Good Day, I'm currently in Maine, so just about as far away as one can be, from my regular roost in California. In looking around I see a number of fine coaches, all of course, being 1000's of miles distant. I'm wondering if folks in the past has enlisted members that might be closer to a unit-for-sale, for a personal, up-close view, rudimentary inspection and over-all recommendation for a potential buyer some distance away.. Obviously, its just that person's POV and Caveat emptor reigns supreme. I am a member of a military vehicle site and people there do that service for members alot. Just curious, of course any expenses would be paid and maybe a finders fee, etc..

Just wondering..

Mike W

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This has been done before with some success but there are some problems.

Your best bet is to find a professional mechanic near the coach. (Not the seller's mechanic unless known to be independent!) They will know what to look for to check for safety and wear, which engine/trans is preferred, etc. This does come at price of course.

If you can find a nearby volunteer, it depends a great deal on their experience and observations. If you can find a willing local expert (like me perhaps) you have hit gold. Even if not, they can look at the coach and see if it is really the same as the 10 year old photos, take many photos inside and out top to bottom, check out all lights and systems, listen to the engine and maybe get a ride with the seller.

Your witness should not be involved in price discussion. The object is to get a factual description of the coach that you can evaluate.

As you say, it is up to you to decide what you are seeing, what it is worth to you. I guess it can't hurt to try!

I agree. Besides a mechanic for the chassis, a second one might be required for the house.

Someone like SteveVW can do both. I inspected Tom Loughney's Monarch before the sale closed (he was in Thailand) and Nick Cagle and I did Lou's in GA while he was in MI. Both were in excellent shape.

I inspected a third, which was a roach.

thanks for the input..is there a map on the site somewhere that shows where members live.. All I saw, initially, was the coaches for sale map which doesn't seem to be kept up as I found several 'pins' with 'No data available' notations..

mike W

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Both the Members and "For Sale" maps are on sabbatical.

Mike, the map data have not been kept up to date.
In January, I drove more than a couple hours NE to inspect a coach for a member a couple thousand miles West. Without being an expert whatsoever, my eyes saved the member a trip to East Michigan. He kindly sent Unrequested compensation for my time. Sent him numerous photos more revealing than those by the seller. While I have offered to do the same for others, I can't promise that I always will.
Recently, there have been Barths for sale within a couple hours of me, no one has asked me to look -- perhaps because it is no secret that I am far from being an expert.

Is there a member's list, at least, that shows who have coaches and where they are?

Might be nice for folks traveling who may need assistance to find someone, possibly, close by..

Mike W

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The Members Map showed locations, but it's outdated.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike W:
Is there a member's list, at least, that shows who have coaches and where they are?

Might be nice for folks traveling who may need assistance to find someone, possibly, close by..

Mike W

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Indeed, I have always posted on motorcycle forums and car collector forums in the section to offer accommodation, transportation, tools etc.

A long time TN Barthmobile member was extremely helpful to me by doing inspection(s) a reasonable distance from his rural home. I was very grateful.