Ask Me Help Desk - Trailer. Is it worth it?

Trailer. Is it worth it?

My husband and I have been looking for a used trailer. We have a tent trailer, which we'll be selling shortly.

I found one today, it's a 1975 Prowler. It's 24feet. The ad says it needs a bit of TLC, a new vent and a new trailer hitch.

I'd go take a look at it, but it's an hour and a half drive. I'd rather have all the info before I make that trek.

If the entire hitch has to be replaced, what would be the ballpark cost for that? Also, how will we get it home if the hitch is busted?

Here's the ad.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/D84AAMXQyY1TTV42/$_35.JPG

Anyone have any expertise in this?:

Hi Alty, that picture conveniently left out the end of the hitch, if it's just the coupler shouldn't be that bad, it will just bolt on and should be less than $50 and can be put on in just a few minutes. Over all it looks pretty good to me, If the price is right. Any way to get a picture of the front of the hitch?

Here is one to give you an idea of how much the one your looking at is worth.

1975 Used Prowler 20 of Travel Trailer RV For Sale

Repais can run from cheap to extremely expensive depending on the nature of the repair. You would really have to look closely at it to get an idea of what needs to be done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by parttime

Hi Alty, that picture conveniently left out the end of the hitch, if it's just the coupler shouldn't be that bad, it will just bolt on and should be less than $50 and can be put on in just a few minutes. Over all it looks pretty good to me, If the price is right. Any way to get a picture of the front of the hitch?

Thanks parttime. My husband is very handy, and even if it's a matter of replacing the entire hitch, he's fairly sure he can do it. The question is, how much damage is there? Can we even tow it home?

I did contact the seller and asked for close up pictures of the hitch, and whether it's towable without the repairs. So far he hasn't replied.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdad

Here is one to give you an idea of how much the one your looking at is worth.

1975 Used Prowler 20 of Travel Trailer RV For Sale

Repais can run from cheap to extremely expensive depending on the nature of the repair. You would really have to look closely at it to get an idea of what needs to be done.

Hi Cdad. I did search the blue book value in Canada. These trailers sell between $1800-over $3000 depending on the shape they're in. This one is selling for $1200. That's a very good deal, especially for the size of 24'. If the interior is outdated, which I'd expect for a 1975 trailer, that's not a big deal. We're campers, we don't expect all the bells and whistles, we'd just like a dry place to sleep, and a place to sit and play board games if it's raining. Our tent trailer is simply too small for us now, and it's not safe for the dogs, they can easily escape when we leave them to go swimming etc.

The vent is an easy inexpensive fix. Even the hitch doesn't worry me too much. We have a friend that's an experienced welder, over 30 years experience, that would be willing to put on a new hitch for us. My husband could make it, out of the best steel available, where he works. He reinforced the hitch on and bumper on our tent trailer, and it's solid as a rock. We can now carry 4 bikes (more if we needed) on the bumper of our tent trailer. That was not possible before.

My main concern is getting it home if we purchase it.

Too late. Just got an email from the seller. The trailer is sold. :(

Buy it! Buy it! I saw the picture and it's a classic that is worth 20 times what the seller is asking! He doesn't know what kind of gold mine he is sitting on!!!! BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!! You should definitely go and.....oh....oh, it's been sold? Oh, then uh....forget what i said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinn7

Buy it! Buy it! I saw the picture and it's a classic that is worth 20 times what the seller is asking! He doesn't know what kind of gold mine he is sitting on!!!! BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!! You should definitely go and.....oh....oh, it's been sold? Oh, then uh....forget what i said.

I'm sticking my tongue out at you, and rolling my eyes. Mean boy! ;)

Sorry...just trying to lighten it up. I know missing out on it got you down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinn7

Sorry...just trying to lighten it up. I know missing out on it got you down.

Still sticking my tongue out at you. But ya, you cheered me up a bit. Still, you deserve a good tongue lashing. ;)

There will be other good buys, Alty. Keep looking and listening. Maybe one with a good intact trailer hitch so you can buy it and get it home right away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

There will be other good buys, Alty. Keep looking and listening. Maybe one with a good intact trailer hitch so you can buy it and get it home right away.

