What should I do with my Travel Trailer? Student needs help!

[mongldroid]

Hello,

I am a student at a Texas university looking for some advice... In search of the most affordable housing solution this semester I ended up purchasing an old travel trailer off facebook. I am trying to decide if I should flip it at the end of the semester and find something better or if I should rebuild it this summer between semesters.

Details:

I paid $2500 for the trailer as is. I have $2500 left to spend in my housing budget for next semester.

I have already been offered what I paid so can easily get out at the end of the semester if I've invested poorly.

I was given financing to pay for an apartment but I bought the trailer with the money instead to own something rather than paying rent down the tube.

I park the trailer near campus for free so have no bills other than propane.

I have 2 more years of school (at least) I would benefit from the total rent free scenario.

All electronics were tested once, at purchase, and everything other than wood damage is in good shape (tanks,stove,fridge,ac,shower,pump)

I do not think electric brakes work.

Questions

Do I flip the trailer after the semester and cash in the 1 rent free semester or do I put my $2500 for rent next semester into a rebuild and have something nice for the rest of school?

I would expect to salvage alot like windows appliances, hinges, doors...

Photos

[twxsby89]

put some water in the toilet, check if it holds water.

[scrubjaysnest]

This is the route our daughter is thinking of going, set up a used TT in a long term CG to save over apt rental.

Sell the TT and add next semesters rental money and look for a better TT. Choices, choices...

[DutchmenSport]

"A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush!" But in this case, you have 2 birds in hand. It's a hard decision which way to go! You have 2 violable options.

I would think the deciding factor would be, has that water intrusion stopped. Is the leak stopped? If it's still leaking, and those walls are still wet, I think you'd be best to take the offer and sell it and be done with it. To fix properly, could end up costing you much more than $2500, and you could still have a gigantic mess on your hands.

However, if the leak is stopped and it's now dry, if can can clean that mold up without depleting your funds, you'd be better to keep it.

The rest of the camper doesn't look all that bad. If if doesn't leak, if you are not in a severe cold winter climate, a little caulk, a little attention and you can probably fix it up without having to invest a lot. Then in 2 years when you are finished with school, sell it.

Another question that needs to be answered, how much will it cost you to live somewhere else? As long as you can keep the camper parked where it is, rent free, I think you'll be better off.

Only you can decide though.

[mayo30]

boogie_4wheel wrote:
Keep trailer. Leave it as is, fix only what needs to be fixed. Save the rest of your money.
Sell for same money after graduation.

This is what I would do.Good luck but please be aware of your health living there.

[WayneAt63044]

I agree with boogie, use it as it fits your need and then sell it. It will never appreciate even with upgrades and repairs.

[bid_time]

Do you have water, sewer and electric at your "free" parking spot. If not, your free parking spot is not going to work out in my opinion.

[boogie_4wheel]

Keep trailer. Leave it as is, fix only what needs to be fixed. Save the rest of your money.
Sell for same money after graduation.

[mongldroid]

The only current leak is manageable and over the table. The leak by the bed is old and repaired from further damage.

I absolutely adore living i a trailer outdoors. I am a 4.0 student and have no distractions from my studies.

The question is at $2500 did i get a good enough deal to use what i can,and rebuild thia one, or sell it off and maybe buy a flat trailer new and build on it.

[WayneAt63044]

How will the possibility of mold where the water intrusion damaged the wood affect your health? Looks like that is right near the mattress of the bed. Can you fix the leak or will you get wet?
Otherwise, it seems you could try it for a semester and then decide if you want to continue to live in it. Electric brakes are not a big deal if parked and not towed, and are fairly cheap to fix.