Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: DigitalEd on September 04, 2016, 02:57:06 am
Title: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: DigitalEd on September 04, 2016, 02:57:06 am
Hi new member here.
Me and wife want to go full time and will be looking at a 1995 U320SE to maybe buy.
I have been reading a lot in here and found one set of posts saying it cost $5000 to $7000 a year to keep the MH in shape on the road for full time living.
Would like to get more comments on this as that seems very high just to keep it going each year a extra $5000 a year would push us over our budget each year.
Before we make a mistake i would like to get more information of what cost so much or is this a real every year price to expect to pay to fix problems.
I should be able to do any oil and other basic changes and replace other parts myself.
How crazy just on tv right as i am typing this now a bus load of people just broke down on the road...LOL
Anyway any help on that would be great. We will be selling out house soon it should sell fast we only got it last year and they had three people trying to buy it but we won out.
I will be towing a ran mini van.
We would like to travel and stay a month or so at many places plus do some traveling to Washington state each year to see some family. We are in FL right now.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: John S on September 04, 2016, 09:54:54 am
You have cost and it depends on how much you move. Fuel is my biggest cost. Repairs avg about 5k or so a year if you amortize the tires oil changes and other stuff like shocks and fuel lines. Mods are my next biggest expense.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Michelle on September 04, 2016, 09:59:41 am
If you do a search on annual cost or annual expenses you'll find a number of previous discussions, too.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: John44 on September 04, 2016, 10:14:40 am
It depends on how much you do yourself.The mods are options you may or may not need.Can you survive without slides? If you do not plan on staying in cold places do not get aqua-hot,that seems to be a big expense for some.
Some upgrades/replacements will be long term,tires,shocks,the fuel lines will last for years.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Old phart phred on September 04, 2016, 11:25:34 am
I think I will grab some popcorn set down and watch the fireworks.
It's prudent to have the "hidden safe" full of crisp CBs, one never knows. ^.^d Just ask a couple of forum members who've experienced "unforeseen circumstances".
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Caflashbob on September 04, 2016, 11:50:12 am
It's prudent to have the "hidden safe" full of crisp CBs, one never knows. ^.^d Just ask a couple of forum members who've experienced "unforeseen circumstances".
Yes cash is still king for some emergencies and sometimes better deals are negotiable....
Used to occassionally buy loose diamonds long ago as my office partner trained me and had a store. Cash money fanned out on a table sometimes allowed a better purchase price,
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: John44 on September 04, 2016, 11:53:49 am
From what I have learned on this forum,find a coach with all the upgrades/mods that you want already on the coach,but do not pay super top dollar for the upgrade.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on September 04, 2016, 12:13:37 pm
From what I have learned on this forum,find a coach with all the upgrades/mods that you want already on the coach,but do not pay super top dollar for the upgrade.
In a perfect world, that may be true; however, even seasoned coach vets (me) have missed something when buying a coach, which is back to the CB stash: The (name your part of the coach) so & so unit worked, for two weeks, and went south. I came as close to perfect when we bought this coach (I thought), WRONG, the "little things" are a CB these days.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Peter & Beth on September 04, 2016, 12:36:31 pm
Based on my experience camping with a diesel pusher, I would not do it again. We averaged $2k per year just for maintenance, with no slides or Aquahot. Tires, fuel, and other incidentals added more to the total.
If full timing the total may increase by maybe 20%. Guessing here, others with more experience will chime in.
Fuel & oils/lubricants, coolant are directly proportional to mileage driven.
If you will be staying at one location a month at a time, a more sensible way to go may be a fifth wheel. This forum is more for Foretravels so I'll not go there.
If you are a gear head type, then you will ultimately go with a diesel pusher of high quality such as a Foretravel. These coaches can handle the full time chore very adequately. Just remember that these are very complex machines that need to be fed with regular maintenance of a myriad items. By not having room slides & Aquahot systems your maintence costs will be less.
Good luck in your search for a full time on the move excursion vehicle(s).
