Lucky or foolish

[Ultra4e]

Hi I'm the happy new owner of a 1989 16" standard casita. I bought it yesterday from the original owner. Now I may be missing something but this casita was garage kept and I can't see anything wrong with it. The inside is original with no shower but two bunks. No leaks, no smell,no soft spots. Trailer has some rust but not bad. My mechanic is going to stop by and check the axel.
Could I have found a survivor? Or am I missing something?

[Donna D.]

If it turns out to be as you described, I think you SCORED

[Casita Greg]

Congratulations on your find. Sounds like it is in pretty good shape. While your mechanic is checking out the axle, you may want to have him also check the "born on dates" when the tires were made. If they're more than 5 years old, (even if they look unworn,) they should be replaced due to "old age." Tires disintegrate and rubber compounds break down over time, and even though they may look good to the eye, the rubber may have exceeded it's "life expectancy" and could fail when it's least convenient. Out on a busy highway, or in the middle of nowhere, are not places you want to find out you have tire problems.

[Jon in AZ]

Sounds like a real find!



As Greg says, there will be some routine things to check to make sure it is ready to roll. But it sounds like all the big stuff checks out. Which is actually quite remarkable for a trailer of that age in the humid deep South!

Well done!

[Ultra4e]

Thanks guys. I love her. I've been looking for a couple months, she's a beauty.

[Iowa Dave]

There's truly rare stuff out there where very few were ever made and there's stuff like Casitas, Scamps, Camaros, kiekhaeffer Mercury motors, that are in sheds and garages all over North Anerica. Once in a while both of these categories come to light and get snapped up by lucky buyers. Remember this mantra "It's out there and I can find it". And when you do it's a play on Milton. "Paradise Found."
Iowa Dave
Dave

[alan H]

Great story........but until you post pictures
It is just like all of my fishing stories..
Just another store
Congratulations on your find

[Bruce Thomas]

I'd say lucky!

[Ultra4e]

I'm trying to post a pic of the interior
Let's see if it works.

[Ultra4e]

Ok that worked here's another

[Jon in AZ]

That's a very rare layout you've got- side bunks AND front bunks. Looks like the upper bunk is still in place in front, but I can't tell about the side. Look very clean and original, too. Nice!

[Gilles]

Congratulations on your purchase.
If you have any doubt about the quality of your purchase, you can board the list: BuyersChecklist, to convince you...

Fiberglass RV - Document Center - BuyersChecklist

[Steve L.]

Looks like your trailer has been tipped on it's side at some point. You might want to get that fixed.

If I'm reading the pictures right, because of no bath you have a bunk in the front. I haven't seen one of those yet. Also, I like that it frees up the space for a front window.

When I see an A/C mounted in the window I'm always curious about what sort of outside structure is holding up the back end of the A/C. As long as feels/looks stable it's not an issue.

[CPW]

Originally Posted by Steve L.

Looks like your trailer has been tipped on it's side at some point. You might want to get that fixed.

No, I don't think so. It's obvious these pictures were taken at the equator. Had they been taken at the north pole they would have been upright, at the south pole, upside down!

I'd say lucky also.

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Ultra4e]

Ha ha. I was just happy the pics loaded.
Here's how the a/c is mounted. This is the factory location this year

[Steve L.]

Originally Posted by CPW

No, I don't think so. It's obvious these pictures were taken at the equator. Had they been taken at the north pole they would have been upright, at the south pole, upside down!

I'd say lucky also.

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

That explains why I always get better mileage driving south... It's all downhill.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Ultra4e

...Here's how the a/c is mounted. This is the factory location this year

I question that, Eva. I believe Casita has always mounted factory AC under the front bench on 16'ers and 13'ers. Pretty sure that installation is the work of a previous owner.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Ultra4e

Ha ha. I was just happy the pics loaded.
Here's how the a/c is mounted. This is the factory location this year

I would not be comfortable with this facility at the end of the trailer when traveling ...
Can you easily remove it when traveling?

[DeBreez]

Originally Posted by Gilles

I would not be comfortable with this facility at the end of the trailer when traveling ...
Can you easily remove it when traveling?

I agree, this looks less than stable for travel. Also, 16's are typically have a low tongue weight and the extra weight in the back could be an issue - low tongue weight can cause sway.

Looks like a nice trailer other than that.

[Ultra4e]

I called casita. The ac was installed in the back that year.
I understand it does make it back heavy probably why they moved it
And now I know why the owner gave me a stabilizer tow bar with it.
Attached is the original owners manual