new motor home.

[5.9 ANDY]

so, i saw an add around my barracks for a motor home. here are the specs.

1986, 34 foot. establishment. 454 gas engine, recently rebuilt by a shop, auto matic tranny.

has 2 root top A/C units, one front 1 back.
4 burner cook top and oven.
nearly full size fridge, respectable freezer.
microwave,
5 disc cd changer.
15 gallon water heater, full size shower, toilet.
low hours on the generator.
hard wood floors.

guy says it has large gray, and black water tanks, and can go nearly 2 weeks with them.

im going to take a look at this evening.

he is asking for $4900

but he said him self that he is flexible with the price.

what do you guys think?

[Mtn WJ]

If it is a Class A then might be worth it. Be sure the engine FI not a carb. A lot of carb'd motorhomes of that era had vapor lock issues because of the long fuel lines. There a solutions for it but something to look out for. The FI engines have higher pressure fuel systems and less of an issue with it. My parents had an 1984 Establishment that had a super charged Ford 460 in it. ran great. Had a couple vapor lock issues before the SC was added. Basically the fix was more in the fuel system routing and higher pressure pump with a fuel return. I thought all Establishments used Ford engines because that coach company was started by a Ford Dealer. What do I know.

[Ken L]

Not familiar with the Establishment brand, but does it have the engine in the front or the back? I had a Class C motorhome which had a doghouse since it was built on the fullsize van chassis. With the engine in front like that it was loud. If I ever get another it will be a pusher.

Check all the water lines for leaks, ask when the gray and black water valves were last serviced....I had a black water valve break, not a fun fix at all. Is the fridge a 2-way or 3-way power or just similar to a home unit? Although that is not as big of a deal with the generator, but it's nice to have it run on battery power for long hauls.

How are the tires? Weather checked?

Just some stuff to look for. Sounds like an OK deal, just remember that a 34 foot rig is hella big and interesting to manuver.

[5.9 ANDY]

it is a class C. not sure if the engine is in front or rear,
based on the year, i assume it is a carb motor. i ask the guy about it vapor locking, and ill ask him to start it.

thanks for the help.

any additional input is greatly appreciated.

[Mtn WJ]

Class C will definately be in front. If a Class C then the deal is ok as long as it is in great shape. Verify the VL issue. It could have TBI on the 454 which is a reliable FI system. The cab chassis that the big three sold to coach builders in that era may or may not have had FI because they did not need to pass E test in many states. Hit or miss in other words. A little later like 88 and new pretty much all had FI of one kind or the other.

I suggest you do a search on CL for RVs at $5000 or less and see what turns up. Best way to compare what the market offers at that price.

[5.9 ANDY]

Class C will definately be in front. If a Class C then the deal is ok as long as it is in great shape. Verify the VL issue. It could have TBI on the 454 which is a reliable FI system. The cab chassis that the big three sold to coach builders in that era may or may not have had FI because they did not need to pass E test in many states. Hit or miss in other words. A little later like 88 and new pretty much all had FI of one kind or the other.

I suggest you do a search on CL for RVs at $5000 or less and see what turns up. Best way to compare what the market offers at that price.

will do, thanks.

[5.9 ANDY]

allright, i went and looked at it.

turns out that it is a class A, not class C. i was mistaken.
it is is very good condition.
clean carpets and walls.
clean undercariage.
onan generator with 391 hours on it, very clean.
the engine was replaced 12,000 miles ago.
there is 69,000 miles on the vehicle.
the maintenance records on this are crazy, oil changes, plugs, wires, tranny service, hot water heater, air conditioners.
it has stainless steel exhaust headers, the vapor lock issue has allready been addressed, i saw some paperwork from a dealer ship saying that they had made the necessary modifications.
tires are in exelent shape, they are tractor-trailer tires.

the fridge runs on propane, AC power, or DC power.

also, new water lines, and the roof has been re-sealed in the last year.

from looking over it, i like it. he said that he is willing to knock down the price, im gona try to squeze a number out of him, but if i can get it for 4k or under, id say i did very well.

[JordanA]

Andy, where are the pictures???

[Mtn WJ]

Does not sound like a bad deal for a Class A in that condition. Good to see the VL issue was addressed. Nothing like stalling out on a road trip in the heat of the summer. Most of the motorhomes of that era had the problem and there are ways to solve it. Good Luck

[5.9 ANDY]

Andy, where are the pictures???

on my camera at the office :smash head on desk:

[5.9 ANDY]

here are the pics of the back room.





driving area.

[5.9 ANDY]

engine compartment







power generator

[Jeep Whore]

is that a gas or a propane generator?

[5.9 ANDY]

is that a gas or a propane generator?

gasoline.

[Jeep Whore]

gasoline.

ok, I was going to say 391 hours on a propane generator.

[5.9 ANDY]

i am told that the onan's go for about 1k before they start having major issues.

[5.9 ANDY]

here are some pictures of some repairs i am doing.

the wood under the passenger side mirror was rotted out, so i cut the fiber glass, and riped out the rotten wood.

here is the hole, filled in some spaces around with expanding foam to fill some voids.

i have the wooden block cut, it is the perfect shape and sice, it is going to be a nice press in fit.