Questions from a prospective owner

[Ilshick]

Dear Friends,

I am currently looking at a 1991, 26. The asking price is 6500, with everything working, plumbing and water pump are new, converter is original and everything else is original. Is this a reasonable price? Is there anything I should look for in a unit that is this old? What is the dry weight of a 1991 26?

Thank you for your time,
Jesse

 

[EAKlebe]

Not that I am any expert on this, but definitely (based on my own experience) check the date code on ALL tires. The tires should be replaced at minimum every 4 to 5 years regardless of wear. The date code is either a four digit number inside an oval on the sidewall and indicates week of manufacture (first two digits) and the year of manufacture (last two digits). If there are only three digits, the tire was made prior to 2000.

 

[RogerR]

Per NADA the value is about $2000, but only if you can find one as they are so rare.
Try looking through the buy sell area of this forum and see what the prices look like there.
There are also links to other places listing trailers.

 

[B_and_D]

According to an old TM brochure I received from a fellow board member, the dry weight of a TM 26 is about 2560 lbs. When you add your stuff & propane tanks & water & etc. it will weight much more.

Price seems a bit steep to me.

In this age of a trailer, I'd pay careful attention to the corners and shell edges where wood rot can be a problem. Here is a link to a bunch of threads on what to look for in a used TM:

http://trailmanorowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8878

Those posts should keep you busy for a while, lol!

 

[rumbleweed]

You say everything else is original. This is not a good sign as if it had normal care, the tires would have been replaced at least once. The battery would have also been replaced once. If the propane tanks are original, you may have difficulty getting them filled as the are past their cert date. I would look elsewhere first. I have seen better deals.

 

[Wavery]

If it's in really good condition, plan on buying 3 new tires, brakes, battery, wheel bearings replaced, new converter and propane tanks (~$750).

Check that everything else works. It would be reasonable to figure that you may have to replace the water heater, furnace and fridge within the next few years (~$3-4K).

I would not pay over $4K for it and then only if it has been garage stored and well cared for.