First Ever Travel Trailer

It's not a good price if some of the systems don't work, and especially, it's not a good price if it leaks.

Make sure all the systems work, and especially that there are no leaks nor soft spots that are due to water leaks.

According to the guide and a few that are for sale, that seems like a reasonable price. If your Nissan has the 5.6 I would think you would be fine weight wise. That TT is only 3700 dry.

If the TT does not leak and all the parts works the only question is if it is worth $5000.00 dollars to you.

A quick check of the used TT market at the dealer's and used RV's prices in the auto trader mags and NADA site will give you a fair price range.

Check the tongue and cargo weight against your TV's max cargo rating to make sure you are okay.

Camping with the kids is a great family past time.

Wow everyone - thank you soo much! I can't believe all of the responses I got for this. I was searching a lot and found some good links. Then I was thinking oh boy maybe I shouldn't have posted this post b/c I'm going to get hammered with responses telling me exactly where the search button is and how to use it! hah I have a feeling I will greatly enjoy this forum! :)

Checking the NADA guides, I believe this is a steal of a deal. My buddy wants to wait until April for the sale, as he has an annual fishing trip and he want's to use it for that, then I can get it from him after. I know many are advising caution about friendship, but we are more like brothers - i'm not worried :) He's also a car mechanic and helps me anytime I'm in a jam - and I do the same for him with computers and electronics - whatever else I can help with... anyhow, again, I cannot thank you all enough for responding on this. I'm going to start reading up and researching everything I can. I will definitely be checking tires and doing a once over with him. I know he has it 'winterized' and I will ask him if I can come check everything out with him when he starts prepping for the fishing trip. Sounds like I will be telling him to 'pound salt' about his high hitch price though lol

Thanks again and I'll be sure to post back with pictures and what not when I pick it up! Exciting times!! :)

Make sure the TT isn't too heavy for your TV.

Manufactureres listed weights are usually low, so be careful

(Can't remember what year, but a while back Maunfactureres were required to actually weigh the unit when it left the factory).

Gulfstream I imagine ameri-lite or the like. (They make a few lines). What model? If it fits you, that's a good price. I cannot agree more with all the posts saying have him run you through everything. Use it as a 'how to', but pay attention to all the things that need a kick, wiggle, or 'worked before'. Not saying he's trying to do you wrong, but someone will have to fix those things. Lastly, check the rubber. No matter how wonderful this thing is inside/out, if the tires are shot it won't go far. RV tires, specially cheap ones, have a short life span.

I agree with wrgrs50s, get your friend to go over it all with you. Showing you how things work.. if you go to him asking for his help as you are a newbie, he should be more than willing to walk you through it all. If he is hesitant to show you things, I would take that as a warning that maybe something isn't right. I would not want to buy anything if the seller wouldn't demonstrate it.

Not sure about that brand, but some manufacturers have manuals and sale brochures with details about sizes, tanks, weights, and what came standard available as archive files on their website. Look for that and go ahead and start reading.

I sold a 10 yr old 24ft TT for $5000 a couple of years ago, so that is probably a fair deal. I wouldn't give him more $500 for the hitch, you can buy a new one for that. Maybe $100 - $150.

It's a 9 year old trailer and the owner is selling it to you for $1500 less than he paid for it?? Agree that you check NADA. Buying from a friend can be the good news or the bad news. It may be in immaculate condition...and if you feel $5000 is good for you, then go ahead. But what happens if you pay the $5000 and it turns out to have major water damage or other issues? Good friendships can go down the tubes over things like this. Since you are a newbie, strongly suggest you ask that it have at the very least, a complete roof inspection. Also, how old are the tires? The manufacture date is a 4-digit number along the rim. Something like 3506 would mean that they were manufactured the 35th week of 2006. If they have 4+ years on them, you need to plan on shelling out $500 give or take right away for new tires. Trailer tires may look wonderful, but they're not like car tires. 4 - 5 years and they need replacement. I hope this works out for you. Just be very cautious in dealings like this with friends. And don't forget to check the NADA price.

Before you buy it, ask him to hook it up to water and electric, then turn on the hot water heater, the ac, then test the furnace. Flush the commode, turn on faucets and look under the counters, under the rig, and anywhere else for leaks. If you ever plan on dry camping you should also add water to the freshwater tank and turn on the 12 volt water pump to see if it works.

Tires are a big expense, so look at the DOT number on the tires and the last 4 digits should indicate the yr of the tires. Example (3210) would indicate the tires were made in the 32nd week of 2010. If they are 4 or 5 yrs old they will need to be replaced before taking any trips. $500 or more there for decent tires.

The weight ditribution hitch should come with a sway control bar. I see them all day long on craigslist from $125 to $250.

This may sound like a lot to ask of your friend, but it's not a trust your friend issue, it's to learn how to use all the features and that would be how to present it. Of course in the process you can find out what really works or does'nt.

Also, if the wheel bearings have not been packed in the last few years, you need to know.

Last but not least, climb on the roof and see if there are any soft spots or caulking that needs to be replaced.Look closely inside around windows and walls, and in closets for any stains indicating a leak. Make sure there are no soft spots in the floor.

If all this passes you are getting a steal of a deal. If you find any issues and dont know how to fix it yourself you will be terribly dissapointed with the cost of repairs at the dealerships. Usually $100 bucks per hr.

Nothing beats an enjoyable campout with a rig you can trust, and there's nothing more miserable than fighting problem after problem.

Best of Luck to Ya!

Since it sounds like you know very little about a travel trailer, you could find out a lot from going to the library and trying to find some books, manuals, or even RV magazines to read. If your friend has the manual for the trailer you are buying from him, that would also be very helpful. Many of the large bookstores also have some good RV books and Camping World has some also. There are many little things that you will need to know about having and maintaining a trailer or any RV including the appliances, furnace, air conditioner, the tires, the water tank and the black and gray tanks and the toilet and just about everything. One thing to remember about the black tank is it is to not leave it open and use lots of water and RV friendly toilet paper. Otherwise what goes in there can turn rock hard and then you really have a problem. Good luck and have a good time. I would advise you to go camping close to home until you are comfortable with everything.