Input Needed on This Camper

[liv luvs disney]

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/rvs/1284447915.html

Give me some feedback PLEASE! I am going to look at it at 6:00 this evening without DH...he has to work. I will find out the exact model when I look at it (the owner was at work and wasn't sure of the model) so I can look up the NADA value. From what little I have researched, this is a good brand. But then again, what do I know!

 

[big kahuna1]

Starcraft has been around for a long while and I believe them to be of ggod quality but I have never owned one.

I would contact the owner and make sure he has the unit plugged in and the a/c and fridge on, propane on, the water hooked up and on, the water heater on and the beds out so that you can inspect and test everything. A/C should be cold, water should work and no leaks anywhere, water heater should be on and water hot. Bring some high heel shoes and where them while inside the unit. If the floor is soft from any water damage your high heel will sink into the floor. Check all the seams and roof lines inside for discoloration from leaks. Check windows to make sure they open and close. Check the heater/furnace make sure it works. Check the stove and oven make sure they work. If it has stablizers ask him ot have them down to make sure they are working. If it has an awning make sure he has it out so you know it works. Check water pump to make sure it works if it has one. Check all storage compartments for signs of leaks or bugs such as carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are a sign of a leak somewhere as they like moisture. If you do not own the hitch components ask him if the price includes them. If you want you can even have him hook up the electric to the auto to make sure the lights all work on the camper while being towed.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[stpetedisneydad]

I agree with the PP and would like to add that campers with the "smooth" sides usually have a fiberglass skin glued to 1/4" plywood. You should push against the outside walls on both sides of every corner, around the hot water heater door, storage compartment doors, etc. Your looking for any "give". The walls should be solid and not flex but if the outside joints failed at any of these places and water has saturated the plywood that the fiberglass skin is glued to then it will flex. If this happens just walk away as it is a nightmare to repair. Starcraft campers have been around for decades. Back in the 70's my parents owned a pop up and a TT made by them with no problems what so ever but that was over 30 years ago and times do change.

 

[medic9016]

Check the 2 inch hitch for the bike rack on the back. If it is attached to the frame, see if it welded or bolted. Make sure it has not warped the frame if welded or has not bent the frame. If it is on the bumper, also check the frame were the bumper is attached to it for fatigue or damage. A few bicycles bouncing while the trailer is towed can do some damage.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I love that type of TT. We've been thinking of upgrading our PUP to something like that (i'd like to be able to pack it without popping up...putting down...gets to be a pain. it still sleeps as much as a pup, too!). Plus that price looks fair for a 2000.

Let us know what you find! It sounds like you have gotten lots of good advice!!!!

 

[LarryJ]

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/rvs/1284447915.html

Give me some feedback PLEASE! I am going to look at it at 6:00 this evening without DH...he has to work. I will find out the exact model when I look at it (the owner was at work and wasn't sure of the model) so I can look up the NADA value. From what little I have researched, this is a good brand. But then again, what do I know!

To be honest with you with a fiber glass/Filon sided trailer that is 9 years old I would inspect every inch and especially the seams and window/fitting penetrations for any water intrusion problems and if the caulk or seams look questionable in the least I would pass. A leak is the kiss of death $$$ in these type of trailers. It might be fine, but you have to really know what you are doing in ensuring it's been properly maintained water proofing wise.

Larry

 

[liv luvs disney]

You guys are THE best. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Okay, I think I did everything, but wear high heels and check what the bike rack was attached to. This unit had new carpet which for some reason struck me funny. I tend to be paranoid and kept thinking "water damaged floor." I did not see any visible signs of damage other than wear and tear of an almost 10 year old unit. I didn't realize it until I actually saw it, but we have friends with this exact same model that honestly is in much beter shape. The owners did tell me that their 2 dogs and 1 cat had camped with them. (Maybe that's why there was new carpet.) I did call ahead and ask that everything be "up and running" so that I could inspect it. The wife told me they had already done it. The fridge was cold, the air was very cold, and the lights worked. I did not ask them to turn the heat on. Pilot lights worked. No tears in the canvas ends. The matresses looked good. The table was uh, let's just say, it needs a new table. Hmmm, let's see what else. Oh yeah, about this NADA thing. When I looked this particular camper up with all of the ammenities, the average retail value is $3865. Do people usually pay more than the retail value? I think $5200 is a fair price, but I'm not going to pay that. I have seen better taken care of units. Besides, I just didn't get that "this is my camper" feeling. KWIM?

