Posted: 9/5/2025 8:12:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Samal][Edited]
|
I shoot Cowboy action, and four or five times a year, I travel to large matches, where I have to stay in a hotel for two or three nights. Usually, these matches offer a camping area where many people hang out with their campers and RVs. This is where all the fun after the match is happening, and I am usually there, socializing, having a few beers, but then I have to go to the hotel a 20- 30 minute drive. One of the older guys decided to stop traveling to these events and is selling a pristine 2011 JayCo Jay flight 22FB TT perfect for my purposes. It has never been stored outside it has a place in the barn on his farm. It looks immaculate. In all 14 years of single ownership, it has only been out 4-5 times a year for the matches. I looked it over - no signs of trouble, no leaks, no bumps - looks like new. Tell me I am crazy about buying that old trailer - I've never owned one. Is it going to be too much for a novice? The current owner will even store it in the same barn for this winter - I will pick it up from him in spring. That will save me some money for winter storage! |
IDF, A.A. 215, "Scorpion" Company. 1993-1996
|
A little over 5 years ago, I bought my first(and so far only) TT straight off the lot new. I had no idea what I was getting into, but my family and I love it. Buying a 14 year old trailer does have a little risk and you will need to learn a lot of things about maintenance, set up, take down, and towing(if you are not already experienced). Everything will likely need going over from roof sealing to tires/axle hubs. Jayco is a very big name in the RV industry and there is a good chance a 2011 was built better than a new one is. The old guy had the right idea about indoor storage. Keeping the camper out of the sun and weather is truly the best way to extend its serviceable life. I built a 30x50' barn to store my camper and other equipment in. My camper is over 5 yo and it still looks almost new. I have actually gotten compliments in the many various campgrounds I have been in. I imagine you are getting a good deal, so I vote to get the camper. It will make travel to events like the ones you go to much nicer. |
|
Thought I had better add... Also, if he is selling it and getting completely out of the RV life, see if all of the gear goes along with it. When I bought mine, I spent thousands more to get extension cords, water hoses, sewer pipes, chocks, spare tires... the list gets long. And then there is the work I've done to the interior. If you are generally handy, there is nothing you can't fix on a camper from plumbing, electrical, running gear, and even general repair. Remember that a camper is nothing more than a really cheaply built house that endures a combination earthquake and hurricane every time you take it out. It's something you choose. It is not an easier way to travel. More convenient for your use, but a lot of work too. The best thing is that you will know who last slept in your bed(yes, I suggest getting a new mattress so you don't get the old guy's cooties! LOL) |
| My son just bought a new TT. I can practically guarantee the one you’re looking at a better build quality and no where near the money. His only saving grace is the company pays for his unit. |
No trees were destroyed in the preparation and delivery of this message. However, billions of electrons were seriously perturbed.
