Buying a Northwood Nash from a private seller

Wow...so many questions! We will be purchasing our first TT soon and have narrowed down what we want as far as floor plan, weight / length etc, and manufacturer. We found a trailer we like near us. But it is being sold by private seller, not a dealership. Trailer is everything we want and more. Price is right considering that it comes with everything we would need to get started:
2015 Northwood Nash 25c with 20 watt solar panels, bike rack, BBQ, WD hitch with sway control (was going to have to buy one), Reese TB controller (was going to have to buy one) two batteries, large LP tanks, hoses, All heated tanks, 4 seasons insulation, antennae, power hitch jack. Everything we would need to get started. Seems perfect and we are ready to jump.

Here are my questions/concerns:

Northwood seems to be a good manufacturer. Anyone have any experience with a Northwood product, especially the Nash line?

TT is still under warranty until May (not transferable) and seller (original owner) has offered to take it in and have it checked out prior to sale. I asked if the trailer has had any warranty work and was told no. She did state she did not like the lines on the inside and complained (wife noticed...I had no idea what they were talking aobut lol) and that was how she got the BBQ and bike rack. Told roof has a 12 year warranty and is transferable. Told we have the option of extended warranty since we would be the 2nd owner.

Walked through the unit today and looked everywhere...but I don't know exactly what to look for except for water damage. I checked every inch of seam I could find (including inside cabinets, around windows, around sky lights) and could not find any damage / water marks. Cosmetically the inside looked pristine. Outside I noticed a white substance coming out of the seams (assuming caulking?) which says to me that too much was put in and over time with settling has pushed out...doesn't seem to be a bad thing, but again...no idea what I am looking for! lol. (edit: did some research and I guess it could be dicor sealant?) I took a picture but can't attach one apparently. On the top of the trailer (roof rack, ladder) there looked to be gray caulking heavily applied around any vent, opening, or device there.
Looked at the undercarriage...fully covered, no damage I could see.

Any suggestions on what else I should look for or ask about? Again, the seller will take it in for inspection so basic function will be checked. It's the little things that an experienced eye would be able to catch. Unfortunately I don't know anyone with that eye to go with me.

If you made it through that book I thank you and welcome any advice.

Ryan

17 Replies

Travel_n_Wrestl
Explorer
Apr 13, 2017
DrewE wrote:
20 watts should keep a charged battery charged if there are no loads on it, and under decent conditions probably could keep up with unavoidable base loads like the propane detector and radio memory/clock and so forth. It isn't all that much value for camping, but could be quite handy if you store the trailer someplace where there's light but not electricity; it would mean you don't have to take the battery out and put it on a maintainer elsewhere (or replace it frequently because it self-discharges to oblivion).

OK, thanks Drew. So much to learn. Glad I found this forum.
DrewE
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2017
20 watts should keep a charged battery charged if there are no loads on it, and under decent conditions probably could keep up with unavoidable base loads like the propane detector and radio memory/clock and so forth. It isn't all that much value for camping, but could be quite handy if you store the trailer someplace where there's light but not electricity; it would mean you don't have to take the battery out and put it on a maintainer elsewhere (or replace it frequently because it self-discharges to oblivion).
Travel_n_Wrestl
Explorer
Apr 13, 2017
Lwiddis wrote:
"20 watt solar panels"

20 watts won't do much.

Oh bummer. What will they do? Owner said she has run the stereo, lights, charged phones, etc. Sound about right?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2017
"20 watt solar panels"

20 watts won't do much.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2017
I also own a Nash 26X TT, while it's a little heavier than some TTs, I find it to be built stronger with more insulation which makes it easier to keep cool. I would buy another Nash / Arctic Fox RV.

While there are obviously people on this forum with Arctic Fox experience, you should also check out the Northwoods owner forum at www.nroa2003.com You can join for free and ask questions but to have full privileges I believe it cost me $10 a year since the site is privetly run and they have some expenses.

Bill
donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2017
You should be OK for most situations. Like you mentioned for long trips you can get FILs Duramax.
I am not sure what you were talking about in your OP about lines? Is she refering to the verticle joints between pieces of wall board?
Travel_n_Wrestl
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017
coolmom42 wrote:
I would recommend packing lighter. Probably a lot of stuff you could manage without. And travel with only a partial tank of water.

This is why I love the idea of having a little limitation. I get to tell the wife No and have a reason for it! I never get to do that.
kohai
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017
If your weight calcs say you meet the specs then go with it.
Travel_n_Wrestl
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017
IDman wrote:
Nash makes an excellent product. We had one for 7 years and never had any problems other than usual components to be replaced....water pump, converter, tires, batteries. Kept warm in it camping in 18 degree autumn storm and other unexpected snows.

Because of their weight, you should have 'more' truck.

Completely agree! Unfortunately we just purchased my truck and we cant afford to trade it in, or get another... yet. The plan is to sell our 05 Avalanche in a couple years and get and HD truck. But until then, from what I have heard...and seen in travels (I coach wrestling and drive all over Cali, Oregon, and Nevada every year) my truck should be able to handle this trailer, just not ideal, right? Having an HD truck available to us whenever we need it means that I won't pull the trailer over mountain passes with my 1/2 ton, even though theoretically it could handle it, but would use it closer to home fairly frequently (between football, baseball, and wrestling time is limited, though we plan on using the trailer when we travel for wresting and baseball)
IDman
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017
Nash makes an excellent product. We had one for 7 years and never had any problems other than usual components to be replaced....water pump, converter, tires, batteries. Kept warm in it camping in 18 degree autumn storm and other unexpected snows.

Because of their weight, you should have 'more' truck.