Newbie from MI needs advice.....

[Cheeseburger]

Hi all ! Last year my family and I were like squatters in my brothers camper so this season we decided to purchase one of our own. We are looking at a used unit tomorrow, it is a 2002 Salem 26BHSS. I am hoping to get some experienced advice on an issue the seller was up front about. There was a leak around the antenna and there is slight visible damage to the interior ceiling panel. (The seller says this is in the front bedroom). The roof was repaired at a local General RV dealership about 2 years. This is where the seller bought the unit.

Bear with me, I am asking myself "why are you selling the unit after only two years of ownership?" His price is firm at 5900, he claims this is his payoff since he financed it.

I am handy with a screwdriver and a hammer (and a beer) so I'm not afraid of replacing the ceiling if need be. However, I would like to hear from others regarding any of the topics I mentioned: buying used, ceiling damage and replacement, ceiling construction, is his price in-line with other used units?? Thank You!!

[SYE]

Originally Posted by Cheeseburger

Hi all ! Last year my family and I were like squatters in my brothers camper so this season we decided to purchase one of our own. We are looking at a used unit tomorrow, it is a 2002 Salem 26BHSS. I am hoping to get some experienced advice on an issue the seller was up front about. There was a leak around the antenna and there is slight visible damage to the interior ceiling panel. (The seller says this is in the front bedroom). The roof was repaired at a local General RV dealership about 2 years. This is where the seller bought the unit.

Bear with me, I am asking myself "why are you selling the unit after only two years of ownership?" His price is firm at 5900, he claims this is his payoff since he financed it.

I am handy with a screwdriver and a hammer (and a beer) so I'm not afraid of replacing the ceiling if need be. However, I would like to hear from others regarding any of the topics I mentioned: buying used, ceiling damage and replacement, ceiling construction, is his price in-line with other used units?? Thank You!!

I purchased a used (REPO) unit for 7000 a couple of w=years back and I never seen any damage. Once we owned it for a year I found that it was leaking down the antenna, it was right after we hit a low branch at a park, So I replaced the antenna for the second time, this time I replaced it with the Jack antenna, when I removed the old antenna, I found that it had been leaking for a while as all of the wood around the antenna was rotten, at this point I did not want to replace the rubber roof so I figured a way to mount it that worked and I used about a half of gallon of lap sealant on it. I never had another leak from that area. Towards the end of the summer I found that it was also leaking up in the front bedroom and the whole front wall under the fiberglass was rotten as well, needless to say I found 2 punctures on the roof top right at the edge of the rubber roof so I patched them and traded it in on a brand new one. Because I bought a repo I didn't get much negotiation but I did get a nice camper with a few problems. A little leak can turn in a big repair bill if you are not careful about it.

[clancythecamper]

In my experience, water is your worst enemy when it comes to campers. It sounds like a private owner. Are you able to determine the true condition of the unit? If not, consider asking an RV repair person to come with you to look at it. We have mobile RV repair personnel in our area, I'm thinking they could assist with inspection and give an estimate on any repair costs so you would know what you're getting in to. The question in my mind is "what other damage is silently lurking due to the original problem?" It is encouraging that the owner is up front about the problem. If it is properly repaired, this could be a good deal.

[Oakman]

Welcome to the Forums Cheeseburger. As clancythecamper said in his post, water intrusion is a big deal with campers. His suggestion of having an RV repair technician inspect the camper for other issues is a great idea.

[kc8lvy]

There will be alot of tt for sale with spring around the corner. Rv trader has alot advertised. Make sure the layout is what you like and need. What is your tow vehicle.
Not trying to discourage you from this tt it maybe what fits your needs.
Good luck and welcome to the forums and the world of camping

[cyclepuck]

Welcome from Genesee MI. take a rv repair guy with you to look or look elsewhere. There are a lot of trailers for sale out there.

[Cheeseburger]

Thanks for the responses. kc8lvy my tow vehicle is a 2004 K1500 Silverado Crew Cab 5.3L. The layout is what we like most, bunks for the kiddies and a super slide to give extra space. I am "budget minded" and cannot afford new at this time. I agree that as the weather turns warmer there will be lots of TT going up for sale.

[Wiscampsin]

Originally Posted by cyclepuck

take a rv repair guy with you to look or look elsewhere. There are a lot of trailers for sale out there.

X2, money well spent when purchasing a preowned unit through a private party.

[kc8lvy]

Nothing wrong with used. My 2 pop up campers were used along with my travel trailer. My fw was my first new purchase and we will hopefully have it a good long time.
Your tow vehicle is good for the camper you have in mind.

Good luck

[Cheeseburger]

Does anyone know what the construction is like on this model?? How are TT roofs typically built? Is it wood joists covered with plywood and then covered with rubber?

[Cheeseburger]

kc8lvy, We passes on a 2002 30' Nomad with bunks and a super slide because of the weight. It was 6740 lbs dry. That was hard to pass on because we know the owner and the history. My max tow capacity is 7,500 lbs, I calculated my truck with a GVWR of 13,000 lbs and a camper at 6740 lbs plus my truck at 5400(?) lbs. was pushing the envelope to the max. 6740 + 5400 = 12,140. This didn't leave much for extra carry weight or a safety margin.

[clancythecamper]

We have the same truck it's awesome partly coz it's paid for ~~~ still ~~~ we are currently pulling a Roo 233S but have pulled a 27' Cherokee just fine. DH said 7500 lbs is the most you really want to pull including your gear. He suggests 6000. We also have electric brakes and the sway bar, etc......

[Cheeseburger]

Well all.......here is how the meeting went... Holy cow! The ceiling in the bedroom looked like an upside-down lake. There were ripples covering the ceiling. The front bedroom ceiling speakers had RUST in and on them. I found mushy spots under and around the front bedroom window. More mushy spots in the ceiling by the slide out. AND .............The seller smelled like he just drank his dinner. I'm picking it up tomorrow....Just kidding.

Unfortunately we are going to stop looking for a camper for a bit. I have had a boat for sale for over a year now and I had an offer 2 weeks ago. The buyer paid for a survey to be done and there was some moisture that showed up in the stringers and an area of delamination on the top deck. Until I know what the buyer is going to do--counter offer or back out--I need to hold onto my $$$$$. Just for kicks, here is the link to the boat........Temptation Yacht Sales

[clancythecamper]

Wow ~ you do have a camper ~ sort of Wishing you the best

[SYE]

Originally Posted by cyclepuck

Welcome from Genesee MI. take a rv repair guy with you to look or look elsewhere. There are a lot of trailers for sale out there.

Howdy Neighbor!!!!!!

[cyclepuck]

Originally Posted by syencer

Howdy Neighbor!!!!!!

Howdy use to live even closer off Atherton by Belsay. Happy camping!

[Kaytee1206]

We are only a few miles from you. My mom grew up on Venetian. DH wants to buy a boat so bad but our kids are still too little. They would hate being on it all day.

[SYE]

Originally Posted by cyclepuck

Howdy use to live even closer off Atherton by Belsay. Happy camping!

Yep that is super close. My youngest son graduated from Atherton, as well as my wife!!