Should you buy used from Cruise America?
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Well, today we went to Mesa AZ to check out the Cruise America sales lot. Our daughter and son-in-law are looking for a class C and discovered the Cruise America inventory for sale. This company actually has three class C models in their sales inventory. The Thor Motor Coach Majestic models 28A (30 foot), 23A (25 foot) and the 19G (20 foot). They also sell a Lance 650 Truck Camper if anyone is interested. We cover some of the pros and cons of purchasing used from Cruise America and (spoiler alert) the pros way outweigh the cons. We do a quick walk through of the 25 & 30 footer, however we discovered that they didn’t have any of the 20 footers on the lot at the time we were there.
If you are interested, here is the Cruise America Sales website…
www.cruiseamer...
and if you wind up looking in Mesa, ask for Dave Jones (not the monkees or Bowie). And let them know Amber and Ray (and Our Road to Camelot) sent you!
I hope you enjoy this part of our trip.
Safe Travels!
Steve, Dawn, Atka and Sierra
Music Licensing:
Campfire_Song - Chris Haugen
CZcams Music Library
Dome Sweet Dome - Nat Keefe with The Bow Ties
CZcams Music Library
Music clips may have been shortened or lengthened to better match the length of the video
As a former employee of Cruise America, I would like to give you and your viewers a "behind the scenes" look at the Parts and Service Depts, the refurbish "procedure", and why I think your kids made a smart choice.
I grew up in the RV business. My Dad owned a few RV dealerships over the years, surviving the "Gas Crisis of the 70's" and thrived. Me? I loved the Parts and Service end, and even at a very young age, could be found washing, fixing, and prepping units. (Imagine having a 10yr old kid teaching you about your new RV...) Enough about me, though... Let's jump to 1993-ish...
Cruise America is a BIG company. they rent world-wide. The Mesa facility is their headquarters, and when they moved in, they brought about 150 people from Florida, most 20+ year employees. They hire nothing but the best, and treat them well. Same goes for the Service Dept.: Seasoned Techs, no newbies. The facility is top- notch and state of the art. When a RV get's refurbished to be sold, It has paid for itself 2.5x or more. It starts in the mechanical side of the shop, and whatever it needs to make it run and drive like new, gets done. (no matter the cost) Front - end components are almost always replaced. If the engine is weak, it is rebuilt or replaced. (really!) Then it goes to the Body Shop, where dings/dents are repaired, and it gets a fresh paint job.
Now, it goes to the "Tech Side":ALL appliances are checked, serviced, or replaced. All the seat cushions and upholstery are replaced. (fun fact: when the 1989 Holiday Ramblers were done, they couldn't get "cushion kits" to match the new paint scheme, so they hired a local auto upholstery shop to make 350 of the kits in a matching color scheme- that shop had 5 employees that just made upholstery kits / Curtain sets, etc. exclusively for Cruise America for the Sales AND Rental units) Tables, Counters,and anything else that was deemed high usage was replaced, regardless of the condition of the existing part.... Remember, the RV has already made the company a healthy profit- so the sale price primarily paid for refurbishment . New floors, upholstery, appliances, mattresses, Tires, Chassis parts, (heck, even chrome wheel simulators) *everything* to make that coach fresh and new was factored in. The goal was to sell people a virtually new coach at a good price. (even if the odometer showed 120,000 miles or more... it was basically new.) After that came the add-ons: Want an awning? Nice Stereo? TV? or other accessory? we'd sell and install at a reduced price. For the money, it was a no-brainer! The company could sell the coach cheaper than a private party. In my opinion, the refurbished units beat MOST of the brand new rigs that were sold elsewhere.
Now, the .99 cent question: Why did I leave Cruise America, if it was so great? I was young and stupid, to be honest. The owner of a different dealership took me out to dinner one evening, and offered me about twice what I was making as the assistant parts manager at Cruise America, with the promise of amazing benefits (which never really happened) if I would start immediately. I hated the new job, and was embarrassed about how I had quit C.A. (and was too stupid to come ask for my old job back.) Lesson Learned.
To Summarize: Your kids are smart. Buying a refurbished fleet unit from Cruise America is by far, the best deal out there, and the quality of their motorhome exceeds actual "new" coaches other places are selling. Thank You for the great video, and allowing me to post my opinion and misc ramblings. 😏 God Bless, and Stay Safe out there!
p.s.- I agree, get the warranty... RV parts are getting expensive and harder to locate. Smart Move!
Wow… awesome story and thanks for that great (behind the scenes) input. I really felt they got a good deal and common sense told me that the mileage was mostly highway driving, but it’s great to get your perspective. I know more now that they got a great deal. Thanks!
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
Thanks for your story! I am leaning toward buying an ex rental, but am wondering about how business practices and quality control have held up since the lockdowns. Here In Canada we have Cruise Canada (same company as Cruise America) and also Canadream, who use Forest River Forester rvs. The CruiseCanada rvs are really cheap around $50k cdn mileage 150 km year 2017. The Foresters from Canadream have less mileage around 60k and 2021 models for $80k-$110k. I'm having a hard time deciding, cheaper Majestic or newer Forester...
I love that you shared this info!!! Thank you so much. Also, I don’t know how long since you left CA but if I were them, I’d be more than happy to have you back on the team. Take a chance and go for it. Ya never know.
hi handsome, great story. Great company. c.a charges $118.00 per day and $0.39 per mile for there rental if a 2024 ford c30. Great rv. everything was nice in the c30 I looked at in santa rosa, ca. .I didn't know headquarters was in california. I driving there tomorrow.
