Hello everyone.  I am visitor thanks to Gerald Farris.  I am a owner of a 5th wheel, and have been RVing for 20 + years.  Health issues have caused us to rethink our RV style; we are now looking at a new to us used Motor Home.  

After looking on the Internet for 8 months, we are now looking at a 2005 Beaver Patriot Thunder 42 footer. We have found 4, 2 are in Canada where we live, and 2 in the states.  

I have been a Diesel Mechanic for 46 years, and I am looking for some pro and cons and some helpful input on the above coaches.  I have not looked at these units in person as of the holidays, but will be in the new year.

Gerald has been very very helpful ,and thought it would be a good idea for me to post on here for some extra helpful tips of what to look for.

Micael,

Not sure what I can answer to help in your decision.  If you have a specific question feel free to ask!

I too have a background in the truck industry and I am impressed with the Beaver.  Knave had mine about 2 and a half years.

Hello I was interested in areas that I should pay more attention too( if there are any that is) I haven't looked at the coaches as yet I just wanted to be on my guard to look at those areas that may need some carefull looking at. Looking on the internet these coaches look in great shape but like everything you need to go behind the scenes behind all the glare and see how they are put together. When I bought my 5thwheel I looked behind the capboards under the floor at the electrial stuff that non mechanial people would not look at i like to see how its put together so to speak. So thats what I am kinda looking for I hope that answers any questions about what I am looking for   From what I have seen the coaches look like a great coach thats why I am looking at buying one.I took over 2 years of looking at a couple different 5th wheel makers be4 I bought my Excel  I have't been disappointed in my purchase.Thankyou

I would look closely at the maintenance records.  Make sure the normal stuff has been done on a regular basis (i.e. engine oil/filter, fuel filters, transmission oil/filters, etc).  Also, look for belts, hoses, coolant, gear oils and brake inspections.  One area to look at carefully is the Hydro-Hot.  This heating system requires regular maintenance and can be a real problem if not properly maintained.  

My recommendation would be to post the specific coach that you have either looked at or are interested in buying.  Post as much detail (year model, mileage, type engine, length, floorplan and pictures) as you can and let the members voice in on their thoughts and ideas. Since your background is the trucking industy, many issues will be more important than the normal motorhome buyer.  Many of our members have trucking backgrounds and understand those important issues.

Hello Michael
   There is a 2006 Beaver Patriot Thunder 42 in Alafaya, FL It is listed on oodle.com for $62,000. That is way to cheap but you never know. I have seen coaches sell for real short money normaly in estate sales. I would only make a deal like that in person after you check paper work and title. Watch out for the scammers. If you can't find it send me your email and I will send you a link to it. What floorplan and color are you looking for. I am always searching for coaches that are way to cheap. I have two projects going now or I woud look at this one.

Steve Jewell






Josh A.

You might want to do a search in the General Boards Technical Support section and do a search on 2005.  That way you will be able to see some of the problems that folks have had so you can give attention to those areas when looking.  You will need to ask questions to get to the why folks like their Beaver though.  It will also let you see the help that's provided here for members. In my short time here I've considered that another benefit to owning a Beaver.

Michael,

I have a similar coach to the ones you are looking at.  Based on my experience I recommend you check out the radiator.  Many, but not all units, have had the original aluminum radiator fail.  If the coaches you are looking at do not have a steel/copper radiator I would "discount" the unit an additional 8 k$.

Michael,
There is one thing that I forgot to mention to you about buying a 2005 model coach. The original tires on a 2005 coach are now in the neighborhood of 7 years old. That means that the tires are due for replacement, if they have not been replaced already. So it would be a good idea to check the DOT date codes on the tires to see how old they are. A new set of tires will be in the $4,000 plus range, so it is something worth looking at.

