My first post - just got my towbar sorted, number plate in hand, and all set ready to go buy a secondhand TT! How very exciting!
Anyways, it strikes me that when looking for secondhand there may be a few bits of info that not many advertisers state.
Most will say something like "been used twice over the past 2 years", or "once a year for the last ten years". However, wouldn't it be the case that I could use a TT once, pack it up wet, leave it on the drive over winter with the cover slightly off, and end up with a disaster? Or am I missing something here?
Any advice on the sort of questions to ask would be greatly appreciated. Apologies if this topic has been answered elsewhere - I have spent a few hours looking through the forums but not quite found this info. However, as my wife says, I can never find anything when looking (the tape measure is my favorite lost and found item darned thing, and she always finds it within 10 seconds)!
You are quite right. Insist on seeing the seller assemble the thing. Have a good smell. If it smells of old socks, there is a reason for that. Have a good look for torn, mouldy or vermin attacked canvas. Look at the wood & steelwork for signs of rot. Look at the suspension travel, is it solid or is there a little bounce. Is there space above the tyre in the wheel arch? If there is not, then the rubber suspension has sagged & will need replacing. Uneven tyre wear can also be a sign of suspension problems. New suspension is not a massive job, but will cost a few hundred pounds to put right.
Don't arrange to meet in a car park half way from home. Buy from someones house or a dealer. Be cautious of people selling "for a friend" or who will only allow contact via a mobile number. If using E Bay,, beware of a scam that involves someone selling from a remote Scottish island or from Norhtern Ireland. They will ask for the cost of delivery to be paid. You'll never see a camper. Pay with Pay Pal for added protection - though some sellers don't like that as they pay commision on the transfer.
always see it up ,if theres no room on the drive for the awning at least see the cabin up.and unpack the awning to check as much as possible.
poles aren't really an issue you can have angles made and the diameters are more or less the same tube so sections can be bodged.
use your nose if it smells musty then beware but bargains can be found out there.
ignore fading canvas does its natural you should see the difference in colour from the outside compared to the inside on ours
inspect the wheels for rust give them a hard wobble if they do it needs bearings (if possible have each one jacked up)and inspect tyres for cracking both items will decide if your trailer is ok to tow home!has it a spare wheel ?
the more money the seller wants the harder you look ,our TT was £200 worth the money for the trailer alone and most would have walked away from it but with a little work (a scrubbing brush and two days scrubbing the green off the canvas) it looks fine, waterproof but faded.
then look at the cost of missing parts or savings if they are there ,kitchen? expensive to buy but nice if its included ,inner linings all there? expensive to have made ,awning tarp? usually bigger than the standard 2.5mtr width so good if its included.
whoops forgot another expensive part ,the beds if they are missing add £150 to have new ones made ,sponge is strangely expensive for a thing thats 80% air
Thanks all, I shall bear these in mind, and try not to get carried away (which is my usual state of affairs).
Amazing isn't it, a bit of foam costing so much. I remember many years back a 'foam' shop in our local town. That was it, they sold foam. They must have been great fun to go out on an evening with.
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Topic: Tips When Looking for a New TT
