Am I Crazy?

[Leo]

For the last three burns, I have camped in a tent trailer. It looks like my wife will be joining me this year and she would enjoy the luxury of an enclosed head and solid (vs canvas) walls. In searching craigslist, I have found a 1969 18' travel trailer for $950.00. The seller claims that everything works, it's road ready, licensed, and has a clear title. It looks like a good deal to me assuming there is no rot in the framework. I have a Ford F-150 with a 5.4 liter V-8, so the trailer weight isn't an issue. Any suggestions, comments, or caveats?

[junglesmacks]

Rock it 'till the wheels fall off.

[motskyroonmatick]

Pull it around for a while before you buy it and test what you can. Look underneath and in all the cabinets for obvious plumbing problems. Deals like that come up every once in a while around here. Checking it out can't hurt. Right?

[ygmir]

does it have brakes? and do they work?
because, pulling is not nearly as important, as stopping.
If it has brakes, are they electric, or surge?
Tires, and bearings.
and, as Motz says, check for plumbing.

but, otherwise, cool score!!

[Leo]

YGMIR,
It has electric brakes. Are surge brakes better?

[teardropper]

Electric brakes are good. You'll need to put a controller in your cab. Yeah, you do want your trailer to stay behind you. Check to make sure all works, holding tanks, water tanks, pump. You may have to check and repack wheel bearings. Very important. Tires should be checked and get a spare. Does it have a gas refrig? Price is OK if most of it works.

I have a utility trailer I bring. I had bearings checked and adjusted and put new tires on, trailer tires not car tires. Those are the things I worry about most.