Good buy?

[Amrva]

I found a 1986 (Landmark?) pop up camper for sale for a couple hundred dollars. I'm pretty sure that I'll buy it but wanted to get an opinion from someone else.

Its 6'6"x9' unopened and the frame has basically no rust. The roof is shot and the owner ripped the canvas out because it was in bad condition. It has the original three burner propane stove, sink, and a portably potty which look to be in great shape. The only downside I can see to it is that it has 8" wheels instead of 12" but I'm assuming that I can swap those out fairly easily.
I'm thinking it would be a good candidate for a trailer rebuild. What do you all think?

[parnold]

I'm looking for something like that myself. Does it have brakes, or at least the flanges to add brakes? Depending on your tow vehicle, that may be important. I have a very small tow vehicle, so my next larger build I want brakes.

Two hundred bucks is a good price, but you may find the guy will take half of what he's asking since it's basically scrap. Good luck!

[Wimperdink]

I'd do it in a heartbeat if the frame is good. I have a largely unpopular opinion on the 8" wheels. Don't discount them due to size.... There are many more trailers still on the road than have been abandoned because of small tires. Just keep the bearings greased and happy trails. My wazat had the short fat tires like that should have and it towed like a dream. The skinny 8" wheels tend to be bouncier than the fat 8' wheels that most popups come with.

You would be hard pressed to buy another trailer at that price, and your getting lots of possibly reuseable hardware with it. Go for it.

[Miriam C.]

See if you can get it cheaper! And I run 8" wheels mostly because I didn't think to keep them under the frame. Now it will be too high if I put bigger tires...that being said,, they are fine! My TD is almost 1800 pounds loaded so I got some higher rated tires...

[Amrva]

Bought it for $150. It had a full bag of match light charcoal and a box of starter logs in it also.

[parnold]

Awesome!!!



That doesn't look bad at all, should be a very solid foundation for your project.

[newrollo]

I agree. Great buy! And like Wimperdink said. Don't be afraid of the 8 inch tires. Keep them inflated and wheels greased. My Wazat has over 12,000 miles on the original 2007 tires 90% at 65-70 mph. They will go at least 12,000 more. After I stop I like to put my hand on the axel hub to check for heat. Don't know what I'd do in the middle of Nebraska on a weekend night. Guess I could pull over and sleep on it!

[Wild Bill]

Looks good, you may even have a good awning in the bag on the side. Bill

[pete42]

If before you get around to building something on the trailer you could take it camping
and tell people you bought the sides from the "kings clothing" site.

At night you would have a perfect view of the sky and stars,
you could get a tan taking a nap during the day,
you could also entertain the neighboring campers while getting dressed
so you see there are a lot of uses for your new great deal trailer just the way it is.

pete

[Amrva]

Wild Bill: Yes it does have an awning and its it great shape too, pretty sure the support poles are in there too. I might try attach it to my other trailer I just built or save it for the next one.

Pete42: good idea about the kings clothing, the only part that I don't think would work is the entertaining the neighbors while getting dressed, most likely someone would call animal control when they mistook me for a bear or other large extremely hairy creature.