Again, thank you so much for your kindness and feedback!

 

[AuburnJen92]

If you say the NADA is 3800 and change, you probably need to adjust what you think is fair. They are way above NADA and from what it sounds like, and have used it, with their pets sufficiently. If it were me, I wouldn't go above NADA, especially with the wear you have mentioned.

 

[liv luvs disney]

If you say the NADA is 3800 and change, you probably need to adjust what you think is fair. They are way above NADA and from what it sounds like, and have used it, with their pets sufficiently. If it were me, I wouldn't go above NADA, especially with the wear you have mentioned.

I have noticed that every camper we have looked at is way above NADA average retails. We looked at a hybrid a couple of weeks ago that the owners were asking $6000, but NADA average retail was
$1900. At least the $6000 hybrid was immaculate inside, though still not worth $6000. Regardless, the $5200 hybrid is just "not my camper." I really liked the model, just not that one. We are very particular and take EXTREME care of everything we own. I would have paid $5200 for this hybrid if it had been clean and not had a bunch of nicks and scratches on the interior. Also, I don't think I mentioned that the outside was faded and the stickers were peeling quite badly. The current owners had not kept it covered and I'm assuming neither had the previous owners. I know there are campers out there that are cleaner with less wear and tear and still in our price range...it just may take some time to find them.

 

[liv luvs disney]

A local dealer has a 2003 Trail-Cruiser Model C-22 hybrid on the lot for
$8900. This thing is NICE!!! Very, very, very clean and everythng works. Seriously, if the salesman had not told me it was a 2003, I would have thought it was maybe a year old.

I can't find it on NADA. They only list an M-22 expandable. Would that be it? The M-22 (with all of the C-22 ammenities) average retail is $6775. What would be a fair price for me to offer? This is more than we want to spend right now, but we would do it (and hopefully not regret it).

HELP!!!!!

 

[AuburnJen92]

Just keep this in mind....the economy is less than desirable for RV sales right now, so you will always have the upper hand. The asking price is just that, asking. When we bought our class a at the height of the market and still got a bunch of negotiating done, mainly because the person selling it wanted to get rid of it because it was on his lot taking up his precious inventory money. We have had 4 of the 9 RV dealers here, one major one, go under because of lack of sales. Please be patient and find what you want and negotiate. If they want the sale, they will talk. You don't have to take them for a ride, but you don't have to be taken for a ride either.

 

[liv luvs disney]

Just keep this in mind....the economy is less than desirable for RV sales right now, so you will always have the upper hand. The asking price is just that, asking. When we bought our class a at the height of the market and still got a bunch of negotiating done, mainly because the person selling it wanted to get rid of it because it was on his lot taking up his precious inventory money. We have had 4 of the 9 RV dealers here, one major one, go under because of lack of sales. Please be patient and find what you want and negotiate. If they want the sale, they will talk. You don't have to take them for a ride, but you don't have to be taken for a ride either.

I don't want to freak you out, but I had a dream about you last night! I dreamed that you and your family came to stay with my family and me for the TN/Auburn game. I don't have a clue what you even look like, but I dreamed about you. Shortly after that dream, I dreamed that my husband built us a 3-story house with a Taco Bell and KFC on the 3rd floor. I don't even like TB or KFC...Chick-fil-A is my choice of fast food joints.

