Buying a Former Rental Class C. How many of us out there?

[IAMICHABOD]

While researching these pages for my next Motor Home I saw a few threads discussing Rentals, most were Pros and Cons but very few posts from people who had purchased one.

I thought it may be a good resource and helpful to hear from these people. The good, the bad, what they liked and what they didn’t. Also if they had any problems, things they changed, if they would recommend this to others or do it again.

Here is my story: I am not a novice, having owned a Class A for more than 15 years and doing the camping thing with my wife and two daughters, I can say “been there done that” But life changes, and I sold everything so I have been away from this for several years. Starting over I lurked here for a while and got a lot of good insight then went looking.

My criteria was: A Class C within by budget, less than 30 feet so I can keep it at home, saving storage $, a rear bed, and a lot of storage space.

What fit that was Winnebago, Fleetwood and a few others, what I found mostly was Jamboree / Tioga 26Q. In the year models 2002 thru 2006. I did my home work looking at NADA and other sites to find the fair prices for the models that I was looking for.

After several months of searching the internet, Craigslist, private ads and Dealerships for a Class C that suited my budget and needs, this is what I found. Of the dozen or so I inquired about.Most were upsidedown in their payments, owing more than they were worth. All were on Ford Chassis, 7 needed tires, all had the original 7 to 10 year old tires, and they all needed repair of the awning and most needed some work inside or out and the maintenance records were sketchy, but most had low mileage. The Dealerships offerings were better but they had a profit margin to maintain so I got older models within my budget or huge up sales that didn’t work for me.

My next step was looking at the rental market for sales. In my area there are 2 large companies that have rental sales, Cruise America and El Monte RV,who also sell Class A RVs.

First up was El Monte RV Their units are production RVs that are made by major manufactures, with TV antennas and hookups inside and out, Ducted A/C and heat, 2 house batteries, a rear ladder and parts are readily available from those manufacture’s. I looked at their web site and it detailed their warranty and what was checked and serviced by their factory trained technicians. The unit I looked at was like new inside, the upholstery on all the seats was new as was the floor mat in the driver’s area, it had a new mattress, still in plastic and a new bedspread. All of the curtains were new also. Newer (2010 mfg date) tires with 98% rubber and the mileage was ninety thousand (90,000).

Then there was Cruise America: Their units that I looked at seemed to be Spartan,no TV antenna or hookups for one,non-ducted A/C,small counter space and only one battery, no rear ladder for inspection and maintenance of roof and built just for them, they were all “refreshed” their words not mine. They offered extended warranties at a huge cost. All had high mileage, one hundred and thirty thousand (130,000) or more and the price range seemed a little high. The sales staff had a take it or leave it attitude and were not very forthcoming when asked about maintenance records and service,they claim to have proprietary info in those records,It doesn't seem to be a problem for El Monte RV.

At El Monte RV I took a test ride; This Unit was a 2006 Tioga 26Q on a Chevrolet Chassis it rode
Drove and handled much better than the Fords that I had driven. It also had more leg room and was quieter. We got back and I asked about the service and maintenance on it, the salesman, Joey, handed me a 28 page single spaced document asked if I wanted some coffee or something to drink and said “read this and if you have any questions I will answer them”.

It detailed everything that was done before and after each rental, the mileage, generator hours and hours billed. Each time it was washed and detailed inside and outside, all fluids were checked and replenished if needed, the holding tanks were washed, LP system was checked for leaks, all torque on wheel lugs were checked, brakes front and rear checked for wear and cracks, pressure in tires, all appliances, generator oil, lights inside and outside, the list goes on and on.

It also listed all oil changes,coolant change,trans service,fuel injector service and cleaning,fuel filters,air filter, new brakes, all repairs and replacements all with date, mileage and time spent in complete detail from day one to when it was pulled from the rental fleet and was refurbished. I have a complete service record on this vehicle.Also the service records on the Onan Generator,all oil changes,air filter and spark plug replacement with hours and date. I negotiated a good deal with them and am very happy with my purchase.

