Anyone near Elkin, WV that is available to do a pre-buy for some $?

[cire74]

I know it is a long shot but is there anyone near Elkin, WV that can assist with a pre-buy? I plan to make a trip out there in the next week, but its 950 miles from me. I will gladly compensate you a reasonable amount for your time.

Thank you!

[Bill]

I guess I don't now what a pre-buy is, or what is involved. Perhaps you would fill me in?

Bill

[cire74]

I'm used to airplanes so that is what we called it. Just looking for someone knowledgeable about Trailmanor's that is in that area and can inspect it for me before I consider buying it and I'd compensate them.

It looks like it is in excellent shape and the seller claims it was stored indoors and only used a handful of times, but I have been burned in the past with other items, travelling long distances just to find the item was severely misrepresented. Drove 4 hours each way for a boat that wasn't worth looking at for 5 mins when I got there. The pictures usually look way better than when seeing it in person.

If avoidable I'd like to avoid flying or driving 950 miles each way solely based on the pictures. The dealer doesn't know anything about Trailmanors, just that it allegedly appears brand new despite being a 2003.

[Larryjb]

I looked at the ad. I believe them when they say it wasn't used much. If you look at the bolt where the lift arm attaches to the shell, it shows very little wear. Most TM show an elongation of the hole on the front shell.

Whomever you get to pre- buy, have then check for how easily the shell lifts, especially the front shell. One should be able to lift it easily with one hand. This is not a deal breaker, rather, it could be a significant bargaining chip. If the torsion bars are undersized ( we seem to have come across one or two ) they can be upgraded with some effort.

But, this trailer could be a really nice buy.

Is SD near you? You could take it to the factory for a tune up in the way home.

[cire74]

Thank you for the information. What do you think of the asking price? NADA shows 2003 to be worth around $5700. I'd say maybe $7000-7500 due to the condition?

I wish SD was near me. I'm in FL so that would be the opposite direction.

[Larryjb]

Sorry, I can't help you with price. That varies across the country. Up here in BC, unless a TM is wildly overpriced (some have been), owners get top dollar within days. East coast US tends to fetch lower prices.

[cire74]

I got them down to $8250 which included the garbage dealer doc fee. The salesman even got me in touch with the original owner. It looks like I am scoring a real gem. Apparently it has only been in the rain 2x according to the original owner. I left a deposit on it to lock it up while I work on the other logistics (upgraded tow vehicle, addition of swing tongue/hitch). I hope all of the stars align and everything goes as planned.

[Larryjb]

Ooh... this sounds exciting!

[cire74]

Thanks for sharing my excitement. My wife isn't interested in the details and actually wanted to buy new. I get to "surprise her with the "new" 2003 I find. We will see how this goes...haha

[cjminear]

Congrats!!! We just bought a 2005 3 months ago and we did some updates I posted some photos under the trailmanor photos thread. 2619 upgrades.