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"If your not living life on the edge... Your taking up too much room"
BOZEMAN OR BUST
"IF YOUR NOT THE LEAD DOG..THE VIEW NEVER CHANGES" Operation "SAVE RUDY" Strike Team (Charter Member) RALPH, KW8G.....WBCCI # 4201 Metro Detroit & 4CU
So, I talked to the "Sales Consultant" at the RV store where this one is being sold and, as expected, not much help. Since they don't even know the length or year of this unit, I didn't expect them to know much else. He claims they have a clear title in their possession-- but wouldn't the title state the correct year and length for the trailer?
Anyway, they say the only appliance present is the range/cooktop. The refer is missing, we know the furnace is missing from the pictures, there never was an AC unit, and he seemed to think the hot water heater was missing as well. They haven't (and won't) test any of the electrical, water, or gas (the LPG tanks are missing anyway). The sales guy says the floor seems really solid and that what bits of exposed frame he can see (a-frame) only seem to have surface rust on them .
The website still has an asking price of $4590, but I'll post some pics below and you'll see a window sticker with 3490 clearly marked. Maybe these are the pics from the yard of whoever sold it to the RV dealer, and the dealer is trying to mark it up $1K without testing anything?
So a pertinent question is, how do you check the frame for rust if you can't see it? This unit is in a coastal town right now, though I have no idea how much time it has spent there over its lifetime.
With the belly pan intact (and I'm told it is), how can you know?
So a pertinent question is, how do you check the frame for rust if you can't see it?
With the belly pan intact (and I'm told it is), how can you know?
- Climb on the rear bumper and jump up and down to get a feel for how "loose" the frame is.
- take along a cordless drill, some pop rivets and a flash light. You should be able to remove a few Alum rivets and pull down a small part of the pan in the rear. The last 4-8ft is the most likely area to be badly rusted. You can replace the rivets when you are done.
From the looks of the pictures... I'll lower my earlier max price to $2200.
It's tough on me because it seems that trailers in Texas are going for more than the national average, but Texas trailers are the only ones that I can realistically go and actually look at myself.
So a pertinent question is, how do you check the frame for rust if you can't see it? This unit is in a coastal town right now, though I have no idea how much time it has spent there over its lifetime.
With the belly pan intact (and I'm told it is), how can you know?
one way to know is to assume that there is rust and plan on addressing it accordingly. you're gonna want to remove the belly pan anyway to clean out all the mouse tirds. i'm also sure you're going to have some sort of floor rot somewhere in the trailer.
i'd say no more than $3000 on the max price, preferably less.
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david
*by asking the above question,
i verify that i have already used
the search feature to the best of my ability...
one way to know is to assume that there is rust and plan on addressing it accordingly. you're gonna want to remove the belly pan anyway to clean out all the mouse tirds. i'm also sure you're going to have some sort of floor rot somewhere in the trailer.
i'd say no more than $3000 on the max price, preferably less.
Thanks David, from the many stories I've read on the forums, I know this advice is sound. There's no doubt that it's going to have some rust and some leaks and likely some floor rot. As a buyer I'd always like to minimize my risk exposure, but who's to say that if I pass on this one, the next one won't have the same issues, or worse...
Look at the classifieds here on forums. A pretty nice looking 65 24ft Tradewind posted yesterday. Another nice looking older one too..
__________________
"If your not living life on the edge... Your taking up too much room"
BOZEMAN OR BUST
"IF YOUR NOT THE LEAD DOG..THE VIEW NEVER CHANGES" Operation "SAVE RUDY" Strike Team (Charter Member) RALPH, KW8G.....WBCCI # 4201 Metro Detroit & 4CU
Look at the classifieds here on forums. A pretty nice looking 65 24ft Tradewind posted yesterday. Another nice looking older one too..
That's a great looking Tradwind for sure. I love the HONDURAN MAHOGANY.(Right Frank? )
Two unfortunate things about it though--it's in NY so I'd be looking at something like $800-$900 in gas as well as a week-long trip to get it, or $1100 - $1500 to ship it. And I just don't have a week to take away from my wife and 7-month-old right now.
And, I really love the design features and styling cues in the early 60s models, like the jalousie windows and the door-within-a-door. The '65 doesn't have those features.
But believe me, I've definitely been checking the Forum classifieds religiously for the past several months, as well as ebay, every craigslist in an 800-mile radius, and the local fishwrap's classifieds. So far, I've been outbid or out-hustled on every unit I've had my eye on.
That works both ways... if you don't pass on this one, then next one will be perfect. LOL!
No doubt, Murphy's Law right?
Quote:
IMO, the less a trailer looks "messed with" the more likely that it will be in good condition. Good repairs are not as obvious as the bad ones.
That certainly makes sense. The interior of this one has most definitely been "messed with" extensively. I can understand why I'm receiving such sincere warnings from all of the veteran vintage owners.
Yes I saw that on your post about a older rig.. My Bro in Law had a 66 24 Ft T.W. what a nice unit it was...
__________________
"If your not living life on the edge... Your taking up too much room"
BOZEMAN OR BUST
"IF YOUR NOT THE LEAD DOG..THE VIEW NEVER CHANGES" Operation "SAVE RUDY" Strike Team (Charter Member) RALPH, KW8G.....WBCCI # 4201 Metro Detroit & 4CU
Yes I saw that on your post about a older rig.. My Bro in Law had a 66 24 Ft T.W. what a nice unit it was...
There's a lot I like about the TW. I should probably consider extending my search to both TWs and O'landers in those years.
But for some reason I just REALLY love the aesthetics of the O'lander in this particular vintage, something about the window spacing I think. And I also like the extra room-- my intent is that someday my Airstream will serve double duty, both as a camper for me and my family, and as a guest house on our property.
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(Charter Member) RALPH, KW8G.....WBCCI # 4201 Metro Detroit & 4CU
and that what bits of exposed frame he can see (a-frame) only seem to have surface rust on them 
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