NEWBIE: Looking at my 1st PU & have questions

[4U2NV]

I have been looking at PUs for a year now and found a used one for what i think is a fair price. It is an 85 or 86 Skamper 240C. NO shower or toilet. No leaks, and all but the fridge works. The owner told me the fridge holds ice to keep things cold (). Anyhow it looks to have a queen on one side and full on the other with the table and sofa converting into beds too. No rips, or cracks. He is asking $1100. Now here are my questions.

1. Does the price sound fair to you guys?

2. It has no mold but smells musty. How do i get the smell out?

3. What all should i look for or ask before we finalize the deal.

The guy is my brothers neighbor and has been for years s oi feel he is honest. Just looking for some advice from the experts.

Thanks...

[Gracy]

I have been looking at PUs for a year now and found a used one for what i think is a fair price. It is an 85 or 86 Skamper 240C. NO shower or toilet. No leaks, and all but the fridge works. The owner told me the fridge holds ice to keep things cold (). Anyhow it looks to have a queen on one side and full on the other with the table and sofa converting into beds too. No rips, or cracks. He is asking $1100. Now here are my questions.

1. Does the price sound fair to you guys?

2. It has no mold but smells musty. How do i get the smell out?

3. What all should i look for or ask before we finalize the deal.

The guy is my brothers neighbor and has been for years s oi feel he is honest. Just looking for some advice from the experts.

Thanks...

Sounds like a fair price to me, but I'm by no means an expert.  Here is an example for you... maybe will help.... we are asking $1,300 for a '79 Bethany that has brand new canvas.  I'm sure we wont get what we are asking unless we sit and wait long enough... but I'm sure we can at least get $1,000 for it when the season is right.

One of the biggest things to look for is mold and mildew.  Has it been stored outside or inside?  As far as the smell..... leaving it popped open  for a few days and letting the air clear it out might help.  I use fabreeze... but I don't spray the canvas with it.  That really helps.

I think if not the potty and fridge don't bother you then you should take it.  There are lots of things you can do to improvise.... like get a tent shower, prota potty and hot water on demand unit.  Replacing the fridge might be an option for you too.

Good luck and happy camping!

[PattieAM]

Sounds like a good deal.  I'd check the tires for dry-rot, and find out when the wheel bearings were last repacked.  I'd also suggest allowing the PUP to air out for a few days (weather permitting).  Hopefully the current owner has all the owners manuals for both the PUP and amenities.

[4U2NV]

Thanksfor the imput guys. Looks like i'll be the new 2 me owner of a PU this weekend. I have been reading posts on this site for days and am very excited. We plan to use it a few times before it get too cold. And once the cold sets in my brother and i will take it out fishing...

[austinado16]

Might be worth looking around some more.  As Fall and Winter approach, there will be some better deals on nicer campers.  But it's all in the eye of the beholder, so if you think it's what you and your family want, and you think the condition warrants a grand, then go for it.  You might also think to yourself; "Am I going to be the guy who buys this and I'll never be able to get rid of it?"

[ghawk67]

Seems like I remember cutting up some apples and laying them around (in your case, inside the camper) and they helped to absorb the odors. Of course that was pre-Fabreeze! Happy camping. I was also told that placing an opened bag of coffee in the camper might help.

I have been looking at PUs for a year now and found a used one for what i think is a fair price. It is an 85 or 86 Skamper 240C. NO shower or toilet. No leaks, and all but the fridge works. The owner told me the fridge holds ice to keep things cold (). Anyhow it looks to have a queen on one side and full on the other with the table and sofa converting into beds too. No rips, or cracks. He is asking $1100. Now here are my questions.
 
 1. Does the price sound fair to you guys?
 
 2. It has no mold but smells musty. How do i get the smell out?
 
 3. What all should i look for or ask before we finalize the deal.
 
 The guy is my brothers neighbor and has been for years s oi feel he is honest. Just looking for some advice from the experts.
 
 Thanks...

[wavery]

Don't confuse the smell of wood-rot for mildew......

If you have mildew (mold) it will usually be visible on some fabric somewhere. Wood-rot may be well hidden and take some poking around.

The owner can be quite honest and just honestly doesn't know that there is wood-rot.

As far as a "Fair price" is concerned.....it's fair if it's fair to you. The most that you could lose is the price of the camper and that's not a lot. Even if you got a few good camping trips out f it, that's worth something.

[4U2NV]

My thoughts exactly... For what i'm paying if i get a years worth of camping and fishing out of it i did good.... After that it will go to the deer lease for a place to sleep before we go to the blind... thanks.