What do you need to know about the used-tent-trailer?

Useful used-tent-trailer Advice

If you are looking for a used-tent-trailer and are new to the market look at this useful and practical advice

1. Tenting Material. Do a very detailed inspection of the tenting material. The obvious checks include the level of wear and tear and seams that are opened up, or spots where the material is thin and worn through or other damage.

You will have to decide whether it’s easy for you to repair or costly, and factor this into any offer. Faded tenting indicates that it has been a long time in the sun and degraded from ultraviolet rays.

This might mean that you would have trouble repairing and end up with costly replacement and that has an average cost of around $900 for the average used-tent-trailer

2. Carefully inspect the condition of all the windows, screens and the zippers. Operate the zippers up and down completely and if it’s tight or sticks it’s a problem. Check screens for signs of holes that will let in the bugs.

If Velcro is used check that it still works. As these items get a lot of serious use and are essential for good ventilation and insect control they will be costly to replace and also make any trip unpleasant

3. Check the operating and mechanical condition of the lifting system. Operate it completely and it should do so with a smooth and easy action with no hard spots or jamming etc. Listen also for abnormal noises, squeaks and groans.

If the trailer has a pushrod system with external guide tubes that hang down below the frame, then carefully check for bending or other damage. If the roof doesn’t go up, then it’s no good for camping

4. Carefully examine the box, roof and bedding area for signs of wood rot. Pay particular attention to the corner areas where seams commonly tend to pull apart.

Pay very careful attention to the fit and sealing towards the front section of the unit. This is due to the fact that when you are towing the trailer in the rain, the rain water will be forced into the front. Performing repairs on older camping units is time consuming, and expensive if any major disassembly is required. 5. Carefully examine for any signs of water leaks, and in particular the roofing area and the sleeping areas. If they do your life will be positively miserable when the first storm hits you.

6. Make sure that the trailer sellers hook up the water, electrical and gas systems. Also check that all of the appliances work and also that there are no leaks. Operate everything. Check for any trace of water leaks inside all the cabinets where the water fittings are installed.

7. Carefully check the used-tent-trailer electrical system out. Trailer light fittings are a notorious failure point as they get subjected to all the rigors of road and the elements. Also check all the brake and other light functions operate properly

8. After the unit is set up check the condition of the door. Verify that the doors swings, latches and unlatches freely without jamming or seizing. If a lock is installed check it’s operation and that a key exists 9. Check if there is an integrated step? And check whether it works

10. Check everything for signs of physical damage or bending. Verify that supports weight and that any dents or other damage is not within any critical areas

11. Verify that all the poles, supports, stands are included, and physically check and count them out

12. Check the water tank, and if it’s been looked after it will be drained down when not in use. If it still has water and that is foul and off tasting you may need to clean and sanitize it

13. Check that the frame is straight, and that the box does not have any sagging and sits level

14. Check whether the used-tent-trailer has any wheel brakes, and verify that they actually work

15. Check that all the attached assemblies operate properly. Also check the crank on the tongue and also any attached stabilizing feet or stands, and ensure they operate properly and are not seized.

16. Make an overall assessment, does the used-tent-trailer present well and looked well looked after and maintained or generally look a bit tired. Check whether the trailer wheel bearings have been packed or never.

17. Make a careful list as you go of all those items that may require repairs and this is your bargaining and also your decision making. On that used-tent-trailer list should be the tires, batteries, water system components, the tenting and appliances.

If you are looking for a used-tent-trailer look at this useful and practical advice