DutchmenSport wrote:
The first question you should ask the seller is, "Why are you selling the camper?" If they hesitate or have to dig up an answer, chances are there's problems with the camper. If they immediately say, We hate the floor plan. We can't afford the payments. We don't like camping at all. It's too expensive. My husband got laid off work and we can't afford the payments any more.
Any of those types of answers would not raise red flags as far as the worthiness of the camper and would put me at ease right away.
However, if there is hesitation, or they have to think up an answer, chances are there's a real problem with the camper they are hiding. Proceed very cautiously an with a real skeptical eye.
Ask the current owner where they purchased the camper from. Ask to look at the camper documentation (all that paper work that comes with the appliances and the owners manual... as flimsy as that is). Take a few minutes and look through it all. Then go check with at dealership they purchased the camper from and ask the service department if would provide any history on warranty repairs done. You might be shocked what they would tell you.
If there is any hesitation on the seller's part to provide this information to you, they are hiding something detrimental to the camper.
You might even ask if they have a current loan. If they do, how will you get the title once you give them the cash?
If all this is satisfactory, then start looking for water leaks and check for breaks in the trailer frame. Yes... remember to crawl under the camper and inspect it there too. You might not like what you see.
Anything you can see will probably be OK. The appliances, the lights, stuff like that. The obvious is not what they are hiding. Don't focus on the color of the walls or the color of the sheets on the bed, when there may be a weld broken on the frame!
Really, really good post! Any newbe should read this.
OP good luck with your new to you trailer!