Advice on Craiglist Argosy listing

[sospeso]

Hi all! What do you think of this Argosy listing?

After talking with the seller, there is some floor rot near the front windows (which makes me think there's some near the rear bath, too). She says the back bumper/shell connection seems solid, though. The appliances are functional, but a new A/C unit may be around the corner. The tires are drivable, but will need replacing. She doesn't know if the axles have been replaced, so might as well factor that cost in as well.

I think this would be a lottt of work, but I think that will be manageable (with much advice from the forums, obviously ). My concern is whether the cost makes sense. She did state she'd be willing to come down in price. What's a good goal?

(I haven't seen this in person yet, because it's about 5 hours away... But I love the wraparound windows in the Argosy's, which is proving tough to find closer and in my price range).

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/rvs/5141676124.html

[aquinob]

It's fair. 3k is a good start, but from the pictures its really hard to tell exactly what it will need, that will take a good pre-purchase inspection on your part.

I would expect axles and maybe tires. Probably has all the original weather stripping, so count on going over all the windows and doors. Flooring and the frame will probably need some help, again that is what you need to figure out when you go inspect it. Check the operation of all the appliances and have water hooked up to check for leaks and to see if the water heater works. Check the fridge for operation on ac as well as gas. If you can fill the tank, check for pump operation as well.

Good luck, post back with some pictures.

[nrgtrakr]

Even if it needs a new furnace, fridge, range top/oven, water heater, AC, axles, tires, new plumbing, battery and three stage charger along with sub-floor repair, you'd still have less in it than a new white box of smaller size - IF you did the work yourself.

[Belegedhel]

What you are looking at is pretty typical of a trailer that has not had any heavy-lifting restoration work done to it, but might have been used somewhat regularly in the last few years. The price is fair. As you have observed, rot at the front windows likely means rot around most of the perimeter, especially in the back. So with this in mind, you know you have a lot of work ahead of you with either an entire floor replacement or at least extensive patch work. Note also, that it looks like someone has built some kind of cargo shelf extension onto the rear bumper. Depending on what kinds of loads have been on it, and how much it has been used, this could really exaggerate the potential rear-end separation.

good luck!

[shineybullet]

Get ready to spend lots of money and time if your buying a vintage trailer , if you enjoy that then go for it .

[markdenise]

I think the price is great but then I live in CA where this argosy would be at least 6k if not more even in it's current condition. You will probably need to put 10k into it, if you are doing the work yourself. So, the question is, what would it be worth if it where all fixed up ? it would need to be worth 13k or more to make the deal make sense from a financial point of view. Do a search for fixed up Argosys and see what they are selling for to see if you would get enough money to make it worth it. So, that is the financial side-from a personal enjoyment side-if you like fixing things up and you will enjoy the process-then you will have a really sweet, special trailer when you are done. Almost all trailers of this age need floor repairs,new tires and new axles. So be aware of that.

[sospeso]

Thanks for the input, everyone! I took the plunge! It hasn't sunk in just yet, but I am excited about learning some new skills and building on the ones I've got... and of course, to see the finished product many hours of work later.