2720SD seems to have fallen in my lap

CE

CeeWoo

Guest
Opinions needed. We've had several folding trailers-popups, a HiLo, and a Chalet A frame. Recently my HiLo died. I've sort of drooled about having a trailmanor for some time, but honestly-the ones I kept seeing available were out of our price range.

Our present TV is a Ford Explorer (8 cy-rated at 6600 lbs).

Anyhow-today we found a 2002 2720SD from a private party asking $5000. Nada says (with no options) $4520 (I'm not sure what came std with the 2002 so I'll leave it at that).

Fridge, range, oven, water heater, air cond ---everything checks out fine. And the interior looks immaculate. It has been in at least one outrageous hailstorm so there are some dents in the top-but I'm assured it doesn't leak (and no signs of leaks inside).

I'm tempted but with my TV should I hold off and hope something smaller comes along (or should I be fine with the explorer?)? Is my judgement maybe being swayed because it's sort of what I've wanted all along? Can't afford a new TV

any suggestions appreciated!

Oh-btw-it would just be for 2 people - the wife & I. Coming from what we've had in the past, we can easily get by with the storage in the 2720
 
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Hello
this is just my opinion, i am sure other nice folks here will chime in also,
you should be fine towing with your tv, if worried a wdh and a brake controller will help alot,
as far as the tm , that sounds like a real deal,
and for that price, if by chance you decide to pass on it , be so kind to let me know
good luck in your decision
 
You should fine with the Explorer. My V8 Tundra with a rating of 7100lbs towing pulls very well and so your not to far from that number. I would suggest the WDH and the brake controller is required.
 
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This is a run, don't walk situation. If interested, get it before someone else does! That TV should be just fine.
 
TM_Matt said:
This is a run, don't walk situation. If interested, get it before someone else does!
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Agreed, if everything is in working order and everything has only cosmetic wear (stains, scratches, dents, etc.). If it is a published ad, it will very likely be gone within a few days, a week at most.

Dave
 
CeeWoo -

Your Explorer tow vehicle is wonderful for this task. You didn't mention a year, so I will assume it is 2002 or later (the latest version of the Explorer). With the tow rating you mention, I assume it has a factory tow package, which is important. I've had two 2720SLs, which we load heavily and drive in high-altitude steep-grade areas (Sierras, Rockies, etc). For tow vehicles, I started with a brand-new 2002 Explorer V-8 that went 160K until the much-abused transmission (abuse not towing related) gave up. Traded it for a brand-new 2007 Explorer - it just turned 100K, and is in great condition. Since I have treated it better, I hope to get another 100K out of it.

So have no fear about the tow vehicle. Welcome aboard!

Bill
 
CeeWoo:
Run don't walk for that TM. Don't look around either because you might get trampled in the rush. It sounds that good!

Bob
 
Hummm-thank you all for the great advice...I've hit a red flag warning. Seems the hail damage I mentioned, had the insurance company total it out and it has (I believe he said) 'salvage' registration. So despite being good for my purpose, I need to check with Washington State Dept of Licensing to see if I can register it here. If not-oh well, something will come along some day (it currently has Montana plates on it)

Or maybe I should just move to Montana LOL

I'm still gonna look into it, but now I understand why it's such a sweet deal
 
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happybeebob said:
CeeWoo:
Run don't walk for that TM. Don't look around either because you might get trampled in the rush. It sounds that good!

Bob
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Funny how something that sounds so good ends up being "You wouldn't want to touch it with a ten-foot pole". Sorry!

Bob
 
I don't know that the salvage title is as big a problem as you might think. Normally with cars you don't touch salvage vehicles. It means it has been in a big wreck, spent some time underwater, etc.. It can mean a lot of hidden problems.

Check with your DMV, but I don't think there is a problem getting a salvage registered.

