How to find (and purchase) a suitable RV for a renovation project

Fun and thorough guest post from Troy Tikalsky, the “DIY RV Guy“; thanks so much for sharing this with us Troy! 🙂

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Considering an RV to travel, wander and experience freedom?

Struggling with the cost?

Experienced maintaining, repairing or restoring cars, pickups or farm machinery?

Experienced with home construction, repairing or remodeling?!

Comfortable digging into a problem or project and doing it yourself?

Considered restoring or renovating an RV??

Renovating an RV is similar to traveling in a train.

A train is a great big mass of iron, powerful and intimidating, yet impressive and inspiring. Magical, mystically, entrancing. Calling you to climb aboard and experience the journey of your dreams.

Once on board, comfortably seated, the train pulls out of the station, slowly, like a lumbering grizzly bear appearing from its den – steam rising from the heat of a massive body, sniffing and snorting as it shakes off the remnants of slumber.

The locomotive grunts, chugs and pulls from the station! The engineer carefully monitors the gauges, scans the tracks ahead as the train lurches into motion. The engineer guides the train, controlling speed and momentum, avoiding disaster – scanning the path ahead, intent on arriving, anticipating the destination. Intent on detecting signs of danger, signs that could result derailment from the path and goal. Avoiding derailment and disaster begins well before the train leaves the station.

Preparation for the journey before boarding the train is essential! Lets prepare by evaluating the advantages of choosing an RV for renovation, successful search tips and warning signs.

Renovation Analysis

I can think of several reasons for choosing to renovate an RV. I will share my top three reasons:

1. Following the road less traveled and the desire to be different
   from the crowd.
2. The satisfaction of accomplishing something.
3. Saving money, leaving more for travel

Money savings may be the number one reason we choose to embark on this quest; savings can certainly be a motivator and incentive.

The wealthy manage money well. The Warren Buffets and Donald Trumps are frugal. There’s no shame in being frugal. Donald Trump has been known to be involved in the details of building the Trump towers.

Digging into the details is the best way to know your RV. Inspecting, repairing or replacing various components exposes the inner workings. The experience and knowledge acquired during renovation will improve your confidence when traveling should a problem occur. Along the way you will learn to recognize, diagnose and determine the severity of unusual smells and noises. Quickly recognize warning signs before disaster occurs. Problems will shift to inconveniences.

Renovating an RV may also be the opportunity to customize for your tastes, desires and needs.

Traveling with pets may present unique needs and desires. A custom resting space for the faithful companion. A cubby concealing the odor of the litter box. A private pet entry.

Have an exceptional talent for creating wood cabinets or furniture and demand beauty and quality rarely duplicated?

Desire the awe inspiring gazes of expertly designed custom painted coach?

Long for whispering purr of a finely tuned motor?

Aching for a thunderous roar belting out the exhaust pipe?

Do you hear the “Arhhh, Arhhh, Arhhh” of Tim “the Toolman” ringing in your ears?

Are you envisioning the looks of envy on the faces of people when you pass, mouths agape lusting to be like you?

Then let’s get started!

Preparation

Before boarding the train lets revisit the cost aspect.

Renovating an RV costs money and also, notably, time.

There’s the initial costs of locating, transporting and buying the RV. Add to that the cost of materials to complete the renovation. A few trips to the store should be expected. The cost of fuel, new tools and time must not be underestimated.

Theres also the cost of learning, first time mistakes are common. Expect to repeat a few tasks.

Experience has taught me a key lesson when renovating an RV, so lets start with one.

First rule of RV renovation: Buy the best RV you can afford. Spending a little more now, even for a renovation candidate will pay for itself in the long run.

A good renovation candidate is one that can be put into service the day you bring it home!

I want to be clear, “renovation” as I define it, is different from “restoration.” Renovation is the process of replacing and upgrading existing components. Restoration is the process of disassembly, repair and reassembly. Restoration is a HUGE project that dwarfs the effort and resources involved with renovation.

We are focusing on finding a suitable RV for renovation.

Searching Tips

Research is the first step to finding a suitable RV for renovation. Finding an RV for renovation is easy, finding a good RV suitable for renovation is challenging.

Begin searching RV’s for sale on the web. Focus the search to a type and style. Note the asking prices and condition.

Pick the absolute best, cleanest and finest example of your perfect RV. Ask the owner why they are selling, how long they have owned and what upgrades have been completed.

Next, search for a similar RV both in age and size, this time focus on the RV’s that need renovation. Ask the same questions of the owner.

Compare the RV’s. Determine the resources, cost and time required to renovate.

Answer this question honestly: Can I renovate the project RV for less cost than if I were to get the perfect RV?

If the answer is “no,” then consider finding a way to get that “perfect RV” instead! Your time is valuable.

If the answer is “maybe,” determine what the price would have to be to make the answer “yes.” Share your reasons with the seller and make an offer. Be prepared to walk away.

If the answer is “yes,” determine what the price needs to be for an absolutely Y-E-S! Share your desires and limitations with the seller and present the offer. Consider making a strong offer like: “I’ll get this out of your way today for $$$, my family will be thrilled to get started today and no more tire kickers wasting your time”.

