camper worth it??

[Dirtautoguy]

the place I work for has a older camper. Im not sure what brand it is but I think its a 21ft double axle. My boss wants to take it to the dump and get rid of it. He said that if he could legally give it to me he would if I really wanted it but he would have to look into it then today I asked him about it again and he said that it needs some work and that he is pretty possitive his boss or whoever will tell him that since it is liscensed to the state or federal he will have to sign a salvage receipt but it seems like if wouldnt be that hard. I'm actually not sure if the place is federal or just state does anyone know how that would work?? the state is wyoming

 

the camper has been gutted it needs a toilet, sink, table, bed, pretty much it only has some cupboards hanging from the ceilng but the floor is brand new. he said that it doesnt trail worth crap he thinks that the axle might be bent which concerns me. most of the outings would be less than 60 miles away (more like 20) so its not like Im going to go road tripping in it. and I can always replace the axles if they need to be. it looks like they are about $150 a piece. he also said that it has a electrical issue somewhere, but I cant imagine this old of a trailer without any popouts or AC having much for wiring

 

It would be mine and my wifes first camper and we think that it would be fun to be able to put it together how we wanted and to be able to customize it. it has been stored in a garage for years so the outside looks really nice, the door shuts super nice as well. My boss was going to make it into just like a room for the summer help to stay in but never finished it. so it has brand new flooring and carpet in it. the tires on it are brand new and it has a really heavy duty hitch on the back of it.

 

what do you guys think?? we would probably only use it 4 or 5 times a summer if that to go on camping trips and we dont need anything super fancy right now, plus if we could get it for free why not?

[SnakeEyeSS]

If the salvage thing doesnt work, Have him take it to the dump for work, you follow him on a day off. He unhooks it, then then you go and hook it up and take it home.

 

I knew a mechanic that would go to the dump and find old mowers, weed eaters, etc, and fix them up.

[Silverado4x4]

Why follow him to the dump? If he does that it would be considered theft from the county or state property once it was unhooked from the truck, once its unhooked on there property it belongs to them.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Why follow him to the dump? If he does that it would be considered theft from the county or state property once it was unhooked from the truck, once its unhooked on there property it belongs to them.

State owns the dump? You don't have any privately owned landfills there?

[Spurshot]

Sounds like a lot of work.

[Silverado4x4]

State owns the dump? You don't have any privately owned landfills there?

Nope all our dumps are owned by the county.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

IMO you would be better off buying new if you really want a camper. The one you mention is going to be nothing but a headache. Far too much work needs to be done to even think about using it any time soon. I would definitely not get involved with that money pit, no way!

[Friz2]

Here in Florida, there were hundreds of FEMA campers up for auction years ago after the hurricanes. These were fairly new tag alongs that mostly needed cosmetic upgrades to the interior and holding tanks with associated plumbing installed.

The trailer could be purchased for next to nothing, but putting in the plumbing and simple cosmetic upgrades made them worthless.

 

Price out everything before you take this on.

[Blue2500CC]

Sounds possible, but with a lot of work.

 

The axle issue could be the hangers not mounted properly as well, requiring them to be cut off and remounted.

 

Are the tires "just bought brand new" or "bought xyrs ago brand new"? If bought "xyrs ago brand new" the plan on possibly needing to replace them. I have never verified, but Discount Tire told me that they can't legally (maybe it is actually store policy, but they word it that way to sell tires!) repair tires older than 7yrs.

 

Plan on resealing the roof, something that should be done every year or so while inspecting at least 1-2 times a yr.

 

Electric issue- 12v or 120v? Could be more to it than expected.

 

As mentioned, try to add up all that is needed to make the trailer "yours", and see what style and condition a used trailer is in that price range.

 

Good luck!

[GPGuy]

To me it sounds like it might be more trouble than it's worth but then it depends on how much it needs and how handy you are/have time to fix it up.