Man i hope this is not as loaded a question as the TV to TT topic turned out to be. Taking weight out of the equation.. What should i look at when buying a used TT.. Besides the obvious (tires, plug in and check all utility's, look for water damage, etc). For example what should I look for on the roof?? How can I spot water damaged that has been "repaired"?? Is there a age that is too old ??Does brand make any difference at all ??Right now my wife and I are thinking of driving 3 hrs to look at a 1995 KZ SPORTSMAN 25' BUNKHOUSE. It's listed for around $4500, how can I tell if that is a good price.. It's almost 20 years old, what issues can I expect ??BOTTOM LINE- I need our first camping experience (for which I have next to zero) to be a good one or my wife will be soured to the idea forever. What do I need to know that I don't ??

Water blah blah blah water blah blah blah water.Pretty much anything else will be more obvious and easily repaired.

Whether new or used, I would say the very first thing would be, does it fit you wants and needs. It it doesn't have a layout that works for you, all the rest is meaningless.

Quite often you can smell water damage, but there is no way to know in many case. That is the problem with water intrusion, by the time you know its there its too late. Even the seller may not know he is selling a unit that has leaked. If he admits it has leaked and shows receipts that it has been repaired, at least you know you are probably dealing with somebody honest.Remember with RV's its not IF they will leak, it's WHEN.

To detect water damage, look for stains on the ceiling, and soft spots on the floor. Gently push on the walls near the ceiling and see if they have a tendency to crumble, or are very soft (wood rot).Once you get the camper home, it's best if you do a drive way camp to flush out any bugs before actually hitting the road (provided you have the space on your property to do so). You will definitely want to check out all the systems, lights, refrigerator, everything, to get familiar with it also before hitting the road. This will definitely aid in making a more pleasurable experience too.

To help you decide on what RV to buy you could go to www.rvknowhow.com and read Joe and Vicki’s suggestions and/or download their e-book `RV Buyers Homework’, which walks you through the process of choosing the best RV for your needs, selecting the right floor plans and features, determining the RV’s cargo-carrying and towing capacities and evaluating its livability. (Nov-Dec Highways, pg. 21)RVtravel.com and the Better Business Bureau have a DVD that covers the same subject (http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?p=710&m=2) and Chuck Woodbury has an ebook with similar advice that can be instantly downloaded from www.rvbookstore.com.

What to look for when buying used TT | Good Sam Community

clubhouse
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
Besides what everyone else has mentioned take a look at the current owns vehicle. Does he take care of it, is it clean and not full of trash and junk. If you are at his house to see the trailer what does it look like. How is the yard, mowed and kept up.

These things will tell you a lot about the owner. If he takes care of his other stuff chances are be also took care of the trailer.

Otherwise check date of tires and batteries. They both could need immediate replacement on a 20 year old trailer so you want to account for that.
Gsragtop
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
powderman426 wrote:
Whether new or used, I would say the very first thing would be, does it fit you wants and needs. It it doesn't have a layout that works for you, all the rest is meaningless.

It's the exact layout we want, bunks for the kids full time queen for us and it even has a door on our bed room..

Talked with the seller today, it's 4150 dry (currently working a deal on a 96 Tahoe 4x4 to use as a tow vehicle with a WD hitch I should be more then good to go). It has a metal roof, no signs of leakage all systems have been tested (at a dealer) and work. Unit is available for a full inspection by me as well. He offered to have it plugged in and ready when I arrived. Do I take hike up on that, or ask for it to be pluged in when I arrive (kind of like how you want to look at a car with its motor cold).
It's a trade in on a newer motor home from what he tells me, and he does not have any service records.

Thanks again for the advice.
Dick_B
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
To help you decide on what RV to buy you could go to www.rvknowhow.com and read Joe and Vicki’s suggestions and/or download their e-book `RV Buyers Homework’, which walks you through the process of choosing the best RV for your needs, selecting the right floor plans and features, determining the RV’s cargo-carrying and towing capacities and evaluating its livability. (Nov-Dec Highways, pg. 21)
RVtravel.com and the Better Business Bureau have a DVD that covers the same subject
(http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?p=710&m=2) and Chuck Woodbury has an ebook with similar advice that can be instantly downloaded from www.rvbookstore.com.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
To detect water damage, look for stains on the ceiling, and soft spots on the floor. Gently push on the walls near the ceiling and see if they have a tendency to crumble, or are very soft (wood rot).

Once you get the camper home, it's best if you do a drive way camp to flush out any bugs before actually hitting the road (provided you have the space on your property to do so). You will definitely want to check out all the systems, lights, refrigerator, everything, to get familiar with it also before hitting the road. This will definitely aid in making a more pleasurable experience too.
Tequila
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
Quite often you can smell water damage, but there is no way to know in many case. That is the problem with water intrusion, by the time you know its there its too late. Even the seller may not know he is selling a unit that has leaked. If he admits it has leaked and shows receipts that it has been repaired, at least you know you are probably dealing with somebody honest.

Remember with RV's its not IF they will leak, it's WHEN.
powderman426
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
Whether new or used, I would say the very first thing would be, does it fit you wants and needs. It it doesn't have a layout that works for you, all the rest is meaningless.
APT
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
Water blah blah blah water blah blah blah water.

Pretty much anything else will be more obvious and easily repaired.

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What to look for when buying used TT

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