help deciding on purchase of 1996 Palomino

[j kirk]

I am new to the site.  I am looking to get a camper for my family.  Wife and 2 daughters - age 9 and 12.  I have been shopping for a used camper.  I don't want to purchase new and then find out the family doesn't enjoy it.  I have found quite a few in the $3,500 - $4,000 range.
I recently looked at what I was told was a 1995 Palomino Mustang -DD.
The owner reduced his price down to $1200.  The air-conditioning appeared to be working good.  I was told he paid $1300 in 2005 to have it replaced and a new circuit panel installed.  The refrig. - I'm not sure if it was working well or not -it was a little cool.  He said it hadn't been plugged in very long and that using a long extension cord from the house might have been a problem also??  The canvas appeared to be in pretty good shape - a couple of small holes in the screen but none seen in the canvas.  He said the tent was replaced about 2001.  All wood seemed in pretty good shape for particle board.  There were a couple of places in the corners where there were some small openings.  I suspect from leaks at one time.  The biggest problem was the smell inside.  I didn't see any visible mildew - but that is what it smelled like and it was strong.  The cushions were dirty - I didn't think to unzip the cover to look inside.  I think the camper had been closed up for about a yr.  No propane bottle.  It has a stove included - I didn't try it because of the absence of a propane bottle.  The water tank had been bypassed and a new facuet installed.  He didn't like having to pump the water out and new dried camp.  Underneath the cable and pulleys looked a little rusty, but camper opens and closes ok.  He had sprayed to bunk guides inside with alot of WD40 which added to the smell.  The table tops would have to be redone - I think a dog chewed on the corners a little.  I am somewhat handy with tools and I don't mind doing some clean up.  But I don't want to beat a dying dog.  I like the layout of the camper inside.  Any advice would be appreciated.  I'm not in a big hurry to buy or use.  Would like to be ready by spring.
Thank you,
Kirk

[j kirk]

Never mind.  I decided for myself to look for something in better shape.

I am new to the site.  I am looking to get a camper for my family.  Wife and 2 daughters - age 9 and 12.  I have been shopping for a used camper.  I don't want to purchase new and then find out the family doesn't enjoy it.  I have found quite a few in the $3,500 - $4,000 range.
I recently looked at what I was told was a 1995 Palomino Mustang -DD.
The owner reduced his price down to $1200.  The air-conditioning appeared to be working good.  I was told he paid $1300 in 2005 to have it replaced and a new circuit panel installed.  The refrig. - I'm not sure if it was working well or not -it was a little cool.  He said it hadn't been plugged in very long and that using a long extension cord from the house might have been a problem also??  The canvas appeared to be in pretty good shape - a couple of small holes in the screen but none seen in the canvas.  He said the tent was replaced about 2001.  All wood seemed in pretty good shape for particle board.  There were a couple of places in the corners where there were some small openings.  I suspect from leaks at one time.  The biggest problem was the smell inside.  I didn't see any visible mildew - but that is what it smelled like and it was strong.  The cushions were dirty - I didn't think to unzip the cover to look inside.  I think the camper had been closed up for about a yr.  No propane bottle.  It has a stove included - I didn't try it because of the absence of a propane bottle.  The water tank had been bypassed and a new facuet installed.  He didn't like having to pump the water out and new dried camp.  Underneath the cable and pulleys looked a little rusty, but camper opens and closes ok.  He had sprayed to bunk guides inside with alot of WD40 which added to the smell.  The table tops would have to be redone - I think a dog chewed on the corners a little.  I am somewhat handy with tools and I don't mind doing some clean up.  But I don't want to beat a dying dog.  I like the layout of the camper inside.  Any advice would be appreciated.  I'm not in a big hurry to buy or use.  Would like to be ready by spring.
Thank you,
Kirk