It came with a 1 yr. 12000 mile power train warranty and 30 day on all appliances. It also came with a 28 page maintenance record that detailed everything. Also the original sales packet from Fleetwood with the manual and serial numbers on all appliances,refrigerator, microwave,furnace, AC, water heater, etc. and the manual for the Chassis. I have had no problems with it so far.

(ON EDIT) 5 Years and close to 14000 miles.Just Scheduled Maintenance and new tires,old ones were at the 5 year mark and I wanted new Michelin LTX M/S2s.

There were a few things that it didn’t have as it was a rental and the ones from private parties did have.
• Power steps, outside Stereo/CD don’t need or want them.
• An Awning, this I wanted and had installed. A Swivel Seat and a new Window in The Door that I installed.
• Wheel Simulators, I like the looks so I had them installed and at the same time had Tire Man valve stem kit put on.
• Replaced the Chinese WFCO with a US Made converter/charger
• It came with mini blinds and not the day/night that most have, these are more practical and have a lot less failure.

• It also came with Stainless Steel sinks,easier to maintain than the cheap plastic ones that come in the noncommercial units.
  

I am very happy with my Rig, it suites my needs and it was in my Budget range, I think I got a good deal.

So if you bought a rental please share your experience here for others to use as a resource.
Or if there are any other questions that have not been covered in these pages, just ask, there are many helpful people on this thread.

[510dogmom]

Regarding back up cameras... I went with a wired camera on my back bumper. I definitely wanted a wired camera and was willing to have in on my bumper to allow the wires to run under the chassis. I really like it because I can don't have the lights on the back of the rig blinding the camera and I get a great idea of how close something is behind me. JMHO and YMMV.

[bghouse]

I sat for a while in the Class C cab and practiced looking at the mirrors, and my neck was immediately sore. I realized I constantly check mirrors in my car while driving, and being short in the wider cab area causes me to turn a lot. The side mirrors going into the review should be really great, because that's just natural for me to be constantly checking.

Definitely a good friend you have there!

[MtnBikeMarty]

bghouse wrote:

MtnBikeMarty wrote:


Backup Camera - With the help of my neighbor (he used to install car stereos and alarms) and I, we installed a Voyager Digital Wireless Backup Camera, the camera has power tapped off the center top red rear light, a little drilling hole wider, and sealed up with the roofing sealant. NOTE: Mount it just below the light or you'll get a lot of interference when the lights are on. We also decided to wire it to the lights, ie monitor only comes on with the headlines on, but that's not a bad thing to drive with day-time-running lights and not just in backup mode, so I can see cars approaching as I go down the freeway. I have the camera pointing down to catch the bumper and covers about 2-3 car lengths back. That way I can watch the bikes on the rack on the receiver hitch. Also liked this model cause it has a mic/speaker so the driver can hear the helper when backing in tight spots... just remember to mute the volume on the freeway or it will sound like you have a flat or something wrong. We also wired the monitor so its direct powered and not using up a cigarette lighter outlet, and I took off the rear-view mirror and put the monitor there, since you naturally look there and that mirror does nothing anyway.

Thank you for sharing this. Backup camera is the very first thing I want installed, although I've been eyeballing this model with the additional side cameras so I can see more when driving. https://www.tadibrothers.com/products/7-ultimate-wireless-mirror-rv-backup-camera-system-with-double-ccd-rv-camera

I was hoping I could do the install while at the RV park after I pickup my unit, but I wonder if a mobile RV tech will be able to do the work. Do I need to find a sound person instead?

That's a pretty cool system, side camera's would be nice at times, but the mirrors on mine do pretty good, I can see cars start to pass me in the rear camera, then as soon as they drop out of the cameras lens the mirrors pick up the passing car...ie no blind spots.

