Hi,I'm Joe from Phoenix

[joeep]

just bought a 1988 casita that's been sitting in a barn for the last 13 years. any input would be helpful . it's a 16 ft self-contained, just real dirty. Thanks for your time ,Joe

[David Tilston]

Being in a barn, it should be OK. Have the bearings repacked. Make sure the lights work, and give it a good scrub. Maybe wash the cushion covers. Then go camping.

For the first outing, maybe just go for a couple of days. Any issues will make themselves obvious.

[Thomas G.]

I'd add replace the tires. They are good for 5 to 6 years regardless of usage. You will probably need a new battery, too. Costco / Walmart are a good source for deep cycle batteries.

I'd also verify that the brakes are working - you can check them out when the bearings are repacked,.

[Kevin A]

You might want to just camp in your own driveway the first night to check out all the systems. Look for evidence of mice and other rodents, too. They love dark places in barns! They will often chew through the wiring to make their nests, so you may find some lights don't work because of that. Corrosion may make some ground connections bad, too.

[Roger C H]

My reccomdation for the first trip is your driveway. That way if anything untoward happens or you forget some vital thing, you only have to go into the house.

Congratulations on your acquisiion.

[Mike Magee]

Barn storage is great, as long as there weren't chickens or cows or something in the barn too! Welcome, and congrats.

[rabbit]

+3 or 4 on the driveway shakedown. The closer you simulate the actual conditions, amenities, and activities of camping, the more you'll learn/discover. Don't just sleep in it. Fill fresh water tank or hook up to house supply by hose. Hook up electrical if you desire to test 120V outlets or charge battery thru converter but use the shortest 12 or 10 guage grounded extension cord possible with an appropriate adapter for your trailer amperage rating and plug, and don't choose this moment to test your air conditioner for a long period of time. Pump water, heat water, cook food, wash dishes, take a shower if available. Convert and reconvent bed/dinettes, learn where to place the attendant apparatus of conversion. There are a hundred situations and surprises of towing, hitching and unhitching, and topographical peculiarities of site which you aren't yet mentally prepared to siimulate but the driveway is a very good place to start on ones attendant to "living" in the trailer.

jack

[David Tilston]

Why not sleep in it?

[Carol H]

Welcome and congrats! Nice find. I am with the others in so far as the need for new tires and new battery and having the bearings repacked and brakes checked out. Also check the date stamp on the propane tank as well, as it may be past its prime as well.

Trying everything out at home before going out on the a road trip is the best way to avoid any surprises and remember to pack what you need. Getting the propane system checked out is also not a bad idea. If there are any spider web you may find your fridge or hot water tank will not work on propane and they may simple need to be serviced and cleaned out. A tiny little spider or web is all it takes to stop them from working correctly.

Have fun with it!

[RogerDat]

+1 on what Carol said and I would add wasp nests in the furnace chimney smell pretty funky when they burn.

After 13 years if it moves find out what lubricates it and apply. Holding tank valves for sewage dump, cupboard hinges, window mechanisms, latches,faucet handles. Think Tin Man from Wizard of Oz and lubricate all the joints. Avoid strain on moving parts that may still move but move harder than they should.

And enjoy what sounds like a good find.

[Donna D.]

Hi Joe ... welcome to FiberglassRV!!!!!

Something that's been sitting in a barn for years is truly a find... you scored. Ditto to camping in your driveway, etc. How about some pictures of you and your new-to-you rollin' home? We love pictures here

[joeep]

Thanks for all the info , I spent the whole day cleaning and still not done.

[Pam Garlow]

Welcome to the group! sounds like you'll have a great camper as soon as you've got all that cleaning and prep work done

[John & BJ S.]

Joe - if you get it checked out, consider coming out to the Quartzsite Egg gathering February 8-10. There will be lots of egg owners there (majority of them with Casitas) that can answer any questions.

[joeep]

definitely going to try to do that ,thanks

[theresa p]

welcome, joe! how did you find out about your casita-in-the-barn ??
and photos would be great......

[joeep]

I tried to put pics on here but it's not working so I'm sure I'm not doing it right.
but after looking around for trailers ( vintage )for 3 weeks and being very disappointed at what pics look like on the web and then you get there and uuugggg. I went on facebook and posted looking for an trailer and an old friend of mine said his mom and dad had one. CASITA I saw that in there barn and knew this is it.

[Donna D.]

You looked for three weeks? JOE, we have members that have looked for MONTHS. You really don't know how lucky you are