First time travel trailer buyer

IF YOU SEE any signs of water leaks run, look for water stains on the roof and under the windows .

It's been raining pretty good the last couple of days so that should help me are the stains on the plywood underneath normal I felt around and the wood was dry just discolored, but it's also 40+ years old

Just a thought but if you buy a fixer-upper there would be not much time for dirt biking on the weekends. ;) This trailer looks like a big effort fixer-upper. You would not want to get it then put off fixing it up because it is onerous. Something to think about.

Water leaks are a big problem. A small leak can cause a lot of damage if not repaired.

Also, check the tires, they may be too old and will need replaced.

I don't know of a way to check a refrigerator without letting it run and cool down. Maybe someone else can tell you how to check it quickly.

I really wouldn't pay for more than $500 for a trailer in that shape. My cousin recently upgraded and his selling his 96 pop up, ask $800. No leaks, appliances all work, no problems at all.

Granted it's in Pennsylvania and not an option for you, but for me it just means there's deals out there. Unless that Highlander is dirt cheap, I'd keep looking.

Looking at the roof it is hard to believe there haven't been any leaks. In a nearly 44 year old trailer, I would expect almost any exterior penatration would have leaked about once at some time.

If the leaks were bad, your Mark I nose will generally detect the mildew smell.

On the refer, usually after a couple of hours the screws on the evaporator might start developing frost. Of course I live where humidity in the 100% range is pretty much a daily occurance.

The other thing to consider is whether the trailer uses aluminum wiring. That would not be a show stopper but your maintenance and inspection will be different.

You have a hot water tank and heater. I would inspect both carefully.

On the refer, you really need and all day run to be certain. However, because the refrigerant in ammonia based, I would think if it is cooling at all, unless you detect the odor of ammonia it is probably OK. YMMV, but to really be certain I would let it run overnight just to be certain.

My wife and I started off with an older trailer. It was a fixer-upper.
The projects never ended. Weekends were spent working on the trailer. Once we got it all done, it still leaked. It was also drafty inside. The first time we took our little one camping, we decided to buy a newer trailer that was project free. Went from a 1979 crapcan to a 2007 Jayco 20BH. We've never regretted our current purchase.

The one good thing to come out of the old trailer? I knew what problems to look for. I knew the signs (stains, things covered up, etc.) to look for and avoid. I also learned how cheaply trailers are made. And I hate staples!

My in-laws have a 1970 trailer. It is a continual project. Originally, the trailer just dumped its grey water on the ground - it never had a holding tank for grey. My father-in-law ended up plumbing it into the black tank to stay legal.

As someone who has 'been-there-done-that', walk away. Its hard to resist the price "Its only $x!". But add up the countless weekends, all the trips to the hardware store, and that $x turns into $x*3 pretty fast. And it still won't be that great.

Not only that but unlike a house it still won't be worth much to anyone else except perhaps the person putting in the effort.

Ok I scratched this vintage as an idea how does this one look I'd rather not spend more than 3k on one right now. http://imperial.craigslist.org/rvs/4403315765.html

In my opinion, the 2nd one looks much better. As already mentioned, take a GOOD LOOK at the roof and ceiling to check for water stains. Water damage is very common and can be very expensive and/or time consuming to repair.

I would say the price on this one is pretty good, especially considering it comes with a generator, which I assume runs. I think it is worth giving it a good look.
Barney