As part of the big move, I'd like to RV to the west coast, towing one of my enclosed trailers, then sell once we arrive. In that vsin, I'm looking for something inexpensive, like, hopefully below 5k, to make the journey. Needs to sleep 6. Any and all leads greatly appreciated.
Due to the risk of being stranded by a sub $5K rig.. Would this be a logical time to rent one?
(Not sure if one way rentals are a thing)
OHSCrifle said:Due to the risk of being stranded by a sub $5K rig.. Would this be a logical time to rent one?
(Not sure if one way rentals are a thing)
One way rentals do seem to be a thing, and from the brief searching are potentially cheaper than a pickup/drop off point
You'd probably get killed on the mileage charge.
Usually the problem with a $5000 motorhome involves water intrusion, not mechanical issues. Not that combo deals aren't available, of course.
In reply to OHSCrifle :
I haven't found 1 way and RV rentals are insanely expensive. $200 a day plus miles isn't unusual.
In reply to wae :
Roof is the key. Check all the appliances, do a full service and upgrade the AAA coverage. Anything can happen, even with new stuff.
I know they rent RVs to european tourists to see the USA ,
If you are renting you need to figure out the drop off fee if you are not going to retuen it to the same rental office ,
I would think coming to the West Coast would not get much of a drop off fee ,
One more question , how are you going to ship the enclosed trailer to Hawaii ?
In reply to californiamilleghia :
Using a shipping company. Probably in the $2500 range
In reply to californiamilleghia :
Using a shipping company. Probably in the $2500 range
Save some money - maybe the guy needs a BMW 2002.
californiamilleghia said:I know they rent RVs to european tourists to see the USA ,
My relatives from Europe did that a few times when they came to visit us, until they figured out even with four of them, renting a car/SUV and getting motel rooms or staying at State Parks worked out cheaper.
docwemple might have additional reasons for using an RV for this trip, but I'd be surprised if a cheapish tow vehicle won't work out cheaper. One of the problems with either is going to be that East Coast vehicles are not exactly desirable out West in the land of the rust free 40 year old vehicle so even though vehicles are cheaper on the East Coast, I wouldn't be surprised if the sale price would hover close to "whatever we can get at the local junkyard".
Plus selling it in CA is going to be a major PITA as it has to be able to pass smog over there. Legally you can't properly sell a vehicle that didn't pass CA smog, which is the seller's responsibility.
Upping my cap to 20k and trying to get a diesel pusher. Part of the reason for a RV is elderly parents and another is pets, along with towing and enclosed trailer. Plus, honestly, you can always spend the night in a 24 hour Walmart if necessary.
In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :
Electrical issues on an RV scare me. I spent 3k once on another RV rewiring the entire thing all because a PO took a short cut. (Pun intended)
In reply to BoxheadTim :
I've actually been thinking of shipping it to Hawaii. And can always do the Nevada or Arizona route for the sale.
Walmarts are hit and miss now for RV parking. Don't count on them unless you plan ahead and hit the ones that still allow it. Too many people took advantage and turned the parking lots into homeless camps. Also, an old Diesel Pusher is nasty to work on if you have to fix something, and since you're buying a cheap old one you will have to fix something.
I was once in this business. 20 K in a diesel pusher get you an old good one or a newer crappy one. All motorhomes or mash ups with chassis from one manufacturer, and coach from a completely different source.
In the service world, Imagine all the systems that are in your home and an automobile combined and put on wheels. With older ones you just about have to work on it yourself unless you like long waits and big repair bills. Carry lots of spares and wads of cash.
If I sound like a curmudgeon, it's not because I hate motorhomes, it's because I am a realist, and I've seen friends and customers "live the dream". Not my jam. I'll be happy to counsel but I'm not sure this is the place for it and I am slow at typing..
A bit above your budget and not a necessarily a pusher, but how about an old Wanderlodge? I can see that being an easier sale out West.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dx7AiSH9X/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/1HkgbQLYQP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
There are several cheaper ones on FB, but the first one might be halfway close. The second one is in your budget, but a lot further I think, and not a pusher.
