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Post Info TOPIC: what to look for when buying a second hand motor home


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what to look for when buying a second hand motor home


Hi all.. Nice site.. newbie here..

I have a question..

Im looking at buying a 2010 winnebago esperance on a iveco daily chassis.. 80,000ks on clock.

I dont know anything about these machines and would like to know what questions to ask and what to look out for when buying?

Im going to get an independant inspection before I buy...

These dont have any warranty when buying from a dealer.. Bit concerned I might get a lemon..

Has anyone dealt with Camperagent RV sales in South Australia? thoughts on them..

Thanks in advance..

Mike



-- Edited by mikecatts on Tuesday 13th of February 2018 07:43:24 AM

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Hi Mike, have dealt with Camperagent, nothing but honesty and good service, is a family business, the van i am in was purchased from there, presume that he is still the same. Dont know anything about the vhicle, good luck.



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Chief one feather

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Welcome to the gang Mike, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I don't have a motorhome however....

Looks a nice unit indeed. It also has a good looking solid awning so roll it out and make sure it is in good nick, might save $2-3,000. Later. Get someone as you say to check out the mechanical side of things and have a good look for signs of leaks (water marks etc). Also and as well even get it weighed before you sign on the dotted and make sure it is what is on the compliance plate and you can get all YOUR 'stuff' in it without going over weight. That will save a flashing light parked behind you and that driver has a pen and paper writing out a ticket saying you jave to pay Mal heaps of money. Just my thoughts.


Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

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Caravan Council of Australia will also assist regarding all compliance tests on Motor Homes www.caravancouncil.com.au/motorhome
3 Margaret Street,
Parkdale VIC 3195
T: 0409 865 399
F: 03 9587 1828

caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au


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That model probably has an ATM transmission (clutchless manual/auto same as a Fiat & same engine I believe but  with rear wheel drive) & not a conventional auto - take it for a decent drive with plenty of stop/start/reversing to make sure its application suits you.

We have a similar transmission in our Merc Sprinter campervan & find it ok but you could also do a google search on Fiat & Iveco atm transmission issues for reference.

David

 



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A friend was interested in buying a $70,000 motorhome from Camperagent a couple of months back.
They would not agree to us taking it to our mechanic for an independent inspection (at our cost) so we walked away.

As far as I am aware, EVERY motor vehicle sold by a dealer is covered by a statutory 3 month warrantee. It may be useful to establish if Camperagent is the owner of the vehicle or if it is on consignment, in which case it may be better to find the actual owner and deal with them directly.

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 



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These things are generally low stressed . Driven by mature people .. Check service record . 80k is just run in .. But basics still need checking . Coolant , oil colour ?Carbon under rocker cover etc ? There should hardly be any at that klnrs . Brake pad / rotor thickness on brakes . Tyre wear ? Possibly on second set ? Listen and feel trans as it shifts cold & hot . Then thereâs the home side of things ? Water pump, plumbing, electrical etc . Storage battery age, amp hour etc . Water and fuel tank size etc . Easy to be paranoid with second hand ?? But thereâs 1000âs sold with no issues .. You only hear of the bad ones !! Good luck !!!

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Whats out there


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Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

A friend was interested in buying a $70,000 motorhome from Camperagent a couple of months back.
They would not agree to us taking it to our mechanic for an independent inspection (at our cost) so we walked away.

As far as I am aware, EVERY motor vehicle sold by a dealer is covered by a statutory 3 month warrantee. It may be useful to establish if Camperagent is the owner of the vehicle or if it is on consignment, in which case it may be better to find the actual owner and deal with them directly.

Cheers,
Peter


 In Queensland there is no statutory warranty or cooling off period on a used motorhome.

Consumer warranties still apply if it being sold by the dealer, but no warranty whatever on a consignment vehicle.

If it is a consignment unit the consignor will probably have signed a 3 month contract with the dealer so will be unable to deal directly until that contract expires.

Speaking about Queensland here.



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I would definitely carry out a professional inspection if you cannot drive the Mh to an Offsite mechanic.

I would also confirm the payload ie GVM-Tare and confirm that you will be happy with it ie include your/partners weight, LPG/Water/fuel, food, clothes, kitchen gear etc etc.

You may also have seen this... if not....

thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t58547802/winnebago-avida-rv-lemon-story

PS Suggest you join the CMCA for good value Insurance, monthly Chapter outings/yearly rallies and possibly some life long friends.

Peter



-- Edited by PeterInSa on Tuesday 13th of February 2018 05:29:09 PM



-- Edited by PeterInSa on Tuesday 13th of February 2018 05:30:52 PM

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Hi all..
Thanks heaps for the replies..
I spoke to the agent and no warranty on used vehicals over 3 ton In South Aus...... I did some homework and yes the gear box is the concern.. He says that 1 in 100 has issues as to the Ducatto that is one in 30.. and he said that the gearbox self learns how u drive and adjusts as needed.. Is that true or hes full of it?

