6 ms·
Awful. Shit breaks every time I drive it, and sometimes when I don't. I am currently more interested in conversion buses (including some that are 60 years old)
by SwellJoe 13y ago
Awful. Shit breaks every time I drive it, and sometimes when I don't.
I am currently more interested in conversion buses (including some that are 60 years old). Even high quality modern rigs fall apart...and mine is not a particularly high quality rig. It was about $95k when new, and I bought it for ~$30k used. It was in decent shape when I got it, much less good shape now, though I'm in the midst of getting it back into shape for sale.
The things you mention, however, are mostly not the things that have been a problem on my rig. Cabinets are solid oak and holding up great. Plumbing has never had a problem.
Things that are problematic:
Ladder got smooshed by a tree when I backed into it. Got more smooshed by a light pole in Mexico with the roads were too small. A ladder is shockingly expensive to replace ($485 for an OEM replacement).
Windshield has been broken and replaced once, and now has new cracks in it. $500 deductible each replacement.
Day/night shades are nearly all a wreck. Restringing is cheap but time consuming. Replacing is very expensive.
Roof has sprung numerous leaks over the years. The slide out, in particular, has been a source of quite a bit of water damage inside the house. It's not terrible, but it's visible if you're looking for it. Water damage hurts resale value a lot, as it is difficult and expensive to repair. Roof needs new rubber. This is time consuming, and slightly expensive.
Air conditioner broke.
Leveling jacks are getting cranky.
Electric steps have broken three times in interesting ways (never the same breakage, but always makes them unusable or less usable).
Chassis battery broke loose and was on the verge of falling out of the bottom of the rig...I just happened to stop and check things at the right time. That would have probably been a bad day.
The carpets are wearing pretty poorly. Some of the upholstery is also looking a little bedraggled.
The exterior looks rough...the fiberglass itself is fine, but the decals are all peeling off and are cracked from sun exposure. I see why so many rigs this age are sold with decals removed...the rig would look a lot better that way, though it'd look kinda plain in all white.
So, yes, motorhomes are made to look good while new, and to fall apart over the next ten years. Some are built slightly better than others. But, none are made to last, as far as I can tell.