Know anything about cars?
 

I'm buying a beater RV to bring to Burning Man.

Which should I weigh heavier? Age or mileage?

I'm debating getting a '91 with 100K miles. Seems to run good.
For the same price I could get one about 5 years older, but half the mileage.

I am NOT a mechanic, so "easy to fix" is much less important than, "rarely breaks down." I'd rather have fewer, but more expensive, repairs.


age or mileage?

I would count mileage as doing more damage over time than age.

If you can get someone to help you check out a few things out on your perspective purchase, it will be a big help.

Compression test is easy to do. I can probably even tell you how to do it on the internet, it's pretty simple. This will tell you a bit about what kind of shape the engine is in. Are the all cylinders running well or have one or more lost compression?

If it's an automatic, check the transmission fluid. It shouldn't be burnt.

Check the oil that's in the engine. Is it fairly clean or jet black? If it's jet black it's been in the engine too long and speaks to the kind of care the previous owner has given to the engine.

These are just a few simple things to check, the list could go on and on. Try and find a friend with a little knowledge to help.

100% dead on

Rent one...

Renting will cost me 2000 for the trip. Buying used will cost Under 8K. (and then I can deck it out in pink fur)

Are you a member of any auto clubs? Many of them will do inspections on site or at their locations for vehicle purchases. I know the big one in Vancouver does it for non members too, at a higher price. It's still less than a few hundred dollars and will find any major problems.

A friend of mine wants to go to that and sell n2o balloons lol

But renting will come with roadside assistance, towing, insurance, and an RV that is more likely not to break down.

Buy a bus and convert it. This one looks Pimp http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/rvs/332370771.html

If he tries to charge money, he will be chased off and ridiculed. He might want to read more about the event. :)

Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Maybe I'll get inspections on 2 from the same person and have them give me a recommendation.

Hey Hal,


Just make sure you test the cooling system before you go, maybe stock a replacement fuel pump if it's electrical.

good info!

I'd say pick one you like, and have it inspected. You'll get a run down on any problems it has and you can probably bargain based on that. If it's too much trouble, pick another.

good feedback. Thank you!

Age is important with an RV too. Check that the roof doesnt leak. Prob not a big problem in the desert though :winkwink:

I heard they generally have wheels - but I could be wrong.

Excellent advice. Some clarifications

1 - Compression test: Make sure each cylinder is within 10% of the others.
2 - Transmission fluid should smell sweet and be a reddish color. Brown & burnt is bad
3 - Pull the dipstick and look at the oil on the dipstick. As Warchild said, black oil is bad. If it is black it hasn't been changed in a long time and as Warchild said it speaks volumes for what sort of care the vehicle had. Also, make sure you don't notice anything that resembles small globs of chocolate milkshake. That means coolant and oil are mixing. It could indicate a cracked head or blown head gasket.
4 - Another good indicator are the tires. If they have any sort of weird wear pattern, i.e. cupping or wear on the edges, it could also speak about the owners level of care because it means they aren't getting it aligned and stuff.
5 - If you can, try to take off a valve cover. The cylinder head should not have any sludge anywhere.

Generally speaking, RVs tend to only get highway miles. That's a good thing. Long highway trips mean the engine is running at very high temperatures which reduces the chance of sludge buildup.

I would ALWAYS go for low miles over age anyday. In fact, try to find something as old as you can with as few miles as you can and you'll probably get a good deal.

neither.

IMO 7K for that unit is way too high. you are paying calif price for an RV.

now go to ebay or RVtrader.com and look for units in the cold states where they have lower mileage on average, people are sick and tired of them sitting in the back yard and there's a bunch of them for sale everywhere.

:2 cents:

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources.../bago_lead.jpg
http://www.jalopnik.com/assets/resou...bug_camper.jpg
http://www.jalopnik.com/images/2006/...eam_winnie.jpg

A pink RV sounds so gauche - why not try something with more panache...

http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/1ds-10/...urning-man.jpg

http://lividmusic.clearwire.net/busside.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/575/weirdcars8nq.jpg

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/images/...r-two-pink.jpg

http://www.gay-friendly-wedding-venu...arslimotwo.jpg

http://www.wyokies.com/Images/wyomin...2003%20035.jpg

http://www.fanderson.org.uk/images/tb04fab1.jpeg

http://www.mailorderexpress.com/shop/prdpics/115724.jpg

http://www.damox.com/cars/wallpaper/..._Enzo_pink.jpg

Or you could also choose a Pink Panzer:

http://static.twoday.net/siebensache...ink-panzer.jpg

ADG

A pink RV sounds so gauche - why not try something with more panache...

http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/1ds-10/...urning-man.jpg

http://lividmusic.clearwire.net/busside.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/575/weirdcars8nq.jpg

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/images/...r-two-pink.jpg

http://www.gay-friendly-wedding-venu...arslimotwo.jpg

http://www.wyokies.com/Images/wyomin...2003%20035.jpg

http://www.fanderson.org.uk/images/tb04fab1.jpeg

http://celticwriter.typepad.com/images/pigbus.jpg

http://www.mailorderexpress.com/shop/prdpics/115724.jpg

http://www.damox.com/cars/wallpaper/..._Enzo_pink.jpg

Or you could also choose a Pink Panzer:

http://static.twoday.net/siebensache...ink-panzer.jpg

ADG

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

They both play big factors.. but 100k is a lot.. i dont know much about RV engines.. but with cars i usually dont get anything over 90k but i mean it's pretty cheap.. check for rust in the engine/headers if all checks out i say go for it

16 year old RV vs a 21 year old RV....
avoid both of them..

I have partied on this bus many times. :)
http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/1ds-10/...urning-man.jpg

it is AMAZING. Sound system is INSANE.

Just get a van like this
http://www.starcarhire.co.uk/images/...ale/ateam3.jpg

Then if badguys try to take over burning man you'll automatically have all the tools you need in the back to build a chi powered pink hug cannon and save the day.

Unfortunately, that van is wanted for crimes it didn't commit. :(

I just skimmed so if no one mentioned it Hal, get service records, they should tell you a lot.

We used to travel a lot with friends who had one that broke down about every trip, it didn't have a lot of mileage on it, but was a POS.

Take a look at the service record if it has been in for everything under the sun, get the other one!