Used TT buying checklist

With 10K to spend you should have no trouble finding a unit that is about 5 yrs old or so. Plenty of clean units out there. As previously mentioned look for signs of leaks. Bulging in the siding or soft spots in the floor at the edge of the walls. Typically that is your first sign of trouble other than a stained ceiling. Other than that make sure everything works. Ducted heat and air with an automatic thermostat are a nice bonus if you will be living in it for more than a week or two.

Well, they walk on the roof to build them. If there is a ladder it will be easier to access. If in doubt as to where to step, roof joist usually are easy to see where they are located. Roof joist will be front and back of each roof vent, and they 16" on center either way.

Well I know it will be somewhat cooler ( winter/spring ) than here near Auburn, CA, but when I look at the annual total rainfall averages, its 37.3 here and 35.3 in Bellingham.( weather.com ) Perhaps Bellingham has many more days with modest amounts of rain. On the other hand, this past summer we had many, many days where the forest fire smoke was so bad you didn't want to go outside, much less camp.

Don't fool yourself. Bellingham is one of the wettest spots in Washington state. When we were there in late September it rained most of the time. I have driven south from Vancouver and it was snowing hard until well south of Bellingham. Tent trailer camping season in the Pacific NW generally runs from early July to mid September. The rest of the time it is too wet and cold for most folks in tent trailers.

Thanks for the advice about the flashlight. Time will tell about returning to pop-ups. They'd probably be ok during the summer in Washington and especially Eastern Washington. We're moving from northern California so I know we're in for colder, wetter weather up in Whatcom County. Generally it isn't much colder or wetter than where we are now, but it can get down below 20 once in a while.
Our Ford Ranger isn't designed for a larger TT and I have no plans on getting a big truck, so this is why I expect to be selling the TT.
Can you actually walk on the roof of a TT safely? ( no foot through the roof )

The three things to look for in a used trailer are leaks, leaks, leaks. Yes I this know from experience. Get a good BRIGHT flashlight and look into every place you can, especially cabinets under tub/shower, storage compartments. Walk the roof looking for soft spots, and signs of damage. Also condition of roof. Is it clean or very dirty, which shows lack of care. Check all vents and roof penetration's. Look around all parts of slides in and out, for signs of water, either damp or stains. Check every appliance to make sure that they work. Pull out awning. Look under trailer for any signs of damage or again water damage. If trailer is open below, feel along inside of bottom of walls for soft spots. especially at corners. Check all corners inside and out.

Also what kind of weather will you be living in? If is will be very cold out, most trailers will be uncomfortable unless they are made for extreme weather.

Well, this is just my opinion, but I bet once you've used a hard sided TT for a while, you won't be going back to a pop-up. I suggest getting something that you'd like to keep "forever". Why cheap-out. You're going to be living in it for a while, why not get something comfortable, up-to-date, and think long-term usage? If at the end of the road, if you do decide to sell it, you've got a nice unit that someone else WILL want.