The description for the tadibrothers says wireless, but one of the pics of the rear camera shows yellow and red (audio video) cables???

I would guess a mobile RV tech with camera wiring experience would do the job. I was just lucky having my neighbor with car alarm/stereo installation experience ie DC voltage experience and the tools and equipment.... he made a nice wiring harness with fuse to the battery and a neat wiring block under the dashboard (powering the CB radio, car alarm and camera/monitor), plus heat shrink wrapped all the wires and connections..... all for a pizza and some beers...lol

[bghouse]

MtnBikeMarty wrote:


Backup Camera - With the help of my neighbor (he used to install car stereos and alarms) and I, we installed a Voyager Digital Wireless Backup Camera, the camera has power tapped off the center top red rear light, a little drilling hole wider, and sealed up with the roofing sealant. NOTE: Mount it just below the light or you'll get a lot of interference when the lights are on. We also decided to wire it to the lights, ie monitor only comes on with the headlines on, but that's not a bad thing to drive with day-time-running lights and not just in backup mode, so I can see cars approaching as I go down the freeway. I have the camera pointing down to catch the bumper and covers about 2-3 car lengths back. That way I can watch the bikes on the rack on the receiver hitch. Also liked this model cause it has a mic/speaker so the driver can hear the helper when backing in tight spots... just remember to mute the volume on the freeway or it will sound like you have a flat or something wrong. We also wired the monitor so its direct powered and not using up a cigarette lighter outlet, and I took off the rear-view mirror and put the monitor there, since you naturally look there and that mirror does nothing anyway.

Thank you for sharing this. Backup camera is the very first thing I want installed, although I've been eyeballing this model with the additional side cameras so I can see more when driving. https://www.tadibrothers.com/products/7-ultimate-wireless-mirror-rv-backup-camera-system-with-double-ccd-rv-camera

I was hoping I could do the install while at the RV park after I pickup my unit, but I wonder if a mobile RV tech will be able to do the work. Do I need to find a sound person instead?

[IAMICHABOD]

chorbelt Welcome to the Former Rental Club,you will be #93 on the ever growing list of happy owners.

With 6000 miles you did give it a good shakedown cruise,it is good to hear that everything went well and you would recommend buying a Former Rental to others.

Enjoy the camping season, I also did mostly dry camping and offroad riding of Quads and Desert Buggies with my 2 kids,they really enjoyed it and carried it on with their kids,great way to make memories and pass on the camping lifestyle.

Enjoy Life!

[MtnBikeMarty]

IAMICHABOD wrote:
Hey #75 MtnBikeMarty,always good to hear back from an owner and see what they have done to their RV to make it more personalized to their liking.

I am sure that others owners will like what you did and give them some ideas on what they want to do to their RV,Thanks for sharing.

I also wanted to have some solar but didn't want to mount it on the RV,I liked the idea of being able to put it where I wanted to get the most use out of it. I found that This One fits my needs and is easy to store and place where I need it.

Great to hear that you are still thrilled with your CA 27G, it seems that all the others here are very happy as well.

Have a great camping season.

Thanks IAMICHABO, I will look into that one this summer. I've only looked at Harbor Freight's breifcase solar panels, but I hate to use HF for anything but "disposable" tools.
Happy trails....

[chorbelt]

Thanks for this post!

Based a lot on all the good experiences I read from ya'll, I picked up a 2011 23' Four Winds from El Monte a month ago. My ex got the TT in my sig, so for me and two kids, hauling dirtbikes and quads, this C is about perfect. No offense to anyone, but I think all RVs are pretty shabbily made, so I was looking for something without a slide to leak. Not having carpet was a bonus as well since we're often drycamping while riding. I also really like the huge basement storage and that the bumper is much stouter than others I've seen (I guess they expect newbie drivers to "park by sound").

