Discovery

I had been searching on Craigslist for about a week for a camp/travel trailer so we would have something to stay in during endurance rides. I also loved the idea of having a more plush accomadations for the next time we actually go camping. The tent was just not working out so well for us. The air mattresses deflate, we were cold, etc. So begins the search...

At first I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted. As time went on and I was able to look at a few around town and online, I noticed that in order to have a bathroom I would need at least an 18'. I also wanted a double axle, mainly because if there is a blowout I feel safer with an extra wheel on each side. (By this analogy I should be driving a car with six wheels, but I digress...) I contacted a number of people with questions and most of them replied with "Already sold" or "I don't know if the lights work." There was one pretty sad one that was free but I don't need that much extracurricular work.

When I came home for lunch today Matt had the grand idea to go to Tri-Cities to PF&S (the model train store) for some supplies he needed for an article he wishes to write for Model Railroader. He wanted to leave by 4:30 pm. I thought about the camper ads I had seen in Tri-Cities on craigslist and happened to have three of them printed out and with me. So I got on the phone at lunch time and called and made appointments to look after 6 pm this evening.

Because of a late photo shoot at work that I was helping with, I was able to leave work a little early and we left town about quarter til 5.

We spent the time Matt needed at PF&S and then headed over to the first trailer. This one was advertised as "1978 22 ft. tow behind Companion travel trailer. Hunters special, Needs TLC $850.00 OBO." I didn't have very good expectations, as the price was way more than I wanted to spend, and the bit about needing TLC was a little scary. Sure enough, it was junk. The owner had gutted the bathroom, removed the table/bench section and made a little mini-bar instead. Sure it made it more spacious but I don't think anyone buys a camp trailer for its open spaces. He had taken out the original fridge and put in a different one that didn't fit right. The wires for the back lights were running up the one side of the trailer in clear view. There were dents and holes all over the outside. The floor was kind of patched together and a little soft in spots. The owner was nice and very talkative, he described what his plans for it had been. He thought it was worth $1000 to someone wanting the frame for a car trailer conversion, but he would take $600, or whatever, if he didn't sell it he would keep it, his girlfriend in Spokane didn't really want him to sell it. If we changed our minds he might have the countertop on the bar done by this weekend. A sad little tale.

Feeling excitement, and relief to finally be leaving that trailer, we headed on our way to trailer number two. The ad states: "Hunting Trailer or Parts Trailer $400 - $550; Mid 70s Komfort 20 foot self contained camp trailer. 3 way refridge, gas stove, oven, newer roof AC unit, heater. Shower/tub, toilet, sinks and holding tanks. Its an older trailer but still in useable shape. It has 5 all new radial tires 4 on the 2 axles and a spare. Pulls great. Trailer has a small amount of water damage where vent was left open last winter but still a good trailer for the money. Can be seen at XXXXXX in Richland. Also includes leveling jacks. Registration shows 20' but trailer is 18'6" plus tounge. Will take $400 with bill of sale and you can apply for a new title or $550 and I will take care of paperwork."

We arrived at about 7:12 pm and the sun was setting. I jumped out with Levi and said to the man "Hi, I am Shana and I am here to look at your trailer!" He says "Well, there it is." I first talked with him a little bit about the title. He said he had bought it from his friend, who had lost the title. He could get a bill of sale from the owner on record so we could file for lost title and do the legwork ourselves, or for another $150 he would take care of all the paperwork. In the course of the conversation it was revealed that he was a police officer, and his wife does triathalons. We went over to look at the trailer. Since the man's driveway was a bit of an incline, I had Matt hold Levi until I could get in. Looking around I was very pleased. It was clean and didn't smell and even had some things I didn't expect. For example, the bathroom was complete with a little tub. There was a closet for some storage. The L-bench and table area folded out to a double bed. There was a sink and 4 burner stove and fridge. In the front was the large bed, it might be a double or a queen I am not sure. Above that was a fold-down bunk. There was even a curtain to pull across for privacy in the "bedroom." I was in love immediately. I whispered to Matt "I want this one!" I asked about the extent of the water damage and the man said he really didn't know, someone had left the ceiling vent open all winter and it was evident that there was some damage to the ceiling. For the price, I was't really concerned. We went outside and looked around the exterior of the trailer. Matt noticed the door didn't close quite right. Shane said "oh I thnk I can fix that," and he lifted and wiggled it a little and it closed just fine. He says "I notice you drive a Chevy, its like Chevy doors, after awhile they sag and you just lift up and they will close. HA HA. He had a new F250 in the driveway, a Ford man now. The trailer looked quite good for its age. All the tires looked sound with good tread. Two propane tanks on front. Gray water hose stored in back bumper (trailer designers are so clever!) Seller Shane said all lights work on the back but may need some new bulbs for the front and side perimeter lights. It had tabs dated 2001. Shane said he wished he would have thought of it, he was at the DMV earlier that day and could have gotten us a trip permit, but he thought with the bill of sale we should be ok to tow it on home.

Well I wanted to take it home right then and there but we hadn't brought the ball mount with us (or so we thought, later I did see it in the back of the truck). It was just as well, it was dark by now and our plug for the lights didn't match the end on the trailer. I wrote the man a check and he wrote me a bill of sale and it was agreed that Matt would return tomorrow morning to pick it up about 10 am.

Driving home I told Matt, "I am so excited...I shall name her Fanny, because she follows behind..." We had a good laugh over that and then we talked about which vehicle to take back the next day to get her. We guess it is a good 2,000 lbs of trailer so Matt thought the Suburban would be the best candidate.

We stopped at Old Country Buffet for dinner a little after 8 pm, had our meal and got home about 10 PM. Put Levi to bed (who had fallen asleep on the drive home) and then went out to find our drop hitch, and measure to be sure it was the right height. The Suburban measures about 19" to the top of the ball. The truck is 18" and the trailer we guessed to be level was 18" but it should work out fine.