I have employed Stateroads to do a FULL inspection..... Thoughts on them?

Its a LOT of money and Im only going to do it once and want hassel free motoring..

I was told to get it weighed.. as the book says it only can carry 747 extra kilos in weight.. It has a bull bar/solar as extras so Im a bit concerned it will go over when loaded.. What have you guys done to keep the weight down? is the stated factory weight dry or wet? as it has 100 fuel, 100 water, 19 grey, 14 hot water.. That does add up and nothing inside as yet.
Missus, dogs and I will only be around the 150k max..
Im wanting extra solar/generator, enclosed awning etc.. so the weight will go up very quickly.. dont really want to tow a trailer..

Have got insurance quotes.. Not cheap.. They state that its has roadside assist, breakdown recovery etc in the policey for $1600 on a 125k unit.. Is that about right? through GIO and Apia. both roughly the same.

Not sure if its consignment.. he wont budge on price... Ide like to contact previouse owner, might be rude to ask details, not sure..

Im excited about buying one.. Sold a LC XU-1 torana to finance the unit.. Hope Im doing the right thing..

Mike



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Hi again,

The main advantage of the atm gearbox is that they are a conventional manual gearbox with the auto hydraulics doing the work of a clutch - you can easily override the auto for clutchless manual shifts which I do in our Sprinter on windy uphill/down hill sections of road (better down hill braking through a atm manual gearbox than conventional auto) -  The reason I mentioned taking it for a drive to see if it suits you is because not being a usual torque converter auto it is just like a manual & the auto hydraulics select neutral when stopping & when you then have your foot on the brake a hill holder assist system holds the brake for 1 or 2 seconds to allow you to take off without rolling back - I find with ours you learn not to put your foot on the brake when shunting around & staightening up when parking at campsites etc as it stops the 1-2 second delay of brake hill holder assist from taking effect (1-2 seconds doesn't seem long but when parking up it can create hesitation & jerkiness in your manouver until you remember to wait to apply the throttle again each time you touch the brakes) - no big deal but its easy to think you need to apply more throttle because the rig is not moving & in confined spaces you can imagine the possible results. - some people prefer a normal auto which Mercedes has from about 2009 onwards & the current model Iveco has gone full auto the ATM is no longer an available option.

I would say ours changes its auto shift patterns  after a fair while if driving conditions  & habits vary.

We have had ours insured with APIA for 5 years but have had no claims. Also I think with Ken Tame insurance you can get Roadside Assistance for you size of vehicle if you are a member of CMCA & have Ken Tame vehicle insurance .

David

 

 



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Leo


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PeterInSa

Thanks for posting that link.

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Hi Leo smile

Leaving aside the mechanicals which of course need checking by a competent person and reported in writing. You should perhaps check the history of the owners. There is a possibility of it being a hire van. That in itself is not a problem but does alter the rosy view of a lot of potential buyers. hmm

I found when I did a search on the NSW rego site for one some years ago there was an initial gap where it was registered interstate. On further enquiries about that particular model I found it was made specially for the Qld hire industry. And the buyer did supply some papers and info where i gleened the previous owners name and suburb. He was happy to chat about his history with the MH and the things he had done in his time. He knew it was an ex hire unit. I did proceed to buy it as it was in good condition and the price was reasonable. biggrin

My experience of MH dealers generally is they will tell you what they think you want to hear about their stock. Go away and come back to another salesman and get another story !!wink 

Jaahn 



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Hi all..
Thanks for the replys..

I have employed a repurchase inspection.. he says its all good except there is a small oil stain at the rear main seal area.. Nothing major.. Is this going to be a problem?
Has anyone replaced a rear main seal?
Mike

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Hi again,

Suggest you contact your nearest Iveco Service centre & seek their advice & approximate quote   -   better still request it be fixed by the seller before purchase as part of you negotiations.

David

 



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mikecatts wrote:

Hi all..
Thanks for the replys..

I have employed a repurchase inspection.. he says its all good except there is a small oil stain at the rear main seal area.. Nothing major.. Is this going to be a problem?
Has anyone replaced a rear main seal?
Mike


 Hi Mike smile

"a small oil stain" is a subjective statement. There would be very few vehicles that do not have that after a few thousand kmshmm. SO if it has never been cleaned it is probable OK but if it has been regularly cleaned off by the dealer then NO NO. So a second opinion is warranted. Better done in a big workshop as the motor home is big to put on a hoist.biggrin

Jaahn

 



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