I just found your channel. I know this is an 'older' video but thanks for doing it. We are interested in the same thing. A lot of folks pass on these purchases (or so I've read) because the rigs are so basic, no fancy electronics, no slides, etc. I think that's a pro, less things to break and more opportunity to customize. Thanks again!
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
I agree. Slides sound like a future complication mechanically and with weather proofing. I want something small with a bathroom and no slides just for me when i retire to travel the country
My work used Ford box trucks with triton v10s they were running 289k or more just fine, with heavy loads 4 days a week AC in the ford's works great too.
😅 Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
@@ottouring Give it a rest! Getting tired of seeing your constant advertising reply
Been looking at Cruise America when you compare pricing I still could rebuild the engine and transmission doing some of the work myself and come out ahead. The only thing that worries me is those V10's have those long timing chains and phasor issues that is a device that adjust the cam timing by using oil pressure and a electric solenoid. They leak oil and stop working correctly also the timing chains guides are plastic they wear out also. Just have to price out what it would cost to do an overhaul on the engine figure that into the cost of a low mile RV.
Definitely why I wouldn’t go with this deal without purchasing the extended warranties
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
Your thoughts are exactly what I'm thinking while contemplating purchasing one myself
hi great comment . thanks.
I would buy used from them long before I bought anything from Camping World.
Incorrect, you will not get 4-500K miles out of a Triton v10 hahahah
I was actually talking from the experience of my own Class C I had many years ago. I kept up on all of the maintenance and it was closing in on 400k when I sold it and it was still going strong. Maybe that was a fluke but it was a great engine for me.
I wanted to see the 19ft one lol
I looked at the 19 but tanks are too small gray and black are under 15 gallons. No generator, or AC unit, cost more then the 25, and using the V10 engine which is overkill and cost lot in fuel.
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
Even the 23A is terrible. Unless you live on your own don't bother with a 19'
Hi, just discovered your channel, a year later, would you still recommend purchasing an rv from cruise America?
Watch for their specials. My daughter and a son in Law still really enjoy their purchase. I would also recommend to go with their warranties.
@@ourroadtocamelot absolutely, and thank you for replying. Very kind!
Great video, how has your daughter’s venture gone? Are they happy with their purchase? Has the rig held up ok, mechanically and cosmetically?is there a towing hitch receiveR? Would you recommend this type of purchase?
She and her husband are loving the RV. They are very happy with their decision. It has held up well. They had one small problem but they did get the warranties, also the problem showed up before the initial warranty ran out so there was no charge to them. The problem was the water pump wasn’t working and cruise America installed a brand new one for no charge. It’s been great ever since. It did come with the receiver. They just needed to purchase the ball hitch. They have a tow dolly and tow their car with them with no issues. Their experience has been extremely positive and they just told me that they would highly recommend going with Cruise America. Just protect yourself and plan to buy the extended warranties.
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
Are you able to run propane to the refrige while driving?
You can run the propane to the fridge while driving. There is no auto shut off when the rig is in motion.
@ourroadtocamelot thanks for information. Enjoyed your video.
You can run the generator while driving to power fridge, burns gas faster though. A gallon per hour.
RV fires are the risk of running propane while driving.
Be safe. Turn off propane, get a bag of ice . Put in a dish pan or a leak proof insulateflame. Place in freezer and fridge shelves.
I drive to camp site ice in freezer and fridge this way.
Once you see an RV burn to the ground, with ignition site by kitchen, you will never take the risk with open propane glame.
hi handsome. this is a great channel and topic with 130 000 miles on the engine, if it goes out a new engine will cost $8,000.00 from ford.
Thank you. And definitely why the warranties are a must.
looking at this option also. BTW, is traveling with your 2 husky babies difficult? Is their high energy a problem?
They are much older now and more like couch potatoes. They get out for walks a lot but are also content sitting outside with us and watch the world go by. Our Daughter and son in law are loving their Cruise America class C. Just make sure you factor in the extended warranties
Thanks for showing the extended warranty fact sheet and the pricing….
Now that I know the prices for the warranties and the rigs…
Hope everyone is enjoying their rigs.
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
We have 2 huskies
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
Did your daughter decide to buy from Cruise America? I've seen several people recommend Dave Jones in Mesa.
Yes she did and loving it. They have had a few newbie user errors but no harm no foul. All is good.
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
SAY HOW MUCH IT COST
Cruise America has sales happening various times a year so I included their web site in the comments. They are actually having a pretty big sale right now. www.cruiseamerica.com/buy-used-rvs
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
Do u get a discount off the price?
No perks or discounts for making the video. Just had an opportunity to create a video of an overlooked source of buying an RV. Safe travels!
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
How negotiable were they?
They are pretty set in their pricing but if you are a good negotiator you could strike a deal. My daughter and son-in-law purchased when the market was not as flexible
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺
So after all of this... what are the prices of these things and how much can you save over buying a new one?
They do go on sale from time to time however it’s best to check their sale’s website for the current sizes, year and pricing. Here is a link to the info.
www.cruiseamerica.com/buy-used-rvs/rv-sales-inventory-usa
Hi,
I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my travelling set up, great camp locations and camp cook ups.
Cheers
Out There Touring 🇦🇺