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Post by vikx on Jan 16, 2018 22:10:06 GMT -8
Give yourself some rules to help on the Hunt.
Mine:
16 feet and under, single axle. This is total length, including the tongue.
Must have a title and be towable today. Inspect the frame and undercarriage!
Must have all of the original parts, pieces and appliances. Windows are important.
Older than 1969, the older the better. I prefer 50s hams.
Once a trailer passes the above, I assess the rest of it. New skins are very spendy, so if there's too much damage, a no go for me.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2018 22:37:19 GMT -8
Yeah - I probably should tighten up my rules a bit. I'm kind of all over the map right now. If it looks cool to me, I'm intrigued, regardless of length.
I do agree on the age and probably wouldn't consider anything newer than a 1969 like you. Unless free, and the goodies inside are worth parting out - same as truck campers.
Not a problem with a "no title" here in Minnesota. The DMV is more than willing to issue a new one.
I did a little research on this Boles Aero, and it looks to be a 1963 with that wrap around front window. I figured a Boles Aero that old, regardless of length, might be a good find.
I also don't mind the damaged skins, as I thoroughly enjoy doing body work and am pretty good at it. Kind of adds to the challenge in my mind.
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Post by vikx on Jan 17, 2018 0:08:43 GMT -8
That's what I'm trying to say: Free isn't FREE. Fuel costs and time are worth something.
I think separating your business would be good: Buy for parts or buy for worth. Most 70s appliances and appointments aren't worth much. Maybe a compartment door or? Hinges, etc. are easily replaceable and not a high dollar item. Skins are the wrong pattern for vintage.
Buy what you like and want to keep forever. You'll never go wrong. Buy what you want to sell and there are RULES.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2018 0:45:29 GMT -8
Good points Vikx.
I agree, anything after 1970 would mean the goodies inside must be of value to someone, or its not worth the time and fuel. I'm thinking good stove, air conditioner, furnace, 3-way refrigerator, frame, axle, wheels, etc. Folks here like to build ice fishing houses, so in addition to the items above, doors and windows in good shape are worth quite a lot. The jack stands alone for a truck camper are easy $300 a set.
In other words, the market I would be selling camper parts to would typically not be the vintage camper folks.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 17, 2018 8:30:24 GMT -8
My rules...Some overlap with vikx
I don't buy anything newer than 1962.
I don't buy anything that isn't ham shaped... except a Lil Loafer
I don't buy anything painted inside
I don't buy anything missing the original cabinets
I don't buy anything anything over 16'
I don't buy anything I can't tow home
I don't buy anything without a title. It's death in my home state.
I don't buy anything with the exterior painted with latex house paint unless it's a great mid-50s ham with a original interior. It has to justify $2000 for new skin.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2018 11:10:56 GMT -8
Nccamper - I like your rules.
But honestly, how many campers out there fall into the criteria you specify? I've been at this for a little while now, and I can't say I've seen many reasonably priced trailers that would fit what you are looking for. Unless they are already restored...
I'm thinking we are coming at it from (2) totally different points of view.
Here are my rules (also remember that I intend to do a complete frame off restoration on anything I acquire):
- $1000 or less - DLW imposed!
- Manufactured prior to 1970
- No title - no problem
- Cool looking to me, regardless of length
- Within a 200 mile radius of my home. I have a buddy in the towing business, so this is cheap if I stay within (3) hours.
- Frame and axle in good shape. Replacement wheels and tires can be easily obtained.
- The majority of the windows and exterior door in place
- All the siding in place - I don't want to buy new exterior materials unless I'm forced to. Remember that I really enjoy doing the body work part of this.
- Latex covered exterior - bring it on!
- Painted interior - bring it on! I'll replace with the wood species of my choice.
- No cabinets - bring it on! I have a cabinet making shop, so this is another interest of mine.
- No furnace or appliances - bring it on. Another reason for my hunt for "free" campers that have all this stuff.
