Diesel pushers popping up

[92landyacht]

Always wanted a diesel pusher and suddenly two show up in my area. I know they're serious fixer uppers but still hard to find. What do you guys think:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/rvs/5753174855.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/rvs/5769092258.html

[John&Vicki]

I don't have any particular knowledge about diesel pushers but in 30 years of collecting Porsches I have learned a couple of things about buying vehicles from owners who don't maintain them - the mess you see is only the tip of the iceberg and the purchase price is just the ante. Most expensive vehicles you can buy.

John

[HowieE]

I remember when you looked at the odometer and the last digit did not line up that was an indicator that it had been set back.

[Goin camping]

They both look like big projects. If you are up for that. Pick the one without any water leaks in the shell.

[tevake]

John shares some good advice above.
I don't know much about the fiberglass era motorhomes other than use a moisture meter thru out the coach, ceiling, walls, and floor when you go to evaluate them.

Realy low buy in price is only the start, do your best to determine what the needs are.
Even tho it's in mid project, try to check out all appliances etc.

Could be a deal because of the circumstances. Or a money pit.

Good luck in your search.

I was caught up with the quest for a D P classic, then realized the costs involved in getting one and the higher cost of repairs etc. not that much difference in function to justify the additional cost for me.

Cheers Richard

[HiJoeSilver]

At least the second one has its dash and a drivers seat!

[tevake]

The second one shows signs of multiple roof leaks, the one over the driver seems to have reached the wall.
We had a member post of similar damage on his coach. He ended up gutting it to the framing. Not clear if you are into going that deep.

How is the condition your current rig? I'd think you may be well situated to gage the condition of these type of rigs than those of us that are into the aluminum skinned types.

Cheers Richard

[Isuzusweet]

For $8,500.00, does the shovel that's holding up the ceiling come included in the deal? If not, that's a deal breaker for me.

The first one for $4,000.00. I think the guy had a heart attack when he looked above his ceiling.

Again, thank God I have a Classic. Yes I had to replace my subfloor, but that's it.

Goodluck

Cheers
Tony

[tjdonahoe]

If I owned it, that would be enough to give me a heart attack...

[DavidsonOverlander]

I suppose it depends on how badly you want one, and how much you're willing to spend. Personally, if I was going to put all the work into fixing up an Airstream motor home I'd want to do one of these: http://www.airstreamclassifieds.com/...-280-28-texas/

[ijustlee]

Of the two I'd go for the '94, the 93 looks like it has extensive water damage. If the '94 drives well I'd look it over really close for water damage but for the price you could do some fixen. Hope the MoHo isn't what caused the guys heart attack! Also as mentioned I'd rather have an aluminum MoHo, but you could always sell later if you want.

[dajen54]

Agree with previous posts. Start with figuring out what doesn't work.
Generator several thousand potential
A/c units. $700 each to replace
Dash a/c $1-3,000. If it doesn't work you will run the genny for air. $30-50 per day of driving
Leaks - look for delamination on sides. 8500$ one definitely has leaks by the fan and shovel area. Figure removing the headliner, overhead cabinets, removing the Luan, replacing the foam, luan and headliners. Probably damage in the wall. Depending on how long it has leaked the steel frame members may need attention.
From the general view of it it doesn't show much pride of ownership which means you won't find a lot of the problems until you dig in. I would expect to spend $20k if you do most of the work yourself.
Recommendation is to wait for a well cared for one but if you go ahead I would look at the 4K one if it has minimal leak damage and major systems check out. My PO paid $15k and then another $10k and sold to me for $9k after a year.

[Oxen]

How about buying both of them and combining what is good in each?

[Paul Dobbin]

This thread is getting depressing. We have a 94 Land Yacht DP that we've used and loved for 112,000 fun miles while keeping it inside when not traveling, We've had to make repairs but is that not what we should do. It'always ready to go on vacation. When I see these abused and abandoned Land Yachts, it makes me sick!
Sometimes we talk about selling it but these kind of threads tell us it's worth less than $16K, or thses junker prices and we say , #1 might as well keep it or #2 that's a lot of Hampton Inn rooms.
Decisions, decisions. What to do after two class A's and 27 years?

