[fan4camping]

Yes, for being 38 years old, it is in EXCELLENT shape.

I got lucky 2 ways.
First, the asking price was $1500 when I bought the trailer, and at first, the guy was willing to take
a down-payment, and then a few monthly payments.
Then he decided he didn't want to mess with monthly payments, and dropped the price if I brought it all in cash.
So, I only paid $1200 for it. (borrowed about half from my parents to do it that way)

The second way, was when I moved to where I'm living now.
The Landlord gave me permission to park it on the property, so I didn't have to pay
for storage elsewhere. That worked out nicely, because since this place has a garage,
I didn't have to pay for a storage unit to house my project car (63 Ford Falcon).
I keep it here with me. It works out about the same as my last place + storage fees,
but now they're right here, easy access, instead of remote locations.

If you only paid $100 for yours, and used it for 1 season, you still got a great deal out of it.
You probably got your money back out of it, and then some, just in scrap value, unless you gave it away
to whoever would come haul it. Even then, $100 for a season's use is still cheap.
It costs more than that just to RENT one for a single weekend.

I did that with an old pop-up. Paid $150 for it, used it 1 season.
The sides were starting to fall apart, so I sold off the fridge, the furnace, the mattresses and some hard-to-come-by pieces.
I gutted out the base, and turned it into a utility trailer, then put the roof on hinges so it was covered.
That carried the tents and supplies the next season.
The following spring, (when I bought the current trailer) I sold the old pop-up/utility trailer to
someone that was looking for something to haul a couple quads with.
I got my money back out of it, and had used it for 2 seasons as well.

So yeah, building/upgrading/modifying things with your own hands instead of always buying NEW store-bought stuff
is certainly worth the time & effort, plus the personal rewards for your own accomplishments is nice.

As for spy's question...
unless you have plenty of money in reserve, it's hard to rely on being able to find work as you travel, just so you can eat, and afford to get to the next destination. Retired folk do that, but they saved up over the years to do it.
Some day, I'd love to get a motorhome and travel, seeing all the sights & National Landmarks.
Unless I win the lottery, I doubt that dream will come true.

[Rick69]

... I have been ill over the last few days. I have a cold due to season changes. I have been sick. But today I stopped being sick. And started being awesome, instead...

[spypengen]

glad to hear it Rick

[Rick69]

As am I, Pengen... As am I...

[fan4camping]

Actually Rick, you never stopped being "awesome" , you just subdued your cold to a lesser level.

[M0rd3kaI]

Rick, If you ever become awesome... it means you were not awesome to start off with... That in itself is a blatant lie...

Ps Fan, brilliant job I have to say, The storage unit that can be accessed from outside is especially neat, and you say there are a few drawers to the inside as well, nice. I really like the 'Rope-Light' (Not only because it uses the word 'Rope') it really makes a very nice addition, and knowing those little Argon lights thy will be quite bright in the night if the light is weak, very nice.

You say you got it for $1500?? That is less that ZAR10,000 here, and I checked for a brand new camping trailer, not even a camper, it already matches that price, yes sure second hand items will be less, but still, that's a excellent buy in my books

[GaryO]

Well, Campy, the travelin’ bug has left.
I’ve done it a lot of ways, but not in a motor home.
That’s a lot of equipment.
Seems they go for $250K - $750K usd, and I really can’t see the fun in it.
Maybe the first half hour. Then the smile fades.
I drove semi for awhile and that was work.
Once we drove up to Multnomah Falls, the scenic route. Had some folks up from Texas, and kinda got tired of watchin’ ‘em drinking my beer and eating my food, so we jumped in the Buick as I’d entertained the thought of an over the falls accident…b-u-u-u-u-t they were wary.
Anywhoo, on the way back we met this blue hair comin’ the other way.
He was on the hill side of the narrow scenic road, and his rig was taking out half the mountain. All you could see was his hands gripped at 10 and 2 on the wheel and his tiny head surrounding a shrunken face of terror.
Looked like fun.
And, you just don’t park those things anywhere.
I could stay in a lot of nice places and still have a bunch of money left over….
Now, if you wanna talk Harley….well, I’d get tired of typing.

Oh, and spy.
When you get a chance, do some travelin’ and going from job to job. It’s good to get that outta yer system at an early age.
I can’t talk against it, that’s for sure. But it’s not for everyone.
And it’s not for anyone, long term.

Oh, and I tore that camper down.
Crow bar, sawzall, sledge hammer, and sporadic stamina.
Took a half day.



and Rick...WTF?
Go get a good burger, man.

[Rick69]

And Rick...WTF?
Go get a good burger, man.

Motifake... I have come to the realisation that there is nothing a good burger cannot heal. All I need to do now is check if cancer abides by this law as well...

[fan4camping]

The down-side to traveling in a Motorhome, is when something breaks down, and needs repairs, the whole rig goes to the repair location.
Unless you tow a small vehicle with you, you drive the whole rig just to go to the store for supplies.
they have big motors designed to deal with all that size & weight.

If you pull a trailer with a truck, you can leave the trailer at the campsite while you drive to do whatever.
They have smaller motors, that usually are just enough slight inclines in the road, but going through the mountains
is slow & strenuous on the smaller motors.

Most trailers don't come with their own generator like a motorhome, so in remote locations, it's something extra you have to bring along.
Unless you can afford the big 5th-wheel style campers, most have very limited room for the amenities. (shower, fridge, etc)
Most trailers built these days come equipped with at least 1 slide-out for the living room area, some with one for the bedroom also.

So there are advantages & disadvantages to both sides of the choice.


The only down side to having a trailer as old as mine, is these new RV Resorts with all the luxuries (pool, sometimes hot tubs, phone & tv service to each site, etc)
won't let you in if your unit is over 5-10 years old. (even if it looks nearly new)
Ok, I forgot another down side... the older trailers were MUCH heavier than today's models.
Mine weighs in at about 4500 lbs. (US) completely empty (aka Title Weight).
By the time I fill the fresh water tank, have all the cooking supplies (pots, pans, plates, etc), food, clothes, and whatever else I bring,
it's more like 5200 lbs.
These new trailers of the same size, start off with a title weight of more like 2500-3000 lbs.

... and Kai.. $1500 was the original asking price, I got it for less with a single payment ($1200), instead of the original agreement
of a large chunk, and then a few smaller payments. For a trailer that old (33 years old at the time of purchase) you would think I over-paid.
The great condition it was in, plus the fact that it had the A/C unit, (complete with a heater as well, for electric heat instead of the propane furnace)
made it a very worthwhile investment for me.

[GaryO]

Yeah, at a certain age, price is all in the condition.
Kinda like me.
I can be had for cheap.