I am going to pick up a 2000 Coleman Fairview this weekend. Being beyond new to all this, and wanting something to use with my wife and 4 year old twins (and maybe some fishing w/my brother in law) I was hoping for some advice/verification. The PUP is in good shape, very solid floor/roof, smells new, Sunbrella canvas looks great (with a little 'graying', maybe it could be cleaned up?). It has a 3-way fridge, A/C unit (just serviced and works great), glide out dinette and two king size beds (this was one of my top priorities). No potty/shower (didn't really want them....). Wasnt used a ton, so they say (and doesn't look like it was....)
I have looked at about 10-12 and only found a couple with the bigger beds. I really like the glide-out/slide out dinetee as it really makes it seem roomy inside. I can get this one for $2,000, and it turns out my brother in law knows the seller. It is priced lower than many of the others I have looked at, or has more space than comparable priced units.
I will tow it with my 2003 4x4 Expedition w/tow package, BIL will tow with a Dodge Ram.
Sound like a good deal? Any known issues with Colemans, or Colemans of this vintage? I am in Atlanta.... many of the PUPs I see listed on craigslist seem to go quick, so I jumped on this one, went to look at it, then told them I would come get it, so they are willing to hold it until this weekend is up.
thanks for any advice!
I would jump on that deal.
Sounds like a good deal to me.
Sounds like a good deal to me congrats. I agree with you the slide out dinette makes a world of difference in room, when we bought ours(Fleetwood williamsburg) we sat in it and imagined being in it when raining(i know, i know it dosen't rain when you camp :eyecrazy: ) You might want to get a porta-potty for the little ones at night for those "i have to gooo now!!" times.
Have fun and enjoy it. AzRon
So, did you get it? How about pics on a great deal?
I'd jump on it, too.
The only issue I ahave heard of with colemans is the ABS roof's sagging - and I think that was on ones before 2000. I'm not a colman expert, so I'd check around and look carefully at the roof. But otherwise, it sounds like a GREAT deal.
laura
Welcome and ........... hit that!!! Congrats on your killer find!
Quote from: ScouterMomI'd jump on it, too.
The only issue I ahave heard of with colemans is the ABS roof's sagging - and I think that was on ones before 2000. I'm not a colman expert, so I'd check around and look carefully at the roof. But otherwise, it sounds like a GREAT deal.
laura
I'm pretty sure that PU has an ABS roof. However, that doesn't mean that it's bad. Not all ABS roofs fail but if it is warped the cost to replace the roof would be more than the camper.
I would be a little suspicious as to why he is selling so cheap. He could get twice that easily. Sounds like a really good deal if the roof is OK.
Just check to see if it fits tight all the way around. If the roof is warped, you can tell when you put the roof down (before latching it). 1 or 2 sides will not meet the box evenly and the warping may be obvious.
I've got a 00 Coleman Cheyenne that we use regularly and really like. Paid $3200 for it last year. Sounds like a good deal. Mine has the ABS roof, no Probs. so far. Mick
We did get it. I will get some pics up a little later. Roof is in perfect shape, everything seems to work great. Only a couple little issues: Some of the trim is popping out of the countertops (why use MDF on something that is going to get this much change in humidity??), and small crack in the table (we 'repaired' with some angle iron/screws/liquid nails.... plan to replace w/plywood) and no awning. There was an awning: We found the rail still in the receiver on the roof, and some poles in a bag in the pup, guess we will need to replace. We are swapping tires, just to be safe. Otherwise, everything seems great. Kids have named it already, and can't wait until the 1st trip. ("Poppy" - hey, they are four, that is about as imaginative as it gets.... ;) )
We felt it was a steal, and they had over 70 responses to their ad. Glad they held it for us!
Thanks, all...
Quote from: rcomptonWe did get it. I will get some pics up a little later. Roof is in perfect shape, everything seems to work great. Only a couple little issues: Some of the trim is popping out of the countertops (why use MDF on something that is going to get this much change in humidity??), and small crack in the table (we 'repaired' with some angle iron/screws/liquid nails.... plan to replace w/plywood) and no awning. There was an awning: We found the rail still in the receiver on the roof, and some poles in a bag in the pup, guess we will need to replace. We are swapping tires, just to be safe. Otherwise, everything seems great. Kids have named it already, and can't wait until the 1st trip. ("Poppy" - hey, they are four, that is about as imaginative as it gets.... ;) )
We felt it was a steal, and they had over 70 responses to their ad. Glad they held it for us!
