Classic 250 motorhome

[gerard]

Does any one have information on the Classic 250 motorhome? I found one for sale, that looks in pretty good condition. Just wondering what I should be looking for.

Any advise would be appreciate.

[ALANSD]

you should examine that one like any of our Classics, drivetrain first...then all the rv amenities. there is a list to help you here...other threads also on buying a MH and what to be wary of. Ask lots of questions, or try to get a forum member nearby to go look at it with you, there are names posted on the thread " so you want to buy an AS 3 states away"
http://www.airforums.com/forum...highlight=list

[gerard]

Thanks for the link. The motorhome is located 5 hours away. I am going to look at it July 5th. From the pictures and talking with the owner, it looks in very good condition, but you can't always tell a book by its cover. My concern is that I am not a mechanical kind of guy, so if something does go wrong, where do you take it to get fixed?

[ALANSD]

there are many Rv places that do repairs, and the chassis and mechanicals are Chevrolet, so a truck repair shop can handle much of that. I would try to contact by pm or email members in your area or nearby who can recommend shops they have used that are dependable. If you are not afraid to try, you can get talked through some of the more minor repairs, especially those that are to the "house" systems.
I have always dabbled in the mechanical end, but knew little or nothing about the RV stuff, until after I bought mine. Ignorance can be bliss, at least until some important thing did not work. Thanks to the folks here and on the RV.Net forum I have learned to fix most anything....and almost have. The great thing is feeling more prepared for the unexpected that can ruin a trip.
Be assured thought that if the unit you are looking at has been well maintained, it may not require a whole lot of worry. Like any vehicle though, you would want to check all the sytems to be sure.

[gerard]

Thanks for all the great advice. Have you had any problems with the engine 454? I read on another site that you can only expect 60k to 75k miles before you need to rebuild them.

[ALANSD]

thats baloney...they can well go 150,000 or more with the right care. The problem lies in mis use and non-use. The ones that sit all the time and have super low mileage, can be all gunked up with crap from bad gas,etc. Better that they are used, and maintained.
Mine has only 50,000 on the engine, as it was a victim of just that. The original owner only did 50,000 miles in 8 years, and it had an engine replacement. Since then it has been maintained very well, and the problem systems like starter/ alternator/ have been upgraded.
These are work horses and will continue to run baring unforseen problems, with routine maintenance and regular use. My personal thing is that I drive mine once a week even if its around town for a half hour and then to Wal Mart. I make sure it gets warmed up thouroughly, and I run the generator at least once a month for min 2 hours, even in the winter. Consequently I have had NO engine problems in quite awhile.

[74Argosy24MH]

Originally Posted by gerard

I read on another site that you can only expect 60k to 75k miles before you need to rebuild them.

Stay away from the Ford sites, those guys don't even know where the #1 cylinder is. I am with Alan, they are a very good engine. No manufacturer could stay in business with an engine that lasted 60,000 miles. The basic block design was produced in displacements from 366 to 454 cu. in. They were used in millions of dump trucks, delivery trucks, switch tractors, Corvettes, Chevelles, pickups, station wagons, etc. GM would be out of business if these had that short of a life expectancy.

These are basically a medium duty truck, they need the same maintenance. Get underneath it and look up- filters, leaks, chassis lubed, etc. That will tell you a lot.

John

[swebster]

gerard,
My 345 has 186,000 miles on it. Don't have a complete history before 160,000 miles but am about 25,000 miles into a rebuilt engine.

Even if you do need to rebuild/replace an engine the coach part of a Classic AS will go for a long long time.

[87MH]

Originally Posted by gerard

Thanks for all the great advice. Have you had any problems with the engine 454? I read on another site that you can only expect 60k to 75k miles before you need to rebuild them.

Gerard:

Even if you do all of your own maintenance (the majority of us here, for the most part, do our own), owning a Motor Home will never be as cheap as owning a car, van, or pickup.

As pointed out above - you may get 150,000 miles out of an engine or transmission, or it might be closer to 50,000 miles. -- You never know.

The point is, plan for a contingency that SOMETHING will PROBABLY go wrong.

Most of us will not tackle a transmission rebuild (about a grand), or a motor replacement (5 to 10 thousand) ourselves, but when one of the major items fail, you are likely to be miles from the house. Major bills from time to time must be factored into the cost of ownership. Remember, with a MH you have both Coach and Chassis systems to pull maintenance and repairs.

As several posters mentioned above, there is no magic timetable, and after agrueing the age old Chevy/Dodge/Ford debate, at the end of the day, it's pretty much a Monte Carlo number pick for time or miles to failure of any given system for any given brand.

Many other posters have put it more eloquently, but the entrance cost of Airstream Ownership is simply an invitation to spend more money....depending on how badly you allow yourself to get addicted to it.

Don't get me wrong, the Classic Airstreams are great....it's just that no matter how well a unit was taken care of, things age, and with age and wear, certain items require replacement. Airstreams, I dare say, fare better than SOB's (some other brands), but lets face it, if you own a vehicle long enough, SOMETHING is going to go wrong.

The best Pre-Purchase insurance you could buy would be to take it to a mechanic shop you trust, spend the 100 or 200 required for a thorough inspection, and base you negotiations on any deficiencies he may find.

I hope you find the 250 is "just right" for you. Keep us posted on your decision, whichever way you go.

[ViewRVs]

Keep in mind that 250's are very hard to find and the price will reflect that. 250's are not available very often due to the very limited number made. 5-15 per year for only a few years (probably less than 50 total). I'd still make sure there's no got-ya's by getting it checked out.

[gerard]

[QUOTE=1985air345]Keep in mind that 250's are very hard to find and the price will reflect that.

I am finding this out. The person selling is pretty firm on his price. Actually it it more then some of the 345's that I have seen for sale. It is also harder to find financing for an older unit.

Thanks again for all the great advice. It is nice to know there is a place to turn to if I ever have a question or need help on something.

Gerard

[ViewRVs]

The 345's are fairly common. There are much fewer 250's. Many people like the 250 because it's easier to drive (although my 345 drove very easily), it doesn't have the tag axle, and you can go into more state and national parks with the shorter 250.