Problem or not? 2003 Hilo

[Delray]

I asked the seller about these two areas from a photo. This camper is about 400 miles away, so I wanted to vet any big issues before making the journey.

It looked to me like there might be a problem behind the tin in the creasing or dent in the larger area I circled. The seller says that is just the way it is - not rotted or anything. No leaks and it has been totally inspected (whatever that means).

The other area looked like it might be part of the gasket or insulation between the upper and lower shell torn off or hanging down. The seller again assures me that is just a piece of rubber and the gasket is fine. I have went through most of the appliances and issues via text message with the seller and it seems they are all in good working order and the hot water heater has been replaced.

 

[JackandJanet]

That's not a SUPER long drive - I think if it were me, I'd go take a look. The small piece of rubber doesn't bother me, because if it's a serious bulb seal problem, the seal can be replaced.

The bulge in the corner COULD indicate a leak though. You should be able to tell if you carefully inspect the inside of the wall there. Push on it and if it feels spongy, it's wet. Also, look for water stains in that area which would tell you there was a leak.

Wonder why the running light on the front is red? Maybe it was replaced at some point. Trailer looks clean, paint in good condition.

- Jack

 

[Delray]

Thanks for the response Jack. I noticed on the interior shot, in that same area (I believe) with the bulge on the exterior, there is this decorative wallpaper band that appears to be sagging/separating off the wall. To me this is an indicator that something bad could be happening in that wall. It could also be a coincidence. I asked the owner to push the wall there and let me know if it is spongy.

If it turns out to be rot or plywood has broken down in there - any idea on how much or difficult that is to replace or ascertain damage? Sounds like a good use for the search function on this site

 

[sam-HILO]

Advice on HiLo purchase

Jack is right that seals can be replaced. Use the buyers check list when checking out this unit. It looks to me that the border is taking a down word path. Anything in a HiLo can be fixed. Do you want to spend the time and $ for materials. Could be a few hundred $ollars in material. Don't be afraid to walk away if it needs repairs and you don;t want to take this project on.

 

[JackandJanet]

Sam's given you good advice. I don't know what your capabilities are, or how interested you would be in doing a wall repair. I've never had to do one, so I don't have 1st hand experience. But, others on the forum have and I think once you get into it, it goes pretty quickly.

I'm not seeing any water stains there, but that band coming off the wall DOES look suspicious. Is there a picture of the ceiling with the bunk down so you can see it?

Personally, I'd go see it myself, rather than relying on the owner to tell you its condition. Is the price right?

- Jack

 

[Delray]

Yes, we will for sure go see it and haul it home if we purchase.
I just did not want to waste my time and expense traveling 10 hours if it has issues beyond my comfort level or cost. My wife is looking forward to re-upholstering and new curtains for most anything we get. I am pretty handy. The price was getting there. He is selling for a Grandparent who supposedly 1 owner, kept it garaged and only took it on trips 6 times. The decal sun damage looks like it has been outside awhile. The bulge concerns me. Otherwise this one looks fine and has the oven and a folding hitch.

 

[RichR]

Looking at the vent on top it looks like it has been replaced with an el which is not common to travel trailers. It may be there because of some kind of damage, or it could be a modification.

Also, I have never seen a small vent like what is on the side next to the upper fridge vent. I can't figure out what that is for. Maybe it was something that was unique to the particular year and model. We had an 1705T that didn't have that.

 

[Delray]

I am not sure if I lost out on a great deal or dodged a bullet. The seller agreed to sell for $4500, which is a pretty great price. They are in Las Vegas. They claimed they had a few interested parties, all offering the same amount but I was first. They said if I could get there first. then first come-first serve, which is fair. Being out of town the soonest I can drive to Vegas is late Friday night. They suggested a deposit hold it. She went over a long list of things they had checked out on the trailer, including checking out the wall where I feared water damage. Her explanations and demeanor were all good - except she could not seem to figure out what day today was. I offered $1600 deposit, she said $1500 to keep it even numbers and I would bring the remainder on Saturday. As I was putting the money into a online transfer to her husband (or Father's) bank account, I asked her for an email. She doesn't have one! Alarm #1 went off. Who doesn't have an email? I said, friend me on Facebook. She doesn't have a Facebook account. Alarm #2. She said she could have her daughter PM me on FB. I looked at her daughters account and it looks like the main thing her daughter does is sell big items like this? Wierd #3. I google mapped her home as per the bank Account address, and it is in fact the location of the trailer photos. Well that checked out.
Then, this is going to sound racist, but I Googled her name and it comes up as a Gypsy name and a bunch of scams related to the family name (not her's surname specifically). Okay, I have friends in Vegas who could check it out before I spend 12 hours and a hotel room cost...but based on the overspray (spray paint) on the tounge and the smooth explanation, I fear this was picked up, prettied up, and is being re-sold with a completely fabricated story behind it (her Dad is sick, one owner, selling for the family). Still might be great deal for someone. They may have fixed this all up, but I am skeptical. Here is the ad...
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/rvs/d/04-hi-lo-tow-lite-one-owner/6328685706.html

 

[sam-HILO]

Glad you smelled a rat!!

I would never give a deposit before I saw the item for sale. Good think you did your research and were smarter than them and didn't get riped off. Don't be discouraged keep looking and one will come along with your name on it. If not this time of year then maybe in the spring.

 

[JackandJanet]

It DOES seem pretty "dodgy". Glad you passed on it.

- Jack

 

[Delray]

Yep. I'm in no hurry. Just checking out ones as they come up within 500 miles or so. I should have got the one in Wyoming from Frank, but was 1K shy at the time

 

[Treeclimber]

Jack, that strange vent you saw on the side appears behind the microwave on one of the interior pics. Could that be an open vent? Weird.