Wow! What a great video. Every RVer who plans to buy a used RV should see this. I am the host of the Better Business Bureau DVD, "Buying a Recreational Vehicle" (available in many public libraries). We advise on the DVD to be sure to have a used RV inspected by an RV technician before buying it. We stress checking for water damage. But, frankly, our words of advice pale in comparison to what you have shown here. Thanks for taking the time to do this. You have likely saved some RV buyers from blowing a bunch of money on a bad RV.
You should stress to people that it is a good idea for the units that do not come with 45 mil rubber roof to install a rubber roof. My shop does this for people. Most of the people have permanent camp sites that do this but it makes a big big diff. Also drip lips over the doors or a leaky window makes a big improvement in keeping water out of your unit... When a unit without a rubber roof hits 5 years old it's time to put a rubber roof on it. Most people buy a bucket of that sloppy schmootz and slop it on the roof then they say there it's good as new they say.. It's like a joke they just lowered the resale value of their unit down to ZERO dollars for a Schmootz top camper as we call em here.
THEKING SILVERADO : Great advice. Whats your thoughts on using "Rhino liner"?. I'am by no means a professional on the subject but, I've thought about using a (white in color) Rhino liner but would thoroughly clean the roof upon purchase and spray the material to prevent any future damage that may occure.
This video should be required watching to anyone that is thinking of buying a RV or trailer. Most Rv's and trailers use OSB, (oriented strand board), in place of plywood. It only takes a small amount of water to shred it and destroy it. The OSB is chipped wood, held together with a glue, not waterproof. If you have a small leak in a camper, you need to move on it quickly, it will damage a larger area rapidly.
You're most welcome, Greg! We're very happy that you found this video beneficial in your search. You're one of the lucky ones...our latest repair slideshow shows what happens when you buy from a private seller and find a leak too little too late! We wish you the best of luck in your travel trailer search!
I bet the seller didn't make any repairs. Would be willing to bet they leave it on the lot for an unsuspecting buyer, or to switch more informed buyers to a more expensive trailer. That is what they attempted to do with my wife and I.
that floor is the easiest replacement in the whole rv ! i tore mine out ,all the way down to the frame new insulation(11/2 foam) and glued and screwed new 3/4 plywood and then installed a modern snap together hard wood for about 400.00 bucks.i did put a rubber roof on first and most of my framing was all there.but my minnie winnie is one sweet ride and home away from home.
What's the point of fixing the flooring. Those walls are full of mold. You can become really sick breathing all that mold. Like Michael McDonald from the Doobie Brothers said it's not worth it to fix the whole camper.
Thank you for sharing this video. I'm tring to help find my daughter a nice used one and now we know what to look for. I wish you was here to help us find a good one lol
He didn't tell it all that's just the structural stuff, then there's the mechanical stuff engine, trans, air conditioners, heat, water heater on and on
I know some people give this guy shit but for us that are looking for a RV it gives us something to look at and consider.How people would of bought this RV and not thought twice about it.?
This is a Sunline trailer, made in Denver PA. (Now out of business.)The oak cabinets were made by Amish craftsmen. Absolutely the best. I have owned two Sunlines over the years. Loved them very much! My last one I put about 100,000 miles on it. They were made to be very light weight so they would pull easy. The roof intentionally was NOTt made with plywood under the rubber for that reason. They used a heavy "craft paper" under the rubber roof and warned owners it was NOT a walk on roof. If you had to get on the roof you needed to place boards across the trusses. (This video doesn't mention that.) Like most travel trailers, water intrusion is deadly. You really have to be extremely pro-active. From the looks of the caulk, the former owners were not. That is not the manufacturers fault. I had a leak in the shower drain of mine and eventually it made the floor soft. My fault -- not Sunline's. Repaired the leak and used it more years. I now have a 2018 Arctic Fox R25 and just finished using Eternabond to seal all roof seams. My 50+ years of RVing has taught me the importance of keeping the inside dry at all costs. Use Eternabond if you love your trailer...
