10k-15k buy or build?

[Losetofind]

Hey fellow travelers! So Ive decided to finally take action and hit the road. I have about 10k to 15k to work with, what are my best options? Ive been researching a ton and will continue to but this can speed that up. It seems like to get the best deal i should buy a van of some sort, chevy express or maybe ford ecoline and try to make it into a camper myself. Im not knowledgeable about handy stuff but i can learn fast via internet. Or should i try to buy a used already finished class b? Any info helps thanks for reading!

P.s. i was going to just buy an old cargo van and throw in a bed but i wanted to work the sugar beet harvest and i need class b requirements.

[gklugie]

It depends what you want. Want water? ... need faucet, plumbing, and fresh water tank plus pump. Want toilet? .... need plumbing plus blackwater tank. Want heat?... need furnace. Want hot water? ... need water heater. Don't forget propane tank and plumbing. Want refrigerator?.... need 2 or 3 way refrig. Want storage? ... need cabinetry. Want fancy electrics? .... hold on to your wallet! You can get $500 dollared to death building your van on items like these. If you get a used rig, odds are you need a few repairs and upgrades. Do not discount the value of a factory built rig with all the comforts of home.

[mojoman]

In the past I have scavenged parts from junked RV's at local scrap and junk yards. You can pick up working and sometimes near new high dollar RV appliances. I've picked up near new furnace, 12v compressor fridge, inverter, etc... for a song.

[mojoman]

I would also look for a junked class B that has a blown engine or tranny. They would only sell for a few hundred and invest a few $k in a new engine/trans.

[mkguitar]

depends on your needs and skill level

an older B can work great IF you are prepared to deal with an older machine that may need ongoing fixes

or get a good running an and work on the plumbing, cabinetry etc that makes it a comfy place to sleep.

your local craigslist may have some abandoned project conversions- which coul dbe a good starting point

mike

[gklugie]

Problem: you stated that you "are not knowledgeable about handy stuff".

I like Mojoman's reply... get a unit with blown engine/tranny. Spend some bucks on new/rebuilt mechanicals.

If you are not much of a handyman, little problems can dig into your wallet big time.

[Bruceper]

Plenty of good older motorhomes with good engines and transmissions that can be had for less than 2-3000. Spend a few thousand fixing the mechanicals and keep a few thousand for future issues.

Having mileage on motorhomes is not a bad thing. If there is very little mileage that means it sat unused and was likely not taken care of. Take your time and find what you like that also fits your budget.