Opinions on a 2000 Beaver Marquis Jasper Cat Diesel Pusher Class A Motor Home

[kscheffler]

This might be way off base for this forum but thought someone might have knowledge. Found this Class A with 14k miles and hardly every used stored in heated shed. Owner says he starts the unit once every couple months and goes for a short drive. I have him down to 80k; but I am concerned about the low usage of this home with all the systems and wonder if I am going to have a fix and repair so many systems it might not be worth it. Also any input on the quality of this home. It has a Cat C12 525 HP diesel. Everything on this unit shows as new because it has not been used. THis is either a great deal or a maintenance nightmare.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I owned a 99 Beaver, as far as systems go, the heating system was far and away the biggest problem. What brand does this have in it? If its an Aquahot you should be alright. If its a Hurricane, plan on problems. I had the guts of mine changed, the controller changed, several new fuel nozzles, different exhaust and finally TWO different brand new boilers before finally getting it to work satisfactory. If you plan on using it in freezing weather, especially driving it, the heat exchangers were woefully inadequate. I added an additional high output multi speed heat exchanger and it worked pretty well. After finally getting the boiler issues worked out, I was able to comfortably use it in below zero weather.

Otherwise I was very impressed with the coach, they have arguably the finest cabinets in the business. The rest of the coach was pretty good quality, Beaver is a higher end brand, especially the Marquis. You will have minor problems, that's just the nature of any used coach, but at that price I think you are ahead of the game.

The Cat C-12 and the Allison transmission are both tried trued and proven. You shouldn't have any issues whatsoever than just regular maintenance.

Hope that helps, if it was me I would buy it. In fact if you don't, send me a private message with the details, I may purchase it myself.

 

[kscheffler]

It has an Aquahot but I don't think it has ever been used; either has the toilet or shower for that matter. The batteries were dead when we looked at the coach yesterday so they are probably all toast but that can be repaired. He blew a breaker in the 110 panel of the supply line so the batteries were not charging. I am concerned that these "simple" systems have not been used so the other complicated systems have never been activated: air compressor, pressure washer etc. I guess he had to activate the compressor since the stabilizers were down. So how these system are going to operate with being dormant for so long is what is concerning me. The inside of this home is amazing and shows as new. What are your thoughts on the tires they are 14 years old but have not been out in the sun but will they all need to be replaced; cannot imagine what these tires cost. I was supprised that they had TOYO tires on the motor home; did not realize that TOYO manufactured big rig tires. If I back out on the deal I will let you talk to the owner but I think I am going to purchase it but I need to find an RV place to go through all the systems; and boy does this rig has systems... .

 

[Powder Extreme]

The air compressor will be more of a truck part, it and the air dryer will be spec'd from a semi, they aren't light duty equipment. The air dryer does need to be serviced. The so called all inclusive service on my coach left out the air dryer and it froze up and blew apart leaving me stranded needing to be towed in.

The leveling system should be hydraulic if the coach has feet on the ground. The air leveling system uses the airbags of the suspension. Works okay for short term, but eventually will leak down.

Toyos are good tires, I ran them on semis for awhile, very popular truck tire. Each tire will run you $5-700.

Like I said, there will be some issues, even brand new high end coaches have issues. As you stated, there are a ton of systems on that coach.

Where abouts are you located?

 

[kscheffler]

Westport, WA

 

[Newt]

Fourteen year old tires? I wouldn't drive that thing out of the barn without replacing them. When a cap lets loose on a RV, it can do major damage.

But, a Beaver is a quality coach, get one of the RV inspection services to check it out.

Newt