Think I saved my mom

emtp82 · 05-09-2019, 10:15 AM

So my mom came across a deal on a 1981 Jayco travel trailer. The owner originally wanted $2000, but was talked down to $800 sight unseen because he needs it out of his driveway by this weekend. I went by to tow it home for her and looked it over. It had the expected old appearance, but after we walked around in it, we found some soft spots in the floor. One concerning one was where the water heater is. I told her to pass on the deal, because we weren't going to be sure how much damage there was going to be.
The owner then haggled down to $200 if we'd take it. We talked it over, and at the last minute I remembered I hadn't checked the roof. Sure enough the roof was in horrible condition. The owner said just throw some tar roofing up there and it will be fine.
To her bittersweet disappointment I told her to walk away from the deal.

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jd50i · 05-09-2019, 10:21 AM

For $200 it might have been a good project.

**Flybob** · 05-09-2019, 10:22 AM

Good move. Sounds like owner was charging you to remove his junk.

emtp82 · 05-09-2019, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd50i

For $200 it might have been a good project.

Yeah we agreed on it being a good project, but she doesn't have the time or money, and wants something to go camping in within the near future.

**Mr. Dan** · 05-09-2019, 10:27 AM

The drop from $2000 down to $200 gives me a clue!

emtp82 · 05-09-2019, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

Good move. Sounds like owner was charging you to remove his junk.

Yeah kinda felt that way.

emtp82 · 05-09-2019, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

The drop from $2000 down to $200 gives me a clue!

Yup exactly, just one of those deals that didnt feel right.

rracer5 · 05-09-2019, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emtp82

So my mom came across a deal on a 1981 Jayco travel trailer. The owner originally wanted $2000, but was talked down to $800 sight unseen because he needs it out of his driveway by this weekend. I went by to tow it home for her and looked it over. It had the expected old appearance, but after we walked around in it, we found some soft spots in the floor. One concerning one was where the water heater is. I told her to pass on the deal, because we weren't going to be sure how much damage there was going to be.
The owner then haggled down to $200 if we'd take it. We talked it over, and at the last minute I remembered I hadn't checked the roof. Sure enough the roof was in horrible condition. The owner said just throw some tar roofing up there and it will be fine.
To her bittersweet disappointment I told her to walk away from the deal. Attachment 204159

Looks like the perfect project for rollscanardly. If you haven't seen his restoration, check this out.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...vy-125403.html

**Mr. Dan** · 05-09-2019, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emtp82

Yup exactly, just one of those deals that didnt feel right.

I'm predicting some unsuspecting person will pay $1500 for it w/i 10 days!

dblr · 05-09-2019, 11:17 AM

Great job looking out for your mom!!!!

Iwannacamp · 05-09-2019, 11:20 AM

My Mom always said... If it doesn't feel right it probably ain't.

emtp82 · 05-09-2019, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

My Mom always said... If it doesn't feel right it probably ain't.

Yeah I feel the same way

Wiscampsin · 05-09-2019, 11:47 AM

Good job saving your mom the money and yourself what would be a very expensive and labor intensive project.

Scrapper · 05-09-2019, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

Good move. Sounds like owner was charging you to remove his junk.

X3000 on this. I know from working in a scrap yard that they would take it at "No Value", meaning it's not worth any money because of the amount of metal recovered will not exceed the amount of carpet, plastic, window glass, and wood that will need to be disposed of in a landfill. Some scrapyards will charge money to take them depending on land fill prices in the area. The same goes for fiber glass boats. It doesn't matter what the age or size of the boat or rv.

CaptnJohn · 05-09-2019, 02:20 PM

He should have offered you $800 to haul it away!

keith52 · 05-09-2019, 02:46 PM

Couple buckets of roofing tar and she'll be ready to roll.

joeuncool · 05-09-2019, 03:00 PM

That's the problem with RV's. They are hard to get rid of once they reach the point of unusability. There aren't RV junkyards or recyclers all over the place like there are for cars. I was watching a show where they were trying to get rid of a more than done motorhome. They ended up having to get a large rolloff, taking a sawsall to it and threw it away.

The key is to use (and maintain) your RV for a long time but selling it before it reaches this point. That way, at the end of its life, it will be someone else's problem.

jd50i · 05-09-2019, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith52

Couple buckets of roofing tar and she'll be ready to roll.

I was going to say eternabond but your way is cheaper.

jd50i · 05-09-2019, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeuncool

That's the problem with RV's. They are hard to get rid of once they reach the point of unusability. There aren't RV junkyards or recyclers all over the place like there are for cars. I was watching a show where they were trying to get rid of a more than done motorhome. They ended up having to get a large rolloff, taking a sawsall to it and threw it away.

The key is to use (and maintain) your RV for a long time but selling it before it reaches this point. That way, at the end of its life, it will be someone else's problem.

What I've seen where I live for mobile homes is dismantling it and burning what is removed then scrapping the frame.

Scrapper · 05-09-2019, 03:29 PM

There's a guy about a half mile from where I live that recycles popups and small TT's into portable hunting cabins. With the popups the canvas comes off and he builds up the walls then attaches the roof back on. He converts 2 to 4 popups a year and a couple of <25 foot TT's. If you saw any of them when he starts you'd wonder who would want them. They're pretty nice when he's done.

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