I Thinking About Buying Used.

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by B_and_D

We have a 1997 2720, and I think that it is very well built. We have had very few issues with the trailer body and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another well-kept and maintained older TM. It's solid, we've had it for 7+ years, and we've only had two very minor leak problems that were easily corrected.

The only thing that has failed was a side A/C unit and we took it out and put in a microwave. I don't really miss the A/C unit as we don't camp that often where it's needed.

It seems to me that (1) either there are not that many older TM owners on the board, or (2) the newer units have more issues than the older units.

All of our appliances still work great, they may have their quirks, but they all work just fine when you figure out how to make them work.

JMHO, plus we've put a lot of work into maintaining our TM.

I agree........we loved our '98 2720 and it had no issues. We just wanted and SL model because the forward bunk wasn't being used. Had a good deal come up locally on an earlier SL model, we may have grabbed it. The wood frame does not intimidate me at all, as long as it was a California camper.

I love this floor-plan.


However, as far as the best all-around investment is concerned, I think that 2005-2008 may be the best buys (considering one finds a good deal on a well maintained TM).

[scrubjaysnest]

Originally Posted by Beach Boy

Is there a "Golden Age" of TM quality? I read on this forum about some people's concerns about the present quality of newer units. I just wondered if there is a period of production for example 2003-2007 which had high quality.

I haven't been involved with the TM long enough to say if there is a "golden age" But our '11 2720SL looks to be a really great TM over all. It has some minor wiring issues that are stupid IMO but then I'm a retired engineer with over 30 years experience, almost 20 of that in the power industry so wiring can be kind of a pet peeve for me.

Originally Posted by harveyrv

I agree........we loved our '98 2720 and it had no issues. We just wanted and SL model because the forward bunk wasn't being used. Had a good deal come up locally on an earlier SL model, we may have grabbed it. The wood frame does not intimidate me at all, as long as it was a California camper.

I love this floor-plan.

However, as far as the best all-around investment is concerned, I think that 2005-2008 may be the best buys (considering one finds a good deal on a well maintained TM).

Hey Wayne,

Love the photo. It looks very homey. I noticed in a couple of pictures for 3124KS's for sale that the sofa and one chair is red. The other chair is gray. IMO, this color scheme is not attractive. I like your color scheme.

I have seen this red/gray color scheme on a couple of units for sales. Does anyone know the reason for the red/gray scheme.

[wbmiller3]

We are original owners of a 2001 and have had no major problems. We've used it a lot so some wear&tear issues are cropping up like the holddown latch failure I posted about a while ago. That is expected from an almost 10 year old vehicle though. It's always been stored inside and never had any big leaks, so I am not worried about the wood construction. The most expensive failure was the side AC quitting, which I replaced myself with help from this board.

I am kinda partial to the 2003 models.....especially since I had 1.

The 2003 had the aluminum frame, AC on the front shell (instead of the cabinet or rear shell), and round fender wells improvements that the older models didn't. That year also had the sewer hose bumper that the new models don't have. The big thing missing over the newer models was the accessibility of 110 volt power cord in the closed position.....and I remedied that with a modification.

Like Bill stated, the early 2000s brought a lot of changes, mostly for the good. We bought used, and got an excellent unit at a great price. I was not familiar with TMs at that time, and was actually planning on a 200 mile round trip to look at them at a dealer, when the missus saw an ad in the paper. I stumbled some when checking out the unit, and wish I was a member of this forum before buying. I would not be afraid to buy used especially using all of the advice on this forum on what to look for.

Buying a couple year old unit can save you $1000s. We bought our then 3 year old for a fraction of what the original owner paid new.

I am also looking to buy used Trailmanor 2619. The one I am looking at has a window type air unit instead of roof air. Did it come from the factory that way ?

[B_and_D]

What year is it? The earlier models had side a/c's, but people have also been known to retrofit their own trailers with side a/c. I actually saw one in Oregon last summer that had an air conditioner sticking outside by about a foot on the door side. I'd bet that it didn't come from the factory that way!

I am looking at a 2001 model. Owner says came from factory with side AC. If so what BTU ?

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by REBAMAC

I am looking at a 2001 model. Owner says came from factory with side AC. If so what BTU ?

I believe that the factory unit was 7,000BTU. I installed a 10,000BTU unit for under $300.

Originally Posted by harveyrv

I believe that the factory unit was 7,000BTU. I installed a 10,000BTU unit for under $300.

Its probably quieter than the roof unit too!!!