looking for our first trailer

[aaronanddonna]

Hello all -

My wife and I are looking for our first trailer. We've done a fair amount of research and find our sweet spot is 2005-2007 24 - 27 foot trailer. The seem to be priced in a range of $9k - $11k. All the dealers either add a delivery lesson for $700 or other just burry the $700 in the cost. Regardless, we've been looking at Fleetwoods and Jaycos. They seem to meet our needs. As you might expect, some are rough and some are new. Bottom line is we've been learning a lot and seeing floor plans that work for us.

Yesterday we came across a 2001 Fleetwood Terry - 25 footer. New tires and brakes. Weight distribution hitch included. 2001 was too old for us, but this trailer seems super clean and is a one owner trailer. The only downer is that the slide out is manual, but the woman that showed it to us operated it quite easily. I suppose without a power slide out it is one less item to break?

Two concerns. The clean out lines or septic and stuff (all the black pac pipes) are much lower than on any other trailer we've seen. See the below picture. They struck us as strange.

Is this a problem. We're not going off roading and I don't think ground clearance is an issue, but it is odd.

The other item is a stress crack in the siding above the rear door. The crack starts at the top left corner of the door and is about 2 inches long It seems to be caulked, but I want to stop the crack (most likely with a small drill hole) and clean it up a bit.

OK, third item. The fabric on the awning is starting to rip. How much does it cost to replace the fabric?

Many thanks in advance.

Aaron and Donna

[Jayco254]

Check your roof very carefully when I had my leak you couldn't feel it, the roof felt solid, we just finally found a stain near the t.v. ant. crank and asked the dealer about it. With all the damage that was done before we found it if Jayco hadn't of repaired it, we might have had to scrap the trailer I'm sure the repairs would have cost more than the trailer did when we bought it new. If you can drop the inside A/C unit and check the four screws that hold it up, they should feel just snug not real tight seems the years you're looking at on some units there were problems with A/C's being installed a little too loose.

[Bumpyroad]

aaronanddonna wrote:
Sorry folks. The picture link didn't work. Let me try again...



https://www.dropbox.com/s/wz6zczy0dsbiqqq/septic.jpg

If you do have any problems with that piping hanging that low, I would consider separating it into two separate sewer hook ups, one black, one grey and you could eliminate several inches of drop. I usually have to dump the grey tank many times before the black tank anyway. could make a flexible stinky slinky T hookup or use a sewer solution or macerator pump instead.
bumpy

[Highway_4x4]

So, welcome. What is your tow vehicle as it will decide what you tow. In your price range, if my tow vehicle would pull it, I would look for an Arctic Fox, Sunnybrook, line. I just traded in a 02 Sunnybrook 26CKS that has many years left in it in real good shape, Probably can get it for 9K. Neils in North Hills. Take your time, good luck.

[Murphsmom]

Also poke around to be sure there are no "soft" spots in the floor, particularly in places where there could be water leakage. Check the floors in the outside storage compartments as well as inside under cabinets and furniture. The other thing to watch out for would be any bubbling of the outside skin, which would mean delamination.

[wmoses]

The low location for the sewer outlet is a problem aside from the possibility of getting damaged as mentioned before. The other problem is that some of the campsites have sewer pipes that stick out of the ground and in some cases the campsite slopes away from the sewer pipe. The upshot of this is that the dumping experience will not be good and you will have to "walk" the stuff down the hose ... over and over.

[Andymon]

We looked for almost two years till we found ours. It was/is like new other than replacing the tires. $11,900. We wanted one sooner but just kept saving our money and kept looking. Yours is out there...be patient. 🙂

[tomkaren13]

As others pointed out watch out for water damage. Any rig close to 10 years old could need roof repair. Awning will be in the $500 + range. Also tires, read the DOT numbers and make sure they are newer(very important). That $700 fee? can be negoatated. You will need hitch with weight distribution bars and anti-sway.

Also watch the unit's weight some of the older ones can be heavy.

[GrandpaKip]

One of the most important tools you should take with you when looking at used campers is a moisture meter. Poke it everywhere you can, especially in corners.
As for the low dump pipes, that would probably nix it for me, if they are as low as they seem in the picture. Good luck with your quest.