After reading this thread in it's entirety, I wish I pushed some more to have an awning installed, but that's just the cheapskate in me. My dad flew to Las Vegas and drove it back to WA for me and we just arrived in NJ after driving x-country and stopping for a few days at the Grand Canyon. No problems with anything in about 6000 miles. (Driving a gasser with a slushbox though, well that took a couple of days to get used to). I couldn't be happier with this coach and wouldn't hesitate to recommend buying a former rental to anyone. Prices were more than a few thousand dollars higher for much older units (granted that had less miles) closer to home. All the major systems work, but there are a few things that I need to fix, all mostly cosmetic, but with two kids, I'm not in a rush. The one addition so far was a rear-view camera to keep an eye on the toys.

[IAMICHABOD]

Hey #75 MtnBikeMarty,always good to hear back from an owner and see what they have done to their RV to make it more personalized to their liking.

I am sure that others owners will like what you did and give them some ideas on what they want to do to their RV,Thanks for sharing.

I also wanted to have some solar but didn't want to mount it on the RV,I liked the idea of being able to put it where I wanted to get the most use out of it. I found that This One fits my needs and is easy to store and place where I need it.

Great to hear that you are still thrilled with your CA 27G, it seems that all the others here are very happy as well.

Have a great camping season.

[MtnBikeMarty]

Number 75 here.... update on my CA 2011 27G I got last Fall from here in Phoenix (Mesa CA location):

Backup Camera - With the help of my neighbor (he used to install car stereos and alarms) and I, we installed a Voyager Digital Wireless Backup Camera, the camera has power tapped off the center top red rear light, a little drilling hole wider, and sealed up with the roofing sealant. NOTE: Mount it just below the light or you'll get a lot of interference when the lights are on. We also decided to wire it to the lights, ie monitor only comes on with the headlines on, but that's not a bad thing to drive with day-time-running lights and not just in backup mode, so I can see cars approaching as I go down the freeway. I have the camera pointing down to catch the bumper and covers about 2-3 car lengths back. That way I can watch the bikes on the rack on the receiver hitch. Also liked this model cause it has a mic/speaker so the driver can hear the helper when backing in tight spots... just remember to mute the volume on the freeway or it will sound like you have a flat or something wrong. We also wired the monitor so its direct powered and not using up a cigarette lighter outlet, and I took off the rear-view mirror and put the monitor there, since you naturally look there and that mirror does nothing anyway.

Toilet - Put a oval bowl chair height toilet in... life is so much better.

Stairwell Cover - cut a piece of plywood, trimmed it out, put a cut out handle and glued carpet to it. Covers the stairwell so our older dog doesnt fall down it during the drive.

Queen (island) Bed - Took off that vinyl CA cover and the plastic mattress wrapper (original??), got a nice pillowy mattress pad. Then bought the Ikea bed slats (I hate shopping at Ikea), they are curved boards/slats with a cloth ribbon for spacing. The pair fits just right over the island without any trimming, I screwed in about every 3-4th board to the island deck, so it doesnt slide around. I also put some piano hinges on the hatch access to the water tank, with some struts to hold it up when accessing it. Sleeping is heavenly with a "box spring" underneath the mattress.

Other stuff - Put in one of those all-in-one-mic CB radio and antenna...breaker 1-9. Put in a car alarm with remote flob, nice to lock and unlock the cab doors from a distance. Tire Pressure Monitoring system is purchased but not yet installed, have to update ya later on that.

Battery - just had to put a new battery in it, the CA battery didn't last through the summer in the Phoenix heat...it's been crazy hot this year. But I've had great luck with Costco 36 month batteries lasting at least 2 summers here, just remember to replace it (for free) before the 3rd summer.

Future - Might add a small TV/DVD player. Solar brief-case type solar panels that can be moved around as the sun shines. Probably have to replace the coach battery before long, but its still holding a charge for now. Still drives well (no lean or adverse swaying) but researching new springs and that front stabilizer thing.

