2003 Coachmen Mirada w/ Ford V10.

[mrsilv04]

Going to look at a 2003 Coachmen 300QB Mirada tomorrow afternoon. Well, I've already looked at it, I'm going to go drive it tomorrow and likely make an offer on it.

It has a Ford V10 with 35,400 miles on it. The current owners have used Valvoline 5w30 conventional in it, and it looks like they've changed it once a year.

Any other maintenance at this point is unknown. I hope to find out from the owners tomorrow if they've done any other maintenance.

What do I need to look for on this drivetrain? I've heard it run. It started quickly, and ran/idled smoothly.

Is this one of the years that had problems with popping the spark plugs? That's something that I don't want to have to worry about on the open road.

What about the exhaust manifold studs? I did notice from looking in through the wheel well that the studs are rusty.

I've seen signs on the coach itself that they've spent the time and money to upgrade the unit.

My concerns include transmission, brakes, steering, etc... as I've never owned anything heavier than a 3/4 ton pickup before.

 

[mrsilv04]

Tires have already been replaced once. It has BFG ST230's on the front, and Cooper Roadmaster RM170's on the back. It comes with a spare tire and wheel as well.

The awning canvas has been replaced, along with all of the plastic vent/ac/refrigerator covers on the roof.

Onan 4kw generator with 200 hours.

 

[Rand]

The v10 was a fairly troublefree strong thirsty engine.

 

[Hokiefyd]

This appears to be a 30' Class A coach. If you can swing it at all, I would look instead for a diesel-powered coach. Gassers just don't hold up as well, and for fairly obvious reasons. If you stay on flat land, it'll be more manageable, but these smaller Class As are still pretty much maxed on on the chassis/engine/brakes.

If you can get a small diesel pusher instead, I think you'd be happier in the long run.

 

[tig1]

The Ford V 10 is a strong engine. A friend has one in his one ton work truck that pulls a lot of weight and with 280K still performs very well.

 

[The_Jeff]

RVs always seem to be driven less than their owners imagine happening. I wouldn't pay extra for a diesel unless you're habitually driving cross country (and not just pretending you're going to be.)

 

[DrDusty86]

Underpowered, sure..but it will hold up just fine if taken care of.

 

[DrDusty86]

The v10s I've driven are gutless but seem to go over 400k miles without anything major.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The V10s are pretty stout engines. I'd be worried about the ford automatic transmission, though, the 4R100 wasn't the best transmission if you had a load on it all the time. Check to make sure the fluid isn't burnt and that it's been changed. If not, it's not too many miles to do a complete change / flush.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
This appears to be a 30' Class A coach. If you can swing it at all, I would look instead for a diesel-powered coach. Gassers just don't hold up as well, and for fairly obvious reasons. If you stay on flat land, it'll be more manageable, but these smaller Class As are still pretty much maxed on on the chassis/engine/brakes.

If you can get a small diesel pusher instead, I think you'd be happier in the long run.


95% of expected use will be in the Midwest (IL, IA, WI, IN, KY, MO), within a 250 mile radius of home. May take one trip to Knoxville, TN to see family... and possibly a trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This unit does not have any slides, so it doesn't have the weight and additional complexity that a unit with slide(s) would be saddled with. I'm wanting to stay as simple as possible with this unit.

A diesel unit would simply be beyond my needs, in its capability...and in my ability to swing its purchase price.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Check carefully for water leaks & delamination!

Also, weigh it, especially if its on the lighter (17,500...?) F53 chassis.