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Shopping for a36' CC

Yahoo Message Number: 116586
Hello folks, we are new to the group and relatively new to CC.We had a 1998 36' Intrigue for 9 months that we really loved but unfortunately was totaled by a car that suddenly cut in front of us and demolished our front passenger side. No injuries to us. Now the insurance has settled and we would really like to purchase another CC the same size. Anyone know of a good source? We would rather stay away from the lots and try to purchase from private seller. One question I have, if a coach hasn't been driven for awhile, say 2 or 3 years, are there precautions? We have used craigslist and rvt ads for several good possibilities. Thanks for the input!
1998 CC intrigue Montage #10573/ 2018 Chev Colorado

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116602
Hey thanks all for the input! We are just up the road from Junction City and have visited Terry at Kenai Coach several times and yes he does have some super coaches for sale there.
We didn't get as much on our insurance settlement as we had hoped so are really in the lower price range on a coach. Somewhere in the $30k to $48k range. Surprised to find some fairly nice deals so far. Noticed that 40' rigs are a great price compared to shorter probably because folks fear the longer footprint! For me it's just that I don't want to fill up my driveway! We have looked at 5 coaches so far and really hope to settle on one before Christmas. We're not sure if we really need a slideout but it sure adds the room for grands.

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116603
We also bought from a dealer specializing in CC's and believe there advantages to that process over buying from an owner. Premier RV is also in Junction City, in fact they are in one of the old Country Coach assembly buildings and have a fantastic indoor showroom. They also service and store high-end coaches. If you go to Junction City to see Kenai Coach, give them a visit as well...
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
40' w/tag, Cat C-9 & Cat tranny

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116607
I'm not sure it is a fear of the larger footprint so much as a realization that the larger footprint can really limit the utility of the coach

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116609
We used RV Trader (RVTrader.com) extensively. The site allows you to perform very detailed searches on coaches for sale. We had narrowed our search down to "country coach" and Length and Year Range and then watched the site religiously, looking at all the coaches that went on the market and the prices. We had a "personal list" of what we wanted the most. We were actually looking for 40', Tag and NOT opposing couches.... And NOT all electric. After about 5 months, we found the coach we are in. We had to settle on a little bit longer coach than what we wanted, but it really hasn't been an issue. Get Lots and Lots and Lots of pictures and if you are uncomfortable doing the pre-buy yourself, hire someone to do the pre-buy for you. Eric Olstrom of Olstrom Custom Coaches in Tucson is brilliant and knows just about everything there is to know about Country Coach. It is WELL WORTH whatever he might charge to do a pre-buy for you. I would stay away from CL. We used RVT as well. Where and how the coach is stored is probably the most important issue. Also, how well documented was the maintenance on the coach? Our coach had fairly well documented maintenance which was another plus. Others on this forum will chip in as to what maintenance items to look out for regarding a used coach but, from my experience......

House: Make sure the NORCOLD recall on the reefer has been complied with.
Make sure the slides work smoothly without binding.
Roof seal is critical
We had to replace TVs, Stereo, upgrade Silverleaf, etc. to bring our 2007 up to 2018 technology

Chassis: We have a Cat engine and have had zero issues with it. We had the valves adjusted, not because of a problem but simply because it hadn't ever been done and should have been. Our coach has 103,000 miles on it.
TAG AXLE MOUNT. Needs to be checked to make sure its not loose or missing bolts. Ours came loose recently and was very nearly disastrous, but was easily fixed.

There are a myriad of little issues that are constantly needing fixes..... as befits a coach with 100k miles from 2007. I fix most everything that is not chassis related.... Its like owning a yacht or an airplane. There is never a time when everything is working perfectly.

Best,

Jim

Jim and Jona Seifert

2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42'
Coach #12150
525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd
Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar
Jim and Jona Seifert
2007 Intrigue 530

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116610
Try Premier in Junction City. Owned by two former CC employees (engineering and sales). Probably the most complete collection of used CC coaches around. I store my Magna there, have i serviced there and bought it there (2nd CC form them), so perhaps I'm biased. Louie is in charge of sales...feel free to use my name.

http://www.premierrvservices.com

Happy to give you detail if it would help.

Dave Glen
'06 Magna 6591

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116611
Another factor on pricing, is the volume of coaches sold. 40' was a relatively higher volume build, the the 32, 34, 36 and 38' coaches. (Though pre 2000, the numbers of 36-38' had a higher proportion to the 40' and over.)

I do agree that the lower volumes of newer then 2000 36' and under coaches, have them selling a a higher price point from original MSRP, compared to most 40' coaches.

No question that shorter coaches will have higher options available to them in County, State, and National Parks. But hose buying the 40' coaches know this, or should from doing their research, and plan accordingly. (We had only one time since we bought out coach, that we could not join a group of friends going to a California State Park. And oddly, we did drive over to join them with our toad, and found several sites that we noted we could have fit in. And also could have accessed via the roadways into the campgrounds. The State Park had them all set at 36' in their computer systems. I'll fudge into a 38' noted site, after checking via Google view the actual site, and path to the site. But I don't even consider trying to do so on a 36' noted site. (From a reservation standpoint.) But I've also many times been to State and National Parks, and asked to drive thru the campground with our Toad to find a site we like. And many times these are sites listed on the computer system's as being 36', and a few 34'.) (And we're no different then anyone else, as I know many others with larger coaches do this too:)!).

