Florida newbie.

[Getmeahammer]

Hi

We're thinking about buying a smallish campervan for day trips or 1 night away. We were thinking about a Dodge coachman classic. It looks like a good enough size for short trips away. It needs some interior work, new carpets, sofa upholstery blinds etc. Where's a good place to shop for older model parts? Also, anything I should be looking out for on the test drive?

Thanks

[Pam G]

Originally Posted by Getmeahammer

Hi

We're thinking about buying a smallish campervan for day trips or 1 night away. We were thinking about a Dodge coachman classic. It looks like a good enough size for short trips away. It needs some interior work, new carpets, sofa upholstery blinds etc. Where's a good place to shop for older model parts? Also, anything I should be looking out for on the test drive?

Thanks

What year is the Coachman? Are you looking for a place to buy older mechanical parts or house interior parts? There are people who are remodeling the interiors with all new things, painting the cabinets, replacing the carpet with laminate flooring, or something like that, etc. You might check on Facebook for an older Coachman group. I'm on a Facebook group for owners of older Roadtreks (I have a 1999 Roadtrek). I think most everyone on here can give you a list of things to have inspected before buying, but I bought mine without inspections. I'm on my 3rd older Class B. All 3 were purchased in other states than where I live, and I only got to test drive the one I currently have before buying it. I like to get out on the highway and see how well it accelerates. Check the guages and the brakes, air, heat. Turn the generator on, and then turn the A/C on to see how well the generator runs. Turn the furnace on. Check the outside storage compartments to see if the interiors are clean and dry (seals aren't leaking). Check the back windows to see how well they open and close. Check Fantastic fan if there is one. Look for any water stains in the interior, which could indicate roof or window leaks. I did see an online company recently that sells the day/night shades for RV's custom size.

[KurtFranz]

Definitely check the back windows to make sure they work properly and are not glued shut to prevent them from falling out - if they are CR Laurence windows of the type used on the Roadtrek models.