Are Water Stains A Deal-Breaker?

[totfan101]

Hello, I'm interested in purchasing a 1994 Layton Skyline 5th wheel that has two slide outs. I will be living in this full-time and have a few concerns that maybe someone with more experience can chime in on. I have a small budget of $5000 for the trailer/5th wheel, with that said, I know I am going to have to settle for something that could very well be funky and old, I am willing and ready for Some repairs but nothing extensive like structural damage.

QUESTION: Are water stains a deal-breaker???? When walking into this trailer there are definitely some water stains on the ceiling. No evidence of water down the walls, in cabinets, or flooring as far as I could tell. The owner said they're just stains and that the roof has been redone and all repairs made (the roof looked new). Is there any way I can tell for MYSELF if there is damage to the frame, mold, things like that?

I have an RV inspector that's going to check it out but we all know how that can go, making up unnecessary repairs to finagle more money out of newbies like myself.

Any input would be greatly appreciated
Thank you,
Victoria

[totfan101]

Wow, you are ALL so helpful. Thank you all so much (: It's encouraging to hear that I should keep looking because there Are decent old (pre-loved) trailers. Every one of them so far seems to have water damage, I just need to find an enthusiast that maintains their trailer. Alright, jeez, I can't thank you all enough. I'm running with my new found knowledge! (;

Victoria

[n7bsn]

Water Stains== Water Damage== Rot

Been down that road, I don't recommend it.

[Charlie_D_]

If you are going to permanently park it somewhere it would not necessarily be a deal breaker for me, It you are at a permanent site any developing leaks can be addressed and mold may be an issue.

Any water damage and rot should e investigated carefully tto ensure that the unit is structurally sound. That includes tires, bearings and all the working components may cost you money in the long run,. You could have a diamond in the rough or a nightmare.

[ScottG]

If I'm buying and I see water stains then I run.
There are plenty of used rigs out there without leaks to choose from and I wouldn't chance the headache.

[Dog_Folks]

A good moisture meter will tell you real fast if water is still present.

If the roof has been repaired, the area will be dry.

[jerem0621]

Just a note here.

My last trailer was a 95 Layton by Skyline. I'm trying to speak from experience here.

If you spend all your budget on the purchase you may find yourself in a lot of trouble. I bought my trailer for $3300.00. And everything worked when I purchased it.

I put the trailer into pretty hard use and over the next 18 months I had to buy

1) new propane regulator and connector hoses
2) new tires
3) misc. latches and doo dads
4) new awning
5) new water heater
6) generous amounts of caulking as the camper had little maintenance over the years.
7) new power tongue Jack

All in all the camper had around $2500 put into it after I bought it. The people who bought the camper from us got a much nicer camper than we bought due to the upgrades.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Me_Again]

The resulting mold is not good for ones health. Chris

[spadoctor]

Forget the inspector....RUN AWAY instead. Those Skylines are built with wood framing and If it was leaking that bad I will bet it has rot in the walls and roof. BTW not bashing Skyline....had 3 Nomads myself.

[rattleNsmoke]

Keep looking. There are plenty of fine older trailers out there.

[Dave_H_M]

midnightsadie wrote:
THE answer is yes run don,t walk. IF HE can show the bill where it was repaired to the inspector ,it might be ok.

Yep I wold not let the door hit me in the butt, unless he fronted the repair bill. Then i would still be wary and have to look for myself. Just a general comment without looking at it in person.

[midnightsadie]

THE answer is yes run don,t walk. IF HE can show the bill where it was repaired to the inspector ,it might be ok.

[rjsurfer]

With an older camper I would walk away as others have said. Look at it this way if that leak started soon after purchase you could be looking at plenty of rotten wood that will have to be replaced, not an easy task.

Plus, if the owner didn't seem too concerned about it just think what other maintenance issues he ignored over 15 years. You're walking into a possible nightmare of problems.

The only way I would even consider that camper would be if I knew EXACTLY what caused those leaks and knew the ENTIRE extent of damage something which is probably impossible to know before tearing into the camper.

Ron W.

[fitznj]

If I saw water stains anywhere - I would walk away;
I had a camper 20 years ago with what look like a small water leak
which I though I had fixed (around a front window); 2 years later all
the plywood underneath the window was soft and rotten.
Gerry

[Jerrybo66]

The sellers comment of "just stains" is scary. I would walk the roof if possible to check for any spongy places. I would also ask for a material list of repairs. A new roof doesn't mean much if it was laid over the old and rotted plywood in places of the leaks wasn't replaced.. Just an opinion.. Good luck....