Re: [VAC] help!!!

["Steve Sartore" <surferjoe10@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Marlaine,
I reckon you will get many responses to your post, and all much more
knowledgable than I, but I will tell you what I know.  We bought our first
AS last July....a 1956 Overlander, 26 footer.  Had the same questions as
you.  Let me be brief and sum up:
You have checked --
    *exterior skin condition
    *interior upholstery
    *tires
    *noticed a leak by a window
We looked at a 1976 Land Yacht in our intitial search that was in pretty
good shape, everything worked,  had 2 solar panels, and was very clean.  The
guy was asking $6500, and I think we could've got it for around $6000, or
so.  Anyhow, the $5800 is probably in the ball park, but it can be a very
big ball park depending on condition and amenities.
I would also check --
    *brakes, bearings
    *condition of underbelly skin (any holes, tears, etc)
    *while you are down there, check any part of the frame you can see
(usually the A-frame in front, the bumper in rear, and the step housing are
visible from underneath.  Are they excessively rusty?
    *that leak in the window could be from near anywhere on the top of the
trailer, unless you actually saw point of water entry.
    *CHECK THE FLOOR--EVERYWHERE, BUT ESPECIALLY BY THE LEAK YOU MENTIONED,
IN THE BATH, KITCHEN, RIGHT BY THE ENTRY DOOR, AND BY THE WHEEL WELLS.  This
can be difficult due to secondary floor covering, hard to get at places,
etc, but do not skimp in this area.  We paid dearly for our ignorance in
this area.  Our entire floor on our 56 needs replacement, and let me tell
you, it is not cheap or easy.
    *check all appliances and sockets for proper function
    *ensure all windows operate properly
    *operate all systems (H2O, propane, electric)

There will be others advising you I'm sure, but these are the biggies in my
brief experience.  We bought a 65 Overlander a couple weeks back to use
while we are refurbishing our 56.  So, I guess we have some experience.  Be
nosy, be attentive to the small indicators (water stains at the base of
woodwork, eg), and be smart.  Likewise, realize that when you start looking
at trailers 25 yrs old and older, you may have to accept some discrepancies
and chalk them up to age......just be careful that your emotions don't run
away with you as you start chalking those things up.
And that was brief?
Steve the Windbag