I like many others of us early campers grew up tent camping. Early setups were very primitive but as we learned the rules of engagement Our later setups were actually quite nice... Our biggest improvement was when the folding portable beds with slide in air mattresses became available. Sleeping off the floor made all the difference in the world for us. We actually still like to go tent camping...
I always liked the HYBRID idea where the outside tent bed ends fold down from the outside. This opens up all of the available room inside by not having to content with a bed setup to walk around.
These very large doors folding out have got to be a sources of water leaks and sealing problems over the years. Once things slightly warp over time is the problem.
Your dollars of course but I think you should be very careful starting off with known problems unless you are setup to do alot of repairs. ALot of folks like to undertake projects like this.
There will also be more challenges after you get all of the known problem areas resolved. Being as old as it is the electronics have evolved alot over the years and if you are really looking for camping off the power grids you will need to replace alot things to successfully support the camping Off the power grid style of camping.
Took us awhile to retrofit the electronics better in our OFF-ROAD POPUP camper to be able to stay out for a couple of weeks at a time. It certainly paid off for us in the long run...
It all takes alot of planning on what you want to do with your trailer style of camping. Getting something older with known problems I think will sort of put you behind the eight ball getting started in what you really want to be doing when camping.
In my case I would probably end up spending all my time and money fixing up things first any never get to go camping in it. If you are already setup at home to do all of these repairs then this might be the way to go...
Sounds like your find already has some somewhat serious problems as you have noted.
Added note: don't let the Texas heat steer you away from tent bed ends... We are quite comfortable heat/cool control wise in our POPUP tent bed setup. My working days brought us back to the North Texas area many times over the years. Camping under trees and around shrubs works great. We sometimes would throw a 20x30 tarp over the whole thing with tent poles in the front... Enjoyed the Wichita Falls camping areas and even Gober,TX... We especially liked the Wichita Mtns Wildlife refuge area at Medicine Park OKLA.
Hard to beat this camping off the power grid setup at Camp Doris in the Wichita Mtns WIldlfe Refuge... If we need to run some fans to keep the mosquitoes off of us when sitting outside we just run a couple of extension cords from the trailer... Usually watch HDTV every night no matter where we end up...
just thinking outloud
Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
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