wileecoyote
Tennessee, USA
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We are still shopping for our new TT. We are torn between a brand new unit or saving a few thousand to get a used model. We found a decent 2004 Starcraft Homestead Settler 285RLS, fiberglass filon exterior over aluminum frame interior. Here is a photo of the front:
It has one issue which really worries us. The interior is very clean, dry, and feels solid but the vinyl floor is buckled all around the slide out, bathroom, and kitchen areas - basically the front half of the floor as shown in this photo:
Here is another view of the floor. The back half of the floor near the rocker and rear door is not buckled. Note that this is not an actual photo of the trailer we are considering - just another view from a similar trailer so you can see the rear layout:
The entire wood floor felt solid under the vinyl when I knocked on it and stomped on it. I inspected the insides of all cabinets, walls, ceiling, under the sink, and all visible plumbing but I didn't see any signs of a leak. I looked under the trailer but the entire underbelly is sealed with black weatherguard panels of some sort so I couldn't see anything. The exterior of the trailer is pretty dirty and the caulk appears to be original. The caulk is pretty thin in some spots with a few minor 1/4" gaps in a few spots as if the trailer was never re-caulked from day one. Not sure if this is good or bad, or if it could be the cause of the floor problem. Do TT normally need re-sealed after just a few years?
The current owner got it new in Ariozna in 2004, traveled the western US states for 2 years with their 3 kids, then moved to Tennessee where it has sat mostly unused ever since. They said the floor buckled around 2006 and the dealer quoted them several hundred to have it restretched but they chose not to fix it because they aren't using it. They felt the buckled floor was probably caused by the move from the hot western Arizona climate to the damp and humid heat in Tennessee.
So we are trying to determine if this repair is typically a minor issue or an indicator of major damage. The owner is willing to let us have it inspected by a dealer but we don't want to waste their time or the inspection money if this is something that we should run from. I searched the forum and saw some posts indicating buckled floors are caused by water leaks, but other posts made it sound common and no big deal.
Any advice from the pros or victims that have been there, done that?
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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If just the vinyl is buckled, I'd say OK. But if the underlayment is the culpret, run screaming into the forest! It could have been caused by an external leak, roof or slideout rain leak..or could have been from a ruptured water line or leaky toilet. Some brands use wafer board or particle board, and even one soaking can cause it to lose structual integrity...it will start falling apart. If StarCraft uses marine grade plywood, as StarCraft Industries owner Jayco does, then it will not fall apart. You might call StarCraft and ask them. In any case, I personally would avoid it, it might even be flood damaged!
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Jamesrpm
Oregon Coast
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You should keep looking , or buy new.
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wileecoyote
Tennessee, USA
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I checked the Starcraft brochure and found the following:
- 5/8” 1-Piece Floor Decking
- 2” x 3” Floor Joists
- Enclosed & Heated Underbelly
Doesn't say what kind of floor materials but I can call Starcraft in the morning to find out.
We are leaning towards the new Puma 26RLSS now but we could save about $4,000-$5,000 to get the 2004 Starcraft so would it still be better to buy new with that much of a price difference? The trailers are nearly identical otherwise except the Puma is aluminum with wood frame vs. the fiberglass and aluminum Starcraft.
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steelpony5555
Copperas Cove Texas
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Ask to take it to a reputable dealer and have it checked--if it is just the vinyl stretching they will probably have not problem with that--if they balk then run
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wileecoyote
Tennessee, USA
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steelpony5555 wrote:Ask to take it to a reputable dealer and have it checked--if it is just the vinyl stretching they will probably have not problem with that--if they balk then run
Good tip! They did agree to let us have it inspected. The closest dealer (Camping World) is 25 miles away from them, however, and it will probably cost us $150 or so for the inspection. Don't want to invest the money in an inspection if this is a common sign of serious trouble.
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hype
Tennessee
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Considering the deep discounts on new travel trailers and fifth wheels right now, are you sure you want to buy used?
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wileecoyote
Tennessee, USA
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hype wrote:Considering the deep discounts on new travel trailers and fifth wheels right now, are you sure you want to buy used?
Great point hype, and one which we are pondering every single day. We are paying cash and only have so much saved. We have narrowed it down to a particular floor plan and there are several makes / models with the configuration that we like. So it comes down to price in the end. If we can find a really great deal then we can get a new unit but if not then we have to buy used to fit our budget. Right now the best prices we have seen on new vs. used are about $4,000-$5,000 apart for comparable units. That is a lot of cash so part of me says to buy used and just be careful, but the other part of me pictures a maintenance nightmare which will make me regret the cheaper path forever. If this floor situation really is due to a poor installation or humidity and it isn't too expensive to repair then we are ok with it, but if it is most likely an indicator of leaks and major damage then we will pass. The dealer inspection should tell us for sure but I am trying to find out if the inspection is worth the investment.
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lzasitko
Regina, SK Canada
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If vinyl flooring is subjected to big temperature swings it my come loose. I have see that happen here in Canada. All materials expand and contract all the time, problem is that they expand or contract at different rates and if enough stress is caused something will give. That is why sometimes the vinyl flooring cracks at the seams in wood. In your case the glue might have let go before the vinyl ripped or it may have been installed incorrectly from the start and the glue let go.
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mrfishaholic
Fort Hood, TX
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I would recommend looking new. That way either the dealer or the MFR will be more inclinded to stand behind the product. Right now I know FuntimeRV in TX is offering a few different brands of RV with the same RLS floorplan in the 16-18,000 price range, and that is before you walk onto the lot and make your deal. I think a 4-6yr old RV is not what you will be happy with. You might save a couple $thousand$ but you will end up re-investing into it, what would be covered by warranty for your first year or two depending on MFR, and lets face it Camping is supposed to be fun and RELAXING! if you are tied up with maint bill, and shop time, you aren't having fun! You can get the Keystone Cougar 294RLS, 2 slightly different floorplans avail in 2008 for 18,000 or less if you are a good negotiator. I believe that buying new is really the way to go given current market conditions. HOWEVER, if you are dead set on that homestead for some reason, have the guy selling it pay the bill for the inspection to prove that there isnt any further damage, tell him if it checks out, you will reimburse his cost as a part of the deal, but if he isnt willing to pay to prove that the problem with his rig isnt a big deal, I wouldnt spend a dime of my own money trying to find out........
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