@@RadhadaniteBabylonian I have used both. I did all roof seams with the tape. Not difficult, just take your time. The tape is fantastic. If you can keep a 2" margin of tape from water to the potential leak, you have nothing to worry about. Stickiest stuff in the universe... The caulk is also a gem. It is not self leveling like Dicor. So a bit harder to use. it has a much more "spongy" texture. It has some sort of fantastic life expectancy (I think 50 years...) and in the couple of years since I put some down, it shows zero breakdown. It seems to still be brand new. Seems like a true winning product. I called Eternabond and talked to their caulk specialist before I used it. Very helpful fellow. And great information about the product. I was looking to make my trailer as maintenance free (in terms of the roof) as possible. I have since done a major solar install, satellite dome install, wifi booster, cell phone booster, etc. etc. So I have made much more use of the caulk recently. Frankly, both products are winners in my book. Eternabond's tape gets all the great publicity, but their caulk should get a whole lot more than it does. I find Dicor easy to use but its life expectancy leave much to be desired.
I like your video. I'm camping out inside my very first RV, a 32 year old "Minnie Winnie," and it's tons of fun, but it's a whole new challenge. I'm enjoying all the advice I can get! This is helpful guidance for my next RV purchase.
I can't believe I watched this whole video. I don't own an RV and I'm not thinking of getting one. I couldn't stop myself. I had to find out where that water was coming from LOL. Very Interesting video. Thanks.
Thank you for such an informative video.You have helped so many people protect their antisipation of buying a Rv of their dreams. Now we know what to look for.
A couple tubes of caulking? I don't think so. Buy a 5-gallon bucket of elastomeric mobile home roof sealer. Henry's is the go-to brand. May even want to top it will an acrylic roof coating. You can put silicone caulk around vents and so forth, but that's not enough. Make sure the surface is absolutely clean...and no...don't spray it with a garden hose! Duh!
***** Your's is an even better solution. This guy exhibits all the behavioral traits of a brass-plated knucklehead. Bet you a nickle he'd buy something like that for $300 and flip it for $3000. Just the impression I get....
I recommend that if you have an RV parked for long periods of time just tie one piece of thick plastic sheet on the roof. Tie it down with a large bungee cord around the edges. It will save you many headaches in the future. Make sure the plastic goes over everything including the vents, AC, solar panels, antennas, etc.
Thank you for this video. I have been looking for a little used RV some I could go camping. I have asthma and I never thought about checking for things like mold or rotting floors. Thank you so much!
Thanks for this, I am new to trailers and have been looking to buy a used one for weeks now, I looked at one today, looked good but I'll double check everything when I go back.
the 1948 camper my relative has is better made and of quality materials. She maintain it since she bought in 1970. She travel all over the USA and Canada. She bought off a retired couple who decide to buy a small ranch and raise horses and help abuse or abandoned horses.
Check to see if the drain vents on the roof are good or were recently replaced. Water can leak into the roof around vent pipes if the covers are lost or broken. Roof A/C units can leak underneath. Cover your RV with a canopy or tarp... That roof was replaced too late with a rubber cover.
Thanks for an informative video, looking for used trailers now and this gives us some good things to look for. And to all the scoffers out there... yep, this is an amateur video shot by amateurs. No, they don't have all the high tech video equipment, yes the camera was unsteady and blurry at times. You're all missing the point, they made this video to help others avoid buying a lemon. Pretty simple, instead of scoffing, either say nothing or just say "thank you".
On my first and second RV trailer and an RV I owned , all three leaked from the roof fridge vent, not the top cap but the 4 corners of the base were all open 1/8 inch and continually drained water into the fridge area.... a small leak left leaking does major damage....
all great points and we know dealerships would never sell you an RV with problems and not tell you about them. the difference is the dealerships are better at hiding things.
Great video…very informative. Two big lessons in my opinion. The first is what to look for when buying. The second is once you own your RV make sure to maintain the roof. I'd like to see a video on how to re-caulk the roof openings.
Also, frames are failing on 5th wheels at the gooseneck area and travel trailers are having frames split in the web around the wheels . Do a frame inspection. Put the weight of a 5th wheel weight on the pin and look for deformations in the skins . That means a bad thing about to happen.
Thanks. I really needed this advice. I'm thinking of buying and I never even thought to stand on the roof. You can do that? haha. I thought the roof was made of tissue paper.
The roof load is being exceeded by Larry. Any 250+ man bouncing on a 2x4 roof is going to destroy anything especially when he is stepping in between the rafters too. While the video gave good advice I would not permit a 250 lbs man on top of any RV or camper. Many roofs have have separated from the insulation layer after being stored in the sun. While I do agree that it is cheaper to pick something better (I prefer to cut the top off and build a tiny home on the sound foundation).
Wish I would Have watched this video before buying an rv. First time ever buying one and I got a lemon for $7,000!!! Literally a paper weight that’s water logged for $7,000. I’m so upset but I get we live and learn. I learned the hard way.
