Lily2018 wrote:

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Hello all,

Can anyone recommend a good place to physically look at various second motor homes in NSW? I've seen a few on Google, especially Sydney RV Group, but thought I'd ask before I start travelling. I'm looking at buying either a Jayco/Winnebago type vehicle or a Toyota Coaster and of course need to check out the real thing. Thanks. 

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 Hi

I was interested in a second-hand mobile home with trade-in of my caravan and approached Sydney RV Group regarding an advertisement they published.

In short, the trade-in offer was way below the average price being asked for my 4 years old caravan (I understand that dealers need to make a margin on sales) but worse, they could not provide the service history for the 200,000 plus kilometres it had been driven, but offered service records from the last owner who purchased it from a hire company.

I learnt years ago that many hire vehicles are not serviced beyond checking oil and topping up if necessary, and checking other fluids, on the basis that the hire firms trade the vehicles in every couple of years.

Take care.

Hi lily

You have to look at a few, no really lots, to get the 'good one'. The more you look IMHO the easier it will be to recognise 'the one' that you want. So you have to go to the big dealers at the cities and just look inside them. Resist the salespersons banter and just get the feel of the different types, would be my advice. 

After you see the styles and types in person you can better judge the distant ones you find on the computer and might have a better idea of a good looking one that you find, and might go further afield and look at it. Motorhomes are very diverse and particularly converted buses.

I agree with Knight about the big dealers doing a hard deal. And they have not owned and used them so they only just know what is on the paperwork. But I had a MH that was an ex hire unit and it was good and had been well serviced after that and had been improved with some good modifications to make it better. I would buy it again if it suited me now. A big dealer would have bought it off me for a low price or put it on consignment for about $30000, so I just sold it privately. The buyer was very happy and did not even negotiate. So I would buy privately if the vehicle is right, suits what you want and you have it inspected by some competent person.   

Good luck jaahn 

There are two large hire companies in Australia, both publicly listed companies and very reputable.
No names but when it comes to disposing of their hire fleet they are chalk and cheese.....do your homework.

Thanks all for the posts and will have a look around. And yes, I will need to check out a lot of vehicles to see which one suits.

Also carsales.com have a motorhome section and you can stipulate the state or district you want to look in.