Going on the older end of the scale, cruising craigslist and the local dealers. Trying to keep it around $5000, but everytime I find a decent rig, it is gone before I can get out there. Just venting a bit, if I wanted to finance, I could buy newer. Looking at Summerwind, S & S, Lance, Elkhorn. The truck is paid for, 2007 Dodge 4x4 Quad Cab longbox 6.7 CTD 3500 SRW. Seattle area, but will go some distance for the right outfit.

You are both in one of the best areas of the country to find a used TC, but any from the PNW need to be checked closely for any water leakage damage, due to the climate. The mountain west is another good place to look, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, etc. I found my current TC, by just doing a google search for the make and model I was wanting. My plan had been to go to Colorado to buy one, or to Texas, but this one popped up on a RV dealer's lot as a consignment unit. Make my deal over the phone, subject to inspection and my final approval. He faxed me the paperwork, I sign it as did the dealer and I gave him a $500 credit card deposit. My previous TC, I found the same way, over the Internet, in eastern Tennessee. Purchased it the same way.TCs are not all that popular here in the SE part of the US, so not much of a selection but get out west and it seems about every third unit I see on the highways is a TC. Check out some of the large listing groups, if for nothing else to get a feel for what others are asking for TCs that might be of interest to you. Again just google something like "used truck campers for sale" and you will find many pages of reading material most of the time.

We also had a difficult time trying to find a TC in the price range we wanted.Truck Campers are rather rare in our area. We were willing to drive up to about 6 hours to go get one and we did make a couple of drives to look at the "perfect" campers only to discover "pristine" to some people is very different then what we mean. We drove 600 miles round trip to look at and hopefully bring home a Lance that looked just great in pictures and by talking to the owner it sounded perfect. It was horrible, black mold and dry rot in several places. DW poked at the siding and her finger pushed thru it. The jacks were very loose. and lots of bulges here and there in the skin. Picked up the cushions on the dinette bench and the plywood was all black and damp. We did learn a lot about what to look for. It makes you want to break your budget or accept something bad. But we stuck with it and after kissing a lot of frogs we found our prince. And all the false runs were just interesting adventures.The camper we found was 100 miles away (200 round trip) and just needed some minor repairs and TLC.We wish you good luck in your search and hope you enjoy the journey. Good luck in your search.

I'm not sure that leaks are more common in the Northwest. My guess is the opposite. We generally don't have the extremes like other areas, and it doesn't usually rain as hard as other areas.However, I agree you should inspect a used rv to look for leaks, but also to make sure that the basics work.If I was looking in that price range I'd also add Northern Lite to the list.

Eagle Cap would be another one to add to your list. I found mine by cruising Craigslist in areas that were low population. Spent 2 months looking and checking out possibilities before finding mine. They were asking $14k and drove it home for $9k. Cash works.

Include Pastime in your list. They are made in Oregon but I think the new ones are sold by only one dealer now. However there are plenty of used ones out there. I bought a 1998 one in great shape. Most I looked at had held up well. Got mine for $3500 too!

Buying used | Good Sam Community

HoodCanalNorth
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
Have you looked at Craigslist/Olympic pen? Fleetwood Angler in Montesano.
Redsky
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
When I was looking for a used camper I was envious of the many campers I saw listed in the northwest that stated that they had always been stored indoors in a barn and not out in the weather.

Searchtempest.com is a good way to check all the craiglist postings within several hundred miles of your house. When you find a camper that is popular you will need to go immediately and be ready to pay cash.

I saw that campers in a populous area like Seattle might go in a day or two but out in the boondocks the campers could sit for months as few people want to do a 400 mile round trip drive with the hope that the camper listed is what they want.
bill_harr
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
+1 on SearchTempest.com, I searched 1,000 miles and be ready to buy. I drove from Stockton Ca to Bend Or to buy My Hawk. Your camper is out there.
RideSlow
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
HoodCanalNorth wrote:
Have you looked at Craigslist/Olympic pen? Fleetwood Angler in Montesano.

I will take a look in a few, thanks. The really nice S & S in Poulsbo I was wanting to look at sold over the weekend.
RideSlow
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Redsky wrote:
When I was looking for a used camper I was envious of the many campers I saw listed in the northwest that stated that they had always been stored indoors in a barn and not out in the weather.

Searchtempest.com is a good way to check all the craiglist postings within several hundred miles of your house. When you find a camper that is popular you will need to go immediately and be ready to pay cash.

I saw that campers in a populous area like Seattle might go in a day or two but out in the boondocks the campers could sit for months as few people want to do a 400 mile round trip drive with the hope that the camper listed is what they want.

I will check out the searchtempest
JW2
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Can someone please explain what an “ IFTTT recipe” is, how it works, how to make one, etc. Thanks.
VARedRAM
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
I don't know what the "IFTTT recipe" is either, but I like adhuntr.com instead of searchtempest.com. Try both and see what you like. I'm in the same boat, looking for a used TC over the next few months, but no hurry on my part. Got my truck - 2013 RAM 2500 short bed with Supersprings and Torklifts already installed, now I just need a TC. On the east cost, that's not so easy!
sky_free
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
JW2 wrote:
Can someone please explain what an “ IFTTT recipe” is, how it works, how to make one, etc. Thanks.

It's a site that scans Craigslist for you and emails you when a match is found. Here is the link I used: IFTTT CL Search recipe

You have to set up a separate one for each CL site you use unfortunately, so if there are a bunch around you like there are around me it's going to take a while to set up. You also need to have an IFTTT account. I know it's complicated, but it works.
drc5900
Explorer
Apr 23, 2014
Bought my TC as in sig after a nine month search in 2009 for $2K, via Craigslist.
Wasn't looking for a specific brand or model, just a solid TC with the basic amenities and shower/toilet, and as a bonus mine came with air-conditioning. LOVE that solid aluminum roof.
After 5 years and about 350 to 400 nights camping, still happy with it, that Jayco TC has been a blessing.
RideSlow
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014
Well folks, extended the search out a bit, went out for a motorcycle ride yesterday, looked at a nice solid older S & S, stored in his shop. Made an offer today, accepted, and should have it on my Dodge by next Wednesday.

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