New boy

[markymark]

Hello everybody

First time on the site tonight so just saying hello to everyone out there.

I currently dont own a RV but have my eye on one from Ebay. The seller has accepted my offer and we now need to arrange a viewing. I cant wait but he is on holiday for a week so have to sit tight and wait for more info on it.

Its a Chevrolet GMC Coachman and has a 5 litre petrol engine. Its not a V6 or V8 engine and it is 23' Long. Thats all i know, can anyone add anymore info if i post a picture of it?

Hang on how do i post a pic

[Chrisdy]

Welcome to the Club. Not many in tonight, but there will be a few more on tomorrow. It would help if you could give a little more info (assuming you have it) such as year of manufacture, as there are several such models and the age can make a lot of difference in the spec.

To post a pic, use the 'manage attachments' button below the text entry area, then select the photo you want using the 'browse' facility to find it on your computer. Is the model you are buying like this one? I pulled the picture from ebay

[jim]

Hi Mark,

Best of luck with that RV, plenty of advice here, just come back and ask I can't let you go without passing on just three things that if you get wrong might cost you dearly

1. Damp
Do not buy a damp RV, it will literally rot away. Use your nose, does it smell of damp. Study the roof lining and look for visible stains and water marks. Pay particular attention around the roof vent openings and where walls meet ceiling and where walls meet walls. Look for rust showing on any nails or screws or staples Look inside the overhead cabinets and check the ceiling. Mildew stains may show up as black spots on ceilings and walls. Check the exterior and see if there is opportunity for water ingress, look at all vents and roof fittings carefully see that all the seals are secure.

2. Delamination
Most RV construction involves the outer layer being glued on, if this glue fails, the strength of the RV is seriously degraded. The clue is "bubbles" in the bodywork, they will be easily pushed in with the palm of your hand. Look along it and see if you can see any delamination. If so this can mean expensive repairs. In some RVs the floors are constructed the same way as the walls so bubbles in the floor are also delamination.

3. Check the seller owns the vehicle.
Don't buy unless you are 100% sure that the seller owns the vehicle, check all the documents, check finance details etc.


Best of luck and welcome to the club,

[Road Runner]

Welcome greeat advice above

[Brian Evans]

hi mark,welcome to the club,they are a freindly bunchmyself and my wife jo are new to rvs as well.we have a four winds dutchmen dorado 31ft and we love it.we have had it about 6mnths but have been motorhoming for about 15yrs.1 thing i will say if you are thinking about buying off e-bay is to take on board the advice from jim and the others ,because they have been rving for a long time.but im sure you will have a great time.hope to chat again brian & jo

[Scotjimland]

Hi Mark


agree with the previous posts..

also check tyres, not just for wear, but for old age, look for very small cracks on the sidewalls, a set of six, depending on size, will set you back over a grand, maybe a lot more ..

my only other comment is to think carefully before buying a petrol engined RV , they are notoriously thirsty, less than 10 mpg, a diesel will be closer to 15 mpg..


Good luck

Jim

[markymark]

Thankyou all for your points they sound like real important factors to watch out for.

I am still having problems posting a picture of it as i am not allowed to post attachments according to post rules at bottom of page. Strange. There is no manage attachments button available to me so dont think i can post one.

Whats peoples views on Lpg conversions? Thats my plan to get it converted to run on both petrol and Lpg. Anyone had any bad experiences with it?

[markymark]

Sorry Chrisdy it will not let me view the picture you posted so cant say. Think it was a 1987 model

[Chrisdy]

Originally Posted by markymark

Sorry Chrisdy it will not let me view the picture you posted so cant say. Think it was a 1987 model

Ah, I believe you have to be a member before you can add attachments (or view them?). I'm sure Jim will confirm if this is the case.

[Geo]

Hi Mark welcome to the site and the world of RVs
Geo