Used Campers: Complete Winterization Kit

Last week we discussed how to winterize your camper and I posted a few links to some products you will need to winterize your camper.

I was just surfing campingworld's site and they just added a complete kit to winterize your camper. It comes with Kit includes Water Heater By-Pass, Freeze Ban Antifreeze (3 gallons) and Pump Converter. The total price is about $33, which was about $5-10 cheaper than buying each thing separate.

So if you have not purchased your winterization kit yet, head over here before they sell out.

Camping World: Winterization Kit

How To Sell Used Campers

Selling used campers doesn't have to be a frustrating task if you go about it the correct way. Whether you just need the money, have no use for it or want to upgrade selling your camper online is probably the best route for a quick sale.

The first thing you will want to do is make the used camper ready for sale. You need to make the camper appealing to those looking for used campers. This means thoroughly cleaning the inside and outside of the camper, making minor repairs and replace defective or broken features. One great tip is to use Febreze on the camper furniture and things. Also a good cleaning of the floor with Pine-sol would be wise. People, especially young families buying used campers buy used campers that smell good, not trashy.

Once your camper is presentable, you'll need to snap 5-10 good digital pictures. These should be crisp, clean photos that are not blurry. You will want to take several of the outside and several of the inside. Be sure to focus of the features of the camper.

Next, you will want to write out everything about the camper. You'll need to list the make, model, year and all the features you camper includes. Specifically highlight air conditioning, heating, hot water heaters, water pumps and any other feature that you camper has that can set it apart from the competition. The more accurate you are with your written description, the more money you used camper will bring in.

After you have prepared and documented the camper, you need a platform to sell it. Below are three of the best places to sell used campers.

• Craigslist.com- Your best bet for price and speed of sale.
• Local newspaper- You'll get a good price, but it may take you longer to see because your reach is limited to the local area.
• eBay.com- Your best bet to dump the camper quickly, but you will sacrifice on the price. People use eBay to get a bottom-basement deal. Not to pay top dollar.

Simply follow the instructions on each of these sites to list your camper. I'd personally start with Craigslist and then move to eBay if I need a quick sale.

From there, sit back and let the buyers approach you about your used camper. Please be prepared to show the camper when contacted and reply to all questions.

Good luck!

Used Campers: How To Level Your Camper

As I have written in previous articles, I purchased a used camper this summer and have taken it out several times for family weekend trips. Used campers are great, but one thing I soon found out was that leveling a camper can be tricky if you don't have the right tools.

The first trip out, we must have found the best campsite ever, because it took me all of 2 minutes to get the camper level. Naturally after that first trip, I thought it would be that easy every time. Not so much. I quickly found out in trips since then that all camp sites are not created equal. All camp site pads are not created equal either. However, there are tools that you can buy to make the job easier and get you to the fun parts of camping sooner.

First off, most campers have some sort of leveling jack on each corner of the camper. They are usually either a scissor jack or stabilizer jack. You should consult your individual product manual for the operation of your jacks.

Once you figure out how your specific jack operates, you can focus on leveling your camper. To level your camper, you will need two things.

Calibrated Level

RV Leveling Blocks

How To Level Your Camper

1. Secure the camper with your wheel chocks and unhook the camper from the tow vehicle. Move the tow vehicle a safe distance away from the camper.
2. Inspect the camper and your levels to see if the camper is leaning more and two inches toward one side.
3. Add 1 leveling block per 2 inches to the opposite side that the level bubble is reading. For example, if the bubble was 3 inches to the left of zero. I would add 1 block to the right side of the camper. Or, if the bubble was 3 inches to the left. I would add 1 block to the rear of the camper.
4. Crank down your scissor or stabilizer jacks to the point that they are just barely supporting the weight of the camper. For anything but larger RV's, you do not want to have the wheels off the ground. The wheels actually help stabilize the camper. So don't crank you jacks to the point that they lift the tires up.
5. Look at your calibrated levels. Each mark equals one inch that side should come down or the opposite side should come up.
6. Adjust each stabilizer based on the reading from the calibrated level.
7. Look at the calibrated level one more time to make sure they both read as close to zero as possible.

That's it, you have a level camper. Enjoy!

Used Campers Of The Day: 2003 Fleetwood Bayside Elite

This one is a steal right now on eBay and will be ending in a few hours.

Description From eBay:

We bought this camper 3 years ago and enjoyed it Very much. It has NOT been used for the past 2 seaons. It is a GREAT camper! Very EASY to set up! One person can do it in 20 minutes. It weighs 3700lbs. The box is 12 ft and 26 ft opened w\8 ft slide-out that makes it so much roomier for those rainy days spent inside. The A/C works AWESOME which makes it enjoyable for those hot & humid days! It has cable hook up. A 3-way 1.9 cu. ft refrigerator. (propane, elec or battery) The working sink area has a Bay Window to enjoy the view! There is an Inside Stove as well as an Outside Stove to cook on. The Inside stove has NEVER been used. We always 'cooked out'! All of the propane and water lines work perfect. The Furnace is a 16000 btu and is very nice on those chilly Maine nights. Sleeps 8 comfortably. There are NO STAINS, RIPS or TEARS inside. You will truly enjoy camping with this camper. We did! We are selling it because we upgraded to a trailer now that we found a permanent spot in Maine. Please email me with any questions. Additional pix available upon request. Thank you for looking! p.s. with the awning comes a full screen in room. enjoy! p.s.s the damage on the trailer i back into it with the lawnmower it's mostly cosmetic.

Our Take:
I am very partial to Coleman/Fleetwood campers because they are the best. If you are looking for an outstanding and quality camper, this is the model.