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: ltg on September 04, 2016, 12:57:34 pm
With specific budget limits, You may want to consider a gas powered motor home. With gas there is no air level system, no air brakes, no air slide bladder, no 12 volt air compressor, no air step, no air dryer, no aquahot,, no diesel fuel filters, etc. In other words, your annual maintenance just went from $2,000 a year to $300. And, all the other stuff that breaks, a/c's, refrigerator, etc. are the same in a Foretravel as a gas Winnebago. And, you will have a lot newer motor home for the same money. I have owned a gas Winnebago and a Foretravel. Larry
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on September 04, 2016, 01:09:21 pm
If you will be staying at one location a month at a time, a more sensible way to go may be a fifth wheel. This forum is more for Foretravels so I'll not go there.
I'm prolly off topic, but I think it has a point: Our neighbor has a pretty fresh (to me) fifth wheel w/slide. When I first met him, he told me about all the leaks he had. Had it "sealed", still leaked, I can see the de-lamination on the roof sides, which is common on cheaper coaches, as well. Point? He now has a "for sale" sign on it. Think he's going to tell the "would-be-buyer" about the problems? Don't matter the choice of types, as Brett says, "Caveat Emptor". :-[
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: craneman on September 04, 2016, 01:21:53 pm
With specific budget limits, You may want to consider a gas powered motor home. With gas there is no air level system, no air brakes, no air slide bladder, no 12 volt air compressor, no air step, no air dryer, no aquahot,, no diesel fuel filters, etc. In other words, your annual maintenance just went from $2,000 a year to $300. And, all the other stuff that breaks, a/c's, refrigerator, etc. are the same in a Foretravel as a gas Winnebago. And, you will have a lot newer motor home for the same money. I have owned a gas Winnebago and a Foretravel. Larry
Maybe when the engines were carbureted $300. would work but now fuel injection, catalytic convertors, smog certificates done every 2 years in Cal. don't know other states rules. Some cats run over $1000 ecms fail another $1000 automotive transmissions moving heavy vehicle don't last long. Over heating issues and the list goes on. Diesel pushers eliminated the problems with the heavy vehicle gas problem. A class B would not be a full-timer option in my opinion.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: ltg on September 04, 2016, 01:43:12 pm
Craneman, I was speaking to annual scheduled maintenance. Not repairs. Fuel injection, catalytic converters, transmission do not have routine annual scheduled maintenance. At least not on anything I have every owned. Larry
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Caflashbob on September 04, 2016, 01:50:58 pm
Once a coach is brought up to proper condition the annual maintenace is a small percentage of the numbers posted.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: craneman on September 04, 2016, 02:10:11 pm
Craneman, I was speaking to annual scheduled maintenance. Not repairs. Fuel injection, catalytic converters, transmission do not have routine annual scheduled maintenance. At least not on anything I have every owned. Larry
We were not comparing to the same thing, you are correct. I was referring to the cost of having a gas rig to a diesel pusher over the time the coach is kept. One transmission in a 10 year period would off set some of the maintenance costs though. Very few Allison failures in 200,000 miles probably have 3 replaced in that period in gas motorhomes large enough to full time in.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: ltg on September 04, 2016, 02:14:31 pm
The annual service cost at FOT on our coach was $1146. And, that did not include the fuel filters which they forgot to change. On the years that require hydraulic fluid change, transmission fluid change, or engine air filter the cost would be a lot more. Larry
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: craneman on September 04, 2016, 02:51:16 pm
The annual service cost at FOT on our coach was $1146. And, that did not include the fuel filters which they forgot to change. On the years that require hydraulic fluid change, transmission fluid change, or engine air filter the cost would be a lot more. Larry
May need to spin this to a thread of why service costs are so high. My annual service $150.00 Delo 15-40 oil filter $50.00 both fuel filters $ 50.00 rubber gloves $5.00 laundry $5.00
Edit: recycling oil is free in Los Angeles
What else are they doing?
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Dave Larsen on September 04, 2016, 03:02:17 pm
May need to spin this to a thread of why service costs are so high. My annual service $150.00 Delo 15-40 oil filter $50.00 both fuel filters $ 50.00 rubber gloves $5.00 laundry $5.00 What else are they doing?
Don't forget $0.50 for the grease!