Every RV did, is, or will leak at some point. You put it through an earthquake, hurricane winds every time you transport. Made from the lightest/cheapest materials available.
Very informative, I thank you much for this information! On a separate note I really can't understand how someone would knowingly sell crap without full disclosure. I know it happens of course, it's really is something I could not do... though I shouldn't, I am continue to be amazed by apathy and greed.
I'm a NRVIA certified Inspector. I have seen this way too often. My advice please pay the $300 to $600 for a certified inspector to check before you buy.
It's not caulking, it's Dicor and it's easy as sin to maintain. You just clean it and add more! people failed to maintain this RV is the only reason the roof failed. Sunline made some of the best affordable trailers ever! However, lack of maintenance is the cause of this failure!
It's not IF they leak it's WHEN. EPDM and all those holes cut in the roof are just asking for trouble. That's why I have a cargo van conversion with one roof vent and one solar cable hole.
great video Thank you for informing the public of great knowledge of this problem USA is infested with. We need more people like you in this world..... I love honest people. those are the people that will always have business. PS> - disastrous bad camera man though....lol
Great video! I just bought campsite property. It came with a 9' x 20 ft shed and a 31' 1999 Fleetwood Wilderness camper. All of the built-in furniture is in excellent shape, but the floor is totally rotted(like the video) from the kitchen sink, under the fridge through the entire bathroom. As part of the sale of property, the camper was "optional" as for it to stay or to be removed by the seller. I opted to keep it, because, my thoughts are to rip out/ remove all of the appliances, all the cabinets and hardware, the lighting fixtures, sinks (anything that isn't water/mold damaged) and either sell the parts OR use them to turn my shed into living space. My thoughts are that, even with everything removed, the metal trailer that the camper is built on is worth some $ in scrap metal alone. The question I have now is......how do I remove the working things inside. Also, the air conditioner is still in excellent shape. It's truly sad that a simple water leak ruined so much $$$$.
I just never saw the sense in buying a RV. All that money, time, upkeep, and effort. I just reserve state park cabins and spend way less money and way less headache.
Thanks for the tips. God bless. Oh. By the way. You should do more videos on different brands. New and used. Plus, how to videos on maintaining rv's and campers.
..yes, I have done this...bought a 26'er I thought we could afford and tow with our 1/2 ton Suburban...we had 6 children aged 2-13, and motel rooms were no longer practical..."yes, it's 1/2 ton towable" said the seller...well it was, but the poor Suburban groaned and moaned with it...LONG arse rig that was a pain to turn, get into gas stations and restaurants, exhausting driving it for hours, I learned quickly I did NOT like pulling trailers at all...plus, hooking it all up, then setting it up after driving all day..then...leaks and rot..minor at first, then quickly got worse..got musty and moldy smelling...WHY, oh Why?-don't they require manufacturers to use pressure-treated wood, or still better, aluminum, in the structure?...well, we sold it, at a loss of course, but I was ELATED to be rid of it..I never want another...we'll go back to motel rooms if we have to, or just mostly do day trips until the kids get older. Also, part of the fun of trips used to be the scenery and stop-offs on the way driving to a vacation destination...dragging a long squirrely rig around took away all that...I was just glad to get there in one piece as quickly as possible...then dread the trip back... :(
im insane about the upkeep on trailer recalk the roof every 3 years regardless of the condition on the calking. I also clean the roof every spring with the proper cleaner.
yo! frrrrrrrridge! huhhh ! luminum!!! LMAO! good video... This shows all the hypy pypuls outthar that when you get sugar eyes for you dream, you are soon to purchase some black mold that comes free with water leaks. uhppreteciate this very muchUH ! luminum!
FYI - just because mold is black does not mean it is "black mold". Of course, no one wants to live with mold, but there are many that are black that are not the life endangering black mold Larry is suggesting. But, I am curious to know - how OLD is that trailer.? How often should you be re-caulking the seams?
Not trying to get deep at all, Dick. But, I do think it is important that people understand the term "black mold" is generally referring to Stachybotrys chartarum which does create mycotoxins, while there are many other common molds with a black color which do not. Damn, NOW you made me get all deep...
This was the best video I've seen on here that was informative and preventive of kicking myself in the ass.... Good info bro... gonnna check out your total site! Thank you Do you teach classes on how to upgrade and girlscout instructional maintence and preventive measures... ? I'll check
Manufacture use shitty materials to begin with. All plywood should be marine grade ,roofing is just as important. People your prob. better off building your own. Buying a Trailer, is like a boat..... 2-good days. When ya buy ,and when ya sell it !!
