Advice -- Is this a fair price -- Perris Pacer - Fiberglass RV
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Old 02-18-2015, 03:01 PM   #1
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Name: Claire
Trailer: Scamp
Oregon
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Advice -- Is this a fair price -- Perris Pacer

Hi!

We're going to look at a LOVELY Perris Pacer travel trailer tomorrow that we probably will end up coming home with if all goes well.

I wanted to try & get an experts opinion on price for the trailer.

Here's the details:

Perris Pacer 'Blue Egg' Trailer $5,800
1984 10 Foot (13' Tonge) Inside Headroom 5' 11"
Pull Behind Lightweight Fiberglass Coach (about 1,200 pounds)
Working Propane Stove, Catalytic Heater, and Dometic Refrigerator (110 AC, 12v DC).
Sleeps Three (Full-size Bedding Included)
A lot of Storage; Cabinets, Large Closet, Overhead and Under Seats.
Working Faucet with Onboard or City Water Hook-ups
Onboard Freshwater and Gray-water Tanks
Includes:
Original Cushions (not showing)
Four Stabilizing Jacks
Porta-potty that Stows Under Front Seating
Two-Inch Ball with Flat-Four Wiring Connection
Compatible with Most Scamp Parts

What do you guys think? Is $5,800 a good asking price or should we try & get it for less?

This is our first time buying a travel trailer & we are SO excited but want to make sure we're purchasing for the right price

Any advice would be much appreciated!
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Old 02-18-2015, 03:23 PM   #2
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As long as you asked:
Where is the LP Tank?
Why doesn't the refrigerator work on Propane? That's a Biggie
How OLD are the tires, anything over 6 years old will have to be replaced asap
Where are the front cushions?
It's still winter, that's a spring/summer price.
Is registration current and in the sellers name
I don't really care for the bare refletix type stuff, could be easily damaged
If the above questions weren't there, the price might be OK, BUT????


Ask more questions and/or let us know what f=happens.



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Old 02-18-2015, 04:48 PM   #3
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Love the colour, very cute but make sure it is painted with marine or auto paint or it may not last.
Does it have a battery? Not a biggy but take the cost into account if it doesn't. Same with tires, new ones aren't that expensive but its a factor.
I really don't like the bare reflectix and would have to cover it which is not a small job.
Everything can be fixed but you have to take into account your time and and money. It all comes down to what it is worth to you.

Bob - I think spring prices are here!
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Old 02-18-2015, 05:17 PM   #4
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Price is up to you and how much your willing to travel. If its local its worth more to me than a 1 to 2,000 mile round trip to get one. Time is money and how antsy you are to get one. Waiting may get you better or worse but you have to be happy with your purchase. Learn to read the date code on the tires to see if you need to replace them. I don't see a spare. How old is the propane regulator? I worry about those things and the hoses to the bottle. Plan on spending money to have bearings repacked unless the owner has a receipt saying they were done in the last year or so. I think the price is high for bubble pack walls. your going to want to finish those. The first time you have a good camping trip you will forget about the money spent at least until you go to sell it. But who cares money comes, money goes. Its the memories that last.
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Old 02-18-2015, 05:22 PM   #5
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California
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Kootenai girl is right, covering the bare Relectex is not a small job. We're in the process of finishing up covering the Reflectex that we recently installed. It was a big job covering it with Marine hulliner(not impossible though), but an added expense and additional time none the less. I guess it all depends on whether you like the look of the bare Reflectex or not. After we installed the Reflectex, my husband and I joked that we were just going to leave it that way so we wouldn't have to deal with the hulliner task

In addition to what other's have already mentioned, I'd check the frame for damage,
repairs etc..... For example, when we purchased our Perris Pacer last June, we didn't do a very good job of inspecting the frame. We ended up having to repair the frame properly (a bad repair job by previous owner) and purchasing a new axel and hubs. Surprise, but there are always surprises! Still costs to consider when you're negotiating the price of the little blue Robin's egg.

I wonder what the "original" cushions are like since they are not pictured?
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Old 02-18-2015, 06:14 PM   #6
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Wow! Thanks guys! This is all excellent advice.

