I am interested in purchasing a 1969 SS. It needs refinishing, has no hot water heater, electrical has been redesigned, one big dent by the door, AC doesn't get cool (he said needs refrig), heater "it not hooked up". The seller is wanting $3000. Is this a good price. How can I find out how much it weights. How cold are these to stay in in the winter (30-40 degrees)?

By Tom Patterson on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 03:12 am:

It sounds high to me with these problems. A new hot water heater is not a big deal as far as fixing it up, but it should knock down the price. I don't know about the A/C, dent or redesigned electrical. A lot of these older trailers have "dents", and if nothing else, it adds "character"!. I would be suspicious of the A/C. It may need replacement.
What is to hook up with the heater? Gas line?
Ask him to get these things fixed. If not, probably you don't want to offer more than $1,000, if even that much.
What about other items such as condition of the floor? Is it solid, or is there any evidence of rot? How about around the windows? Any sign of leaks? I would be worried about these kind of things too, given the condition of other things.
These trailers are fine at 30-40 degrees.

By txwomyn on Sunday, October 13, 2002 - 01:51 pm:

Hi Tom,
Thanks so much for your input. I have really tried to consider my options here. I was thinking of offering him $1500. However, after seeing your comments I think you are more in line. If I offer $1,000 do you think it would be worth the purchase?
What do you think the value of this trailer would be if all electrical and water worked, wood panels were refinished, new floors and new cabinet top were installed? As for leaks in the windows, he has foamed a few areas and states there are "no leaks". It doesn't rain much in NM so I guess I would have to take it to a car wash and wash it and then check for leaks.

Is thee a good place to purchase parts ie. hot water heater, electric heater, stove, ac etc.........? I am sure I will have to have things shipped to me so I guess it really doesn't matter where a good resource for parts are located.

Is there a way to find out how much this trailer weights besides going to a public scale?

Thanks,
Jill

By dugan1 on Monday, October 14, 2002 - 05:55 am:

How long is the "69"

Sounds like this unit has a lot of problems and indicated a total lack of upkeep and maintenance. Don't expect to do all this refurbishing and make a profit. No telling what other problems you will run into.

Jim
"85" SS 3411

By Al G. on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 05:34 pm:

An A/C (or heat pump) that doesn't get cool:

Clean the filter(s) in the ceiling unit. If the filters were not cleaned, they may have been sucked up into the evaporator chamber.

Clean the evaporator. There is special cleaner for A/C evaporators (also used on the condenser on the roof) that is available from HVAC suppliers.

Clean the condenser on the roof. If it is a "suck" type the cleaning is easy - it's right out where you can see it (some late model units have to have the cover removed). If it's a "blow" type you have to remove the cover and get in through the fan blades.
Use a vacuum with upholstery brush and avoid denting the fins.

Selector switches sometimes go bad.

Make sure the A/C is getting full 120 VAC when the compressor is running. If it isn't, it won't cool properly.

Checking refrigerant is the LAST thing you should consider. If the sealed system is leaking at all, it will be empty after a while. If a leak is in the evaporator or condenser, it probably cannot be repaired. Usually it is a better plan to put the money that would be required to fix an old A/C unit that leaked its refrigerant out toward a new unit. A/C units are not all that expensive if you shop around. Fairly adept do-it-yourselfers can install a new A/C unit without much trouble. Just follow the instructions in the installation manual that comes with the unit. It is entirely self-contained. They install in a standard 14" square roof vent hole, so a new one will fit where the old one comes out.

There are many RV parts suppliers, probably several not too far from you. Shop around.

By Al G. on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 05:39 pm:

The way to find out how much your trailer weighs is to take it to some place that has a drive-on scale. CAT scales at truck stops give you a printout that shows the weight on each wheel and on the hitch (you need a jack to support the hitch unless the tongue jack is good enough - it's a foot or so back of the hitch coupler socket).
Grain elevators, farm feed stores, many places have drive-on scales. There are wheel scales that the motor vehicle enforcement officers use to weigh trucks on the side of the road. I would guess they are expensive (?).