Love how he keeps saying black mold. Just because the mold is black it does not mean its the toxic black mold. It needs to be lab tested. check out travel trailer tips.com on facebook
A friend just bought a new trailer . Sure enough it had a leak beside the bed. Poor job sealing a clearance light above it. Nothing that a bit of sealer couldn't fix. Sure the insulation got a bit damp but it's clean water and the leak is stopped. What should stop is the practice of dealers forcing the buyer to bring a rig to them after it's been set up .
You don't know. Unless it becomes a big leak, or you start to get warped or rotted wood. Best bet is to be proactive in maintenance and check it every fall and spring, and do any resealing. If you are unsure, it's best to use a little sealant. Better safe than sorry.
I'm not so sure I know what was the bigger mistake, buying this RV or bringing it over to Uncle Larry's for evaluation. Buy the time Uncle Larry is finished punching holes in the walls and jumping as hard as he can to put his foot through the floor, and then climbing up on the roof and jumping around to make sure the roof caves in... yeah I would have to agree, you've got a real shit box on your hands that you probably paid way too much for. Of course there could be another way of looking at things. If you're not planning on living in the thing, but you only want to use it a few times a year "recreationally" like it was designed for, well maybe it wasn't so bad before 250 pound Uncle Larry showed you what a lemon it is. I'm not so sure that a young kid that weighs less than 100 pounds could have put his foot through the floor as easily as Uncle Larry did. Same thing goes for the roof. At least before Uncle Larry showed you the thing still had it's shape and could have been repaired. It may cost several thousand dollars to have Uncle Larry fix it, but as a weekend project it was not that bad. So the first thing you would want to do is take everything out of it such as the cushions and anything made of fabric. Then you would want to get in there with a power washer and power was the thing from the inside and then the outside too... use some laundry detergent and then dilulte some bleach down to about 10 to 1 water to bleach and spray that around the inside. Then open up all the windows and doors and cupboards and let the thing dry out for a few days. Put a big fan inside it while it is drying. Then get in there with some of that mold resistant paint and paint the insides of the cabinets and anywhere else you see fit to paint. Then you get underneath the thing and you brace up the floor with some 3/8th inch plywood. Then you get up on the roof and you seal all the holes and you brace up the roof. It's not that big of a deal. Well it wasn't until Uncle Larry put his foot through it.
Powderkings, This video was 100% real. The customers that previously owned this unit bought it only weeks before bringing it in to our Service Dept. because they noticed water in a cabinet up front and wanted us to see about fixing it. Once we looked over it with customers on site we told them the bad news of what they bought. They were newbies in the Rv industry and had no idea of what to look for and just wanted to go camping with the Grand-kids. We did purchase this unit from them for $1000.00 and stripped it down for parts after the video was made. Ivon, the owner talking in the video was fed up with what was happening to customers and told our IT Dept to grab the camera and start filming. We knew we were not going to get rich on this deal but wanted to inform other current and future buyers in the RV market what to look for. What has made us warm and fuzzy is the fact that not only have we helped numerous customers, but we have also had other RV Dealers ask us for permission to use our video at their Dealership. We are a truly Family Owned and Operated Dealership and are here for customers in the long run, not just as a ticket number. Yes it is hard to believe but there are a few of us in this world. Happy Trails!
You have NO IDEA how happy I am to have caught this video! I'm looking right now for an RV Motor-home (which is MUCH MORE to look out for), but this knowledge ALONE will help me a great deal in my inspecting the cab area. Thanks SO VERY MUCH for this info. ~Peace
Thank you. I watched this video before looking at a motorhome just a few hours ago. The motorhome was exactly what I wanted, super clean, super low mileage and pretty cheap. Had I not watched this video I wouldn't have climbed onto the roof and walked every square inch. The very last section, front left corner, had a soft spot. Upon further inspection the plywood there was rotting away. I went back inside, lifted the removable section above the drivers and passengers seat and looked way back into the corner; and there it was. Warped and rotted wood above the drivers seat. Inconspicuous enough to the naked eye. After watching the video I had a much better understanding of what to look for..and I found it. I wanted the motorhome badly, but what I found was a deal breaker for me. I've restored old trailers to mint condition in the past, just didn't feel like putting the time and effort into this one. Thanks again.
Even though we're sorry that the sale was a "no-go", we are so glad that you found this video informative and that it helped you dodge a bullet in the long run.
