WTB: small travel trailer. <15' long.

Hi all--

Looking to buy in the $2k and under range a small travel trailer under 15'.

Something lightweight, an old canned ham style shasta/aristocrat/sprite, or something fiberglass like a casita or a scamp. 

Prefer something without a toilet.

PM me if you've got anything in decent shape (no mold/ not gutted) that you'd like to unload!

Thanks,
Ron

Hi all--

Looking to buy in the $2k and under range a small travel trailer under 15'.

Something lightweight, an old canned ham style shasta/aristocrat/sprite, or something fiberglass like a casita or a scamp. 

Prefer something without a toilet.

PM me if you've got anything in decent shape (no mold/ not gutted) that you'd like to unload!

Thanks,
Ron

Most of those models you listed, especially the fiberglass ones, in that size range for for at least double your budget.  I spent several months looking myself & it was at least a $4k investment for one in any form of reasonable shape; with some work required.

Not to rain on your parade ....  BUT some do come up on craigslist.  Check daily & act fast when they do!  If you start checking now, you will get a feel for what the market is going for over a period of time.

Hi all--

Looking to buy in the $2k and under range a small travel trailer under 15'.

Something lightweight, an old canned ham style shasta/aristocrat/sprite, or something fiberglass like a casita or a scamp. 

Prefer something without a toilet.

PM me if you've got anything in decent shape (no mold/ not gutted) that you'd like to unload!

Thanks,
Ron

Most of those models you listed, especially the fiberglass ones, in that size range for for at least double your budget.  I spent several months looking myself & it was at least a $4k investment for one in any form of reasonable shape; with some work required.

Not to rain on your parade ....  BUT some do come up on craigslist.  Check daily & act fast when they do!  If you start checking now, you will get a feel for what the market is going for over a period of time.

Fully agree, no parade raining at all, we're certainly seeing what you describe on CL.  Also looking out of the area in places we have family; the SF CL experience seems to be kicking the price up over what we're seeing elsewhere. But, we're in no hurry, and are just putting the feelers out and getting ready to jump when we find something that fits the bill.

Hi all--

Looking to buy in the $2k and under range a small travel trailer under 15'.

Something lightweight, an old canned ham style shasta/aristocrat/sprite, or something fiberglass like a casita or a scamp. 

Prefer something without a toilet.

PM me if you've got anything in decent shape (no mold/ not gutted) that you'd like to unload!

Thanks,
Ron

Most of those models you listed, especially the fiberglass ones, in that size range for for at least double your budget.  I spent several months looking myself & it was at least a $4k investment for one in any form of reasonable shape; with some work required.

Not to rain on your parade ....  BUT some do come up on craigslist.  Check daily & act fast when they do!  If you start checking now, you will get a feel for what the market is going for over a period of time.

Fully agree, no parade raining at all, we're certainly seeing what you describe on CL.  Also looking out of the area in places we have family; the SF CL experience seems to be kicking the price up over what we're seeing elsewhere. But, we're in no hurry, and are just putting the feelers out and getting ready to jump when we find something that fits the bill.

There's been this huge trend lately towards vintage travel trailers, which the market had at under $2000 for a LONG time ... now at least 2x the cost.  Blame on multiple factors ... vintage is "in", DIY tv shows illustrating how "easy" it is to restore (I expected more 1/2 done projects on the market when people find that they cost 4x what they thought to restore do to hidden problems), the increase of Air BnB (people use these for BnB units), better economy (maybe?), trend towards smaller vehicles = smaller trailers needed to tow.  I saw a large increase in larger trailers coming down in price; especially 5th wheels.

One thing I learned from a dealership in Fresno was to look for trailers over 10 years old since, according to them, dealers generally wont take them in trade because banks don't do loans on 10+ old trailers.  Not certain, but seemed to look true based on dealer stocks by age.

Best deals seemed to be found in the Valley BUT ... and I cannot express this BUT enough, WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS!!!!  I found numerous trailers that after a bit of research were not owned by the seller, title not in their name, trailer not even in their possession, etc..  Found one that turns out a dealer owned and some guy was trying to sell it off a dealer lot.  called him out on it, add went away & 2 days later another trailer popped up under his ph# in the Stockton area.  Stocton was another "hot" areas for scams and questionable sellers.  Looked at one there with their "sob family story" of upgrading to a larger one ... they "used it for many years as a family" yet couldn't answer basic questions about how it worked 7 where things were located on it.  Two days later, different trailer pictured in front of their house with another phone# (same people); guessing a disposable phone?  Seems that they buy at auction & resell for profit - nothing wrong with that but darn it, be honest about it!

Hope this helps a little.  I'm still in the market for a small toy hauler myself.  I'll keep an eye out for a small trailer for you, locally.

Thanks!

Definitely have the scam radar on high alert as we look for these.  Certainly seem to have uncovered a lot of shady sellers so far.  Just simply right clicking on a pic and google image searching for it has unearthed a few, especially in the fiberglass models.

The small/light thing is the lure for us; our van is a previa, only rated to 3500lbs tow weight; I'd like to be a fair amount under half that.  I'd even be good with finding a teardrop or one of the new not-a-teardrop 4x8 plywood-box-on-utility-trailer units I've been seeing at the $3-4k new price point, but my wife is having none of that

Looks like the deals to be had now are in 5th wheels, certainly, anything with a motor, and yes, like you say, 10-20 year old small rigs.  It's  bummer these seem to come in bigger and heavier than we're looking for.

I should have kept my '78 Econoline Contempo conversion!

Other option, but again will either be higher price or in poor condition, is a pop-up.  Light, small, compact yet full featured.

2001 Casita $2,000. Scam Alert?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvd/5408857143.html

2001 Casita $2,000. Scam Alert?

Yes, this is one of the scams out there on the fiberglass trailers. The phone number in the pic and the bad characters between the model year in the title are the constants on this scam. 

Other option, but again will either be higher price or in poor condition, is a pop-up.  Light, small, compact yet full featured.

Had thought about one, and I'd be good with it for certain, but it's unfortunately not Wife Approved.

Seeing our neighbors' tent trailer get absolutely abused by the wind at Crab Fest last year put her off the idea, I think.  To be fair, it was something amazing to see. 

I'm halfway considering abandoning finding a travel trailer and instead converting the Previa into a teardrop-style "motorhome" like my folks did with their old Dodge Tradesman back in the '70s.  Certainly save on driveway space

You're between that rock & a hard spot my friend   

Starting last year, Shasta reintroduced their retro trailer.  I saw one last summer.  Really sweet!

http://www.tennesseerv.com/rvs/1961-shasta-airflyte-replica/

Starting last year, Shasta reintroduced their retro trailer.  I saw one last summer.  Really sweet!

http://www.tennesseerv.com/rvs/1961-shasta-airflyte-replica/

Nice, if not a bit over the OP price point.

The home built teardrop seems like the best option. Shoprat's is pretty cool and there is one on Texas kayak fishing forum that I love. Those are full of possibilities.

I saw one of those in person @ See Grins in Gilroy.  Not too badly priced for a small one & you can finance it 

You're between that rock & a hard spot my friend   

Naw, nice thing about this, it's less for me than for her, and I can be tortoise-patient, so the longer it takes, the longer I have two car spaces in the driveway

Starting last year, Shasta reintroduced their retro trailer.  I saw one last summer.  Really sweet!

Saw those in our search.  Definitely an awesome reissue.  Were the funds in the bank, it'd be on the hitch!

Maybe I'll pick one of those up during the first or second wave of buyer's remorse sell-offs. Ha!