At the core, the initial goal should be at least finding a presently useable RV; an RV in a state where you are comfortable with the reliability, safety and are willing to travel and use.

Remember, renovation can occur over time. The goal is to get immediate value with use.

The lowest cost of entry is by starting with a useable RV. An RV that is not useable is a restoration project.

Two of the four RV’s I have bought started as renovations, the first and the last (current). The two RV’s in the middle were ‘complete’ units and ended up costing much more in the end.

Tip #1: Ignore the decor.
Learn to look past the colors, the carpet, drapes and furniture. Replacing the burnt orange carpet or pink shades will provide a dramatic change in overall appearance at a small cost.

Tip #2: Look past the sellers pictures.
Don’t be put off by a poor sales presentation. Few sellers are marketing professionals.

Ignore the trash strewn floor, dish filled sink and stained carpet. These are easily remedied.

These are often the diamond in the rough.

Tip #3: Pay attention to the surroundings.
A well organized and tidy home, shed and yard are indications of pride in ownership. Ability does not equal desire.

Tip #4: Do not underestimate the costs involved.
Sellers may talk about similar RV’s selling for much more money. !
Listing prices and selling prices are often very different. Expecting a common value determination is nearly impossible with RV’s.

Suggestion: Determine the value to you, a point where you will be content. Searching for the best deal will only add delay and expense. There will always be someone else that got a better
deal. Make your deal and stop searching, be thrilled the search is over.

Secondly, don’t believe any cost estimates a seller shares. Take your estimates and double them. Better to overestimate the costs now.

Tip #5: Search for a good solid RV to start.
A rusted or rotted RV will consume triple the resources. Resources include your time and money.

Again, the goal is to start using the RV ASAP!

Tip #6: Take a friend.
Friends see with eyes wide open. A good friend will keep quiet. A real friend will tell you the truth, don’t ignore the truth!

Tip#7: Take your time!
Time invested before the purchase is the best investment. Don’t let the excitement of the dream overrule rationalization.

Recognize your dreams and desires along with your weaknesses and limitations. Resist temptation and be willing to walk away.

Finding a good renovation candidate requires persistence and patience.

Warning Signs

Before you board the renovation train lets cover a few warning signs. Signs that may indicate the need for a restoration versus a renovation.

Warning Sign #1: Signs of Water damage.
Water damage can be difficult to identify and quickly become costly.

Extra precautions are required to search out any indications of water damage. A soft or brittle spot in the wall or ceiling paneling is an indication of hidden and larger problem.

Expect the water damage to be at least 3 times larger than visible, often much more. Don’t be surprised to find water damage has extended completely to the floor and spread.

Water damage is repairable. Age of the RV may become a factor when locating parts. Research the availability and cost of parts.

Warning Sign #2: Incomplete and shoddy repairs.
Visible repairs hastily completed are warning signs. Expect repairs out of sight to be similar quality and possibly a hazard.

Warning Sign #3: Hard starting and smokey exhaust.
Hard starting motors combined with a smokey exhaust may be a sign of poor maintenance and pending repairs.

Other Considerations

The second most costly item to repair or replace may be the motor, especially in diesel power motorhomes. Maintenance records add tremendous value and insight into ownership pride. !
Many service centers offer a flat inspection fee for the drivetrain. Fluids analysis may be the best option to evaluate the state of internals.

Focus your inspection on high cost items, structural items, power train followed by the major appliances.

A renovation may include refreshing mechanical components. Replacing or rebuilding drivetrain components now can prevent costly repairs on the road.

Ignoring functioning critical components such as radiators, water pumps and cooling hoses can be very costly in the event of a failure.

For motorhomes expect a diesel motor rebuild to approach $20k, transmission $5k and radiator replacement $3k. Consider a drivetrain inspection by a reputable service center.

If you are planning on upgrading the drive train to a modern unit add the cost of a donor unit to your expenses. Along with custom mounts, coolant hoses and more.

Replacing mechanical components, brakes, charging components, hoses and belts fall under the preventative maintenance category.

Preventative maintenance should be part of a motorhome renovation.

Replacing major components of the drivetrain approaches restoration effort and resources.

Remember, a renovation starts with a functioning and useable RV today. A restoration may be useable as is and it may be very unusable.

The line between renovation and restoration is blurry. Look at it this way, if your mother would refuse to spend the weekend in it then it is very likely in need of restoration.

Still here? Fantastic, now comes the good news. You won’t be the first person to renovate an RV or the last. Someone somewhere has succeeded in renovating a similar RV.

The Internet is loaded with helpful resources and experienced people. Search, research and research some more.

Start with research, add some persistence and cover with patience. The train is waiting for you to board!

There is so much more to discuss but that will have to wait for another time. If you would like to learn more about maintaining, renovating or restoring an RV please visit me at the DIYRVGuy.com

Good luck and until next time, enjoy the journey.

Troy Tikalsky – The DIYRVGuy

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