So I found a camper for, get this, 300 bucks. Yeah, it's a great price but there is a list of problems, and I'm not sure I want to take it on. I'd like advice from those of you who have been there.

It is a 69, but I do not remember the brand. tandem axles, about 25-27 feet long, sink, stove, full bath (shower). sleeps 6, and has roof mounted AC. It does not have a bed room like today's campers. It has been sitting for 8 years, and will, of course, need new tires. It is not a fiver or GN, it's a standard hitch. Weighs 4K, (dry weight?).

The list of problems. First of all, the roof leaks. How many leaks and how bad are unknown at this time. The current owner thinks that the fellow who got up on the roof to remove the TV antenna cause the leaks from walking on it.
There is paneling on the ceiling and walls. You can see where the ceiling is sagging from the past leaking. The walls appear to be in fair condition, although some are buckling a little.
The fresh water tank is an old galvanized tank and needs replacement due to leaks. The single door is coming off the hinge at the bottom and makes the door hard to close.
The cushion covers need replacement because they are pretty dirty and some are torn. All of the cabinetry seems in good working order.The fridge runs on propane only.

I am told that the fridge, AC, internal water pump, and all the interior lights worked when they parked it.

Knowing what I know now, it will need 4 tires (+ spare?), a water tank, the roof sealed, who knows how much paneling replaced on the ceiling/walls, and new cushion covers, as well as a good all over cleaning.

My question for you guys, is this too big a thing to mess with, considering all of the unknown problems there may be, even for 300 bucks?

Thanks,
Chris

 

It it were me, I would run, not walk, away from that nightmare. After sitting for that long, I'd be surprised if ANYTHING worked. If just the fridge is bad, you are looking at several hundred to a thousand dollars or more to fix or replace it. AC: $500.00 or so. Etc, etc, etc. I would say that you are looking at probably thousands of dollars to fix everything, even if you do the work yourself. If you are into that kind of thing, you've got yourself hundreds of hours of work, not to mention the money.<br><br>JMHO<br><br>DeWain

 

yep, what he said, unless it is going to a hunting camp and used for sleeping only. As long as no one drinks from the tank the cheaper the better. If you plan on using to move around to different campgrounds I would stay away from it.

 

Keep looking Chris!<br><br> Remember I told you I started out with a 1974 Mobile Traveler which we completely redone inside about 10 years ago. One of the main reasons was because the whole side wall came loose from the frame on the way back from TN. This was because of a roof leak (it had rotted the wall studs inside the walls with no signs of problems) that had never been found until it was too late. This was a 20' camper that had been given to my wife and everything else worked like a champ. Therefore, it was no big deal to put a few hundred dollars into it.<br> But if I were you,,,,,, I would do some more looking before I would tackle something like this that you plan on hauling around from place to place.

 

Thanks for the confirmation. I was kinda figuring the same thing. I don't really have time to mess with a bunch of fixing up, especially if it's gonna involve structural type fixing. The guy seems to be honest about it, but not knowing how much more is wrong, that even HE does not know about, is what scares me.<br>I did like the idea of get it and fix it up slowly, as I have the money available (much cheaper than financing). I probably don't need THAT much of a fixer-upper though.<br><br>Thanks,<br>Chris

 

Been there, done that. Time is money , money is time. RUN Fast. Find one for 3 or 4 grand, check it out close. There are a few good ones for that price. Take your time. Save your money.

 

Keep looking, there are plenty good camper around in the $2,000 to $4,000 price range.<br><br>I looked a a 35' 5ver at an auction one time that had sat for 3 year (husband past away) I was the only one to bid on it for $2,000. After the guy milked the sale for 10 minutes he said not sold. &gt; Seems grandma still wanted $8,000 for it and it's leaky roof, and ant infested seiling. :Sure glad I didn't get it for the $2,000 cuase I think it would have been way too much work to mess with. That camper is still sitting in the same place 4 years latter. [undecided] <br><br>DB

 

as has been said run very fast. went through this with my brotherinlaw. he now knows why i said no way to helping him evan if i did end up over at his place for three straight days trying to get his junker in shape. he knows why i have a 2002 model instead of the used one i thought about buying.<br>RUN FORREST RUN ;D ;D ;D