In reply to BoxheadTim :
I've thought about Wanderlodges. I like them,but this us a team decision. I think, generally, a late 90s with a freightliner chassis, Cummins 24v and allison are the safest bet. Fix the left pump and killer dowel pin issues on the Cummins, give the entire rig a service, check the brakes, tires, generator, make sure the roof is 100% and run it. You'll get a slide, 2 if you're lucky and maybe even a washer dryer. It'll be a Winnebago or Fleetwood and not a high end manufacturer like Prevost, but still nice. You can find a lit of these under 20k, but they'll be late 90s to, maybe 2000, 2001.
I would say you're on the right track with Freightliner, Allison, Cummins. Also you seem to have a good grasp of how to prep and maintain a motorhome without wheelbarrows full of money which is the hallmark of older stuff and lots of travel miles.
A couple of things I'll offer my opinion on. Washer-dryer performance in MH is almost always disappointing. Small, slow and eat up too much space. Buy more clothes instead. I have a friend that lived (with wife and dog) in a MH for 6 years. Pulled a old 1/2 ton Ford with canopy and his tools stowed in the front of bed. He shops at Goodwills along the route and throws clothes away when it they get greasy...no joke!
For me, comparing any Fleetwood product I'm familiar with to Winnebago products is just not a fair comparison. Winnebago is almost completely vertically integrated and created all their MH brands in-house and have a pretty incredible factory where they build more of the motorhome in house than almost anyone. Even their cheaper brands benefit from that. This is really only possible when your business is old and well managed. It really couldn't be duplicated today.
Most all others are better described as assemblers of parts bought from vendors. Fleetwood built their stable from purchased brands... "by Fleetwood". They trade on name recognition but products share little except same parent.
Roll under them, look in compartments and places where most buyers don't and you'll see what I mean. Pretty sells more motorhomes than build quality.
The bottom of the heap in coach builders IMO was Gulfstream but I imagine there are other players now as the "cheap pusher" market is, or was, fastest growing segment. I haven't looked in a long time but in the range I suspect Vectra and Meridian might be good bets. I got out of that business in 2004 so my knowledge is dated, but that's the range you're in so maybe it's helpful.
BTW, 6 people bedding down in a MH is no picnic and takes some very specific organization and coordination. Good luck!
Mileage means way less on MH than an automobile. That's a pretty clapped-out and neglected MH on a Chevrolet gas chassis. Just what I'd expect for the money. Not what I'd want to drive cross-country. I guarantee more problems than listed.
Ok, I'll be the one that asks. What happens when it breaks down on the way? What happens when you can't sell it in time? Are you sure you want to put all of your eggs into a cheap solution vs rent one and call the money gone?
It just seems like putting 6 people, your belongings, and pets into a cheap RV and hoping you make it is a huge risk, especially with a time crunch.
In reply to Steve_Jones :
That's part of the reason for a diesel pusher. Anything can break, but if you do your homework you'll find the allison trans is almost unbreakable, the Cummins, if you deal with 1 or 2 known issues is the same. Check the function of ALL of tge appliances, look for internal and external deamination, check the roof quite closely, open and close everything, and so on.... I've rented new and had failures and driven old crud and had zero issues. I may even ship it yo Hawaii as we're opening an aibnb as part of our income stream, plus, honestly a couple of the must see places on the big Island are easiest to fetch yo and enjoy if you can stay right there and get up early and hike. But, I figure a good running diesel pusher isn't a hard sell anywhere. Just join a few groups and you'll see that anything under 20k sells really quickly.
I looked into cheap RV's a little while ago, the idea was a $5K rig to use for local weekend trips. If you want something cheap that runs, you are looking at a van chassis from the 1980s with a 350 V8. That will not tow very much, especially with all your people and gear on board. If you are lucky and find a 454-powered RV, you will get 3mpg, but they are hard to come by and usually carry a premium. The other issue with older rigs like this is that they are often not welcome at campgrounds and repair facilities. Some officially refuse them, others unofficially. And of course the issue of leaks previously mentioned. They are a plywood box with some aluminum the outside. Years of neglect make it hard to repair all the ways that water gets in.
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