I got some more info:

LP tank is located on the front trailer tongue.
The refrigerator does work on propane. It works on all three systems.
They don't know the age of the tires. They have not replaced them since purchased in 2010. They say there's "plenty of tread"
The title is clean & in their name.
The original cushions are included plus an extra foam pad for the full size bed. But they say they're ugly :-/

I agree I think the price is high for the bare reflectex walls which I also do not like.

Do you guys know much about Shastas by chance. We're going to also look at a MUCH less expensive little canned ham. 1971 Shasta. It's only $1950

1971 Shasta 10' travel trailer - Canned Ham style
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Old 02-18-2015, 06:19 PM   #7
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Steph - About how much did it cost you to finish your Perris Pacer walls? & about how much time did it take you?
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Old 02-18-2015, 06:22 PM   #8
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You'll want to hear an opinion form someone in your part of the country - but judging from the pics $5,800 sounds steep.

To my mind the value of an older unit depends a lot on the condition of the frame and the floor. If possible, I'd crawl underneath to check out both - take a flashlight and screw driver to probe around with.
If you find problems it will not only let you know what you might be getting into and help you make the GO - NO GO decision, but will also give you a huge bargaining chip should you decide to make an offer.

From the pics, an obvious talking point will be the reflectix on the walls - why is it there and what's behind it?

Having said all that, I think Perris Pacers are pretty darn cool trailers.
I hope it turns out to be a solid unit and that you get it for a fair price.

Look on this site for the 'buyer's checklist', under resources I believe. It will be helpful.

Edit: here it is - http://www.fiberglassrv.com/buy-sell.html
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Old 02-18-2015, 06:46 PM   #9
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Claire, I have purchased six Trillium trailers. The are similar to the Pacer you are looking at. I have not paid more then $3100 Cdn for them. Mind you, I shop perpetually.

Also, you can expect to be buying new tires.
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Old 02-18-2015, 06:59 PM   #10
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ooops... Getting into an unrestored, 44 y.o. canned ham is nothing more than a death march unless you are buying it as a restoration project/hobby for life. If it is either restored (?) or in excellent condition, it is way under priced for todays canned ham market which is HOT..... Call the Canned Ham Man in Riverside CA and talk to them, they have a website Vintage Trailer Restoration Specialists and is the goto guy with your question.



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Old 02-18-2015, 07:09 PM   #11
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One mo note:


If you are going to look at the Pacer, have them get the refrigerator working on LP at least 6 hours before you get there. Any excuses often means it doesn't work.
AND... I couldn't see the LP tank in the pics. Be sure it has a tri-cornered valve knob. If has the older round valve knob you can't get them filled any more and you will have to buy a new tank.



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Old 02-18-2015, 07:17 PM   #12
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TO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 02-18-2015, 07:30 PM   #13
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For $5800.00 dollars the trailer should look like new.


I fully restored a Lil Big Foot.
To recover the existing foam insulation properly I had to gut the trailer,
The cost about $600.00.


Make sure the refrigerator is COLD, not cool but COLD.
It take at least 24 hours for an RV refrigerator to cool down so ask the seller to turn it on today.
I think the price is to high for a trailer with unfinished walls.
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Old 02-18-2015, 07:30 PM   #14
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Claire, There is a good buyer's checklist under the documents section of this website. Get familiar with it. Anything that isn't right, consider that you will be, more than likely, spending money &/or time to fix/make right (i.e., tires are nearing the end of their useful life). Be prepared to look at the underneath (bring a flashlight and/or ground cloth). Don't be afraid to negotiate, you can always start low and work to an agreeable price.
Check out the archives at fiberglass-rv-4sale.com to get an idea of prices that other PP have been listed (consider that west coast prices tend to be higher than east coast) and listed price may not be what it actually sold for.
Good luck and have fun.
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Old 02-18-2015, 07:47 PM   #15
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There are ALWAYS two prices. What the seller is willing to settle for and what the maximum a buyer wants to pay. It's up to the two parties to meet in the middle or NOT.

When it comes to an all-olded-towables, you (as the buyer) have to decide who much work you're willing to put forth (after buy), your skills and abilities and YOUR BUDGET. AND, when was the LAST time you saw an all-molded towable in "its" condition that was acceptable to you in YOUR area or willingly driving distance.

