Took it to Matt, the RVIA tech in Spotsy, today. He really liked it - totally different reaction to the Jayco I wanted to get.
He found the following issues:
1. The
propane regulator is an old-style regulator with inside threads and needs to be changed, as do the two pigtails connecting it to the two
propane tanks. The tanks themselves need to be switched out with newer types as well.
2. He showed me how to properly reconnect the bathroom vent cover to the arm that moves it up and down (there's a screw that does this, it had gotten loose). However he also said the vent cover had become extra brittle from baking in the sun, and said it wasn't bad to keep some tape on it. Not sure where to get one in case it needs to be replaced, given that Burro is out of business.
3. He said the current AC unit was excellent and was only about 5 years old. He got his
generator connected and it did work really well.
4. He couldn't find a separate heating
furnace even though the AC unit seemed to have a "warmer" setting on it (not sure if it can also act as a heater). So there may be no separate heating
furnace, but he said in his experience a tiny
propane or electric one could heat up a camper up like this one really well. He said the insulation on the unit was excellent. Burros are known for having a fiberglass double-wall with a layer of insulation between.
5. He said the
battery needed to be replaced. I thought the previous owner had said it was relatively new, but it's possible I'm thinking of what I had been told about the Jayco.
6. He recommended that I run a dehumidifier in there as he could tell there had been some general moisture accumulation, possibly from my having left the vent partially open during the rains. He treated this as a common and recurrent problem with RVs with the problem being more or less extreme depending on the RV and the environment it is used in.
7. He said there had been some sealant applied around some of the windows and some in the corner where there is the "bruising" or discoloration (possibly from an impact) but everything looked well sealed and he had no leak concerns.
8. Stove ,fridge pilot, and water heater pilot all lit up without problems, no
leaks (but propane regulator still needs to be replaced because not in line with current standards).
9. He told me to buy a new sewer hose and a new fresh water hose.
10. We didn't hook it up to water and I don't think he got a chance to test it beyond perhaps looking at the pipes.
11. Beyond this I was given some general RV ownership pointers - like how to winterize, how to avoid a loose or dangling emergency runaway wire (he said some state troopers specifically look out for that); I was also told to buy a torque wrench to regularly tighten the lug nuts on the wheels.
12. We didn't talk customization and appearance issues but in the event I keep it, I'll definitely discuss options with him.
Overall Matt confirmed what I expected to be true of fiberglass trailers when I bought this one - that they really are more structurally sound than the wood/aluminum types, and that they are more resilient against
leaks.
I feel especially confident about my purchase now but not sure yet if I'm keeping it. A lot depends on how things go with my diesel truck purchase, and how much a decent boat for fishing on the lake will cost me down in Florida.