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.QuestionsDo 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Keen_Family
Explorer
Feb 27, 2016
Ditto on pretty much everything above.

Can't advise you on whether to stay in a TT or move into an apartment - thats a lifestyle question. Don't put money into that TT - if you open that wall up, you will find a lot of issues, and you'll end up needing a lot more than $2500 for a proper rebuild. If you want to stay in a TT, flip it and put your money into a better TT.

By the way - if you do intend to get a better TT, start looking now, and avoid anything with water damage. You may be surprised what you can find....
SprinklerMan
Explorer
Feb 27, 2016
Fix only whats necessary , anf you have $ 2500 for beer
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2016
mongldroid wrote:
Thanks for the input. The consensus seems to be to hunker down and endure and while I love living outdoors I would enjoy nicer accomodations. Considering the time I have left in school, and the fact I have dedicated funding for housing to spend, rebuilding or upgrading seems to be where I am headed. I really think rebuilding would be cheaper for what I could produce

Is there any value in all the odds and ends of my trailer if they are in good shape (cabinet doors, blinds and blind box,windows...)

Not a lot of value in the stuff you listed. If the roof mount AC and gas electric fridge are good they are worth some. Then things like the stove, toilet, and water pump are worth a few bucks but not to much.
mongldroid
Explorer
Feb 26, 2016
Thanks for the input. The consensus seems to be to hunker down and endure and while I love living outdoors I would enjoy nicer accomodations. Considering the time I have left in school, and the fact I have dedicated funding for housing to spend, rebuilding or upgrading seems to be where I am headed. I really think rebuilding would be cheaper for what I could produce

Is there any value in all the odds and ends of my trailer if they are in good shape (cabinet doors, blinds and blind box,windows...)
colliehauler
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2016
RVcircus wrote:
JnJnKatiebug wrote:
I would sell it, get my money back and take the $5000 and look for a better trailer. When you start repairs, think money pit. I have seen some really good clean units in the $5000 range that needed no work at all. I saw a 28 footer with no slide the other day for $8000 that looked like new.

I agree, from my searches $5000 seems to be about the point where you start to see nice trailers. We have about $5000 into ours after the rebuild, so we may be breaking even on it value wise.

This is what I would do as well.
Timtation
Explorer
Feb 26, 2016
5K probably would get you something that is still worth something at graduation more than a keg party. Search for a replacement and take the money. NPV=$2500, FV may possibly be a large $-. Don't overlook class A's, sometimes minor problems with an older unit leads to major discounting.
Good luck and let us know the end of the story with updates.
nineoaks2004
Explorer
Feb 26, 2016
I would live in it until the semester ends then see if you want to spend any money on repairs or flip it, , you could consider to sell it, then put that 2500.00 with the other 2500.00 and up grade to a better TT.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2016
JWRoberts wrote:
Ditto

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.

I agree with this too.
JWRoberts
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
Ditto

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.
RVcircus
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2016
JnJnKatiebug wrote:
I would sell it, get my money back and take the $5000 and look for a better trailer. When you start repairs, think money pit. I have seen some really good clean units in the $5000 range that needed no work at all. I saw a 28 footer with no slide the other day for $8000 that looked like new.

I agree, from my searches $5000 seems to be about the point where you start to see nice trailers. We have about $5000 into ours after the rebuild, so we may be breaking even on it value wise.