There are some willing to wait YEARS for that cheap/perfect trailer. Maybe you... maybe not.

Best of luck in your egg hunt!
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Old 02-18-2015, 08:51 PM   #16
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Claire, not counting the Reflectex, since you already would have that (lucky you, you won't have to scrape the old insulation off!), 14 linear yards of marine hulliner from Perfectfit.com cost us $200 including shipping. The glue, 3M-90 spray adhesive, cost around $12.00 a can, don't know how many cans we used, but it was a few cans.

Being newbies, the main part of the job took us a day and a half. I'm finishing the seam work and window work now. The tricky part for us was trying to figure out the least number of seams we could get away with.

You said the cushions were ugly, upholstery is not cheap if you wish to replace them. We replaced our cushions. The entire set cost us only $350 dollars including brand new foam (great quality), marine grade zippers and a very nice Bella fabric. To be fair, we happened to get a rock'n deal, the guy did a fantastic/perfect job, he usually does boat upholstery. I don't know if work was slow for him or what, just happy to get a deal, so I didn't ask questions
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Old 02-18-2015, 09:36 PM   #17
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Name: Claire
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You guys are SO helpful! Thank you so much for your insight. We're going to look at the PP trailer tomorrow afternoon & will let you know how it goes!
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Old 02-18-2015, 09:41 PM   #18
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No it is not a steel of a deal.........But, the big question is....... How much of a hurry are you in? As it get closer to summer it will be harder to find this type of trailer. How far are you willing to travel to purchase a trailer ? So if this trailer meets your needs and budget ....and if your ready to start camping..... Maybe it is the right deal for you. There always going to be people that got more for less and people that got less for more. Good luck. Craig




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Old 02-19-2015, 09:55 AM   #19
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Wow, $5800 for a 1984 13' Pacer. My sister bought this exact model about ten years ago for about $1500. At the time, she thought that was way too much, but it was so cute she had to have it. She sold it a couple of years later and broke even.


I guess this thread illustrates how demand has driven up the value in these old FG trailers. But anyone who buys a 30-year old travel trailer has to decide for themselves how much it is worth to them. I once paid 4 grand for a 15 year old Scamp 16. The fiberglass was good, but everything else was worn out. Axle shot, frame rusted out, etc. If you are looking for a hassle-free way to just go camping, paying top dollar for a vintage trailer may not be the way to go. There are many people on this forum who are very skilled and ambitious and love to tinker on their vintage trailers. Some of their trailers are truly works of art. The rest of us have to weigh whether we are buying the trailer more for camping or for having a great hobby to keep us busy.


On the other hand, if you are willing and able to upgrade and repair an old FG trailer, you can probably count on at least getting your money back or more. No other type of RV, except maybe vintage Airstreams, have that going for them.


I have a good friend who camps in the back of his Toyota pickup truck with a fiberglass shell. I used to encourage him to buy a used fiberglass trailer. He is not handy and doesn't want something that needs to be worked on all the time. After looking at ads for the last year and a half on used fiberglass trailers, I have stopped recommending this idea to him. There is very little in his price range in good enough shape to really be a good investment for him. And they sell so fast, we can't get there fast enough to even look. My friend is so frustrated he is now looking at other types of trailers. Can't really blame him.
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Old 02-19-2015, 11:27 AM   #20
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In June of 2011 I drove about 700 miles each way to go look at and buy a 1983 Burro. It was in mid-rebuild, but it had already had the largest, and for me most un-doable part done; the body had been lifted off the frame, the floor was completely replaced and the rolling chassis had been reassembled. This is where I came in, with no electrics, no propane, no refrigerator, and no plumbing. It was what I wanted for the task at hand and I willingly paid $2500 for it, knowing what I was getting.

Now you have to decide whether this Perris Pacer is going to be what you want and whether you can do whatever is needed to make it fill your needs and still feel comfortable with the price. If you could back your T/V up to it and drive off to your first camping experience, the price would be pretty good... how much do you have to do to it to make it suit you and how much time and money will that involve?

Just some food for thought.
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