Road tripping for used TCs

[subarctic_moose]

I'm reading a few threads on this topic, but would love to hear some advice on how you all have handled looking/buying TCs that aren't in your immediate area?

Here's what I'm currently looking at:
2013 Wolf Creek 850- nearby but priced high
2014 Wolf Creek 840- price is decent, but 4.5 hours away
2012 Lance 865- nearby but overpriced at a dealer
2012 Lance 825- great price, but 8 hours away
2014 NS Laredo SC- kind of nearby, not sure if it's overpriced or not

I taught myself a good lesson this past weekend by driving 750 miles round trip to look at an older Fleetwood. I was hoping for something semi-usable or a moderate project and it turned out to be practically scrap. Nobody's fault but my own, but I'm now a little paranoid about spending hundreds in gas (and time) to get burned by a misleading photos.

Is this just part of the deal? I wouldn't mind these trips at all IF I knew there was a high likelihood of things working out, but doing 3-4 of them and coming up empty would be rough.

Cheers,
Hunter

[n0arp]

We're Xscapers members, and once we decided to look at a specific TC, we posted on the Xscapers FB page asking if anyone would go take a look at it in exchange for a little bit of cash. We found an experienced RVer to give us an unbiased review and all the photos we wanted for $100, and bought it sight-unseen and had it transported to us.

That might not be a viable option for you (?), but speaks to the benefits of some of these RV clubs and networking with others.

[monkey44]

It's a big investment, one you'll use often once you find it ... I drove 1300 miles to buy one in 2002, sold it in 2008 and upgraded ... we still cross-country camp in the 2008. The 2008 we bought was new, at auction, and 800 miles, which makes a difference, of course. But we had been looking for quite a while, both new and used.

It depends on how much a hurry you are ... eventually only you can decide if it suits you and how much to spend. You will find one you like and in your budget as long as it's a reasonable budget and camper is in acceptable condition.

Might take awhile, might not. Personally, we'd drive that far again for the right camper at the right price. Hope that helps. Good luck ... B & G ...

[RickW]

A phone call or message asking for more photo/closeups.

Things like under the bed by the nose, caulk seams at roof/wall/windows, jack brackets, under the wings, back of cabinets ceiling corners, etc. Also questions about maintenance and storage.

If they are unwilling, then you have another data point.