Thanks Tickle. I'm hoping. Sadly I think we missed the season. Right now it's definitely a sellers market, so not a lot of great deals out there. Perfect time to sell, not such a great time to buy. :(

Alty, I will admit that was concerned about water damage from the vent.

Better luck in the future. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat1864

Alty, I will admit that was concerned about water damage from the vent.

Better luck in the future. :)

LOL! That's the one thing I didn't worry about. I'll tell you why.

A long time ago, in Canada, middle of winter, snow up to my chin, I was a 12 year old girl. My friend was over for a sleepover, and my parents went to play cards at a neighbors house.

I got the bright idea to walk on the roof of our ten trailer. The snow on that roof was around 4 feet high, untouched, and it was so tempting.

Well I did it, and low and behold, my foot went right through the vent.

I was scared poopless that when my parents found out, I'd be in a world of trouble. I stressed about it the entire time they were gone.

They came home, I came clean, and my dad said "we needed to replace that vent anyway". All that worry, hours worth, for nothing.

In the spring we put up the trailer. No damage at all. All that snow melted on the trailer and there was no damage.

So the vent really didn't worry me.

The hitch did.

But it's a moot point now. The trailer is sold to someone else.

I'm sad. :(

There are plenty out there. It is mostly a matter of how much you want to spend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdad

There are plenty out there. It is mostly a matter of how much you want to spend.

That's the main problem. I could find a trailer tomorrow, if I had the money they want. But I don't. That's why I'm looking at older trailers. We're willing to spend up to $1500, but would prefer to spend less. There's not a lot available in that price range, and those that are, go fast. Too fast for us. :(

Incase you didnt notice the one I posted earlier was under $1,000. Since you know what your willing to spend its just a matter of narrowing the search down and how far your willing to drive to get it.

Found a new deal. I was the first to respond! It's a 1986 Dodge Diplomat motorhome, 26ft. Engine runs great, had some leak issues but the owner fixed it. No pictures so I don't really know what it looks like. He emailed me that it's rough looking on the outside, but the inside is immaculate. Sadly he couldn't send pictures because the motorhome is 3 hours away, from him, and from us. But the price is what caught my eye. He's asking $500 obo. For a motorhome!

My husband isn't big on getting a motorhome. It has a motor, so it has all the issues a vehicle has. A pull trailer is much easier to maintain. Also, when you're camping for 2 weeks or so, sooner or later you have to get groceries. With a motorhome you're driving it to go grocery shopping. We'd have to get an inspection done since it is a vehicle and over 10 years old. But those are really his only issues, and they're not huge. My parents had a motorhome. We loved it.

The things we love about a motorhome is that you're not stuck in a car for 12 hours. You can sit at the table playing games. If you have to use the bathroom, no need to stop, just get up and go to the bathroom. If you're leaving at 6am and the kids are sleepy, they can go into the motorhome and just lie in bed. It's great for the dogs too. I prefer a motorhome, just never thought we could afford one.

What do you guys think? This would be site unseen. Yes, we can say no if we don't like it once we see it, but it's a 3 hour plus drive to go view it. That's a lot of gas money, and time, if we end up hating it.

He has to know someone that is near the motorhome, why would it be 3 hours away from him? There has to be someone nearby that can take pictures and get them to you. I don't want to pee on your happiness but keep this in mind...if it's too good to be true...

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinn7

He has to know someone that is near the motorhome, why would it be 3 hours away from him? There has to be someone nearby that can take pictures and get them to you. I don't want to pee on your happiness but keep this in mind...if it's too good to be true...

Party pooper! ;)

It's on a lake lot in Fox Creek. He drove it there last month, planned to use it there on the lot for the summer.

Now he has to move, and doesn't want the burden of taking the motorhome with him, since he's moving out of the province.

There's no one at the lake lot yet, since it's only April. He has no friends in that area.

He needs to sell it fast because he's moving in a few days. He's taking a cut on what he paid only because he can't take it with him.

Ya, it is too good to be true, but hey, aren't I due for something good to happen to me?