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: ltg on September 04, 2016, 03:14:53 pm
Craneman, Do you service the front hubs, the generator, the differential, grease the chassis, service the brakes, service the air dryer? I am talking about the annual service recommended by Foretravel. And, I did not do the work. I drank coffee in the waiting room. Larry
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: NancyS on September 04, 2016, 03:23:15 pm
Craneman, Do you service the front hubs, the generator, the differential, grease the chassis, service the brakes, service the air dryer? I am talking about the annual service recommended by Foretravel. And, I did not do the work. I drank coffee in the waiting room. Larry
How many miles are you driving per year?
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on September 04, 2016, 03:24:10 pm
We don't do "waiting rooms", bad coffee, old mags, smell of dirty socks. If the DW and the dog can't stay in the coach, and I can't look around to see what's up, I'll go elsewhere. ^.^d
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: ltg on September 04, 2016, 03:30:34 pm
I am trying to answer the OP's questions. At some point, he may not be able to do the service himself. What does he do then, sell the coach?
NancyS, I drive about 6,000 miles. Most service is time or miles. I could go about 18,000 miles a year and the maintenance cost would be about the same. The OP stated that he would spend a month or two at campgrounds, and a large trip to Washington each year.
Larry
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: craneman on September 04, 2016, 03:34:21 pm
Craneman, Do you service the front hubs, the generator, the differential, grease the chassis, service the brakes, service the air dryer? I am talking about the annual service recommended by Foretravel. And, I did not do the work. I drank coffee in the waiting room. Larry
Yes I don't drink coffee though The original poster said he could do oil changes and basic changes and replace parts himself as I do. Check diff. oil 2 min. grease chassis 1/2 hour. only do the slack adjuster greasing every 2 years. Check brakes using slide pin length for pad wear 1/2 hour. I would have to look up my cost to service the generator. I did post earlier on that issue. Service or change with reman air drier every 3 years guess $ 150.00 per year would cover it.
The day I have to permanently have someone else do my servicing, my motorhome days will be over.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Bob & Sue on September 04, 2016, 03:40:53 pm
Mike. So how do you handle the "checking out what's up with the coach" while a tech is servicing. Many people don't care for people "watching" as they work. And do you pass up a foretravel authorized service if the have that " no admittance to shop area" placard at the entrance area.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on September 04, 2016, 03:56:01 pm
And do you pass up a foretravel authorized service if the have that " no admittance to shop area" placard at the entrance area.
I agree to sign a waiver, it's worked many times. Being full timers," I want to know what you guys are up to," and in many cases. I've gotten my files out, after questions were asked, to make sure what "they" are putting in are what spec's say. A Peterbuilt driver, I overheard at a shop said, "It's my life and my home, and I'm not leaving".
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: AC7880 on September 04, 2016, 04:17:30 pm
When I was a part time RVer, and had a house, large side yard, and more tools I did much of the maintenance myself. I can only do about 20% myself now, fulltiming with fewer tools, and campgrounds not wanting work done in campgrounds by owners (especially with fluids).
OP wants to fulltime. He won't be able to do some of the things he is capable of doing due to full time environment.
Yes I don't drink coffee though The original poster said he could do oil changes and basic changes and replace parts himself as I do. Check diff. oil 2 min. grease chassis 1/2 hour. only do the slack adjuster greasing every 2 years. Check brakes using slide pin length for pad wear 1/2 hour. I would have to look up my cost to service the generator. I did post earlier on that issue. Service or change with reman air drier every 3 years guess $ 150.00 per year would cover it.
The day I have to permanently have someone else do my servicing, my motorhome days will be over.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Old Knucklehead on September 04, 2016, 05:00:00 pm
I'm with Caflashbob, like anything that flies, floats or roars, once the coach is ship-shape, the annuals have fewer surprises.
After two years, we are getting the rhythm of what is to be expected next. I saw the fuel line replacement on the horizon by hanging out with the crew at MOT/Berndt's and asking questions. I can't spot where they padded my shop hours for having to teach the old geezer/owner about the coach. Our '95 still inspires "delivery stories" from David F and the gang at FOT.