I still thrilled with my CA 27G, just enough room, big motor climbs the mountains out of Phoenix without struggling, aero cab-over, and that huge basement store has amazed many a friends.
MtnBikeMarty

[Mocoondo]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

Mocoondo wrote:


You have to check the specific vehicle. Chassis changes occur every year and the changes end up appearing in a mid-year manufacturing run. The only way to know GVWR for certain is to check the placard on the door. Many 23A units are greater than 11.5K.

As a Cruise America Dealer you should be able to check the placard on one at your lot and give an exact answer to bghouse if she knows the year model she is looking to purchase.

If for sale, that model year is likely already out of the fleet. Also, as stated, there are variations among model years.

[IAMICHABOD]

Mocoondo wrote:


You have to check the specific vehicle. Chassis changes occur every year and the changes end up appearing in a mid-year manufacturing run. The only way to know GVWR for certain is to check the placard on the door. Many 23A units are greater than 11.5K.

As a Cruise America Dealer you should be able to check the placard on one at your lot and give an exact answer to bghouse if she knows the year model she is looking to purchase.

[bghouse]

Thanks everyone! I think I just found justification to lose a few pounds to carry an instant pot and blender - lol

[Mocoondo]

IAMICHABOD wrote:
Just in case CA doesn't give you one Here is the owners Manual for a Majestic.

On page 17 there is the vehicle specifications that may be helpful,I was very surprised to see that the 23A GVWR is only 11500 lbs while most RVs that are built on a Ford Chassis are on a 14050 or larger GVWR chassis,this will cut greatly into your Cargo Carrying Capacity.

You have to check the specific vehicle. Chassis changes occur every year and the changes end up appearing in a mid-year manufacturing run. The only way to know GVWR for certain is to check the placard on the door. Many 23A units are greater than 11.5K.

[IAMICHABOD]

Just in case CA doesn't give you one Here is the owners Manual for a Majestic.

On page 17 there is the vehicle specifications that may be helpful,I was very surprised to see that the 23A GVWR is only 11500 lbs while most RVs that are built on a Ford Chassis are on a 14050 or larger GVWR chassis,this will cut greatly into your Cargo Carrying Capacity.

[Mocoondo]

bghouse wrote:
The Thor manual states:
"The Thor Motor Coach Motor Home WEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS yellow label
concisely states the occupant and cargo carrying capacity of your motor home ( per the
requirements of 49 CFR part 571.120 as issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration - NHTSA).
The yellow MOTOR HOME OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY weight
label is affixed to the interior side of the forward-most door of your motor home on the
passenger side This label indicated how much weight you can safely carry within the
vehicle and is affixed to the entrance door, directly below the window screen for Class
A units and on the front door jamb for Class C units.

Your motor home includes a "Weight Information Label."
This label provides specific weight information for your motor
home as a guideline so that you can determine the load carrying
capabilities.The total weight of passengers, cargo, trailer tongue weight, and water should neverexceed the value shown on the label."

I heard back from the sales department at Cruise America, and they got the information from the yellow sticker that stated this:

MOTOR HOME OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY

VIN# [removed]

THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED:

1354 kg or 2986 lbs.

Safety belt equipped seating capacity: 7

Caution:

A full load of water equals 176 kg or 382 lbs. of cargo @ 1kg/L (8.3 lb./gal) and the tongue weight of a towed trailer counts as cargo

(Serial # [removed])

I'm not denying that weighing the vehicle will be needed - it definitely will be. But this information along my other weights allows me to do some pre-planning in my spreadsheets while I'm thinking about all the things I WANT to take.

I don't have a "home base" - so I really don't want to think I'm gonna take a ton of stuff, get out on the road, weight myself and go "****, now what". I'm much more a plan ahead kind of gal 🙂

With that information, 12,500-2,986=9,514. As such, you can assume a curb weight in the neighborhood of 9,500#, but I know for a fact these vehicles get fat as they age, so that will dip into your payload some.