| Do you have somewhere to keep it? That's the biggest pain in the ass with trailers. I bought a little toy hauler because I was going to a concert where everyone camps and I was tired of cooking my ass off. I paid less than $5k so it wasn't a major cost like many of my friend's trailers. I wish I could keep it covered because of the sun here. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
|
Originally Posted By lizARdman15: Thought I had better add... Also, if he is selling it and getting completely out of the RV life, see if all of the gear goes along with it. When I bought mine, I spent thousands more to get extension cords, water hoses, sewer pipes, chocks, spare tires... the list gets long. And then there is the work I've done to the interior. If you are generally handy, there is nothing you can't fix on a camper from plumbing, electrical, running gear, and even general repair. Remember that a camper is nothing more than a really cheaply built house that endures a combination earthquake and hurricane every time you take it out. It's something you choose. It is not an easier way to travel. More convenient for your use, but a lot of work too. The best thing is that you will know who last slept in your bed(yes, I suggest getting a new mattress so you don't get the old guy's cooties! LOL) Depending on price and condition, probably a decent deal for the right price. Plan beyond just the matches, maybe plan a few extra trips, visit kids or far away family. Also have a place to store it and hopefully you don’t have an HOA or asshole neighbors. |
VCDL Member
NRA Life Member
NRA Life Member
| I'm by far not the guy to give you advice on this but if you want it and its a great deal I say go for it. Just make sure you have something that has more than enough power to tow it and not something that just barely has enough to do the job. |
My wife says I'm totally useless..that's not true.. I can be used as a bad example
|
It's a 22-foot trailer with a gross weight of 6,500. I have a 2023 F-150 with a 5.0 V8, 3.73 gears, a tow package, and a higher gross weight package, so towing should not be a problem. My biggest problem is that I have nowhere to keep it. I will have to rent an outside spot at one of the storage facilities. I am handy with simple mechanical things. I did all my work on my built-up jeep, except the drivetrain, suspension, bumpers, and skid plates, and such. Also, I live in the suburbs and my driveway is too small for the trailer - can't block the garage anyway - my wife and daughter park there. So, I will have to find a place where I could work on it - hopefully where I store it... |
IDF, A.A. 215, "Scorpion" Company. 1993-1996
 Jayco Building A Jayco Travel Trailer In 7 Hours |
|
Originally Posted By Samal: It's a 22-foot trailer with a gross weight of 6,500. I have a 2023 F-150 with a 5.0 V8, 3.73 gears, a tow package, and a higher gross weight package, so towing should not be a problem. My biggest problem is that I have nowhere to keep it. I will have to rent an outside spot at one of the storage facilities. I am handy with simple mechanical things. I did all my work on my built-up jeep, except the drivetrain, suspension, bumpers, and skid plates, and such. Also, I live in the suburbs and my driveway is too small for the trailer - can't block the garage anyway - my wife and daughter park there. So, I will have to find a place where I could work on it - hopefully where I store it... I don't know your money situation but for me that would be a no go. Just storage rates around here would cover hotel and uber for a few matches. The guy I bought my trailer from was in a similar situation and that's why he was ready to sell it. His wife said they'd drop it off on the way home even though I hadn't payed for it yet. Not having it at your house makes everything harder but not impossible. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
|
If you only need it a couple of times a year, you might look into renting an RV for the times you need it. Look on Outdoorsy.com or RVshare.com and see if there's anything available near where you need to camp. You'd likely be renting from an individual owner. It's kind of like AirBnB for campers. Many even offer to deliver and set-up the unit (and pick it up when you're done.) My wife and I attend her family's annual reunion campout in Michigan. We used to tent camp but about 15 years ago we started renting a trailer. The guy we rent from delivers the trailer to our spot, sets it up and picks it back up at the end of the week. Cost is about $100 a day for the rental plus a $100 delivery fee. A couple of years ago we were considering buying a Class C motor home so we rented one of those from an individual who lived about 60 miles from our campsite. We picked up the unit from the guy's house and I drove it to the campsite. My wife followed in our car. Cost was similar (maybe $1,000 for the week). BTW, several of the families who attend my wife's family reunion have given up trying to maintain their own camper and now just rent. If you're only camping a couple of times a year it's just not worth owning. |
|