Gerald

Michael
Anything new or used that is as complex as a motorhome is going to have some problems.  We had a fifth wheel before our first class A and while we enjoyed that fifth wheel I dont miss it for hook up towing repairs and quality of manufacture.  A Beaver is well enough built so that when there is a leak or problem, it is sturdy enough to hold up until it is fixed.  We allowed a budget for repairs after purchase but used only part of it.  I dont regret buying ours and dont believe you would either.  
Hope to see you down the road

Something that has been helpful to me is going back and reading all the old posts. You'd be amazed at the themes that will emerge. It takes some time, but most all the trouble areas in Beaver coaches have been discussed at one time or another. Even though a thread is not about your exact rig, having that knowledge sitting in the back of your head will help think thru a similar problem in your coach. Roofs, sealing roof accessories, fogging windows, TV replacements, windshields, fuel filters, oil change intervals, door latches, etc have all had their turn in the spotlight. Some of the topics you pretty much will have covered with your own life experience. Some will be new and some will not register as important.... yet. Just read them though and file it away that virtually every problem you could have, someone else has had and hopefully they posted on here with a question or a solution.

Ken

Hello Thankyou your help is right on thats the kinda things I needed to know or a reminder I have my list stated and I hope I get few more ideas from you very helpful people. I do read old posted forums I did when buying my 5thwheel and already have read some of your Beaver old posts as well.There is a wealth of knownage in posts people have sent in.Anyways thankyou all again I let you know from time to time how I am making out and who knows with my retiring in a year I may get to thankyou in person one day . Michael  

Micheal,

  There is a 2005 Thunder on ebay with no reserve. Here is the item number 260935169247. It is under wholesale right now.

Steve

We bought our 2005 Thunder in 2008. We spend all winter living down south in it and absolutely love it. We did a major tv upgrade to all HD for better viewing. That is the most expensive upgrade we have made. I love the 525 CAT though it does like diesel. Of course we have had some maintenance issues to stay on top of like new slide seals, new tires and some other minor repairs. All in all it has been worth every penny. Love our Thunder!!!

I spoke with an owner from TN of a 2005 Thunder last week in Pensacola. He had owned the coach since new and planned on keeping it which was a good sign. He had not had too many issues with it with the exception of when it was new it seems like Cat and Monaco were working out some design issue with the air intake. In the end Cat had put three different tubo designs on the coach and Monaco added a second air inlet on the opposite side of the coach and the necessary ducting and air box to tie it all together. The owner said when the last tubo design was put on with the extra air inlet the coach performed very well power wise (he usedthe term "like night and day") and he has been happy ever since. Not sure what of this learning was evolved into other Thunder coaches that year. It would seem that by now with the age of these coaches that things like this are well behind you but you never know...

They also in this era had to modify some aluminum support over the valve covers in orer to do a valve adjustment. I think most of the C12s also have that clearance issue.

Later Ed

Hello thankyou all for your input I have found a 2005 Beaver Patriot Thunder 42 footer  with 51 K from the pictures looks in very good shape it has new tires all around and a new custom made rad ( as from your forums 2005 had rad issues) we are flying down to have a look see as we are in Alberta and its in Anglola Ind.I also found out that the C13 were hard on fuel and I found a place that will do a air intake mod and exhaust update to increase fuel mileage  (again from the forum). So if everythings works out for us we will soon to be new members of your BAC club, which I am looking forward to. I was a member of our Excel forum as well Excel name of our 5th wheelwhich we will be trading in on the Beaver.I will let everyone know how we make out when we get back from our look see Michael.

Hi Michael

An FYI that you might use while shopping for a MotorHome: I have a "rule of thumb" that I should have 10 HP for every 1000lbs of weight I want to move, including my tow vehicle.

My coach weighs ~36K lbs, my Cherokee tow weighs ~3600 lbs. My engine is rated at 425 HP giving me a pretty good horsepower to weight margin.

I was in a situation once where my coach was considerably underpowered. Couldn't wait to get rid of it (early pusher days). In a situation like that a person could really *hate* his/her coach.

Just food for thought to use as you wish.

Hello a update noted in a forum reply about poor mileage and performance the unit I am looking at has been updated with a extra air inlet scoop on right side of coach at back to supply more air to the engine an modifation was done on the coach with pictures supplied from ther selling dealer and also a update performance muffler as I have not seen the coach as of yet. But nice to know that that performance issue were fixed. It very hard to buy something without seening it first hand so with the help of many on here we are slowly peeling back the unknown. I also got from seller dealer  the Cat engine ser.# and though work I have all Cat records as well. The turbos were change out early in life for poor performance then the mod were done to increase air intake so with with everything I have known I am excited to view coach in person Feb 21th. It sure pays off to come into here for advise and so I helpfully can join you all as a new member of the Beaver Club.