My craigslist find

[glenn.klaner]

Long time ponderer\lurker and looking to start a build of my own this summer. I found a Craigslist "trailer" frame and wanted to get some opinions on it before drop the dimes. It looks like it was either a teardrop or a Canned ham back in the day before it was stripped to be a "Utility Trailer".

The owner lives near several camping spots and a state park so it was probably a "Sat there at the campground" RV that rotted away and got replaced.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/for/3731609562.html

Opinions?

[48Rob]

Glenn,

My opinion is that it is way too rusty to be worth paying $200

It appears to be an old travel trailer frame, complete with bumper.
If you plan on building an oversize tear, or big trailer, it might work, but if you plan to narrow the frame, I would pass, due to the design.
By the time you reworked it, you could have built a new one.

Rob

[CarlLaFong]

From all that I've heard about PA and their asinine DMV, if it has a title, I'd offer 150 for it and see what happens. If there are no papers, I'd pass. I've seen popups on CL, with papers for that price. BTW, that looks like a popup chassis. If that is just surface rust, it's no big deal

[glenn.klaner]

I have no doubt i can bring him down in price, It's a Best offer sale after all.

I'm 6'3" so i like the option to have it Extra long for sleeping space, and the extra width is great in my opinion.
It already has levelers on the back, which should save me some money later on.
I'm ok with having to put some elbow grease into the project, so surface rust is fine as long as it won't be a structural issue.
Also, it has a title and living in PA, that is a great thing.

[Dean in Ct.]

I like "needs floors and lighting"! Yah think?

[eamarquardt]

The tires will need replacing. It's a 2000# axle. Brakes? It looks like it would be difficult to change a tire. If you cut the frame to widen the track and make it easier to change a tire you'll lose a lot of strength/integrity. The track is pretty narrow and it may not tow well with a bigger, higher, heavier "box" on it versus the popup it was designed for.

But if it's the size you want and are willing to live with the compromises it could work. I'd make a low ball offer of $75 or so and see what happens. You can always offer more but it's difficult to offer less.

Good luck.

Gus

[glenn.klaner]

Yea, that outside bar is something i really hate about it.

[bobhenry]

It is a starcraft pop up frame. I was given an identical one. I had a trolly car build started on it and a buddy bugged and bugged me for it, so I sold it to him. It made a real sweet golf cart hauler for him. The little tin edge on the side is just tack welded on and a cutting blade in a circular saw or a grinder cut off wheel will remove it leaving the boxed frame. Despite the look there is plenty of room for tire changing. The "bumper" leaves a lot to be desired I just removed mine and My budddy Phil welded on a very similar frame extention but much better designed. Pop up's are awesome because they are 6" wide and you can do a couch in the rear that lets down into a bed and still have lots of floor space. You might look into a small standie even.

I give it a real big thumbs up.

[glenn.klaner]

The Tow vehicle is a Honda Ridgeline, so keeping under the 2000# axle weight is just fine with me because they start to struggle at around 3000# and are sad at their max of 5000#. As far as a Standee, they don't really interest me that much. But the 5 foot high 2+2 design really calls to me even though i'd only make it a double sleeper not a quad I just love that kitchen\cabinet setup.

I have a few ideas i was tossing around in my head for it, but i want to get the frame ready first so i can get it all mapped out. I doubt i'll get much beyond the frame and flooring this year. Luckilly i have a few barns i can store it in to work on it.

[glenn.klaner]

Hmm this looks familliar
http://www.popupportal.com/index.php?topic=50469.0