Okay, now back to campers. This whole thing has me in a complete tizzy. DH was about as excited over this gotta-have-it hybrid I saw at the dealer as I am when he tells me he wants to buy another gun-we own 27 already! I told him I would not go higher than $7000, but he doesn't want to spend that much. I totally understand. Last year, we sacrificed like you would not believe and got completely out of debt (except the house) and somehow managed to put away around $7500 in savings and swore we would never get like that again...the debt part, not the savings part. We could technically pay for this camper in full, but it would drain our savings and I don't want to do that. We could put half down and finance half with a minimal payment. I like that idea except I am a worry wart and worry about something happening to one of our vehicles or him losing his job. So ??? Regardless no decision will be final until we both agree. I have learned my lesson on doing things my way, but that's a whole 'nother story.

He's not up yet and I haven't slept since I found out that TB and KFC now reside on my third floor so we'll see what today brings a little later. I'll keep you informed. It may prove to be an interesting day.

 

[disney4dan]

Things to consider that we would prefer in the new trailer that is not:

1. The older trailer had windows that cranked open - could be left open in the rain and no water could get in. The new trailer has mostly windows that slide from one side to the other, would allow rain to get in. Not a biggy, but you know how it is with little things sometimes.

2. Check and see if you like the way the toilet works - everyone has a personal preference on this. Make sure the bowl holds water in it and does not slowly drain out. If the water can drain, the smell can come up

3. Check the condition of the battery cables, look for signs of corrosion.

4. Check the welds on the frame, look for rust there as well.

5. Make sure the level sensors work in the holding tanks.

All I could think of at the moment, but things I thought you might want to have for a quick checklist.

 

[liv luvs disney]

Thanks Dan. I've learned soooo much from everyone here.

Well I went to the bank this morning as soon as they opened, got my financing in order-paying half, financing half. Ran a few other erronds, came back to the house to pick up the fam (husband slept in after working 70 hours this week), headed to the dealer ready to make an offer and the hybrid was GONE! It sold first thing this morning. Oh well, it just didn't work out. So then I came home and cried myself to sleep. I'll be okay...eventually.

 

[ob1quixote]

The next one will be better.

Now that you have the leg work done, and have learned a bit about what to look for, you can jump on the next one.

Just dont jump "too" quickly...

 

[AuburnJen92]

I don't want to freak you out, but I had a dream about you last night! I dreamed that you and your family came to stay with my family and me for the TN/Auburn game. I don't have a clue what you even look like, but I dreamed about you. Shortly after that dream, I dreamed that my husband built us a 3-story house with a Taco Bell and KFC on the 3rd floor. I don't even like TB or KFC...Chick-fil-A is my choice of fast food joints.

OMG I am cracking up! I blame myself totally for your dream. I was eating KFC last night! (I like Chick Fil A better too, but I don't enjoy the 30 min drive there and 30 min back) Even better still, it was a KFC/TB combo store!

 

[des1954]

If you are able to, print out the NADA value of the unit you are looking at before going to see it. A lot of private owners are selling their units because of the economy, and might be "upside-down" on their financing. The private owners may not realize their unit isn't worth what they owe on it & therefore what they are asking for it.

Also - NADA pricing info is invaluable when working with an RV dealer. Dealers are banking on the emotional sale & not the "I've done my research & this is all I'm paying" sale. If you have the NADA pricing in your hands - you've got negotiating power!

 

[liv luvs disney]

OMG I am cracking up! I blame myself totally for your dream. I was eating KFC last night! (I like Chick Fil A better too, but I don't enjoy the 30 min drive there and 30 min back) Even better still, it was a KFC/TB combo store!

That is hilarious!

 

[liv luvs disney]

If you are able to, print out the NADA value of the unit you are looking at before going to see it. A lot of private owners are selling their units because of the economy, and might be "upside-down" on their financing. The private owners may not realize their unit isn't worth what they owe on it & therefore what they are asking for it.

Also - NADA pricing info is invaluable when working with an RV dealer. Dealers are banking on the emotional sale & not the "I've done my research & this is all I'm paying" sale. If you have the NADA pricing in your hands - you've got negotiating power!

I do not plan on looking at another camper without looking at the NADA information FIRST! I feel like it cost me my dream camper yesterday, but then again, maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Either way, I'll be prepared beforehand from now on!!