Bitten by the bug eh...

Be careful, it is an obsession. If you buy a camper you have to dedicate yourself to using it.

 

Pretty hard to value now, it's more about condition than anything when they get that old. On top of that, the market is totally whacked and everything is overpriced at the moment. My best suggestion is to spend a couple hours on craigslist or bookface market looking at ads to get a feel for values. Those Ramblers were well made units, but it's still a 24 year old trailer. If/when things return to normal, should be a glut of RV's on the market.

 

Funny, I dont think things will return to a 'normal' that any of us are used to or remember. I think as of yesterday, things will only get worse. On that note, if taxes take away the ability to live as (we) do now, my wife and I have talked about buying an RV or TT and living wherever we are at the moment. I feel the market will get tighter and go berzerk. Just an observation, dont want to incite any political (keyboard) violence, just the way I see things at this moment.

As for this unit, if you dont mind doing plenty of small fixes as ownership wears on, seems like its for you.

 

I wouldn't have one without a slide... now that I have a trailer with one. You can go smaller in length with a slide. Remember space is your friend when the weather turns ugly.

As far as leaks go... sooner or later ALL trailers will leak/water/spills, if not from the roof, the AC, the drip spouts, the plumbing spills, overflowed sinks, etc., just like at home. The key is good sub floors. My Nash has 3/4" marine plywood as the sub floor.

That old a Holiday Rambler isn't worth much more than 3-4K IMO. https://www.nadaguides.com/RVs However... Condition is everything, but it's dated, and will need some upgrades. Even my 07' Nash is getting long in the tooth, but it's built so stout, it's worth upgrading.
**Once you get over 50' total (tow vehicle and trailer) you might have some restrictions. My Excursion and my 27' Nash (LOA is 30') puts me at 52'.

 

An RV is nothing but maintenance, always something to fix, modify, service and shine. There is a big learning curve when it comes to converters, inverters, water heaters, pumps, furnaces, roof top A/C units, tires, leveling, tank care, towing, axles.......

Read and learn, just like a Ford Truck, the more you know the more confident you are.

 

A labor of love........ I think...

 

I would LOVE some one else to do it... for beer. However, it does feel good to know the inside and out of our trailers, as we drive down the road, to our next enjoyable destination(s).

 

That's interesting...he's asking $10k for it and won't budge. I know the guy and I trust his maintenance and capabilities.

What kind of upgrades would be required? No leaks, no rips, no tears and we went through a couple good strong thunderstorms the week we had it. All equipment works fine, not even a balk on anything. We tested A/C, heater, all kitchen appliances, lights, all bathroom functions. the outside is pretty dingy and the inside is very old school styling, but otherwise my untrained eye would not be able to notice that it's a quarter-century old.

I did notice the outside could use some lovin'. Clear that it has been outside for its entirety.

At the state park we stopped, I did ask for a slot for 55'. What kind of restrictions would we see at that length? We won't be traveling out to California or any place like that that has commercial license requirements. It would be strictly the eastern half of the country.

I've been borrowing it the last few years for use at race tracks; his son and I race sports cars together and its very handy to have at tracks instead of getting hotels. We can shat/shower/shave using track facilities and then toll out the awnings to drink beer without worrying about driving to a bed...this was the first time I took it on an extended drive. - GA

 

The parts you use the most... AC, frig, water heater, ... they have a EOL (end of life) rating. If they're original, then you're on borrowed time. A trailer that old needs to be 'forensically' inspected. IMO

50' or less seems to be the magic number at grounds, specifically with space limitations. Just an observation not a standard for camp grounds.

 

I would look at comps on RV trader and such, get an idea of pricing, The Aluma-Lite probably has good bones compared to today's construction, but you'll also want to get an idea of equipment replacement costs for things like the fridge, A/C, appliances Etc, so you can weigh the long term benefit and cost of buying an older one.

 

I have a 33' or 36' camper depending on how you measure it. I can squeeze it into a 30' site. Go with the RV length, there is room for the tow vehicle. In State Parks you have to be creative, not all sites are level, sometimes the rig will hang over the back and turns can be tight. National Campgrounds can have the same issues. I seem to have more issues with mountain state parks than beach state parks. Many states are realizing that sites need to be improved in parks and are upgrading services and sites.

 

I agree that most of your size restrictions will come in State or National Parks, they seem the most limited with some of the ones out West being even more so, some of those Parks are, of course the most beautiful and interesting destinations. We have only visited a few State and Provincial Parks and got lucky having at least electric and water in those sites but typically we stay at full hookup campgrounds (because we are so hardcore ) where we have never had an issue making reservations or fitting into a site (some have been a little "cozy") for our 38'/41' TT, our EX/TT combo is 61' bumper to bumper without the bikes or kayaks on the TT rear hitch. A few times I did have to park the unhitched EX away from the site a little where there was room for it.

 

I am about 59' so I hear ya. I don't need full hookup, a 30 AMP will do me just fine, that is what tanks are for.
You are really missing out not going to State and Federal Parks, It has been 3 years since we have been in a private park. South Carolina and Florida parks are awesome, NC's are fine but have some crazy policies. TBH, we have never camper in GA, the only bordering state to NC, Hopefully that will change soon.

 

Hello,

We pick up our Travel Trailer next week and i am starting to get concerned about towing. We bought our First Excursion a few months ago with the intention of getting a trailer very soon. We Bought a 2005 Limited with the V-10. The towing Capacity with the 3.73 gears is 9600lbs with 4.3 Gears it is 11000lbs. My Mechanic is telling me not to swap the gears. I am unsure, everywhere on forums and Facebook seems to think changing them is better and adding airbags and a bigger rear swaybar is all needed. The TT (Coachman Freedom Express 320BHDSLE) is 7600 Dry with GVW of 10000. We do have a weight distributing hitch and sway bar attached to the Trailer. What have you all experienced.

Dave
Oak Creek WI

 

Or a dead spot in the grass, next to the dead spot in grass under my boats......