shaft
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Post by shaft on Sept 14, 2019 18:25:34 GMT -8
Hi, and thanks for having me! I'm currently looking for a little trailer for frequent trips between N.Y. and FL. I know NOTHING about campers, but have been cramming and had enough sense to enlist the help of a man in FL with 30+ years of experience working on boats and trailers (who's also a camper) before I started to send photos to etc. He's already nixed a couple. My issue is that many of the campers I find are so far away. I don't mind driving to pick one up, but taking a 2 day trip just to look seems excessive. So, my question is: is there such a thing as someone who you can hire to go out and do the poking and evaluating and picture taking for you?
Also, just wanted to say I'm very thankful to have found this board. Very informative and no nonsense!
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debranch
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Post by debranch on Sept 14, 2019 18:45:21 GMT -8
Welcome,
I don’t have an answer to your question, but at the end of the day if you don’t see the camper yourself can you be sure it will be what you need. It’s good that you are reading and learning all you can before you jump in, I’m sure a lot of us wish we had. In saying that I’m glad to have found this site also and am so pleased with how my camper has turned out. The folks here are very knowledgeable so if you post pictures of campers you are thinking about they can give you valuable info to narrow down so you can decide if it’s worth a trip to check it out in person............. Debra
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shaft
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Post by shaft on Sept 14, 2019 19:24:06 GMT -8
Oh, lol, I would never buy anything without seeing it myself. It would just be nice to have someone with some experience tell me if its even worth looking at before I drive 12 hours. What would be even better would be to go with someone knowledgeable when they inspected one so I could really get an idea of what I'm looking for. I'm a bit terrified of the idea of the thing flying apart behind me on the road because I was foolish I guess lol.
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shaft
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Post by shaft on Sept 14, 2019 19:35:25 GMT -8
Also, I do know about the ice-pick test, jumping on the floors, bringing a ladder to look at the roof, etc (I have the checklist). And am very familiar with what visible wood rot/water damage looks like having sold antiques for 30 years. It's all of the things I can't see I'm concerned about.
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Post by vikx on Sept 14, 2019 19:49:32 GMT -8
Inspected or not, unless the trailer has been rebuilt with pictures to prove it, you are not going to find a sound trailer. They all have rot in varying degrees. If you don't want to rebuild the trailer, including lifting the skins to inspect and repair, there are few options left.
One is to buy a correctly restored trailer. It will run you somewhere in the $9500 and up range to get a good one. By correctly restored, I mean taken apart and put together properly with careful attention to structural details. PICTURES or it didn't happen. Beware of trailers repaired from the inside with pretty decor...
The other option is to buy a new "retro" type trailer. They are spendy but come with a warranty and you can make payments.
All of the above depends on what you want to spend. Any trailer going from NY to Florida needs to be very roadworthy.
I'm sure if you find a trailer and post it here we can help evaluate as your camper friend is doing.
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shaft
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Post by shaft on Sept 14, 2019 20:17:39 GMT -8
Inspected or not, unless the trailer has been rebuilt with pictures to prove it, you are not going to find a sound trailer. They all have rot in varying degrees. If you don't want to rebuild the trailer, including lifting the skins to inspect and repair, there are few options left. One is to buy a correctly restored trailer. It will run you somewhere in the $9500 and up range to get a good one. By correctly restored, I mean taken apart and put together properly with careful attention to structural details. PICTURES or it didn't happen. Beware of trailers repaired from the inside with pretty decor... The other option is to buy a new "retro" type trailer. They are spendy but come with a warranty and you can make payments. All of the above depends on what you want to spend. Any trailer going from NY to Florida needs to be very roadworthy. I'm sure if you find a trailer and post it here we can help evaluate as your camper friend is doing. Aaahhh. Thank you! I was beginning to suspect as much. At least that the skins would have to come off to have a look. Which we certainly can do down in FL. I would have all winter to work on the camper once we get it there. Actually, that's a relief in a way. I can't mess up too much if it's got to be rebuilt no matter what anyway! And don't worry, I will not be pulling an unsafe camper from N.Y. to FL. We'll put it on a trailer or have it delivered. Okay then! I actually have a candidate if you guys are interested? It's on Tin Can Tourists, a Detroiter Sportsman. As soon as I figure out how to link with my phone I'll make the link. If I can't, I'll get back on tomorrow on my computer. TY again! |
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Sept 15, 2019 2:19:13 GMT -8
I wouldn't be surprised if someone here was willing to go look for you.
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shaft
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Post by shaft on Sept 15, 2019 16:04:13 GMT -8
Lol. Too late, it's sold. It lasted a whole 2 days. Oh well. I guess I'll return if I ever manage to find a reasonably priced one.
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Post by vikx on Sept 15, 2019 19:57:59 GMT -8
The Detroiter wasn't bad but still high at 2K. It's a full build and possibly included new roof metal. This is interesting: That trailer is almost identical to my 56 Aljo, including the winged pattern on the side. Even the stove and interior plan is the same and the jalousie door window. I don't know if the two companies copied each other or it really is an Aljo in disguise. The Detroiter decals look new, so they are not proof of what it is... We've seen this before with Hansons and Oasis; they used many of the same ideas and one Oasis had "Hanson Lovebug" underneath the paint. Anyone have any info on Detroiters and a possible link to Aljos? Here's a link to my Aljo build: 56aljo.shutterfly.com/pictures |
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shaft
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Post by shaft on Sept 16, 2019 4:14:31 GMT -8
I saw the Aljo pattern as well and was completely confused. I mean, I AM new to vintage campers, but I'm a former academic and a bit of an obsessive so I've been doing almost nothing but researching them for 2 months now. And as far as 2k being high? Holy wow, you would not believe the things I've seen for even higher prices. One guy was asking 2k for a thing I was looking at and he wanted to know what I thought it was worth and I thought "free"?
Anyway, I've been watching the mobiltech videos and am less intimidated by the process; I have a licensed plumber/electrician/HVAC guy next door on board, an enthusiastic 17 yo son, a large barn with tools, etc. and am not afraid of getting dirty so now just need the trailer.
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Post by vikx on Sept 24, 2019 19:29:47 GMT -8
I like your FREE comment... There's a lot of crap out there, that's for sure. Most people haven't a clue.
One big problem with "restored" trailers is that they have been fixed (think patched) from the inside. There are many clues that point to inside out repairs, the main one being lack of original welting and added wood trim at the ceiling/wall joint. Another is different woods in various panels. When new, most (if not all) vintage trailers had consistent panels thru out. They matched, in other words. It's easy for us to tell even if an owner is unaware. Selling said decorated trailers for high dollar amounts is typical and the buyer gets cheated. Once they discover the truth, many leave our happy hobby in disgust.
Getting back to the Aljo pattern, it is slightly different from the Detroiter. Just a little. They were either in cahoots or copycats. LOL.
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