Please help...questions about this Monitor...

Hello! You have certainly asked the right people. Everyone on here has been in your spot. Its nerve racking for sure. Any photos or a link perhaps? Photos can help tell many stories. But regardless, it is almost impossible that the camper has no water damage in some place or another
Sometimes such damage can be repaired in a couple weekends and unfortunately sometimes it does require an overhaul. Paint is often used to cover these areas inside, and outside the bottom skirt boards and framing under the aluminum skin is often rotted, at least some. So in that area, you definitely have some leverage if you can inspect closely any interior area that looks stained, wrinkled, or delaminating. And back to the skin, if you spot areas that are sagging, its probably from rot of the frame. In the interior, under the windows and the corners are the most suspect to damage, as well as the area around the roof vent. Of course water damage is very important but not the only thing to check for when looking at buying. Others can certainly help you on here.

Rich covered some important points.

There are not a lot of photos to go by but here are a few questions to be answered.

Are you in a state that requires a title? Check before going. Even if Maine doesn’t require a title, when you decide to sell you will be glad you have one. So ask DMV what’s needed to get one.

The paint job outside looks to be brushed. Is it covering body work? Look for cracks and bumps. Stripping house paint is a big job. Something to consider.

Assume that if there is water staining anyplace there is probably rotten framing behind it.

They went through the effort and expense of putting carpet on the floor. Why? If it’s loose, ask to lift it up and take a peak underneath.

Check the tanks for leaks.

Check that the hitch is straight and not bent up.

Crawl under and check that floor. If the skirt (as rich mentioned) solid, is the wood framing solid, is the metal framing solid and straight?

Stand outside the camper and look down the side walls. Bulges and wavy sections may be a sign of rotten framing. The walls should be straight.

Bring a step ladder and look at the roof. Goop and rubber coating is a sign of past trouble. Nobody pays for materials and does the work of sealing a perfectly dry camper with no leaks at all.

Getting goop off is a big job.

Then there are personal questions.

Do you love the look of the camper?

Is the layout perfect for you or are you settling?

Don’t compromise too much on these things. It’s too much work to do unless you love the camper.

Best of luck.

Thank you so much for the suggestions, these are great! We will definitely bring a ladder, an awl, and a flashlight! I really do like the looks of this camper, and the layout works for us. One of the things I'm worried about the most is the brown paint over all of the aluminum around the windows...that looks like a bear to clean off. Will keep you posted!