06/11/2025
What a lovely post one of our recent customers has made on the RV Forums on Facebook😊
'Full Experience Buying an RV from a Trader (UK RV Community – Please Read)
Hi everyone — I want to share my full, but short version of my experience buying my first American RV in the UK, in case it helps others avoid going through the same.
Early this year 2025, I bought a 1995 Fleetwood Bounder diesel pusher with a 5.9 Cummins engine from a trader based in West Sussex, who lists RVs on eBay. At first glance, the RV seemed ideal, and we genuinely loved it. But almost immediately, problems started.
On the 150-mile drive home, I noticed a loss of power. A short while later, on just a 20-mile trip, the RV broke down completely and wouldn’t run. I called the seller — he sent his mechanic down, and I was told it was a blown head gasket. Obviously, a huge and expensive job. I was also reminded this was my responsibility.
This is despite the RV having been sat for around 10 years before I bought it, and there were other issues too — including poor solar setup work that I later had to completely rebuild myself. I still tried to be reasonable and worked with the seller to try to resolve it. But in the end, I got nowhere. The RV sat useless for months while I waited for a good garage.
Finally, I got it into a reputable garage — ABM — who I can’t thank enough. And guess what?
It wasn’t the head gasket at all.
The engine is fine.
The real issue? Old, thick, degraded fuel — likely old biodiesel or cooking oil — that had gummed up the tank, filters, and lines after sitting unused for so long. They cleaned the system and now, it runs beautifully.
So not only was I nearly pushed into a major engine rebuild I didn’t need, but I was also blamed for a coolant pipe issue (that didn’t even exist — the tap to the front heater was shut, as advised by the same mechanic!). I was misdiagnosed, brushed off, and left with all the stress and cost.
I’m sharing this because these RVs are special and rare in the UK, and you put your trust in sellers to know what they’re doing. Unfortunately, in this case, that trust was misplaced.
I won’t name the seller publicly here — but if you’re looking at a vehicle from that area or this sounds familiar, feel free to DM me. I’ll happily give you the name privately.
Most importantly — don’t rush into a head gasket diagnosis, especially on a Cummins. And don’t assume the seller knows best.
ABM in Weymouth were brilliant, tested everything properly, and got me back on the road.
Stay safe and enjoy the journey '