OP - Happy hunting, and good luck on finding your next coach:)!

Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116614
Length was a factor for me also, living in an RV Resort with limited parking, the 36' Magna is perfect.

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116627
Well still searching for our replacement CC. We looked at a nice 1997 Allure 36' with living room slide that looks good inside and out but when running engine noticed the oil pressure gauge went to 80lbs and the red light was on. I am familiar with gauge reading low but not high, anyone else seen this issue? No excessive smoke out tail pipe and sounds good. The owner has it at a shop but they are swamped and a little behind right now...

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116630
Greg,
We're thinking of putting our 36 02 Intrigue on the market. It's been completely gone through by CC in Eugene OR. Coach is in perfect condition in and out. 370 ISL, slide, medium walnut wood with ultra leather Villa branded seating.
Will send pictures if there is interest on your part.
Vince
Intrigue. #11332

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116649
Hi Vince, yes we would be interested in your Intrigue. We are in Albany Or. are you in Oregon? If so we can come look if not please send some pics! Thanks, Greg

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117427
Just FYI, we did find a CC to replace our totaled Intrigue. Purchased a 1996 CC Allure Rogue with the family slideout from an estate sale. It had been sitting since about 2016 but was in pretty good shape. We miss the Intrigue amenities and options, wife liked the deep sink and 10 gal water heater, I miss the slide out bay drawers and the alcoas! But it really is a well built coach. Some things that had to be addressed: Tires, batteries, TVs, changed oil and filter, Zip Dee 20' awning needed new keys, front drivers side HWH valve replaced, planning to coat roof this spring, looking for replacement rear camera and monitor set up, has 76k miles so I'm thinking tranny oil change soon.

1996 36' CC Allure Rogue 30017
2018 Chev Colorado Z-71

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117431
Congrats on the new set of wheels!! Enjoy the process of bringing back to where you want it mechanically.
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117435
Thanks Smitty, would you suggest doing transmission oil and filter change myself? I know it's only $600 to have it done by service guy but.... also, planning to coat the roof with rustoleum marine paint and discovered previous owner used silicone caulking every where up there! I was removing it from around the shower skylight and discovered some cracks in the acrylic. EZ Tops recommends not drilling their domes down, so what kind of glue would you use? Thanks for sharing all your great suggestions and expertise!
Greg
1996 36' CC Allure Rogue 30017
2018 Chev Colorado Z-71
 

Re: Shopping for a36' CC

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117437
Hey Greg - Lots going on for you with the new ride:)!

If you have not done so yet, I'd pull samples of Oil, Coolant, Transmission fluids and send them out for analysis. This will give you some good indications of current health of many items, including the fluids:)!. If you did not get good documentation and history maintenance with the coach, then I'd use this as the baseline for moving forward. For example, if Coolant and say Transmission fluids all still test good, no reason to change them. Staying with Coolant and Transmission, if no history of last filter change, but the fluids still test good, then just change the filters, top off, and you have a new baseline going forward for them. Oil? Well yep, the analysis will give you some indication of engine health. And I suppose the same could be said for just changing the oil filter, topping off, and moving on down the road. But for the low cost of oil, again if no documented history of maintenance, I'd just go ahead with new oil/filter and establish your own baseline starting point relationship with the engine.

As far as doing it yourself, or having someone do it for you. No right or wrong. If you have the time, and equipment, it does feel good to get close and personal with your equipment:)! But, nothing wrong with having it changed out and writing a check. I personally like to bring my own filters, as I like to know the shelf life is still good, and buy mine from Cummins (CAT, if a CAT), as they rotate their stock to keep the Fleetguard filters fresh. But, that's just me.

Again, if no good record of documented history of maintenance, I'd do the same for the Generator, and also hydraulic fluids and filter, as well as consider the Air Dryer Cartridge too. (For sure, if history is not known, a good opportunity to create a punchiest and work your way thru it - and learn the coach intimately at the same time:)!)

On the Skylight. I really have no experience to help you with this... I'll caution to look/inspect very carefully around dome areas (Top side, and in the coach too...) - as cracked skylights have at times been known to be the entry point for moisture into the ceiling area. Don't know what part of the country your in, but if close the Pacific Northwest - I'd suggest a shake down cruise by either Premier, OMC, Kevin Waite, Bob Vinson(S?). (Or, if Tucson is closer, Eric Olstrum.) - and have them check things out. That being said, if our confident that no water is getting into the ceiling area. And you can see the crack, or cracks. Stop drilling the ends, to keep them from running. And applying a small strip of Eterna Bond tape over the crack area itself - has worked for others...

But I want to stress, no first hand experience with repairing cracked Skylight domes - so hope other's will chime in that have more experience.

It was a good era for CC, sort of the foundation years of springing CC into the top tier of coach builders - well, at least, IMHO:)!

Best,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)