Do you need a certain driver's license to drive it? What's its gas mileage like? Will maneuvering ever be a problem? Will you have it checked by a mechanic before you buy it? Where will you store it? Have you checked the NADA guide for a price (I found a red one online, same year/make/model, for $7500. Another one was $4400.)

Be careful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alty

Ya, it is too good to be true, but hey, aren't I due for something good to happen to me?

You are...just be careful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alty

It's on a lake lot in Fox Creek. He drove it there last month, planned to use it there on the lot for the summer.

Now he has to move, and doesn't want the burden of taking the motorhome with him, since he's moving out of the province.

Can he wait through the weekend? If so, sounds like a road trip. See if he'll let you use the door key.

To answer a few questions.

Yes WG, you need an upgrade on your license. It's a written test, and it costs around $20. R had driven a motorhome before, as have I. We both already have that classification on our license. :)

The gas mileage is a question we plan to ask when we talk to him on the phone. R called, but got the guys voice mail. I did check the NADA guide, and this is an extremely good deal. That's what does make me weary, but it is possible that the seller simply doesn't know what he has.

He said next week would be okay, but the weekend is better for us. Our friend is coming to visit, and he knows quite a bit about engines etc. We'd like him to be able to have a look at it with us. He's also the one lending us the money for it. He can't do it during the week, and doesn't have another weekend off until the end of May. So it's this weekend, or not at all.

Road trip!

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinn7

Road trip!

It may happen.

R plans to call our insurance company tomorrow to find out what the insurance costs would be. He tried to call tonight, but they were closed. He also really wants to talk to the guy and ask him the questions he didn't post on his ad, like the KM's on the motorhome, if it's had a vehicle inspection done (which it would have had to have for him to insure it since it's over 10 years old), and most importantly, why is he selling it for such a low price.

Don't worry, we won't be fooled. We're very very careful. My main question is what you all think about a motorhome versus a pull trailer? To me there are pros and cons to both.

The biggest pros are that it's much nicer to travel in a motorhome. It's a lot easier once you get to the campsite. And the biggest pro. R needs a new vehicle, soon. Like in the next few weeks. If we get a pull trailer he'll need to buy a truck that's capable of pulling it. Trucks are gas guzzlers. If we get the motorhome he can buy a more economical vehicle.

He drives his vehicle every day. It would save a lot on gas if we didn't have to get a truck. The motorhome, even if we went camping every weekend, would be used around 8 times a year. It will cost more in gas when we go, but in the long run, we'll still be saving money on gas.

The cons: If the motor dies, it's a goner unless we can afford to replace the motor. It's a vehicle, and as such is prone to the same restrictions, i.e. higher insurance costs, inspections, tire costs (not that a pull trailer doesn't have tires, but a motorhome has more, and it would be more costly). Once you're at your campground, if you have to go somewhere, you have to take the motorhome. It's not always easy to find parking.

There are more pros that I didn't mention, but they're minor.

R is very interested, which I didn't expect. He always said he wouldn't want a motorhome. But this deal is too good not to at least look into. Even if it means a road trip and we come back empty handed.

I would prefer the motorhome myself.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Alty

R needs a new vehicle, soon.

You see this on the highway a lot.

I prefer to tent camp! :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by busymomma2013

I prefer to tent camp! :)

LOL! I used to, until I had kids, and dogs. With the dogs it's almost impossible to tent camp, even tent trailer camp. They don't like being left behind, and they will rip right through the tent. The tent trailer is held together by velcro. I often wondered why they even bothered to put a lock on the door when all you have to do is tear back the velcro beside the door, reach in, and unlock.

If your seriouse about getting this there are a few things you really want to check on. Also something you should bring with you when you go and pick it up if you do.

1) Make sure the tanks are not cracked. If the thing has been sitting out in the wild so to speak and the thing wasnt winterized then you can have broken recovery tank.

2) You will need to check the other tank (holding tank) for fresh water too.

If you get it be sure to bring a case of bleach with you and you can pour it down the comode so it gets any smell out of it. If its been sitting then its been sitting without being emptied. Keep that in mind when you go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdad

If your seriouse about getting this there are a few things you really want to check on. Also something you should bring with you when you go and pick it up if you do.

