Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Sunline RV Forum
Sunline User Photos

Go Back   Sunline Coach Owner's Club > Sunline Club Community Forums > Introduce Yourself
Click Here to Login

Join Sunline Club Forums Today


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 09-14-2010, 10:51 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3
SUN #1509
EMTSnow is an unknown quantity at this point
Hello from AZ!

My name is Snow and my husband's name is Anton and we are in our early 30's. We have two dogs, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Yepa (winter princess in Native American) and a Weimaraner named Cheyenne. We plan to camp alot with them. We live in Az and are looking to get our first travel trailer. We are looking at these travel trailers and found a 1983 Sunline 21' TT on Craigslist where we live and would like to know if it is a good deal at $1200. The guy said it has no leaks and seems to be in good shape for its age. There were no pics as we are going to go look at it tomorrow. He said it has a heater, 2 new propane tanks with new gauges and new tires and brakes. Is there anything I should be looking for in this trailer when we go look at it? Should we offer less for it? He said he had no pics of it and didn't know the model offhand because it is in storage, so we will go look at it tomorrow. Does anyone have any info on this trailer? Pro's? Cons? We will be taking it on a 3000+ mile trip next month. Thank you for any and all info reguarding this camper. Have a great and safe week!

Sincerely,
Snow and Anton
__________________

__________________
EMTSnow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2010, 03:41 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Gene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,515
SUN #768
Gene is an unknown quantity at this point
Hi Snow and Anton, welcome to the SOC. I don't know much about prices but $1200 sounds good. Knowing the model would help when you find out. There others here well versed in what a good selling price would be. One thing to watch out for is soft spots in the floor and water damage.
__________________

__________________

Gene & DW Ginny
2002 Sunline T-2363
2008 Toyota 4-runner 4wd 4.7L V-8
Reese Dual Cam straightline - P3 Brake controller
Gene is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2010, 04:16 PM   #3
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Welcome Snow and Anton!

For making such a long trip, I would make sure to check the following:

- Make sure there are no leaks, even look in cabinets. They aren't just in the ceiling, they can be in walls and in the floor too. Depending on the source of the leak, water can rot it out just about anywhere.

- Ask if he has done any brake/axle work? If not, you will want to have the bearings checked/replaced and regreased before such a long trip, as well as checking out the condition of the brakes to make sure they are working correctly.

- Something to keep in mind, does it come with a weight distribution hitch? You will want one of these, but the type depends on the type of tow vehicle you have.

- Also, you might want to ask about a patio awning. It's awfully sunny in Arizona and they weren't a standard feature back then.

- Make sure to test all the appliances before you buy it, particularly the water heater (with water in it, otherwise never mind) and the refrigerator. The water heater will probably light or would just need some adjustment, but it's common for the tank to split on the bottom if it isn't winterized properly, so you really just need to water test the unit. The refrigerators are notorious for going bad, so making sure it works is critical.

- Check to see if it has air conditioning. This wasn't an option at the time, but many dealers were adding them aftermarket. Depending on the age, it might have stuff wrong with it and won't be a very strong unit if it's old. Check this too, but only if there's a place to plug it into 30 amp. If it's less, like 15, don't try it as you may do more damage than good.

I really take the lengths with a grain of salt because they can mean so many different things to people. All Sunlines are technically measured from the tip of the tongue to the bumper, NOT the box length only. If you can get a general description of the layout and a VIN (Or at least the last six, better yet the last 8 to confirm the year if you can't get the whole number), I can figure out a model for you. Get some pics of it when you go, if you can. To give you a heads up, you won't find the model listed on there anywhere, the sticker that had it is probably gone and the secondary tags didn't come until the very late '80s.

I think that is a pretty fair price for it. I wouldn't pay over $1000 for it if something like the refrigerator didn't work. The NADA values for something this old really doesn't apply much unless it's in really poor condition. But based on what the others in the age area are going for these days, this one is right about normal or slightly toward the low side. It's understandable too because Sunline was not very common out west, especially back then, so that lack of saturation in the market can create lower values.

Good luck!
Jon
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2010, 12:09 AM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3
SUN #1509
EMTSnow is an unknown quantity at this point
We just looked at that trailer this evening and here are some pics attached. It apparently had been lived in for 7 months by someone else. It has been painted, but were not sure if that was just to cover up damage. We did not see any damage at all. Said it did not leak. Underbody is rusty. Claims everything works except stove would need to be replaced as it is broken and dismantled. Seller gave us VIN number on request. ####. Any information would be greatly appreciated on this trailer. Thanks for everything so far Snow & Anton
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_1674.jpg (36.3 KB, 2 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1632.jpg (50.0 KB, 1 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1658.jpg (45.0 KB, 1 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1631.jpg (46.2 KB, 1 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1634.jpg (48.3 KB, 1 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1656.jpg (44.4 KB, 1 views)
__________________
EMTSnow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2010, 04:24 AM   #5
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Hmm,

The VIN specs this coach at 21', but the pictures don't fit any of the 21' models. It looks to me like a T-1950, not to be confused with the newer T-1950, which is very different.

The VIN confirms it is indeed a 1983.

Painting the interior is happening more and more. As long as you can't see any rippling anywhere, it would be tough to find any water damage, but hopefully if they painted, they fixed any that was there and that's why they painted was to have it all match.

It was built fairly late in the model year, so very likely in like March of 1983.

Jon
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2010, 03:01 PM   #6
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Sorry, was running late this morning and didn't have time to touch on anything besides production stuff.

While it is dirty on the outside, assuming it has no hail dents, it should clean up pretty well. A product called Awesome from just about any dollar store will clean up the siding to be a bright tan again.

Yes, the one bench and the dinette table are missing in the front. Not sure what was going on here. It wouldn't be terribly difficult to rebuild though, the most difficult/expensive part would be making a new cushion for the missing side.

The vinyl flooring looks new. This is usually a sign of water damage repair, but it certainly could have been replaced due to wear. Check under the cabinets, particularly under the one dinette bench and the rear couch to see if it has the original flooring and make sure it isn't water stained and/or missing.

I see the rear couch is missing the cushions. Originally, there would have been three cushions here. One on the bottom and two for the back, one behind the other. That platform with the legs you see there, you'd pull it out, lay all the cushions out, and then you'd have your bed. When you want to put it back in, just stack the two cushions behind and put the one on the bottom, and you're all set.

To access under the couch, the luan panel that has the legs attached is just sitting on the subframe. You should be able to just grab the panels and move them to take a look under there. You could also go in through an outside storage door, though it's harder to see that way.

I'm not sure how you mean the stove is dismantled...it looks all assembled to me. However if there is something wrong with it, replacement is an option. You are lucky to have Arizona RV Salvage right there in Phoenix, so you could probably get a new/used stove from them or even possibly get parts to repair the old one.

Arizona R.V. Salvage Inc - Used RV Parts, Refurbished RV Appliances, Generators and Motorhome, Travel Trailer, and 5th Wheel Lot

Jon
__________________

__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sunline RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:46 AM.


×