I was talking to my good friend yesterday, the just pulled into Bristol TN on vacation pulling a new TT. He already: 1) Left his tailgate down while getting gas and creased the top of his tailgate. 2) Lost weather stripping on TT and had to buy a 100' roll for $50, plus go an hour out of his way to pick it up. 3) Went through a tornado warning in TN earlier this week with his family in a tin can. In his words, "Fuck this trailer, worst purchase I ever made" There, I tried to talk you out of it.  |
What is a democrat? Someone who wants everything you have, except for your job.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
|
https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Talk-to-me-about-the-logistics-of-living-in-a-camper/5-2811820 Just posted the same sort of topic you can read thru |
|
It's not as simple as it seems. Every weekend trip you use it creates a beast that you have to spend checking tires, checking the holding tank , cleaning up the kitchen and bathroom , Planning and loading the food and cooking gear and setting up the refrigerator . You may get freebee camping areas in some field at a shoot but then you have to go looking for a place to dump your septic. Any other place you camp is going to charge you and the places by a lake shore . ocean or state park or other tourist area will be costly, After you get home you have to clean out the food,refrige , bathroom and septic tanks. You have to clean out and winterise the water and septic come cold weather and you really need to cover the trailer or store it inside. When you buy a used unit you will need to check tires , fresh water system , hot water heater , stove,refridge . furnace and air condition systems , generator if equiped and the grey and black water systems. Some folks love the life but there is a lot to it . Much like a boat , you get a small one and you are wishing for something with "more" stuff. If you get one big enough to have all the stuff you want it becomes heavy and expensive. Maybe the hotel/motel really isn't that bad |
|
I appreciate this info! The old coot wants 10k for it... as much as some dealers sell the same year/model. I was more in the 7-7.5k range. And it will cost me at least about $100 a month to store it... with no place to work on it.... I will probably pass on this one. I might rent a trailer for the first even next year and see how much I am into it... |
IDF, A.A. 215, "Scorpion" Company. 1993-1996
Joined:
Jan 2025
Posts:
1861
EE: 100% (2)
IN, USA
|
Originally Posted By lizARdman15: A little over 5 years ago, I bought my first(and so far only) TT straight off the lot new. I had no idea what I was getting into, but my family and I love it. Buying a 14 year old trailer does have a little risk and you will need to learn a lot of things about maintenance, set up, take down, and towing(if you are not already experienced). Everything will likely need going over from roof sealing to tires/axle hubs. Jayco is a very big name in the RV industry and there is a good chance a 2011 was built better than a new one is. The old guy had the right idea about indoor storage. Keeping the camper out of the sun and weather is truly the best way to extend its serviceable life. I built a 30x50' barn to store my camper and other equipment in. My camper is over 5 yo and it still looks almost new. I have actually gotten compliments in the many various campgrounds I have been in. I imagine you are getting a good deal, so I vote to get the camper. It will make travel to events like the ones you go to much nicer. I'd be ok buying an older one that was cared for like this one he is describing. The build quality is probably better. He should inquire about upgrades that were done to it, too. We've done a TON on ours, some are obvious (the 4 solar panels, etc), some aren't (the hardware EMS). |
Award: 24/365 Most likely to be an appendix.
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
| Perfect for your purpose and the previous owner likely resolved all the issues. If the floor is solid, no mouse signs, no water damage and it’s not falling apart… buy it. |
Land of the Free, Home of the Brave!... Not available in all states, must be 21 or older to apply.
|
Originally Posted By OverScoped: Buy it. Wow. Even in Outdoors, FPNI. I started with a slide out in 1990, traded up several times there a TT to my current 39' 5th wheel, the older models had better build quality than newer models. But, replace the tires if they are over 5 years old, even if low mileage. Make sure your tow vehicle can handle the weight and has a brake controller comparable with the TT. |
Soldier for Life
|
Originally Posted By Samal: I appreciate this info! The old coot wants 10k for it... as much as some dealers sell the same year/model. I was more in the 7-7.5k range. And it will cost me at least about $100 a month to store it... with no place to work on it.... I will probably pass on this one. I might rent a trailer for the first even next year and see how much I am into it... 10K for a 14-year-old TT that is like new? I would probably pass as well. I agree with your 7K range but given the fact you have to pay to store it and can't keep it at home would be a hard pass for me. We have a 2018 20' TT but not having it at home to do work on it, load, unload, clean, prep etc. would be a major PITA and not worth it for me. |
Originally Posted By ar-jedi:
SO MUCH WIN IN ONE POST IT COULD CRASH ARFCOM !!!
SO MUCH WIN IN ONE POST IT COULD CRASH ARFCOM !!!