1) Make sure the tanks are not cracked. If the thing has been sitting out in the wild so to speak and the thing wasnt winterized then you can have broken recovery tank.

2) You will need to check the other tank (holding tank) for fresh water too.

If you get it be sure to bring a case of bleach with you and you can pour it down the comode so it gets any smell out of it. If its been sitting then its been sitting without being emptied. Keep that in mind when you go.

Thanks Cdad. According to the seller it's only been sitting at the lake lot for the last month.

Sadly, I think I lost out on this deal too. Via email I told him R would call him at 8pm last night. R called him, no answer, left a message on his voice mail.

A few hours later, with no call, I emailed him, told him he could contact us up until midnight. No call, no email.

When I checked today, still no email, and no call. So I checked his ad. It's gone.

I'm thinking someone faster than us, got the deal. :(

You know Alty, with the combination of skills that both you and R have you could make your own trailer. Its really not that hard to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdad

You know Alty, with the combination of skills that both you and R have you could make your own trailer. Its really not that hard to do.

But it's much more costly than $500. Also, much more time spent doing it.

My dream was to get an old trailer, something that's sound, but needs a lot of TLC, and fixing it up. New floors, new wallpaper, new seat covers, new mattresses on the bed (foam since it light), and a good cleaning. But nothing too major.

I've booked a week long vacation at Elk Island Park, an hour drive from our place. Penticton is not in the picture this year, which was the initial plan, both this year and last. We just can't afford it.

But Elk Island we can afford. Me and the kids for the week days, R on the weekends unless he can take the time off, then it's all of us for the week.

We can't do it in the tent trailer, not with the dogs. It's a very small trailer, sleeps 6, but it's 8 feet of walking space. Bending to cook, bending to access the drawers. I'm just too old for it now. I want to be able to stand up, make my life easier while we're camping. Be able to wash the dishes in the trailer instead of boiling water, pouring it in a rubber tub, and washing dishes on the picnic table 3 times a day, while the rest of the family goes out to have fun.

I also want more safety. Not only for us, but for the dogs as well. When you lock the door of a trailer, it's locked. When you lock the door of a tent trailer it's easily opened by peeling back the velcro and reaching in. My dogs can get through a fence. Velcro is not a challenge for them.

I'm not looking for shiny and new. I'm not looking for all the bells and whistles. I'm looking for sturdy walls, a toilet, a sink and a cook top, a fridge, beds, and that's it. The rest I can fix up to suit us. But building one ourselves. I'm afraid the kids would be in college before we could accomplish that. :(

What about renting one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

What about renting one?

That costs around $500 a week. I'd much rather buy a $500 trailer that needs some love, than rent one, once, for the same price.

How about you see what you can afford and if you can try for something reasonable.

1995 AWARD 727 TRAVEL TRAILER for sale in Rocky Mountain House, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, Drayton Valley, Lacombe, at Edwards RV

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdad

How about you see what you can afford and if you can try for something reasonable.

1995 AWARD 727 TRAVEL TRAILER for sale in Rocky Mountain House, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, Drayton Valley, Lacombe, at Edwards RV

That's a nice one Cdad. A bit more than I want to spend, but very nice, and a reasonable price.

I did find on that I really like, on the same site that R is looking for a new used vehicle. With the new used truck he found, and this used trailer, it would cost us less than what I was paying for my Jeep for 3 years (Jeep just got paid off, no more payments). It's worth looking into. It's a 2007, it sleeps 8 plus (which we don't really need, but this way the kids could invite their friends to come camping with us). It's a little over 30 feet, and weighs a little under 5500 pounds (which is very light for that size).

It's a nice trailer. Not my dream. It doesn't need any TLC. It's not cheap. But this is more along the lines of what R wants. I'm not going to get excited about this one like I did the others. No sense getting happy until it's parked in my driveway.

We have had pop ups, tow units, tents etc. Every 24 ft. MH I have seen, well most anyway, has had a small car being towed behind it. So now you need another vehicle. Typically poor gas mileage, breaks down and you are stuck. In my opinion get a small towable park model.

He sold it or...more likely he realized he was under-priced and took the ad down.