[92landyacht]

Thanks for all the input guys.

I fully understand what it would take to rebuild one of these. I currently own a 1992 LY 36' 454 gas that I bought for $2000. Major water damage rebuild but still generally sound. Not as bad as you might think if you're prepared to do an interior gut and replace yourself. On mine, all the cabinetry was intact and all the appliances were functional. Gensets are usually an easy repair if you know your way around them and they can sell for good money. These usually came with the 7KW Onan Marquis. The aluminum wheels are very desirable as well and can sell for close the a grand for a set.

I never look at these as a quick fix. I asses it as a part out first and then look at them as a viable repair later. If they meet the part out price point then it's a good potential deal. I don't expect either of these to sell for the asking price, so doing a part may very well be possible. I'll let the sellers stew for a while and see if their prices drop.

I was intriged with these since the DP models don't show up that often and two showed up withing days of each other.

[Mike1997]

Please keep us posted on your decision to purchase and the experiences you have afterwards. Like Paul, I own a fiberglass DP purchased 2 years ago from the original owner estate. Fortunately it was stored in a warehouse and I had the complete paper trail back to the actual deposit ticket used when he gave a cashiers check for deposit of $80,000. My unit retailed for $145k in 1997 but was sold for $118k through a dealer near Jackson Center.

Needless to say I am very happy with it and had no suprises other than how well it performs. Gas mileage is around 11-12 even towing a Jeep. Driven it cross country twice with no problems. Good luck with your search. Keep us posted.
Mike

[Paul Dobbin]

Mike,
I've heard that term "widebody" before and wondered if that was a sales term or what it means. I don't think ours is particularly wide, although it's over
9'6" mirror to mirror. It's wider than our old GMC Eleganza, but I think the big box coaches are even wider.
Maybe we've been driving a "widebody" for 12 years without knowing it was.
How do you define widebody?
Paul

[DaveFL]

Originally Posted by ijustlee

Of the two I'd go for the '94, the 93 looks like it has extensive water damage. If the '94 drives well I'd look it over really close for water damage but for the price you could do some fixen. Hope the MoHo isn't what caused the guys heart attack! Also as mentioned I'd rather have an aluminum MoHo, but you could always sell later if you want.

94 had an owner interested in fixing, second one let it sit and put in a comfortable chair to watch it deteriorate. If all the parts removed on the 94 are available and in good condition it would be a better choice, the 150k would be a well cared for MH that has traveled. If records show continuous maintenance and use, you still need to have a reserve of cash to complete repairs and fixing the unknown.
Good Luck

[Mike1997]

Hey Paul....well I did some checking on "wide body" and found a few things to share.

First the blue/gray factory owners manual that came with it has huge letters on the cover that say "WIDE BODY LAND YACHT PUSHER by Airstream". Tried to get a photo but my picture file was to large to download. Will work on that

Next in the contents page, Section B has a detail listing called "Wide Body Limitation Loading". Its lists the following for this type unit:
Net Carrying Capacity - 1960lbs
Unloaded vehicle weight (full fuel) - 19,040lbs
Gross front axle weight - 8000lbs
Gross rear axle weight - 13,500lbs
Gross vehicle weight - max allowable weight - 21,500lbs
Gross combined weight - motorhome plus cargo - 26,500lbs.

Mine was built on a Freightliner chassis with Cummings engine. Some older units were on Oshkosh Chassis. Records show Freightliner bought the Oshkosh Plant in Gaffney, NC in 1995. My AS frame was built in April 1997 and shipped to Jackson Center where the body was added and finished in July 1997. First owner picked it up on 8/1/1997 after it was delivered through a local Airstream dealer.

The sale brochure for 1997 also has it identified as Freightliner Chassis 228" W.B. with air suspension. The exterior length is listed at 35' 10" and exterior width at 8' 6" or 102" wide. Guess that's how they came to finally call it the Wide Body.

[Paul Dobbin]

Mike 1997
Ours is a 1994 on a Sparton Chassis with a Cummins 230 Turbo & Allison set up. Looks just the same but is 34'11" and is called a 35 Foot, but says 34 on the front fenders. I guess year to year changes have gone un-noticed by me.
Thanks,
Paul