95 Fleetwood Rio Grande?

[Kimsews]

Hi!

I am wondering if anyone has a 95 Fleetwood Rio Grande-we are going to look at one today, they are asking $3500, it looks to be in great shape from the photos and has the additional screened room.  Any reviews-good or bad?

This will be our first PU and I am hoping to pull from all your expertise (there is a lot on here!) for opinions.

I like the simple floor plan.  There's room to add a potty.  Yahoo!

Thanks in advance for any insight!

Kim

[Camping Coxes]

I would suggest you go to the Nada Guides website and check on the value of the trailer to be sure the price is fair.
 
Be sure to check for any water damage, especially in the flooring of the front storage trunk. Turn on the water, the heater, the AC if it has one, the stoves -- make sure everything works. Check for rust on the bumpers, etc. (although being in Oregon and having a lot of rain, you may have more than we would here in So. Cal.). Open the drawers and see if they're intact. Also, remember this is an 11 YO trailer, so it may have some minor wear and tear stuff; however, trailers aren't used everyday like a car is, so it shouldn't be totally bet up either.
 
When we bought ours, it had really UGLY drapes that had faded (Coleman missed the boat on the color scheme that year!) and it was dirty -- but I knew I could sew new curtains and a little Lysol and it would shine. One of the large drawers was off the track, which had broken from a kid standing in it, but DH is pretty handy, so that was minor. We bought it and have never regretted it.
 
Good luck and let us know how it goes!!!!

[edwardr132]

If this is the first popup you ever looked at, don't buy it;  look at a few more first.  You may be surprised at the difference in cleanliness between what some people call clean and others do.


1)  Inspect the lift system  -  does it go up and down fine?  Do all four sides go up

2)  Does the popup have brakes?  Take off money if it doesn't!  Popups that are over 1,000 pounds should have brakes on them.

3)  Are there signs of mildew on any part of the canvas?  IF it does, avoid it.

4)  Is the canvass starting to tear especially around the corners of the beds?  New Canvasses cost around $1500/so....  So again look around again.

5)  Does the popup have a sink on it?  If so, hook it up to city water;  is there a leak when the water is turned on?  Check everywhere around the sink?

6)  When have the tires been replaced?  If if has been more then four years, take off more money for new tires.  It doesn't matter how many miles were driven on the tires. After 4 years of service, they basically have to be thrown out and replaced.

7)  Is there a furnace on board?  Is it working?

 Check if the fridge is working if there is one on board?

Ask the owner what repairs were done to it?  Did he do the repairs himself?  Inspect the repairs.  Do they look hokey?

I hope this list helps a little.....

[Kimsews]

You guys rock, thanks for all your advice.  Hubby went to look at it and wasn't impressed with the condition.  He/we have now looked at 5 and continue our search.  We'll find just the right one.  Tomorrrow I am being sent to look at a '05 Palamino Yearling that he likes.

We aren't in a hurry so we can afford to keep looking through the fall and winter.  I see there are a lot of deals on new but we really don't want to spend more than 5K on our first one.

Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Kim