[TNRIVERSIDE]

We went through a similar search for out TT. We finally decided to go smaller and get a new unit with a warranty. And we are happy. Just my experience.

[Francesca_Knowl]

If the asking price is well below the newer models you've been seeing, those few defects might not matter.

Awning fabric replacement can be a do-it-yourself project, by the way. Not that complicated, and the fabric can be had for three or four hundred dollars.
Also on that subject:
If the rip/tear is near the body of the trailer in the first "wrap" and the rest of it is still in good shape, you can remove the damaged section and reattach what's left. Costs nothing but time!

[dadmomh]

Hi and welcome! We were hybriders before changing to our new TT this past May. Hybrids may be slightly less $$ than hardside TT, but we sold our immaculate 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS for $9500, so my opinion is that your price range is good, but you should be able to find something in the 2005ish + range. Suggest you go to NADA and check into their RV section. IIRC, they don't go as far back as 2001, but you should be able to at least get a feel. List only the year, make and model only.....in this case DO NOT add any so-called options such as A/C, electric tongue jack, micro, etc. It will ask for condition such as good, fair, poor. Now you should have an idea what you should be paying. My cousin and husband just sold their very good condition KZ 2405 for $9000, less the commission to the dealer. Believe theirs was an '03 or '04. It was a rear slide with a side slide for the sofa. Time for some online research.

Have never owned a Jayco, but have heard many people that have had issues with the low clearance getting in and out of driveways, etc. Consider that re where you'll be storing your TT. No help on the stress crack, but it's something you for sure need to investigate. If you've not looked closely at the roof, you need to, especially if it's been stored outside.

Also re pricing, everything is higher in CA, so that may account for any discrepancies in what NADA suggests....actually, they may have a spot to enter a zip code to take the area into consideration....can't remember. The new tires and brakes is a positive as when tires reach the 4 - 5 year old range, they need to be replaced regardless of how good they may look. Trailer tires are different than auto tires.

Have you checked all your weight limits on your tow vehicle and what this trailer weighs? There are all sorts of figures on weights, base, dry, loaded, GVWR, etc. If in doubt as to what a trailer weighs and you're seriously considering one, take it to a truck stop scale. You can do a search here for how to weigh a TT as you're going to need probably 3 weights to know all you need to know.

MHO, if you're going through a dealer, you should not be paying for a PDI - Pre Delivery Inspection, which includes how things work and that they really are in working condition. $700 is a ridiculous figure since most everything you need to know should be covered and tested in about an hour. Pretty steep hourly rate!

Sorry you didn't get a response sooner....some days are just like that and many folks are already into the Thanksgiving scurry. Hope you can use some of this information. Others with more detailed help will surely chime in soon. Shopping for a TT is unique with all you need to know, but remember one thing for sure....do not take a salesman's word for anything. Their job is to get you to sign, then it's your problem. Make a list of wants, don't care, and don't want and do your best to stick to it. Check everything for yourself and especially the weights.

BTW, since I know it'll be asked, what is your tow vehicle and does it have factory tow or added later, engine size and transmission info. One of the members of the hybrid forum has a saying, "I could tow it with my lawn tractor but it doesn't mean I should". Good luck and come back with how your shopping is going.

[Grillmeister]

Deleted

[Dtaylor]

Welcome to the boards. Personally, I would rather have a well cared for older model vs one that has not. The biggest issue with any RV regardless, of type, is water leaks and the resulting damage. No matter what unit you decide on, inspect it well.
Not being able to view your photo makes it difficult to comment. What I will say is if there is enough clearance when going over humps and into dips, then it should not be an issue.
As for the $700 fee, negotiate an "out the door" amount that includes everything including hitch, PDQ, etc.
The crack to me would indicate unusual stress either the frame flexing or perhaps some type damage in that area. Again, inspect it well.

OK, just looked at the photo. I think that is going to be normal for that make and model. From the looks of it you cannot raise because of the level of the holding tanks. The outlet appears even with the bottom of the tanks

[aaronanddonna]

Folks -

I hate to be pushy, but our post has gotten 35 views and no one can share an opinion with us?

Please help us out .

Thanks.