Need Advice on Buying a camper

[Phoneprincess13]

:dodgy:

So I found a 76 Wilderness Camper.

I am going to go and see it this weekend.  I do have to get a hitch for my pathfinder to get it home.  What should I look for? I have been watching a lot of videos, but it is always nice to be able to "talk" to someone about this.  I am want to start living full time in a bout a year.  So I would have time to do any repairs that are needed.  I figure I will offer them a thousand dollars for the camper. 

TIA for any feedback.

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

I Googled 1976 Pathfinder. Looks long and heavy. Do you have experience towing something like this?

Walk all the floors and make sure there are no soft spots. This would indicate floor rot in which case it would have to be ripped up and replaced. I did a small Aframe floor and it is a job.

Google and learn about tire codes so you know if you have to replace your tires right off the bat.

How old is the refrigerator? Are the tanks full when you see it and are there leaks under the trailer? Does the toilet flush?

The price may reflect these items needing repair. What you want is to know what the owner has and has not done to the trailer. Make sure you have the time, money and space to do any repairs needed or else the funds to pay someone else to do it.

Check the inside of the refrigerator - make sure there is no mold.

Ask the height of the ball hitch so you can get the right size hitch. We bought a 5 3/4 drop and ended up needing to go to a 7.5 or something like that.

Hope this helps and good luck. There are a lot of used trailers out there - if you hurry too fast you might spend all your time rebuilding and not camping.

 

[mespringer]

It will probably take more work than you think plus it has only one axle. My brother bought one very similar to that. There were cracks in the plastic plumbing which was not very good when it was first installed. Same for the faucets. The factory did not waste money on fixtures that would last more than a few years. The last time he towed it home and parked it in the yard the water tank dropped onto the ground.

The interior is primarily particle board and may or may not be any good. Look for rot around the sink and bath areas. Take the panels that cover the plumbing and look inside of the walls. The sides and probably the top are made with pine boards similar to a 2X2. Not sure how you would check them but it would involve peeling back the wall and roof material. And the roof itself can take years to find all of the leaks. Best to get a good quality rubberized material that is made for RV tops and paint several layers of it on the roof.

 

[Phoneprincess13]

Thank you for the input.  I of course want to buy the first thing I see, that is my nature unfortunately.  Perhaps I just need to start looking at a lot of RV's and campers.  I am torn between an RV or a light camper to tow with my Pathfinder.  The desire to live alone and just take care of myself may be clouding my judgement. I am glad that both of you pointed out potential problems that could arise with this model.

 

[highdesertranger]

what's the tow rating of your Pathfinder. highdesertranger

 

[cyndi]

Google buying a used RV or travel trailer. There are all kinds of lists of things to check that you can print out and take with you

Most importantly, make sure the units are plugged in and hooked up so you can check all systems, thoroughly.

Somebody mentioned checking the floor for soft spots. You also want to feel and look at ceilings and walls, inside and out, for soft spots and staining. Water leaks are common and water travels, rotting everything in its path if it's not repaired quickly.

Look at everything you might be interested in. Each one will be a learning opportunity.

Don't believe anything the seller tells you. Research everything for yourself

 

[bullfrog]

Go rent a cheap utility trailer for a day and load it to the manfacture's recomended maxium tow weights. Drive it up some hills and on the freeway, see how well it comes to a stop. Check your gas milage. Take off weight until you feel comfortable towing it. Go weigh it at the truck stop. Then look for a camper lighter than that weight. It may cost you a day off and $100 but it will save you thousands in the long run.

 

[Katherine]

:dodgy:

So I found a 76 Wilderness Camper.

I am going to go and see it this weekend.  I do have to get a hitch for my pathfinder to get it home.  What should I look for? I have been watching a lot of videos, but it is always nice to be able to "talk" to someone about this.  I am want to start living full time in a bout a year.  So I would have time to do any repairs that are needed.  I figure I will offer them a thousand dollars for the camper. 

TIA for any feedback.

[font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Considering it's a little longer, so please do check carefully, includes the tires, engines, batteries, brakes, macerator pump, shocks, propane sensor etc.. Good luck! [/font]

 

[RoamerRV428]

old post I know but it is 1000% about the tow capacity of your pathfinder.
and you can't max out that weight either in towing. You need room to spare to be able to drive it properly, stop it properly and handle grades etc.

Know your pathfinder and capacity.
then find a rv to fit the bill.

being under trucked is the worst one can do in towing.

 

[Sassenach]

Thank you for the input.  I of course want to buy the first thing I see, that is my nature unfortunately.  Perhaps I just need to start looking at a lot of RV's and campers.  I am torn between an RV or a light camper to tow with my Pathfinder.  The desire to live alone and just take care of myself may be clouding my judgement. I am glad that both of you pointed out potential problems that could arise with this model.

I'm the same way and you have some great advice here.

With my desire to get out and the advice of most out there, which was "just do it". I took the plunge on a van. Calculating my options and risk level, it ended out to be a good decision. It got me out on the road.

Then my desire for comfort kicked in, and I took another calculated risk when I bought a bigger rig. Needing the space, I sold the van and my car and purchased an RV. Again, I feel it was a good decision.

On both moves, my biggest asset has been my intuition. so my advice to you is trust your judgment and do what you gotta do. I did look at more RV's and I learned how much I'm willing to spend and risk for my comfort level.

One thing is for sure. They all need more work then you think, so budget a generous amount of patience and $.

 

[Smitty716]

I found out it never fails , that when you look at one you always miss something that needs worked on. . Hey we would be bored otherwise. Just hopefully it’s something you can do yourself