I have a tough time putting a price on my last few trips. When everything works right and you get back safely, what a kick! Floor it.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: craneman on September 04, 2016, 05:14:47 pm
When I was a part time RVer, and had a house, large side yard, and more tools I did much of the maintenance myself. I can only do about 20% myself now, fulltiming with fewer tools, and campgrounds not wanting work done in campgrounds by owners (especially with fluids).
OP wants to fulltime. He won't be able to do some of the things he is capable of doing due to full time environment.
This thread has brought up a good point about full timing issues. I had really considered full timing after I retire. I will probably rent my house out and keep my yard and shop and travel the country and return for major repairs or servicing. Financially this is what will work best. But making long term plans seems to make God laugh. I have only been on the Forum about 10 months and have been swayed to and fro from posts. Will have to wait at least another 2 years to make the decision.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: RRadio on September 04, 2016, 05:40:03 pm
If you compare the cost of full time RV living to the cost of owning and maintaining a house, and losing your shirt on the house when the economy and housing market fails, you'll see that a motor coach is a total bargain. My house needed a roof and an HVAC system before I could make it good enough to sell, and then I would have lost $40,000 on the sale easily due to the market failing. The roof and HVAC system would have cost about $10,000... By comparison, the most expensive repair I would ever do to my coach is overhaul the two cycle Detroit Diesel, probably in frame, after about 400,000 miles. I'm told by Clark Power Equipment this normally costs less than $5,000 all total with parts and labor included. Every other repair should cost less than that. I won't live long enough to reach 400,000 miles so this is irrelevant. My coach saves me a huge wheelbarrow full of money that would have been dumped into a house that I didn't want and had lost a lot of value. It was exactly the average house in Dallas, which wasn't hit very hard by the economic and real estate decline, and I bought the house at a good price. I didn't know what I was doing but it would have been difficult to go wrong getting rid of my house and buying a coach to full time in, and the quality of my life and freedom is worth so much more than I can explain here, so I'm never turning back.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: craneman on September 04, 2016, 06:56:23 pm
If you compare the cost of full time RV living to the cost of owning and maintaining a house, and losing your shirt on the house when the economy and housing market fails, you'll see that a motor coach is a total bargain. My house needed a roof and an HVAC system before I could make it good enough to sell, and then I would have lost $40,000 on the sale easily due to the market failing. The roof and HVAC system would have cost about $10,000... By comparison, the most expensive repair I would ever do to my coach is overhaul the two cycle Detroit Diesel, probably in frame, after about 400,000 miles. I'm told by Clark Power Equipment this normally costs less than $5,000 all total with parts and labor included. Every other repair should cost less than that. I won't live long enough to reach 400,000 miles so this is irrelevant. My coach saves me a huge wheelbarrow full of money that would have been dumped into a house that I didn't want and had lost a lot of value. It was exactly the average house in Dallas, which wasn't hit very hard by the economic and real estate decline, and I bought the house at a good price. I didn't know what I was doing but it would have been difficult to go wrong getting rid of my house and buying a coach to full time in, and the quality of my life and freedom is worth so much more than I can explain here, so I'm never turning back.
Timing and location make the difference and we are starting to get off topic a little. I bought my house for $55,000 in 1975 and the one next door for $29,000 in 1971 each are over $800,000 now the housing bubble goes up and comes down but always returns higher than the previous high. If you buy at the high mark you have to wait many years to recover. I have over an acre with the 2 houses side by side and the appreciation is running about 5% per year. which is much more than maintenance. Again I do my own work on the house same as motorhome. So back to topic, retirement and full timing. The rent will make a profit, and keeping the yard and shop will keep Motorhome expenses down. The appreciation would be more than the interest I would get off of selling and buying cd's etc.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: DigitalEd on September 04, 2016, 07:07:01 pm
Thanks everyone a lot to think about for sure.
Any more comments keep them coming love reading what you all have to say on this.
As for our house we just got it last year paid in full and we did some fixing up on it so it should sell quite fast when we get ready to go and for more then we paid for it as home prices are going up here over the last year.
But if we did stay in the house the AC system is old and the roof is good for maybe another 7 years adding things up with the house paid off we can stay in our house with all expenses including food, cell phones, tv, elc, taxs, cars insurance on two cars that are paid off and so on for $24k a year or a little less if we drop the house insurance.
