder if the infrequency of use contributed to the slide motor replacement need. Maybe it would not be a deal breaker if he is mechanically inclined and could more easily address potential issues as they present than I am. It makes sense that the inside was still in like new condition and the outside saw the damage that is indicative of outside long term storage. If the price is super low and it considers the high expense of new tires, the need for a new awning, and the engine and other mechanical parts are inspected as a pass, it might be worth the risks of buying a unit that was not regularly used. I would otherwise hard pass. That floor plan is not hard to find and there might be in a unit with less risks, a history of covered or inside storage- especially from a state that is ocean side, and one that had regular use that kept everything maintained. It will be worth the inspection fee to have both the coach and the engine looked over carefully. In any case, I wish him all the best in his selection process and decision to travel!

[@JR828]

Hi Bean - You are 100% correct in your assessment. All of those things I've taken into consideration in order to calculate my offer, which is also subject to the results of the inspection and fluid analysis. Anything that needs repairing or fixing as a result of the inspection must either be be incurred by the owner, or a reduction in the already agreed upon price must accurately represent the cost of such. Fyi, the second owner bought it 3 1/2 years ago, brought it to Florida, and logged 3400 miles in those 3 years. So, it's life span has not been completely subject to the Florida weather conditions. We'll see what happens. Thank you for your feedback and well wishes....cheers!

[@GenesTherapy]

In regard to the slide motor, when I saw the onboard water storage was riding on the slide. I wondered how much of a load would that place on the motor depending on weight/motor type. Pippi's motors failed due to them being wired with an underrated gauge wiring harness. I hope there will be other owners of like models that will chime in. Thanks Bean

[@JR828]

@@GenesTherapy Good point Bobby. It just now dawned on me that if both tanks are full, @32 gallons each, @ 8.6 lbs per gallon, that's an extra 550 lbs of weight on that slide and strain on the slide motor!

[@kaylynnkendall5167]

Yikes!

[@JR828]

Hi Kay Lynn.......yikes??? Lol...

[@swisscamperronniecool5419]

No comfortable lounging area...small swivel front seats with one armrest only...thin sleeping area...complicated engine...I would prefer a US chassis rv like a Pleasure way. 2 previous owners in 10000 miles...nobody will hold on to it 🙄 jmho 😎

[@radarnj8043]

Nice MB set up. Repairs costs vs Ford or GM? In my older age I need a high intensity flash light to illuminate the situation ... lol The salesman using the fear of loss talk ... good on him. That is his job. RWD? Will Jud want to tow accessories? Good on you Bobby G to go out with him. Hope you and family are all well!

[@JR828]

@Radar NJ - Repair costs are generally higher on a diesel engine, but less frequent. On a coach like this one with just over 10K miles, I've got a long way to go before there's significant wear and tear. It does have RWD. I plan to tow a fiberglass trailer with 2 motorcycles, which will also serve as extra storage. Thanx for chiming in!

[@radarnj8043]

@@JR828 understood ... I have run diesels in my Ford trucks for years. Happy trails in your new RV!

[@JR828]

@@radarnj8043 Thank you!