Thoughts on a fixer upper.

[Gizmo0706]

Hello all,

We recently sold our travel trailer and big van due to not getting our money's worth with all the kids activities and all. I would like to go back to a pop up that doesn't take up so much space. We are going to pay cash so we aren't out anything when we don't use it.
I found a 1990 Jayco 1206 for 1k that caught my eye. I can't go see it till next weekend but the pictures seem promising. The dealer(camping world) did tell me it would need canvas work.
I am pretty handy and wouldn't mind doing some work as a project with the kids. I looked at a couple websites that sell canvas and it looks to be about 800.00 for all new canvas.
So here come the questions.
What would you look for when buying a 25 year old pup other than rot, mildew, rust, tires.
Is it even worth the trouble of fixing up a pup of this age?
Any other advice?
Thanks so much!

[KMP44]

I would focus on the lift mechanism. That is a real pain to work on. If that's good and the electrical is good, with some new canvas you should be business. I would bet it may need tires and/or a battery, but those are easy fixes.

[f5moab]

Goshen lift systems are easy to work on, but if it is a Coleman it can be a pain, and the Jayco system used on some, but not all models works similar to a Goshen, but without a center track. They used a track that ran along the front to push rods that pushed up in the corners to raise the roof.

I'd take a good look under at the floor and the frame, but also the wiring running from the TV and the battery. Check the propane lines and ask that they install a full tank and check for leaks with a soapy brush and check the furnace. Fridge is hard to check for cooling, so get them to give you at least a 30 day warranty on the fridge and when you get it home, check it out on all the different operations (propane/DC/AC depending on what modes it has).

Check the floor for bounce to see if it might be rotting from the top, and check the converter to make sure it operates.

Might want to check the electrical plugs with a meter or one of those receptacle plugs from Home Depot or Wally World.

And naturally the lights and any damage to the unit.