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hikerboy1's avatar
hikerboy1
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014

Selling a trailer with water damage

We are going to sell our 2006 Extreme RV Monterey trailer that is the victim of recently discovered water damage/dry rot in the front corner. The trailer is in great visual shape otherwise (new tires, wheel bearing service, and batteries), but obviously this is going to be a problem for most buyers. It has a trade-in value of about $4000 according to a couple of dealers, but both dealers would deduct the estimated cost of repairs from their trade-in offer....which ranges from $2000-$3000. So we have opted to sell it outright, strictly as is. I have stopped the leak, and removed/replaced the small damaged area of the floor. The corner wall paneling is soft, top to bottom, but I don't want to dig into the mess any further. NADA low retail is $4610, and average is $5560. Any pricing advice, selling or marketing advice,or tips would be appreciated.

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  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2014
    Yup, start high, you can always go down. I would state in the ad the location of the water damage and the fact that it has been repaired so that it no longer leaks, if that is the case.

    I actually looked for a water damaged trailer for my purposes. I was looking for something with good running gear and a stout frame. The rest I knew I could fix at minimal expense.
  • hikerboy1's avatar
    hikerboy1
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2014
    I would definitely point out the water damage, as to avoid any kind of legal action. The sad thing is that the damage appeared to have been caused by some poor craftsmanship at the now defunct Extreme RV plant in Caldwell, Idaho. The corner trim that seals the metal siding corners had a couple of screws WAY overtorqued during assembly (up near the top of the front corner) So much so that the screws countersunk below the moulding, and consequently, any water than rolled down the trim trickled into the countersunk cavity..and into the wall. Of course I didn't see it until I pulled the vinyl screw cover strip off the moulding.

    I'm leaning towards asking $3500 and go from there.

    Thanks guys!
  • crickeydog's avatar
    crickeydog
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2014
    hikerboy1 wrote:
    We are going to sell our 2006 Extreme RV Monterey trailer that is the victim of recently discovered water damage/dry rot in the front corner. Obviously this is going to be a problem for most buyers.



    Obviously.

    IMHO: Unless you just happen to find a buyer who's dying to buy the exact TT you're selling regardless of the obvious water damage or someone just looking for a cheap fixer-upper, you're probably stuck with your TT until the damage is properly repaired and documented. Anyone who's been stuck with a water damaged RV knows that the damage you can see isn't the biggest proplem; it's the unseen damage found when you start tearing into ceilings, walls, and floors that quickly runs up the repair bill. I'd rather have any other needed repair to our 5'er than a water leak.

    I can't speak for others but when I know of or smell or see water damage regardless if the damage has been repaired, thats the end of the conversation. I won't even entertain the idea of buying any RV with suspected or observed water damage, repaired or not. There's just too many RV's out there for sale that are water damage free to choose from. My hobby is camping...not camper repair. Good luck.

    Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Mar 10, 2014
    Lots of guys that are setup with a large work area love these kinds of projects. They usually will make a good repair and maybe resell or keep for themself...

    I know if I had a big closed barn type shop I would love to tackle something like this...

    Roy Ken
  • DukeAJuke's avatar
    DukeAJuke
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2014
    I sold a trailer a few months ago with similar circumstances. It had a leak in the rear (leak repaired) but there was some rot in the rear wall near one bottom corner. It was a 26' 1997 Innsbruck, and I asked $3000 for it. I did not list the water damage in the ad however, I pointed it out to everyone who came out to look at it. I ended up selling it for $2900.00. So my advice is list the general condition of the trailer in the ad but only bring up the water damage if directly asked about it. Most experienced buyers will know to ask. However if they don't ask, make sure to point it out to people when they come look at it. If the trailer is over all in good condition, then people may choose to overlook the water damage and buy it anyway (including the people that wouldn't have even come to see it if you listed the water damage in the ad) Good luck!
  • kalynzoo's avatar
    kalynzoo
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2014
    I would suggest full disclosure to the new buyer. Anything less at this point would certainly expose you to legal action at least and vengeful action at worst. How about if you get an estimate for adequate repair from a reputable shop and negotiate a selling price with this information on hand. I just a "golden rule" kind of guy.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Mar 10, 2014
    Offer it on capitalist as is disclosing the damage for 2500 dollars and hope for the best. With damage all guidelines are out the door as it is now worth only what someone is willing to pay.
  • Emptypockets's avatar
    Emptypockets
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2014
    If you are up front about the water damage to the buyer,I see no problem selling it as is.

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