How long do Casita trailers last?

[texastall]

I am looking at a 1991 Casita. I like it but at 33 years old how much longer will it last? I think it has been stored under cover for the most part. I saw something about changing something every 10 years...the axle???? Sorry, I am a newbie so might be dumb questions. Thanks

[Jon in AZ]

The shell will last basically forever... but everything else has an expiration date. Some of the difficult and/or expensive items to check and see if they're at or beyond their service life include:

• Frame. Casita frames typically fail where the frame bends at the front to form the tongue. Inspect and probe carefully there and anywhere else the rust seems more than just a surface layer. Lifespan depends on climate and storage.
• Floor. Casita uses plywood or OSB to add strength to the lower shell. It can rot if exposed to water from leaks in windows, vents, or plumbing. Newer units are coated in a layer of fiberglass, not sure about 1991. Feel for soft spots in the aisle and also inside benches and cabinets. Small spots can be repaired piecemeal, but if rot is extensive, you'll need to gut the interior and replace it all.
• Axle. Axles should last well beyond 10 years; 20 or even 30 years is more common. But if yours is original it may be due. Two things to check. One, visually inspect alignment and tire wear- should be straight and even. Two, jack one side of the trailer on the frame and see how much the wheel drops in the wheel well. Little or no movement means a dead axle. While it's lifted, wiggle the wheels to see if there's play in the bearings. Replacement is not as big a deal- it only takes a few hours at a good shop- but figure around $1200 with labor.
• Windows. Missing or broken windows can be trouble, since many older styles are no longer made. As long as they're complete and intact, they can generally be resealed.
• Lining. The carpet on the walls is troublesome to replace. It can be steam cleaned and re-glued in spots, but watch out for mold that's taken hold on or under the lining. Pay attention to bad odors.

The rest is pretty straightforward RV stuff. Make sure appliances, wiring, and plumbing work, and factor the condition into the price.

[texastall]

The casita was in storage for 3 years or so. I opened a side compartment and it appeared to be a propane regulator, maybe for the stove or the heater? The seller inherited it and only the deceased father used or maintained the unit. I does not have any damp smells and the interior is sound. The AC is inside by the door which will give less wind drag but less storage which I like. I am trying to research if I need the Anderson hitch thing to town this behind my Toyota 4Runner.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by texastall

The casita was in storage for 3 years or so. I opened a side compartment and it appeared to be a propane regulator, maybe for the stove or the heater? The seller inherited it and only the deceased father used or maintained the unit. I does not have any damp smells and the interior is sound. The AC is inside by the door which will give less wind drag but less storage which I like. I am trying to research if I need the Anderson hitch thing to town this behind my Toyota 4Runner.

Given the age and A/C location, it is a 16' deluxe, which is lighter and less tongue-heavy that the more common 17'ers. I do not think you will need a WDH with your 4Runner., and the 16' frame is not suitable in any case I'd expect around 300# hitch weight versus over 400# for 17'ers.

The propane regulator is normally out front over the tongue, so I'm not sure what you're seeing. You can probably get by with just a single LP tank, which will further reduce your tongue weight and avoid WDH (two is the standard set-up, I believe). With a trailer of that age, I'd recommend a professional gas tech inspect check out the LP system before you start using it.

Check the frame and axle condition, and test the appliances as much as possible, but it sounds like you have a winner! You can use the SOLD archives at www.fiberglass-RV-4sale.com to research recent sales and estimate its fair market value..

[texastall]

I greatly appreciate your information and advice!

[ShelbyM]

I'd plan on new tires and a wheel bearing service right away. You can decide about the WDH when you hook up, see how much sag you have. There are brands of WDH other than Andersen.

[Steve Outlaw]

Originally Posted by texastall

I am looking at a 1991 Casita. I like it but at 33 years old how much longer will it last? I think it has been stored under cover for the most part. I saw something about changing something every 10 years...the axle???? Sorry, I am a newbie so might be dumb questions. Thanks

Casita's are reasonably inexpensive, even new. Why look at one so old? I would expect that the torsion axles' are shot, tires are probably no good, floor rot is a real possibility and would be a no go for most folks, all the appliances are way out of date and may be on their way out also, and everything about the electrical system is a potential failure point.



Unless money is a major issue, I would be looking for a 4-5 year old trailer that is not an existing money pit. There are other brands beside Casita.

[texastall]

The issue is indeed the financial outlay. The unit suits me and I am capable of many repairs, etc. This will probably outlive me. Thank you !

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by texastall

The casita was in storage for 3 years or so. I opened a side compartment and it appeared to be a propane regulator, maybe for the stove or the heater? The seller inherited it and only the deceased father used or maintained the unit. I does not have any damp smells and the interior is sound. The AC is inside by the door which will give less wind drag but less storage which I like. I am trying to research if I need the Anderson hitch thing to town this behind my Toyota 4Runner.

my casita 16 had a propane-only water heater on the 'street side', the furnace was curb side, as was the propane 2-way fridge.

[texastall]

What year was it?

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by texastall

What year was it?

my was a 2008, not super old, but not that new either. It was a 16' Spirit Deluxe.

[jerrybob]

Sounds like the trailer is OK for its age. As someone has said.....you could run into issues with appliances and other things due to age but....if the price is right and you have the skill set and desire to work on problems.....go for it. Might just be a fun project.

[texastall]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I slept on it and determined I needed to listen to those familiar with travel trailers telling me to hold off. Hopefully, something else better for my needs will find me again.