Maybe we should change the title of this thread to "Your Rules to Purchase a Travel Trailer".
It would be great to get input from others on this subject!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 17, 2018 12:36:04 GMT -8
"Maybe we should change the title of this thread to "Your Rules to Purchase a Travel Trailer".
It would be great to get input from others on this subject!"Good idea...Done! ----- On this forum you'll find 1000 ways to approach the rules question. Another rule for me, if it has been molested to the point of never being "original" again, I'm not really interested. It's true that there are very few hams on the east coast. I had to go to the Utah border for Compact, Indiana for the Forester, Maine for the Airflyte, Alabama for the Shasta 1500...etc. For me, the epic journey to pick them up is half the fun. 
Latex paint is a miserable beast.
I started saying "bring it on" and ended swearing like a sailor on shore leave.
Never again!
As for your $1000 limit, I'll pay much more than that for a barn find 1957 Shasta, original owner, hardly used all these years. If you find one, hold true to your price limit...and call me! I'll fly there tomorrow with cash.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2018 14:51:13 GMT -8
I'll keep an eye out for that 1957 Shasta. Anything else you want me to pass on during my daily "Hunt"? I do come across lots of others over $1000 that I believe may be of interest to folks on this forum, but haven't posted because I don't want to clutter up this space. Should I change that practice and post anything and everything that I believe may be of interest out there?
Surprisingly (maybe to you, not to me), there are lots of finds up here on the tundra that have been converted to ice fishing houses or hunting cabins years ago. The folks no longer have a need for whatever reason and quickly post for a song on Craigslist. They really have no clue there is a restoration market out there.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 17, 2018 20:08:57 GMT -8
Anything for sale that you think is unique or a great candidate for restoration you can place in the "For Sale" section. I'd suggest keeping it to the best candidates.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2018 21:02:51 GMT -8
I'll do the best I can. You all know the market much better than I do, so please comment on which ones are good candidates and which ones aren't. Again, I don't want to clutter up this space with stuff that doesn't belong here.
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Post by vikx on Jan 17, 2018 22:11:50 GMT -8
I can always swoop in and delete the ones I don't like... LOL
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2018 22:19:45 GMT -8
OK...I've got (3) posted out there. Please provide a comment on each one if you can. Thanks!!
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Post by vikx on Jan 17, 2018 22:42:49 GMT -8
You did good, BW. 2 out of 3 ain't bad...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2018 23:27:58 GMT -8
Great...I'll continue to post as I discover more. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 19, 2018 15:26:13 GMT -8
Just quit figuring on finding your dream trailer on CL or Ebay. Yes I watch CL but if there's something out there that comes up on CL and you're not the first one to see it, you probably have no chance of getting it.
I have probably spotted over 100 campers in the last year that I haven't even inquired on. All of them good candidates from what I see on the outside. Heck, there's one two blocks from me that I just haven't inquired on. They are in back yards, fields, and junk yards. Also you can find them for sale in storage yards. They aren't being advertised but they have a for sale sign on them.
I won't buy anything newer than 65.
I won't buy anything unless I know I can get a title on it.
I won't buy anything I can't poke around in.
I always put new tires and grease the bearings before moving it from it's current location.
I always make sure I can title it before I pay for it.
I always make sure it is pretty much complete.
I always make sure it will tow safely before moving it. One day I will have a flat bed and won't have to worry about that anymore.
The furthest away from home I have had to travel to pick up a trailer is 500 miles.
House paint can be sanded off. Had to do that on the Deville and the 57 Shasta. That's not a deal breaker for me.
I almost bought a 56 Shasta sight unseen except for two photos for $500. Almost sent him a deposit to hold it until I could come get it. Then he sent me one more photo.... That photo was the deal breaker because the metal was missing on one side making it impossible to tow 400 miles home safely without a hell of a lot of Gorilla Tape. But it was complete and had I not had to tow it 500 miles I probably would have bought it anyhow.
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