Older FGRVs - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-14-2018, 10:18 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Name: Mark
Trailer: currently shopping
Missouri
Posts: 258
Older FGRVs

I am looking at ad for a '81 Scamp online at reasonable price. However, the age makes me nervous as I intend to make some long trips. Reasonable concerns?
Missouri Mark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2018, 12:30 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Borrego Dave's Avatar
 
Name: Dave
Trailer: Casita SD17 2006 "Missing Link"
California
Posts: 3,738
It's all in the condition Mark, '81 isn't all that old for FG . You could always hire a third party to do a condition check for you....would have saved me $6K on a car if I would have known about them.
Borrego Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2018, 12:31 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Name: Harold
Trailer: 1975 Scamp, 13-foot
Redding, California
Posts: 390
Registry
I think a 31-year old Scamp isn't much different that a 31-year-old car. Some have been rode hard and put away wet, some have been well cared for and show it, some appear well cared for but the owner's hiding a horror story under a fresh Maaco paint job, and others have been driven through a knothole backwards and look like it.

Other forum members will have more expertise in helping, but I would look carefully for water damage first and frame damage second. Look in the storage areas for rot, and lift up that pretty shelf liner in the bottom of cupboards. Look at the tires for uneven wear, and if you can, check the date code on the tires. Old tires, even with lots of tread are called maypops.

I like to see neat wiring. If it looks like a rat's nest, it makes me nervous, and I figure it will need work sooner or later, probably in the middle of the night 500 miles from civilization.

All kidding aside, I did absolutely none of those things when I bought my Scamp. But that way everything is a surprise! Hey, look, it has a battery! What's this black thing? Oh it has a frame! Lucky me!

Good luck with the 81, I hope it turns out to be a great one and a steal!

Harold
Doctor Harold is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2018, 12:35 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
John in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Name: John
Trailer: Escape 21, behind an '02 F250 7.3 diesel tug
Mid Left Coast
Posts: 2,937
1981 is not particularlly old for the trailer itself, but it IS old for the RV appliances, especially if they've been neglected.

sure, everything can be fixed, but its time and money. and that can add up to a lot of time and a lot of money, or if you're paying someone else, a lot MORE money, and likely a lot of frustration because RV repair places largely deserve their reputations for being shady.
John in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2018, 05:31 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Jon in AZ's Avatar
 
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,912
Registry
Older FGRVs

I agree that floor rot is the biggest problem to watch for. Scamp floors are exposed above and below, so it's easier to spot. Inspect inside all the benches and cabinets around the outer perimeter of the shell- anywhere it's not hidden by finish flooring. Tap with the handle of a screwdriver and look for staining. You can also look from the bottom, but most water damage works from the top down.

Take a small jack with you. These trailers have rubber torsion axles, which have a lifespan of around 20 years. Jack up one side of the trailer (on the frame behind the wheel). Make sure the wheels drop as the frame rises. Little or no movement means a dead axle, which will run $600-800 to replace.

As to the frame itself, the most common failure point is under the front where the tongue bends. Look for cracks there.

Beyond that, the Document Center in the More tab has a "Buyer's Checklist" you can download and print. It will help you not to overlook anything. With a trailer that old, expect issues. It's up to you to decide if you want to deal with them, and whether they are reflected appropriately in the price.

If it has a 2- or 3-way RV fridge, ask that it be started several hours ahead of your inspection. RV fridges cool very slowly. Fridges can be expensive to replace.

If possible, recruit someone with RV experience to be a second set of eyes, preferably someone who is not emotionally invested in the sale.

If it needs a lot of work, unless you have the time and skills to do it yourself, it's almost always cheaper to pass in favor of one in better condition, even if it costs more. Whatever your budget, leave some in reserve for inevitable surprises.

Best wishes!
Jon in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Obsessed with FGRVs in Austin... kapers88 Hi, I am.... 44 04-12-2014 07:37 PM
FGRVs & Regional Popularity R Brown General Chat 12 04-16-2013 01:45 AM
State Licensing Requirements for FGRVs ScampBum Towing, Hitching, Axles and Running Gear 35 04-22-2012 04:44 PM
Canadian Comparative of NEW FGRVs Steffen W Care and Feeding of Molded Fiberglass Trailers 13 12-31-2009 09:20 PM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.