[Casita Greg]

Originally Posted by texastall

I am looking at a 1991 Casita. I like it but at 33 years old how much longer will it last? I think it has been stored under cover for the most part. I saw something about changing something every 10 years...the axle???? Sorry, I am a newbie so might be dumb questions. Thanks

If it has been cared for, it will out-live you. Mine is a 2008, (16+ y/o,) and always kept under a metal carport roof when not underway, and I would defy anyone to tell it still doesn't look brand new. Just sayin'.

[ShelbyM]

Originally Posted by texastall

Thanks to everyone for your help. I slept on it and determined I needed to listen to those familiar with travel trailers telling me to hold off. Hopefully, something else better for my needs will find me again.

Adios, then. Check back if you end up with any brand FGRV.

[vintageracer]

Here is a suggestion I give a lot of my friends when it comes to TOY purchases when they are trying way to hard to "Budget" shop for that item.

Decide to take a 6 month minimum chill pill from purchasing any trailer.

Go save and additional $1,000/month for the next 6 months for a trailer purchase. This gives an additional $6,000 to buy a BETTER trailer all the while doing other things YOU like to do!

Can't afford to save $1,000/month?

Then save an extra $500/month for your better trailer purchase. This gives you and additional $3,000 to buy a BETTER trailer all the while doing other things YOU like to do.

Can't afford to save $500/month?

Hate to say it.

You can't afford to own, register, insure, repair and take time off work to go camp in any trailer.

Tough words however it is REALITY!

Don't turn a trailer purchase into a bad decision by turning that trailer purchase into a repair, rebuild or financial nightmare!

NOW you know what there are so many GUTTED TRAILERS For Sale across the USA!

[John McDonald]

Originally Posted by vintageracer

Here is a suggestion I give a lot of my friends when it comes to TOY purchases when they are trying way to hard to "Budget" shop for that item.

Decide to take a 6 month minimum chill pill from purchasing any trailer.

Go save and additional $1,000/month for the next 6 months for a trailer purchase. This gives an additional $6,000 to buy a BETTER trailer all the while doing other things YOU like to do!

Can't afford to save $1,000/month?

Then save an extra $500/month for your better trailer purchase. This gives you and additional $3,000 to buy a BETTER trailer all the while doing other things YOU like to do!

NOW you know what there are so many GUTTED TRAILERS for sale across the USA!


Can't afford to save $500/month?

Hate to say it.

You can't afford to own, register, insure, repair and take time off work to go camp in any trailer.

Tough words however it is REALITY!

Don't turn a trailer purchase into a bad decision by turning that trailer purchase into a repair, rebuild or financial nightmare!

NOW you know what there are so many GUTTED TRAILERS For Sale across the USA!

IMO this is a good financial reality check.
Cheers John

[steelypip]

Originally Posted by texastall

The casita was in storage for 3 years or so. I opened a side compartment and it appeared to be a propane regulator, maybe for the stove or the heater? The seller inherited it and only the deceased father used or maintained the unit. I does not have any damp smells and the interior is sound. The AC is inside by the door which will give less wind drag but less storage which I like. I am trying to research if I need the Anderson hitch thing to town this behind my Toyota 4Runner.

I have a 1992 16 foot deluxe with AC - very similar to the '91 you're looking at. I was camping in it this summer. It always needs a little maintenance, but that's true of all RVs everywhere all the time.

As others have said, the shell is basically eternal. I'd guess the 'propane regulator' you're looking at is the hot water heater or the back of the fridge, but you could have a custom gas plumbing job as well depending. It's a matter of safety and code that the regulator needs to be outside of the box the people are in.

The axle test noted above is a good idea. Budget in an axle replacement if it doesn't pass the test. The axle is a standard part that can be ordered from Dexter. That said, axles are lightly loaded on a 16 footer - they're significantly lighter than the 17s. It might be fine.

The stuff that needs work on my 16 footer is RV stuff, not Casita stuff, if that makes sense. Cabinet latches break, and so on. It's all easy and cheap to fix and it tends to stay that way for another 10-20 years once you do. I have yet to need a major appliance. The furnace, AC, water heater, water pump, toilet, sinks are all original and have required minimal or no maintenance. The toilet did get a seal replacement before I bought the trailer.

Some stuff on the old trailers is nicer than the current Casita offering - the furnace is smaller (this is a good thing). The toilet is better made. The bathroom sink is a dainty little corner sink that is very space efficient.

So no, it won't be as maintenance-free as a 2024 Toyota Corolla. That said, it's mostly easy maintenance, parts are regularly available, and you do essentially the same amount of maintenance per unit time on a 2015 Casita as a 1995 Casita if it was cared for (and the one you're asking about sounds like it was).

[Joemcameron]

Is there a resource that lists actual selling prices of used units? Or would you tell me and then have to take me out? The SOLD archive section of fiberglass-RV-4sale appears to only show the original asking price. Some say I am stupid.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Joemcameron

Is there a resource that lists actual selling prices of used units? Or would you tell me and then have to take me out? The SOLD archive section of fiberglass-RV-4sale appears to only show the original asking price. Some say I am stupid.

Nope, you're not missing anything. There is no way to know what the actual selling price was on the site you mentioned or anywhere else. The large majority of used molded fiberglass trailers change ownership as private party transactions, and there is no mechanism to collect and report that data.

You have to guess based on looking at a lot of past and current ads and noticing how long units appear to stay on the market. Sometimes you can tell, sometimes you can't. In addition to age, features, and condition, you also have to factor in location and season.

It's an art, not a science.