Motor home engine and trans input please

Travelmaster by Sportscoach - 27’ - Ford E350 Chassis - 460 V-8 - Onan Generator - Extra nice for it’s age. Plenty of storage inside and out. New items include: New LED lights inside - New Graber cellular shades - New hatch door latches - Fresh tune up w/ fuel pump - New king pins and bushings in front suspension
Receipts available for repairs.
1990, 84,500 miles.

I know nothing about these, hopefully it qualifies here as a big car. Planning on mechanic inspection.

I know next to nothing about motorhomes but assuming the panels have been well sealed (mold issues), it’s been well maintained and the mechanic gives it his blessing it sounds like a winner.

Of course I’d assume that anything rubber or plastic over 15-20 years old is in need of immediate replacement but of course you’ve figured it into your offer.

Let me know what’s the final price

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sorry I dont know anything about motorhomes. but I do remember hearing something about the roofs needing to be resealed every so often. best of luck whatever you decide to do.

It’s related to the van the Church owned for years, but don’t know which engine it had, Budget was the first owner. If the mechanic gives it a thumbs up it should be good for road trips.

I bet an RV forum would have lots of info. You need this inspected by an RV specialist, not just a car mechanic. You’re buying a truck plus a home, LOTS of additional systems. Me, I’d just rent.

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Don’t know what you mean by big car but I had one like that and here it was classed and licensed as a truck. Things to check for rot and mold where anything comes through the floor walls and roof bath room and kitchen area in particular also roof around the vents and AC if it has the roof AC other than that I can’t think of anything else right of hand with the mechanics inspection if you don’t find any problems with the things I said you should be good to go good luck. Oh don’t expect good gas mileage mine averaged about 6 MPG with the same engine with a 4 barrel carb.

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Agree there are lot of things that need to be checked by some one who knows what he is doing.

A one ton cutaway van is a pretty robust piece. The 460 is a fuel guzzler but tough and durable.

As others have posted, that isn’t your real concern, the RV part is. The RV components are not very long lasting and they are now 31. That is the stuff that will cause you all kinds of headaches. The RV parts, the seals, the wiring are all far less durable than the van itself.

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Asking price is 11,500. I know it is like buying a car and a house. I figure most of the house part I can take care of. Yes leaks and mold will be on the list. Big car concept was to get to keep my post car related. Our biggest concern is breaking down in the middle of nowhere, no ac is an inconvenience not a trip disaster.

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Do you mean no engine AC or no coach AC if the coach has AC it can be run of the generator while driving and do a much better job than the engine AC.

Thank for your input, 1st grand trip would include Colorado and Phoenix from Chicago area. As long as we can keep rolling is the big concern. Sure there are no guarantees, want to reduce the probabilities.

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I’d look at it the same way I’d look at a 1990 model used truck. The low mileage is good, but those are some really old seals and gaskets, etc., particularly in the transmission. I’m afraid the age of it would make me leery of long distance travel. I’m assuming it’s an automatic. If it was a manual trans, no worries, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a stick shift motorhome.

Not trying to be a downer. I hope that you have good luck with it and enjoy it if you do decide to get it.

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A very good break in trip for both you and the coach good luck if you do go for it.

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Remember a trip in a buds old Winnebago, Throttle cable broke, nearest place to pick one up, 75 miles away, got a lawnmower throttle control, (back in the days when lawnmowers had throttle control) and made it through the mountains, bud driving and me the throttle man!

Just to complain why do lawnmowers run WOT, Save gas run lower rpm if wot not needed, built in waste of gas!

Friends of ours decided to RV around Austrailia fora year, Found a dealer in Sydney that was owned by a couple eager to help with everything, including providing lodging while they had it inspected and got the parperwork sorted out. At the end of a stretch of road where there was no services of any kind for 100mi the transmission decided it’s time was now. Thankfully they broke down where they could get towed to a mechanic and only lost a couple days in an area they hadn’t planned on spending more than a night. About $3,000 to get back on the road but they had saved up enough that it didn’t put a strain on the living expenses for the rest of the trip. Back in 2014.

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Since this is an E350 not a 450 or 550, getting service for a breakdown is less of an issue. Parts are more readily available and shops likely would have worked on one. It is just a one ton van with beds. That is a plus over a Class C coach on a 550 chassis.

A good inspection before purchase and a full service after should put your mind at ease. A few shorter trips to test it should expose any issues. Consider renting a satellite phone just for emergencies if you happen to break down in a cell service dead zone.

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I’d do a local weekend trip first before I headed out on a long trip.

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There’s a guide at the bottom half of this article to help you inspect a used RV before you buy it.

It’s a very good idea to hunt up a friend who knows what to look for to come with you when looking at used motorhomes. Especially when they’re that old, you can easily get into a situation where you’d be upside down if you got it free.

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