I think I found "the one"!

[jensspark]

We've been looking for the perfect popup for a while.  We had a baby last year and are getting a *nice* tax refund this year and wanted to put some of it towards the pop up of our dreams.  We knew we'd have the money mid-February, but figured we'd do some window shopping while we waited.  Well, I have looked EVERYWHERE, and have found a few I'd "like".  Then it happened...  I was on craigslist and decided to check Austin and Dallas in addition to Houston (where I live).  I have repeatedly found some on the Austin craigslist, but Dallas didn't have much.  I decided Monday to give Dallas one more shot and saw a 1993 Coleman Williamsburg for $3600.  I looked at the pictures and fell in love.  Unfortunately, it had been listed since Dec, so I figured it was already gone.  It was also out of my price range of $3000 max.  

On a whim, I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask if it was still available.  She said it was and said she'd give it to me for $3200.  I looked at the NADA and the average is $3265 with values west of the Mississippi River even higher, so I figured $3200 wasn't too bad.  For being a '93, it's in perfect condition!  It's fully loaded and has a great layout.  She even said they would hang on to it until we went to the RV show here just to make sure there wasn't anything local for us.  I doubt we'll find anything as perfect, so I'm planning a trip to Dallas one of the last 2 weekends in February. Keep your fingers crossed for us.  This sounds so pefect and I'm afraid I'll be heartbroken if something falls through.  

BTW, I did my ABS roof research and since this is a 1993, we should be just fine.  Thanks everyone for posting so much valuable information on this website.  I'll keep you all posted!
Here are some pictures of the camper!  Pictures

Jen ('74)
DH Brian ('71)
DD ('94)
DS ('05)

Shopping for the perfect camper.   :-()

[rccs]

Looks like a very nice camper. I would buy it right away if I were looking for one, it looks to be in great shape. I see it has everything including a add-a-room for the awning. The only thing I see from your pictures is that the hitch area could use a little paint.

[pipers family]

Jenspark, I just sold our older popup and I can tell you that unless you are sure they will hold this popup for you- you might want to do what you can to obtain it now.  We are still getting calls every day and ours sold two weeks ago and it has been removed from all ads.   Even if this one does not turn out to be exactly the fit for your family, you shouldn't have any problems selling it for what you paid.  The pictures look very nice. Good luck- hope it all works out for you.

[tlhdoc]

It looks like a very nice trailer.  I would put a deposit on the trailer so that it will be there when you have the money.

[wavery]

I hate to sound negative here but if I were you , I would check everything on that trailer to make sure that it works. That's a lot of rust on that frame.

Make sure that you check the brakes and the tires, wheels & wheel bearings. It looks like the emergency brake cable may be missing. Maybe I just can't see it in the picture.

IMHO, you're paying top $ for that PU. It should be in excellent condition. If it's just the frame that needs painting, that's one thing. It appears (in the pictures) that trailer could have been in a flood. That picture of the (outside) fridge compartment looks like solid rust as well.

I noticed that the battery tray (in front of the propane tanks) is missing the battery. Be sure to test the 12v system with the battery installed, not just off of the 110v through the power converter.

The interior looks good (in the pictures) but that's no way to judge one of these things. It's the mechanical stuff that can cost you $.

I looked at a lot of PUs before we bought ours last year. I never saw one that had rust like that. Not even older ones. We paid slightly more than that for our 2002 Coleman Tacoma with a 12' box & A/C. It was in "Like new" condition.

Be careful that you don't have to end up putting a lot of $ into that PU to make it usable. I don't want to burst your bubble but at the same time, I don't want to see you get hurt.

[SkipP]

I really like the layout, but.....

That rust bothers me a little too. The metal strip below the sink galley also has some rust and this makes me wonder if, perhaps, it could have been in standing water? That strip lays on the floor when the swing-level galley is in the travel position. How much did Rita affect that area?
 
If you do go look at the camper, look at the linoleum around the edges for curling, the base of the cabinets for signs of swelling and the undercarriage for abnormal amounts of rust and loose (flaking) particleboard. Hopefully, the exterior rust is just superficial and you won't find these things. Maybe something signed from the owner that the camper hasn't been flood damaged would be good protection.
 
You obviously like the Williamsburg layout (I do too) but keep in mind that Coleman produced plenty of them and there are/will be others available! I'd say a fair scenario would be if you (or the owner) were able to take the camper to an RV dealer for a check-up before writing the check.
 
Best of luck.

[jensspark]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice.  I have emailed the seller to question the rust.  I did notice it, but since this is my first purchase and everything else seemed to be in good condition, I didn't think much about it.  I don't have much to compare with.  Most pictures online of popups for sale don't usually have a closeup of the frame, so I thought it was normal.  I'll see what she has to say about it.  I do like the interior a lot, but if I have to pass on it for structural issues, then I will.  It's hard to shop for a popup in a different city.  I can't just drive over to take a look (especially w/a 4 mo old baby)!  Please keep your thoughts coming.  I'm open to any critiques you have.  I don't want to buy something that is going to need repairs any time soon!  

Jen

[wavery]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice.  I have emailed the seller to question the rust.  I did notice it, but since this is my first purchase and everything else seemed to be in good condition, I didn't think much about it.  I don't have much to compare with.  Most pictures online of popups for sale don't usually have a closeup of the frame, so I thought it was normal.  I'll see what she has to say about it.  I do like the interior a lot, but if I have to pass on it for structural issues, then I will.  It's hard to shop for a popup in a different city.  I can't just drive over to take a look (especially w/a 4 mo old baby)!  Please keep your thoughts coming.  I'm open to any critiques you have.  I don't want to buy something that is going to need repairs any time soon!  

Jen

As I stated previously, if the rust is just superficial, it may not be a big deal. Although, it will involve some grinding, wire brushing and/or sandblasting to prepare it for primer and paint. I certainly would not leave it in that condition as it will become a structural problem at some point.

My bigger concern would be if that thing sat in water up to the floor (or higher). That would surely cause some major floor damage that you would not want to have to contend with. The rust in the fridge compartment may be of some concern.

It may not have been in standing water at all. It may have just been driven on salted roads and/or poorly stored and cared for. I would certainly want to make sure that there is no rust in the mechanical parts of the fridge, water heater, furnace, electrical, brakes, bearings and plumbing.

No matter what, I think that you will find yourself putting more $ in that trailer than you think.. If that $3200 PU ends up costing you $4200 (or more), it may not be such a good deal.

[jensspark]

I contacted the seller today and she said that it has not been in standing water, but it has been stored outside.  That probably explains the rust.  Being TX, we get a lot more rain here than you guys do, and I can see that as a definite possibility.  She is going to take some pictures of the underside and flooring on Saturday for me.  We will wait and see.  If I feel the least bit hesitant, than we won't buy it because I'm not driving 4 hours unless I'm 95+% sure about the condition.  When I get more pictures, I'll be sure to pass them along so you guys can take a look.  My friend that's owned quite a few older pop ups said the slight rust by the fridge is normal from moisture/condensation from the fridge.  Again, we'll see what the pictures have to say on Saturday.  Remember we live in a place that has 90+% humidity on a regular basis.  Thanks again everyone for pointing out some things I missed initially!  

Jen

[tlhdoc]

For a 1993 trailer stored outside, I don't think you have anything to worry about from the rust.  My 1999 lives outside and I had to sand and repaint the bumper/tongue 2 years ago.  Post the new pictures, but I doubt that there is anything extreme wrong with it from rust.