Hello everyone. Not sure if this is the right thread, so please feel free to move the post if not. I bought a 1994 Chateau travel trailer a couple years ago from a friend who told me the back corner needed work. He said there was a little rot. Well I finally started looking into it and there's a lot of rot. One corner of the roof/ceiling, the corner stud, most of the floor. I was going to just fix it and sell it, but every time I remove another part, there's more rot. I'm considering gutting the whole thing and rebuilding it with new materials. I wanted to use that synthetic wood stuff, foam panel insulation, and anything else I can find that's waterproof. Basically making it so it will never be able to rot again.So I have a few questions. If I rebuild the structure (including the floor) with all waterproof materials, would it increase the value as opposed to repairing it with just wood and fiberglass insulation? What is a reasonable sales price if it's repaired like this? Basically I'm trying to figure out if it will be worth the effort and materials cost, or if it's a wash and I should just sell it for parts or something. Thanks in advance for any help.

Not worth it. Trust me on that one. I once tore down an 81 Citation TT and completely rebuilt it from the frame up. I replaced every stick of wood in the thing except a few floor joists. It cost me several grand in materials and about a thousand hours of my time over the course of a couple years.And then at the end of it all, it was still an 81 Citation, worth only as much as someone was willing to pay me for it as an old trailer.I never did finish it and sold it as is for $1700. He got a good deal on an incomplete trailer that was built better than the factory. But had to finish it. One day i will drive by and look. Its probably still sitting right where I parked it in his driveway.If you do the same, it will never be worth more than a used 94 Chateau.You are better off to sell it for parts and buy something in decent shape that you can hook up, tow away and use.I learned that lesson the hard expensive way!

Sadly, I have to agree with Bob.I did something similar years ago. I did lot of rot repair and even replumbed and replaced all tanks. Also lots of new fixtures and other many hours of other improvements. I used the rig for a few years and it was worth nothing. I figured the cost of all the stuff was just the price of using the TC for a few years.

If it was a vintage classic retro camping trailer with upgrades maybe, there was a 1960's vintage Airstream at a local RV show a couple of years ago, fully updated with an asking price of $65,000. Of course a 1994 Chateau is not a 1960's Airstream

Stop tearing into it for best value. Fix what you have with similar materials, seal it up and sell it. Or just part it out.

I agree. Retro-ing campers is not a profitable venture nowadays. It ends up being of value only to you, and you never get out of it what what you put into it. Either use it or make a storage shed out of it. More than not, you would have to pay to junk it.:S

Travel Trailer Value After Rehab | Good Sam Community

BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Apr 29, 2018
Not worth it. Trust me on that one.

I once tore down an 81 Citation TT and completely rebuilt it from the frame up. I replaced every stick of wood in the thing except a few floor joists.

It cost me several grand in materials and about a thousand hours of my time over the course of a couple years.

And then at the end of it all, it was still an 81 Citation, worth only as much as someone was willing to pay me for it as an old trailer.

I never did finish it and sold it as is for $1700. He got a good deal on an incomplete trailer that was built better than the factory. But had to finish it. One day i will drive by and look. Its probably still sitting right where I parked it in his driveway.

If you do the same, it will never be worth more than a used 94 Chateau.

You are better off to sell it for parts and buy something in decent shape that you can hook up, tow away and use.

I learned that lesson the hard expensive way!
ScottG
Nomad
Apr 29, 2018
Sadly, I have to agree with Bob.
I did something similar years ago. I did lot of rot repair and even replumbed and replaced all tanks. Also lots of new fixtures and other many hours of other improvements.
I used the rig for a few years and it was worth nothing. I figured the cost of all the stuff was just the price of using the TC for a few years.
Isaac-1
Explorer
Apr 29, 2018
If it was a vintage classic retro camping trailer with upgrades maybe, there was a 1960's vintage Airstream at a local RV show a couple of years ago, fully updated with an asking price of $65,000. Of course a 1994 Chateau is not a 1960's Airstream
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 29, 2018
Stop tearing into it for best value. Fix what you have with similar materials, seal it up and sell it. Or just part it out.
RockDodger
Explorer
Apr 29, 2018
I agree. Retro-ing campers is not a profitable venture nowadays. It ends up being of value only to you, and you never get out of it what what you put into it. Either use it or make a storage shed out of it. More than not, you would have to pay to junk it.:S
sgfrye
Explorer
Apr 29, 2018
RockDodger wrote:
I agree. Retro-ing campers is not a profitable venture nowadays. It ends up being of value only to you, and you never get out of it what what you put into it. Either use it or make a storage shed out of it. More than not, you would have to pay to junk it.:S

X2
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 29, 2018
Nearly nothing. Sadly. Maybe 1000-4500 depending on how it looks.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
azrving
Explorer
Apr 29, 2018
Depending on how bad it is just fix the leak and dry the heck out of that area and USE it as is. If it isn't falling apart and ugly outside who will know the difference? Suck the life out it and then move on to the next one. If it's in a walk area put some thin plywood down inside.

You have now learned that the number one issue with RV's is water damage. Your friend didn't do anything wrong because he couldn't know how bad it really is until a person opens it up. People that are selling them will lie lie lie. Remember that just about the time that you think you are pretty good at spotting RV water damage you will see where one of them could bite you in the behind.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Apr 29, 2018
You will never sell it for the amount of money you put into it. Any money you put into it will be of value to YOU only. So, if you want to repair it and use it yourself, yes ... it's worth it. If you are doing it for re-sale... no... you're loosing your shirt!
jesseannie
Explorer
Apr 29, 2018
I bought a 1995 Prowler for 4500. 5 years ago. We have done new floor, replaced paneling due to water damage, new wall material in kitchen, solar panels new twin beds, some plumbing and electrical all new LED lights, etc etc.
It isn't worth anymore than I paid for it maybe even less? BUT it is a nice trailer and what we have done did not cost a lot I did it all myself. We will not sell this one we will keep working on it and it will be our last RV. I don't care what it is worth when we quit it's value to us will have been all the enjoyment of rehabbing it and the hundreds of nights camping and living in it.
Jesseannie

Forum Discussion

Travel Trailer Value After Rehab

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Travel Trailer

Travel Trailer Tires

Quality Travel Trailer

travel trailer

Travel Trailer Length