Need trailer buying advice

[GoldBoattail455]

Actually its for my buddy. He's looking to buy a 12ft dual axle pop-up camper from the guy who previously owned my Yukon. Unfortunately its not as nice. It needs a new canvas, tires, bearings, propane tanks that are the new safe kind and some other stuff. He tested the wiring and it all worked, except the inside cealing lights. Its been sitting under a tree for a couple years. Has no heater or a/c but has a hot water heater and fridge both run of an auxilary power source. One end has a king size bed, the other a queen. I should get pictures of it tomorrow. The guy wants $300 for it. He wants to fix it and use it for a season before flipping it for a bigger one. Any idea if its worth fixing? Can anyone give me a ballpark figure on the canvas, tires, propane tanks, bearings? Also where would I buy the tires, they are the short and wide tires like on snowmobile trailers? :Do No: The surge brakes will need to be gone through and inspected too, is there a book on this stuff? And how is bolt pattern measured exactly(center of one bolt hole to outside edge of opposite OR edge to edge of opposite hole? Thanks :TU:

[Eric Schmelzer]

I'd start by checking with an RV dealer that sells the brand for parts prices. Actually they could get everything you need.
-A good upholstery shop might be able to do the canvas. Is it totaly rotted, or just ripped and in need or patching/repair?
-Any trailer dealer should be able to get tires, might even check Wal-Mart.
-If it uses 20# LP tanks you can go to any retailer that has a tank exchange program. Again Wal-Mart
-The fridges in RVs usually run on either propane or electric, the water heater is most likely propane. Need to go to an RV dealer for service/parts.
-Any trailer dealer can help on the brakes as well.

[GoldBoattail455]

Thanks Erik.

I got a little more info from my buddy Ed, its a 1993 Jayco J-series pop-up. dual axle, 12ft. We found a brand new set of tires for free. Guy is just so sick of tripping over them in his shop. He had bought them for his trailer but sold it before he could put them on. Bearings are $6 a piece. My buddy is still shopping around for the canvas but we know that will be somewhat expensive. We should be picking it up on Friday or Saturday. His Suburban will tow the trailer we will haul the pop-up on, and my truck will do the dirty work of pulling it out. This is coming together nicely for this summer. He will redo the camper and haul that, and im in the process of finishing the trailer for the toys and will haul that.:Brow:

[Eric Schmelzer]

Jayco builds a nice trailer. Put a little time and effert into it and he will have a nice unit. Is the canvas really that bad that all of it needs replaced. If not just patch it to save some money. My parents had an old Starcraft pop up when we were growing up. Dad had the canvas patched at most a 1/2 dozen times in the 15+ years they owned it.

What other kinds of "toys" will you be hauling?

And its Eric with a c not a k:moonu: :bla: :laugh: :laugh:

[GoldBoattail455]

Eric <----look a "C". Just a habit.:laugh: :Dou:

Part of the canvas over the beds breaks into a million pieces. So maybe just part of it. Now we just need to find a trailer wide enough to haul it home. I dont think towing it at 15mph will all the way home is doable.

Other toys include two atvs, one is a Honda 400ex that is an absolute BLAST to ride. 3 dirtbikes, 1 mini chopper. This is usually what we use when we got out riding. That's mr. skinny riding. (me):grin: This was sometime last summer we rode. My truck will now be on towing duty, giving the burb a break.:bglasses:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292/Patriot-ranger/DSC01397.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292/Patriot-ranger/DSC01365.jpg

[GoldBoattail455]

Looks like my buddy is going to pass on it because his wife isn't so keen on him getting it. Now I have to decide if its worth to repair the couple things it needs. Anyone have any input?:Do No: I dont see too many 1993 Jayco campers for sale so I have no figure to use as a ballpark. Thanks:TU:

[furiousgoat]

I hope this helps a little.

Here's a link to an RV dealer near me. Everyone tells me they have the best deals in the state. I don't know, I don't "RV", but they have been there for a long time. I just linked the preowned page. Scroll way to the bottom for the trailer types. You'll notice a 1997 Jayco that has been sold but is still listed. Maybe this will give you some sort of comparison.

http://hornsrv.rvusa.com/inventory_used.asp

[BF2KNIGHT]

Bear creek canvas...has just about any kind of canvas you could need...installation is pretty easy too.

Camper elec systems are pretty simple compared to cars, so getting that fixed shouldn't be to difficult.

Check out www.popupexplorer.com Tons of info there. I've been a member there for years.