But like my wife says do we want to grow old and die in this house and town staying here the rest of our life... We both agree heck no... we are 55 and 56 We have been together for over 20 years now and we have moved every 3 to 5 years have had many houses, a 5th wheel and a park model. I seem to get board after a year or so in any town. We moved back to Fl from Branson MO we had a two story house in Branson for around 4 years love it their except for winter then hate it.
So far we have been very lucky as every house we have had we sold for more then we paid for it the house in Branson we got as a foreclosure and when we sold it it allmost covered our living cost for the full time we lived in it with what extra we made on it.
Going to see if we can sell this on for more to and get most of our living cost back out of it we got it last Oct. The guys house next door has gone up over 20k synce last year he was told by the bank they just got a lone from and another house down from us is FS that is the same house as ours they are asking 40k more then what we paid for ours last year. we are both on a lake in a very good area. I love being on the lake but i would rather be in a RV at the beach and be fishing or someplace new.
A lot of our future will depend on how well we can keep jobs coming in i do website design. I have yet to do one in this town we live in all my customers are from all over.
Waiting for the 320 to come it to go see and looking at 5ers as well we had a Alfa 5er in the past and loved it except for the basement AC that never worked right.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Carol & Scott on September 04, 2016, 07:38:05 pm
I think the answer to the OP's question is: "It Depends".
We have spent about $5500 per year. Repairs have included, windshield wipers, slide wipers, oil changes, inverter/converter, slide bladder, fresh water check valve, door lock, large slide awning, valve and solenoid on toilet, cabinet door struts, aquahot fuel pump and burn chamber, large slide repair, batteries and a bunch of other stuff.
I did not include the Res. Refer or the new plank vinyl floor which I considered Upgrades and not maintenance/repairs.
Some folks have purchased their MH and have very few problems/repairs.
A diesel pusher is not the cheapest way to travel but it is the most convenient and comfortable. I have yet to have to get out of our Ol Girl when it is pouring rain to plug in.
Is our FT the best DP to purchase? For me/us it is what we chose based on my best informed "guess" and I am not ready to give up yet. Yes we are interested in selling to acquire a different FT but if a buyer does not come along and we do not find the one we want we will be pleased to travel, see new things and spend time in our well maintained and upgraded FT. ;D
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: John Haygarth on September 04, 2016, 08:06:49 pm
Well it all depends on where you buy your S&B home as to gains. here in BC if you buy one year the gain the next has been 20 to 45% and when it goes down it jumps right back up to a newer level, so analyzing it against a coach just does not pan out. A $25k home here in 70s is now $600k( in Vancouver it could be $4 mil for a 50 yr old to be torn down) and lots on our Lake start (if you can find one at $800k) but now you need a house on it so total maybe $1.4 mil, and this is before sewer comes in. I spend $1000,00 a yr on stuff for coach(service it myself like others) and we put maybe 15000 miles on it yearly so it really does not cost anything. All the larger bills are for wanted upgrades but that has mostly stopped now as not much left to do to it. As I said it all depends on many things. JohnH
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: toyman on September 04, 2016, 08:11:00 pm
If you can't afford to walk away from it on the side of the road you don't need a DP, or any big motorhome, for that matter. Unforeseen events when traveling are VERY expensive.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: craneman on September 04, 2016, 08:22:55 pm
If you can't afford to walk away from it on the side of the road you don't need a DP, or any big motorhome, for that matter. Unforeseen events when traveling are VERY expensive.
Sorry disagree, I couldn't, but have had 40' DP's since '94
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: George and Steph on September 04, 2016, 08:47:46 pm
When we bought ours 9 months or so ago, we decided we would buy what we could afford to lose. No retirement funds etc. I wanted a blank slate to build what we wanted like we had done with boats in the past. We got it and the only unexpected expense was the fiasco with the steering box. This should never have been the issue it became.
We picked it up at a fair price and have just about updated anything that we wanted updated. We have spent about what we paid since our purchase but that was in our original budget. This is our first and last motorhome. Doesn't matter anymore if it is better or worse than someone else's. I still drive my 2006 Ram CTD and 2000 RL. We won't trade or move up cause it just isn't us. Likewise, I won't sell my home.