Thanks, all...
If I were you, I'd grab one of these awnings:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/A-E-TRIM-LINE-11-AWNING-CAMPER-POP-UP-PICKUP_W0QQitemZ140212694938QQihZ004QQcategoryZ50069QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemA few of us have bought them from this seller and they are great awnings. They're far better than the original factory awning and they under half of retail price. Don't wait. I don't think he has many left. Some here are kicking themselves for not getting his 9' ones before he ran out.
Quote from: waveryIf I were you, I'd grab one of these awnings:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/A-E-TRIM-LINE-11-AWNING-CAMPER-POP-UP-PICKUP_W0QQitemZ140212694938QQihZ004QQcategoryZ50069QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
A few of us have bought them from this seller and they are great awnings. They're far better than the original factory awning and they under half of retail price. Don't wait. I don't think he has many left. Some here are kicking themselves for not getting his 9' ones before he ran out.
Hell i am not sure he ran out, I have never heard back from him!
Here are a few pics from the seller. We have cleaned it up a bit, and are working on a few projects, I will take pics along the way....
(http://thetwins.smugmug.com/photos/263055288_RCDKy-L.jpg)
(http://thetwins.smugmug.com/photos/263055334_Sb3iz-L.jpg)
(http://thetwins.smugmug.com/photos/263055373_p3XjS-L.jpg)
(http://thetwins.smugmug.com/photos/263055473_R7bbp-L.jpg)
(http://thetwins.smugmug.com/photos/263055530_CQHyd-L.jpg)
(http://thetwins.smugmug.com/photos/263055656_pneh4-L.jpg)
You got a sweet deal my friend. Congratualations! I'm sure you will get much enjoyment out of it.
GREAT find, that one did have an abs being that year, but that is a one of the replacement roofs put on under warranty! Have fun with it!
Score-and-a-half right there! That's about as clean as they come, nice find.
To fix that rubber trim strip on the counters and table:
Pull it completely off, or at least pull it off to the point at which it's still held in tight. If you warm it with a hair blow drier, it will be more flexible. Than use a product called "shoe goo" and glue it back in place. If you pull on it a bit as you reinstall, you'll get it stretched back to the correct length and have no gaps like you have showing in that picture. While the shoe goo cures, secure the trim in place with blue masking tape. In a couple hours you'll be able to untape it. While the shoe goo is still wet, trim off any excess.
Enjoy!
Ok, so I have purchased a new awning (thanks for the heads up, Wavery!), orderded a new Prodigy brake controller, new tires will be on this week. We have the thing pretty well cleaned out and are looking to get started using it. I have some wheel chocks, some wood to level it, full propane, a bunch of camping kitchen sorta gear we have from years of tent camping.... besides bed stuff, coffee and beer what do we need to stock this thing with? I have been reading various threads, and looked at checklists and am using those for reference, but want to see if there is anything else I need to get it setup and comfy at a campground. Power cables work well, don't expect to use the water tanks, anything else I should anticipate needing? (Rope, tools, etc...?)
Thanks! Lots of info on this board.... almost too much!
-ron
Quote from: rcomptonOk, so I have purchased a new awning (thanks for the heads up, Wavery!), orderded a new Prodigy brake controller, new tires will be on this week. We have the thing pretty well cleaned out and are looking to get started using it. I have some wheel chocks, some wood to level it, full propane, a bunch of camping kitchen sorta gear we have from years of tent camping.... besides bed stuff, coffee and beer what do we need to stock this thing with? I have been reading various threads, and looked at checklists and am using those for reference, but want to see if there is anything else I need to get it setup and comfy at a campground. Power cables work well, don't expect to use the water tanks, anything else I should anticipate needing? (Rope, tools, etc...?)
Thanks! Lots of info on this board.... almost too much!
-ron
I trap that my wife and I seem to fall into is that we spend so much energy thinking of all the "camping" stuff that we need to bring that we forget about "regular" things that we should bring. Saturday night one of my boys had a stuffy nose and asked me for nose spray. Didn't have any :banghead: Don't forget aspirin, Tums or anything else that you may need from time to time. Chapstick and sunscreen are two biggies to bring.