The NADA on this is around $7,000. So if this auction stays below $5,000 it is going to make one very happy owner. This may be a good opportunity for a flip if you are in the Maine area. Early spring and summer this camper could go for $6,500 easy on craigslist.

This used camper auction is closed.

Disclaimer:
Please note that we have not inspected this camper, this recommendation is based on the owners description, pictures and estimated value. Please inspect this camper and ask the seller more detailed questions to get a better understanding of this camper.

Used Campers: The Folding Trailer Or Pop Up Camper

The average size of folding campers ranges from 15 to 23 feet when open and can sleep 4-8 people. The low end pop up camper can be purchased for around $7,000 new from a dealer. Folding campers top out at around $18,000 for the top of the line models.

Used campers can be purchased for as little as $1,000. Again, the quality may not be the same as a new camper, but for $1,000 the camper should still have plenty of life in it for a family to enjoy several times per year. You will also find that used campers, especially pop ups are extremely easy to work on and remodel. As long as the frame is solid, you can renovate that used camper into something that your family can enjoys and be comfortable in for years.

Features of the Folding Camper:

• Compact size allows for a variety of storage options ranging from an average size garage, driveway or storage facility.
• Light weight footprint allows for flexible towing options. Owners can tow with virtually any vehicle.
• Amenities can include all the comforts of home including functional kitchens, refrigerators, air conditioning, heating, showers and toilets.
• Tons of space for the family to relax in. Once expanded out, the folding trailer boasts impressive areas to sleep, eat, sit down and relax.

If you are in the market and a first-time RV buyer, check out the options and flexibility a used camper can offer you. For many, a used pop up camper is the perfect option to experience the camping lifestyle.

Get the most comprehensive resource.
Need more information? Check out the used RV buyers guide here: Used Rv Buyers Guide.

Winterize Used Campers

As fall approaches most of us are trying to fit those last one or tow camping trips in before the cold weather hits. When you decide your camping season is over, it is very important that you winterize your camper. Used campers require a great deal of care and winterizing and prolong the use of your camper, save on maintenance bills and problems down the road.

In order to get started, you will need a few things to winterize your camper. Most of these things can be found at your local camper supply store or online. I prefer to buy these things online because it is cheaper than any of the local camping supply stores in my area.

• Non-toxic RV antifreeze Not automobile antifreeze, which is toxic. You want the red RV antifreeze.
• A water heater bypass kit.
• Water pump converter kit.

Once you have these things, you can get started winterizing your used camper. It's important to note that the following list is just a general guide of things that you should do to winterize your camper. You really need to consult your owners manual for specific instructions on how to perform each task. If you don't have an owners manual, call the manufacturer or search the net for your make and model. Your owners manual should have detail instructions specific to your camper.

• Drain the fresh water holding tank.
• Drain and clean out the gray and blackwater tanks. You will want to use a chemical cleaner on these tanks to kill any bacteria.
• Drain the hot water heater.
• Open all of your water faucets and turn on the water pump until all of the water has been drained from the lines. Close all of the faucets after they are drained.
• You will now want to install the bypass for the hot water heater.
• Install the water pump kit according to the kit's directions, connect the inlet tube into your gallon of RV antifreeze, and then turn the water pump on and pressurize the system.
• Open each faucet, open the hot and cold valves until antifreeze appears.
• If you have a toilette, flush it until antifreeze appears.
• You will also want to pour a cup or two of antifreeze down each drain.
• You may want to double check your holding tanks to make sure they have antifreeze in them.
• You will also want to pay close attention to the outer areas of your camper. Make sure the roof is in good shape because it will only get worse during the winter if you have any problem areas.
• You will specifically want to patch any cracks or seams that are worn to prevent rain, snow and ice from getting in. If this happens, come spring time you will have a terrible mildew and mold problem.

That should cover the basics of winterizing your used camper. Again, please consult your owners manual for the specific winterizing tasks that your used camper requires.

How To Buy Used Campers

Buying a camper is a great choice for recreation, but buying a used camper is an even better choice. Used campers can save you thousands of dollars over buying a new camper from a local dealer. Buying a camper can be an exciting time, but don't let your excitement lead you into a bad decision. Here are a few steps and things to look at when looking at used campers.

Always bring a second pair of eyes with you when you look used campers.

For eyes are better than two when it comes to used campers. Take a buddy with you and each of you thoroughly inspect the camper out top to bottom. Take note careful note of the negative things that you both notice.

Never buy used campers with water damage.

You are just asking for problems when it comes to water damage. Water damage leads to rot. Rot leads to malfunction. Malfunction leads to a camper that will sit in your driveway with a tarp over it. My father-in-law purchased an awesome 2002 Jayco pop up camper 3 years ago. He used it one time right after he bought it and stored it in his driveway. Three months later he went to raise the tent and the supports anchoring the entire lift system to the frame broke. All of the wood on the left panel had rotted out.

If you feel lucky, go to Vegas. Don't buy a camper with water damage.

Always check the appliances in used campers.

Plug the refrigerator in. Get the air conditioner going. Turn the shower on. Make sure the water pump works. Flush the toilet. Plug something all the electrical outlets to make sure they work. Test the hot water heater. Test the propane system and stove.

To save time, call the dealer or person you are buying the used camper from ahead of time. Tell them you will be looking at all of these things. Tell them to have the AC on and blowing and hot water heater going.

If they refuse, walk away as there is probably something wrong with it.

Inspect the tires.

Always inspect the tires for rot and wear.

Always get the title and receipts.

If you purchase the camper, always get the title. Make sure the actual owner signs the title over to you. Get a receipt or bill of sale. Also, ask the previous owner if they have any maintenance receipts for historical purposes.

Get the most comprehensive resource.
I'm not an eBook fan, but this book is worth it. You can check it out here: Used Rv Buyers Guide.