We have a budget for maintenance expense for next year of 6,000 and an additional emergency reserve well beyond that. Almost all the known heavy lifting is done and with the solar and electrical it will be. We will be traveling 9-15 months starting in December but what I won't do is worry about the next shoe falling. We only have a short window in life where we have both resources and health. Just me, my gal and our 57 Chevy cruisin.
Title: Re: Cost to keep the MH on the road each year ?s
Post by: Chuck Pearson on September 05, 2016, 12:26:13 am
I think the answer to the OP's question is: "It Depends".
We have spent about $5500 per year. Repairs have included, windshield wipers, slide wipers, oil changes, inverter/converter, slide bladder, fresh water check valve, door lock, large slide awning, valve and solenoid on toilet, cabinet door struts, aquahot fuel pump and burn chamber, large slide repair, batteries and a bunch of other stuff.
This illustrates a good point. Consider carefully the complexity of the coach. I've never had to spend any money on the majority of the items above simply because they are not on my coach. No slide bladders at 5K, no turbo turd 2000 toilet (thanks Carol!), no maintenance intensive aquahot, no electric water fill valve, no cabinet struts, slide wipers, and never missed having any of these items. In addition, I'm not toting the weight of this stuff and my well tuned 8.3 mechanical Cummins pulls a 5K trailer at 9 mpg average including pulling mountain ranges. No electronics on the stone ax simple engine, no high dollar CAPS fuel pump, at the end of the day I'm the same distance down the road as a 320 assuming speed limits are observed. But the big plus is....I can comprehend and work on all these simple system from stem to stern myself, with help from the awesome brain trust of Foreforums members.
And there, to me, is the secret of motorhome happiness. If you're an open checkbook style owner, buy the latest model you can afford. If you're the handy style, and you enjoy the work, take advantage of the massive depreciation of motorhomes and buy a solid older unit with good bones. Either way is valid, and arguments can be made both ways about which is less frustrating.
There is an element of luck, as well. You can certainly stack the deck in your favor with an eyes open pre buy inspection with the aid of one of the knowledgeable folks who have an expert level of understanding of these coach systems. I'd like to say my savvy understanding of things mechanical is what has kept my repair costs under, way under, 1000.00 per year. Fact is, though, the one I bought is the first one I looked at, I didn't even drive it first. I saw, I wanted, I bought a 16 year old coach with 77K miles on it. Five years later it has 140K. I have never been broken down beside the highway, furiously tapping on solid walnut as I say it. Here are my repair expenses in this time.....
$1500.00 One turbo. (After all was said and done, turns out I didn't really need to replace it but what the heck.) $850.00 One exhaust manifold, studs, gaskets etc. $150.00 One halon auto fire extinguisher for the faithful Dometic reefer which still works like a champ. $300.00 Leveling solenoids $400.00 2 front end alignments, neither of which made the slightest amount of difference. I crawled under it, added a safe-t-plus purchased used, added 1/8" of toe in and solved the handling problems. $800.00 Annual oil changes, filters etc. $200.00 Coolant flush and fill. $250.00 Transynd fill, tranny filter $12.00 Polyurethane adhesive to reattach front cap to horizontal bulkheads. I elected to do this work myself rather than having the factory do it. No problems since. $250.00 One damaged tire replaced with a matching low mile pull off. That luck thing.....
My coach had significant body damage when purchased, and 14 year old tires which I replaced the same day, so consider it part of the purchase price. Obviously, you need to allow for the ongoing expense of tire replacement. Lots of improvements like scraping failed vinyl striping, fixing nicks and dings, TV upgrades, adding a Splendide, were more labor than $, as I did em myself. Have not done much in the way of interior upgrades, limited time dictates I prioritize maintenance and mechanics.
That's my experience, and that said there is a good chance I will take a leap and go to a newer model FT as semi full timing is being considered for the next few years and a snazzier coach would be nice. But for someone who is watching their $, I think the pre 1997 Unicoaches are a fabulous value, and easy to live with.