Hi there
I apologise if this is wrong area to post this item but I urgently need some advice. I have just been offered a 1991 Airstream conversion motorhome. It is a Ford Econoline 7.4 ltr Petrol engine. It originated from Florida and the present owner has had it re-sprayed in last year.
The price seems reasonable at £15,000 sterling but I have never owned a motor home before and I wonder if anyone can tell me if this particular model has any known problems or defects and should I be worried about its age. It has 72,000 miles on the clock. I imagine the roads and conditions here in UK differ enormously with the USA and wonder if this would effect the vehicle as well. Can anyone tell me where I might find some layout photos etc?
The owner of this vehicle lives a long way from me and I don't want to make a long journey before getting some details. I have asked him for some photos but any further advice you could throw my way would be very welcome.
Perform a search (above on toolbar), by typing in "pre-purchase list" or something of that nature. I know that there are many threads explaining what to look for before buying. What is the US value of L15000? Depending on that, you must check if all the appliances are working, ie furnace, fridge, water heater, if there, propane to stove, et cetera. Also the engine needs to be checked for leaky exhaust manifold, carburetor, oil leaks ...
Speaking of leaks, how about the coach itself and the AC unit above? Dash AC works? Anyway, even if some probs, you may still get a good deal. Good luck.
Econoline vans regularly travel 150,000 miles before needing any major work. There are a few things that should be checked, running gear-wise.
1- like their GM big block counterparts, 460's(7.5L) tend to leak at the exhaust manifolds, and sometime crack manifolds. If the engine has EFI (fuel injection) that is a plus.
2-The twin I-Beam front ends tend to eat radius arm bushings, although if you replace them at 72,000 miles, you will probably go another 72,000 before needing them again.
3-The rear axle housing can start to seep gear oil from the axle tubes where they fit into the carrier (where the big part of the rear axle is, in the middle). This is a major fix, a replacement housing almost certainly is needed.
I live in Florida, if the B-van is still on this side of the pond, in which city is it located?
Good luck with it.
Terry
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Terry Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine
AIR#2611
I don't know what shipping, taxes and fees would be involved in getting one from the states to England but I can tell you that the "book value" on this unit is less than half of the $28,000 USD asking price. This is based on the current National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) value for that year, make, model and mileage. You can use the NADA site to add in any options (I priced it in standard configuration).
There is a B190 group on Yahoo where they turn up for sale fairly often, maybe some place for price comparison. It doesn't sound like that great of a deal especially if it has spent any time in the salty north.
The 2.8kw generator is marginal, they are often missing, replaced, or being replaced.
Hi Guys
Thanks for all that advice - very much appreciated. You were correct about the price it is way too high even by UK standards. I think the owner really loves his van and has overpriced it so that it doesn't sell!! He has spent £2,500 ($4700) on a total respray but that still doesn't justify the selling price.
I would love to import a B class RV but time is against us as we need a vehicle asap. I have had to turn my attention to either a Roadtrek 170 popular or a Great West Van Classic Supreme (which may be a bit big for our narrow lanes).
I can hear you laughing at that from here . You have to feel a bit sorry for us poor Brits some time especially those who worry about buying an 8' wide van!!!
Sorry I was unable to buy an Airstream build as this time but I am very grateful for all your shared advice and it is such a great website. By the way, it was help from two other American motorhomers who put me in touch with a guy here who has the GWV for sale - how about that for a friendly alliance?
Did you know that in the B class range we only have about 30 Roadtreks and 40 GWV's in TOTAL in the UK - hence the over-inflated prices, it's a sellers market here.
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Econoline - help needed
. You have to feel a bit sorry for us poor Brits some time especially those who worry about buying an 8' wide van!!!
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