I don't think you'll be able to get insurance for damage to the trailer itself, but since you only have 5K into it do you reallly need insurance? Certainly you need it for damage the trailer might do to other vehicles but for damage to the trailer itself you could skip it. I don't carry collision on my cars when they get down to 5K in value, it just doesn't make sense.

A camper isn't as complex as car. You don't have to worry as much about hidden problems.

Also the story with it getting totaled out due to hail damage sounds plausible.

If the roof doesn't leak then it just cosmetic.

It's up to you to evaluate it, but it could be a good deal.
 
Remember, a Salvage Title does not directly mean that the vehicle is unsafe or unusable. It simply means that the cost of returning it to its previous condition would be more than the insurance company was willing to pay out. Essentially the insurance company bought the damaged vehicle from the owner for its pre-crash value (or the amount of the owners damage insurance, whichever is less). The insurance company then owns the vehicle. The company can then sell it to the original owner for a price that they negotiate, or to anyone else they choose, and at that point it is designated "salvage". Or they may sell it to a scrapper.

So it isn't necessarily unusable / unsellable. If the damage is purely cosmetic (the most expensive kind of damage!), it may be a perfectly usable vehicle. This may be your case, as long as it doesn't leak (as RIWright noted).

Beyond all that, you may be able to clear a Salvage Title. In Arizona, where I live part time, you can register a vehicle with a salvage title, and if you restore the damage and get a safety inspection, the designation will be changed from "Salvaged" to "Restored Salvage", which is considered almost as good as a more usual title.

Check with your DMV. The rules may be similar in Washington.

Bill
 
This very well could be a "diamond in the rough" so to speak. First of all NADA consistently struggles to accurately value TM's, typically undervaluing them.
If it does not leak and you don't see any frame damage (and it seems to tow and track well) I'd go for it if I were in your shoes. And you should not have any problem getting liability insurance once you get the title squared away.
Good luck and join the forum!
 
Due to the cost of replacing the TM roof...almost ANY damage to the roof will result in the unit being "totaled". It's a great way to get a good deal on a TM. From my experience, Progressive will still insure you if you want insurance.
 
Redhawk said:
Due to the cost of replacing the TM roof...almost ANY damage to the roof will result in the unit being "totaled". It's a great way to get a good deal on a TM. From my experience, Progressive will still insure you if you want insurance.
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Ty-at this point, what's holding me up, is just trying to find out if I can get it registered here in Washington. AND-I wanna give that roof another once over to make sure there are no cracks in those dents
 
Cracks in the dents can be sealed using some liquid epoxy. Just squeeze some in there to fill the hole, level it out with the roof, and let it dry.

If WA presents a problem, perhaps you could use a relatives' address in another state that may allow registration.....

Dave
 
ShrimpBurrito said:
Cracks in the dents can be sealed using some liquid epoxy. Just squeeze some in there to fill the hole, level it out with the roof, and let it dry.

If WA presents a problem, perhaps you could use a relatives' address in another state that may allow registration.....

Dave
Click to expand...

I was just thinking I could the entire roof with that white stuff they sometimes use on mobile homes to seal & soundproof (like a really thick paint)

This state gets really cranky to residents with out of state registered vehicles
 
I think I'd havE to jump on this one. Hit it with a garden hose and check for leaks. I bet there are none, just dimpled from the hail I'm guessing, purely cosmetic.

My 2005 Dodge truck was totaled due to hail damage. I got a wad of cash and fine running but ugly pick up truck.
 
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[Our present TV is a Ford Explorer (8 cy-rated at 6600 lbs).

I'm tempted but with my TV should I hold off and hope something smaller comes along (or should I be fine with the explorer?)? Is my judgement maybe being swayed because it's sort of what I've wanted all along? Can't afford a new TV


I have a 2004 2720 and tow it with a 2004 Toyota 4runner which has a 4 L 6 cyl engine and tow rating of only 5000 lbs. It tows the TM like a dream. I would certainly not worry about your Explorer assuming you have proper cooling.
 
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