What to look for when buying used?

[KristyG5]

We're picking up this lovely trailer on Wednesday



We looked over it when we saw it this weekend, and in our inexperience saw nothing wrong with it--no obvious damage, looked clean and happy enough. But what are some things we should for sure look over when we head back in a few days? Sorry for such a newbie question!

[parnold]

Water intrusion is what you want to look for. Look high and low! Pickup the mattress and look at all the edges underneath the mattress. That's where I discovered a leak in mine that went unnoticed. Look at the tires for wear, especially noting if the wear is not even.

Good luck and hope you have many happy years of camping in it!

[Rolly]

PACK THE WHEEL BEARINGS. Yes I know I shouted.
Rolly

[DriverOne]

I've seen that trailer before! I'm not sure where, though. It's a really good looking trailer. Good luck with the purchase!

[KristyG5]

PACK THE WHEEL BEARINGS. Yes I know I shouted.
Rolly

Like, before we drive it home or before we take it on a trip? You scare me with the shouting

[Rolly]

How far is home? For sure before your first trip. Ask the seller when they were serviced. Fair warning I am anal about wheel bearings. If you ever have a wheel bearing fail you will understand why.
Rolly

[KristyG5]

How far is home? For sure before your first trip. Ask the seller when they were serviced. Fair warning I am anal about wheel bearings. If you ever have a wheel bearing fail you will understand why.
Rolly

About 40 miles to home.

[Rolly]

I would not worry about 40 miles. By the pictures you are buying from a private owner, ask them if they will jack up the trailer and spin the wheels. If the wheels wobble you have trouble. I notice the trailer comes with a spare. Does it come with a lug wrench, will your tow vehicle jack work on the trailer? The auto club may want RV coverage to change a flat on your trailer. I don't mean to alarm you, it looks like a nice trailer have fun.
Rolly

[WhitneyK]

We're picking up this lovely trailer on Wednesday

Hi Neighbor, Looks like one of Frank's Vintek Trailers, they do a good job.

Good luck and hope to see you camping sometime!

[ArtG5]

Kristy and I bought the trailer today and brought it home. The paperwork that came with it says that it was built by http://www.beehiveteardrops.com who appears to be a member of this forum. I sent him an e-mail to get some details about it. Oddly enough, the people who bought it off of him are also members of this forum who had it listed for sale here. haha

It's his "Number One" that he built in 2009. Now that it is home the only thing that has me a little nervous are a few missing fuses from the fuse panel and a "battery cutoff" switch that appears to only turn the radio on and off. The microwave also doesn't power on, but I'm assuming that is one of the missing fuses. I e-mailed the guy who built it to see if he has a wiring diagram or any instruction on what to do when plugging this thing in. Since it has 12v and 110v I'm not sure how the two systems co-habitate.

I plan on repacking the wheel bearings this weekend even if they don't need it...just to be safe.

[WhitneyK]

Uhhhhhmmmmm!

By the way, we ARE expecting fully detailed pictures of your new aquizition

and hope to see you out and about.

[KristyG5]

Uhhhhhmmmmm!

By the way, we ARE expecting fully detailed pictures of your new aquizition

and hope to see you out and about.

Teasers: viewtopic.php?f=40&t=51561&p=951465#p951316 - Cleaning it up this weekend, expect MANY more pictures then!

[Rolly]

Not to harp.
From another forum

"Spent the down time putting new bearings on the trailer. When I pulled the old ones, I almost soiled myself. Cracked inner race in the driver's side - whole thing just fell apart in my hands.
9 months ago, I was dragging it through the Cumberland Gap and through the Smokies.
I think I dodged a bullet on this one."

FWIW bearings and seals have a mfg logo/abrevation and part number printed/stamped on them, a local trailer supply/rv store or bearing house should be able to put new ones in your hand.

When I repack the wheel bearings I replace the seals because they keep the dirt out of the busiest part of the trailer, unless i am in a remote location.

Rolly