Obviously - it depends.
It depends on what features you'd want in a trailer (the more appliances you demand, the higher the cost).
It depends on how much of the work you are capable of (or willing, or would ENJOY) doing...
It depends on just what state the thing is in.
Within reason - there's virtually NOTHING on glass campers that isn't fixable.
If the
axle is SHOT - replacements are a few hundred bucks - probably beyond most hobby-level folks - but a pro installation wouldn't be that much.
Damaged
fiberglass is relatively easy to repair. For the hobby-level person you may want to stick to fairly minor damage here and there (minor cracks and small holes).
Points where the repair is likely to start costing:
Serious frame/axle damage - if it's SHOT and needs to be replaced you're looking at a pretty big expense if you have to take it to a welding shop. We had a frame crack repaired (Bolers have a known weak point in the frame where they always crack). The repair cost was about $130, but that included reinforcing the unbroken side AND installing 4 scissor jacks on the corners... Not bad I'd say.
SERIOUS body damage (by which I mean damage to critical areas (like the door or it's frame) and large holes in awkward to work on areas (anything that forces you to take it to someone else)).
APPLIANCES - The three-way fridges that are mounted in trailers are insanely expensive. If you MUST replace it, expect to pay something like $5-600. The
furnace is the same way. VERY pricy (a few hundred maybe). It's hard to break a gas stove - the lines can go bad, but those aren't too bad to replace. A little copper plumbing... pretty simple stuff.
That being said - this is also the biggest place you can save money. Those 3-ways may be priced high - but they're usually being run on 110V anyway. Why not just install a small dorm
fridge in it's place - or turn the space into a pantry and keep stuff in a cooler? Same with the
furnace. That's space that is PERMINANTLY devoted to that heater. We bought a Coleman Powercat heater. IF it's cold, we pack it, run it for maybe 10 minutes before going to bed and that's it. If it's NOT cold - don't have to pack it and that leaves room for other things.
Seat cushions - recovering the cushions isn't that bad (depending on your choice of fabric) - but the new foam will be a fair expense. Not an area you want to skimp on IMHO - not if you value your back.
You can also spend a lot of money on
painting. This cost will vary depending on your choice of
paint and how you do it (home? spray? spray can? pro?).
If I were looking at it I'd have the following mental list in mind:
Will the unit fit my needs when fixed up? (Bed size, on-board storage, etc)
I'd be especially attracted to the pop-top which gives you headroom when you need it and garagebility when you need it.
What am I likely to have to do? Can I do those things? Will it cost a fortune if I can't?
Above all - taking on something like that I would say is mostly a matter of how much you would enjoy it. If doing the restoration/refurbishing/remodeling etc sounds like as much fun to you as actually taking the thing out camping in it - then I'd say go for it. If doing the repair work sounds like a miserable chore and all you want is to go camping - then I'd pass.
I had a lot of fun working on our
Boler. We're switching to a non-glass trailer for awhile because it suits the family's needs better - but I'm hopeful to return to a nice glass camper someday when it's just the wife and I going out. At that time - it'll likely be a toss-up between springing for a new one, or finding an old one and gutting it in order to rebuild it to our own design. THAT could be a lot of fun!
mkw