Hi all -
New here, but have been doing lots of lurking/research the last six months. I hadn't planned to buy for another year, but found one locally just down the street and went and took a look at it today. We have owned an RV before so not totally clueless, but don't have any experience with these. The woman who owns it full-timed in it for about eight years and has her spreadsheet of maintenance and receipts for repairs. She had a rebuilt Jasper (it's a 4 cyl auto) put into it at 117K mi (it's at 154K now) and it has the 6 lug axle. It's been modified for a single person so I'd redo the interior - but I'm thinking it's not bad to start with a clean slate - I could custom build my own pieces. Will probably need to replace floor and bathroom door (has a curtain now). No sign of blistering paint, seams look good, no soft spots. The only evidence of water damage was the usual front window which was over gooped (needs to be cleaned) and while I found water staining on the material over the cab inset, it was hard underneath. The plumbing/water pump will all have to be worked over, but she says she's used the black and grey and toilet and they all work well, just she hasn't used the fresh water lines for a few years. Tires look in good shape, no sign of cracking/dry rot but they are 2010 so I'm thinking I'll have to replace them to be safe? Paint on the truck is dull but I assume the camper part can be buffed out? It actually didn't look bad, just a little rust around the water inlet that looked like it could be scrubbed up and painted.
I've checked with the mechanic that just did an ignition relay switch replace for her and they will do a check of the engine for $50 and I can probably add on more an they'll check out the electric systems. She fired it up and I did get a puff of whitish (maybe grey/blue?) smoke from the exhasut - that has me a little nervous. She says she doesn't have to add oil but the mechanic said they would definitely be able to let me know if that was indication of something serious.
She says she's never used the fridge on propane, just electric, and the fuse panel looked "expected" didn't see any fire or heat damage. Oh, and awning mechanism is broken - arms look good, but will probably have to replace that as well. Did not get up on the roof - no ladder, but can have that inspected.
She wants $6500 for it. We talked a little about driving it - she says she has taken it over the Rockies to California - 35 up the mountains and some draft of course when you come through a gorge, but she says nothing that ever scared her.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance for any advice!