What to Look for When Buying a Used Travel Trailer

 

If you are thinking about purchasing a used travel trailer, there are several things you need to inspect to make sure you know what you are buying.  The good news is that it is easier to buy a used trailer than a used motorhome as you will not have to take into account the engine and drive train.

One of the first things to look for in a used travel trailer or fifth wheel is for any sign of water damage or leaks.  Visually inspect the trailer’s interior for water stains, soft spots or peeling wallpaper and focus on ceiling corners, around the windows and along the sides of the floor.  Open all of the closets, cabinets, and drawers to make sure they are free of dry rot.  Check windows to make sure they open and close properly as well as the door. 

Now get out and look at the siding for signs of any separation or loose panels and the roof for any obvious damage.  Examine the seals on the roof to make sure they are in good shape.  Take a look underneath the trailer to check out the condition of the frame.  You do not want to buy a trailer that has a badly rusted frame or cracks, broken welds or impact damage.  In fact once you buy, it is a good idea to have the wheel bearings inspected and repacked if it hasn’t been done recently, and while you are at it, have the electric brake system checked out. 

Another thing you want to look at in a used trailer is that the appliances are clean and in working order.  When you buy from a dealer, make sure it is part of your sales agreement that everything is in good working order including the water heater, water pump, water lines, furnace and A/C. 

Keep in mind that buying a used RV from a reputable dealer may be your best assurance that you are getting a quality travel trailer that has already been inspected and serviced.   A high-quality RV dealer should be staffed by RV certified and master certified technicians and will be able to provide any additional services you may require on the RV. 

Sources:

rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/06/used_travel_trailer_fifth_whee.php,  rvforum.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=428:buying-used-trailer-or-fiver&catid=38:buying-an-rv

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale. 

History of the Travel Trailer

At Pikes Peak Traveland, we have served the greater Colorado Springs area since 1982 and have seen trends in the RV industry come and go.  It got us thinking about the history of travel trailers and the evolution of the “home on wheels” over the last hundred years.  

The travel trailer has its origins from the caravans of the Romani people, known as Gypsies that spent most of their lives traveling around Europe in horse drawn caravans.  In 1880 the first leisure trailer was built by the Bristol Carriage Company and was 18 feet long.  It was bought by a famous author of teenage fiction, Dr. William Gordon Stables, who traveled throughout England in it and later wrote a book detailing his travels. 

In America as cars became more affordable and more roads were built during the 1920’s, travel trailers were introduced to the public and their owners become known as ‘tin can tourists'.  The popularity of travel trailers continued to increase as they became better designed and more livable (now called house trailers) and partly due to the development of the National Parks system.  People now had a new destination to take their travel trailers.

For those interested in the history of the RV industry, you may want to consider a trip to The RV/MH Heritage Foundation’s RVs Founders Hall in Elkhart Indiana.  The Hall is open to the public and displays trailers, photos, and memorabilia dating back to the 1920's and 30's.  The museum takes you through the chronological and technological advancements of the industry from before WW I to the present day.

The RV/MH Heritage Foundation also maintains a library that archives thousands of volumes of periodicals, records, and photos of the history of the RV/MH industry.  It is the only library that is dedicated entirely to the recreational vehicle and manufactured housing industries.

Sources:  rvmhhalloffame.org/museuminv.cfm, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_trailer

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale. 

Safety Upgrades for Travel Trailers

 

If you own a travel trailer, there are some simple upgrades you can do to help ensure your valuables and trailer is protected from theft.   Thankfully it is not very common but trailers have been driven away by complete strangers as well as belongings stolen from storage compartments when a trailer is parked in a campground or even when stored for the winter. 

One of the things you may want to consider is a trailer hitch lock that is specifically designed to prevent theft.  The lock clamps into the coupler and prevents your hitch from going over any size ball.  If you buy one, make sure it completely covers the coupler so it cannot be lowered over a ball.  

If you don’t want to bother to get a trailer hitch lock, you should at least run a cable lock system through the wheels on one side in order to lock them together.  Once you have prevented the wheels from moving, no one is going to be able to move your trailer either.   

Another thing you may not be aware of is that the valuables in your storage container might not be as safe from theft as you think.  Many storage containers have a generic lock and key system that is used on up to 75% of the travel trailers on the road.  Add to that fact, master keys for the units are easy to obtain at dealerships.  To find out if you have one of these commonly keyed storage compartments, check to see if your locks and keys have CH751 printed on them.  If they do, think about replacing the locks. 

The good news is that several manufacturers have addressed the problem with a wide variety of high-quality locks.  The new locks are fairly easy to install or you could have it done by your dealer.  In addition you can find them at most RV dealerships’ parts and accessories store or online. 

Source:  rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2011/02/rv_locks.php

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale.