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 > Model Specific Forums > Sunline Travel Trailers
Click Here to Login

Join Sunline Club Forums Today


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 02-11-2013, 09:10 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 11
SUN #4815
maria0425 is an unknown quantity at this point
Smile OK to Buy Sunline TT (Permanent Spot) Since Sunline Closed?

Hi All.

I am a newbie and have found this site super informative.

I am thinking of buying a 1998 Sunline travel trailer, parked in a permanent lake front site in a campground on Lake Erie in Westfield near Chautauqua, NY. (I live in the Buffalo area.) It also has a 12 X 24 add a room attached for extra space.

My question is buying a Sunline since I read that the company closed in 2006. Will that make it hard to get parts should I need replacements of anything? Are parts still available even though the company went out of business?

I am also interested in hearing from others with a permanent location and use their travel trailers for a weekend getaway near home, always in the same location.

Thanks. I appreciate any and all feedback.
__________________

__________________
maria0425 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2013, 09:57 PM   #2
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
Hi Maria,

Well, we've survived just over six years without them...

Seriously, there aren't many Sunline specific parts on these things. The biggies are exterior decals, fender skirts, cabinets, and fabric items like cushions/curtains:

- Decals, well you can live without them, but decal shops can reproduce these for a cost.
- Fender skirts, companies do recreate these and you can find similar ones too. '98 skirts are very simple and a common design, so it could be easy to replace. But if you aren't towing it and they're good now, it shouldn't be a problem.
- Cabinet parts- you can't replace a cabinet without disassembling a lot of the trailer. I doubt you could have gotten a '98 door even from Sunline in '06. A custom woodworking shop/cabinet maker should be able to match these closely if you did need a replacement. EMD_Driver has a source for these who does a BEAUTIFUL job. Long story short, he was tasked with a very special project recently and his results are simply stunning.

- Furniture: the couch and chair are both Flexsteel brand and could be replaced from them if need be, but in a similar fabric. I doubt any of the fabrics are available now, and I suspect they weren't in '06 either. They're usually only available for a couple years after production. Many people recover seats and cushions with new fabric on older trailers anyway.

If you have any questions about other parts of the trailer, let us know. Your appliances are all name brand in the industry and parts are readily available for all of them still.

One thing you may want to look into though is the refrigerator. These were recalled a couple years ago and if it hasn't moved off this site, it probably wasn't done. It's important to get it done and an RV dealer may make a service call to the site to do it.

We do have one person (Drake) on here who does have his trailer set up permanently in VA. I know about how you want to use the trailer and it's a VERY common thing all along the east coast, but it seems that many people in that situation aren't on this forum or aren't active. I think there's a ton of Sunlines set up permanently in campgrounds all around SE PA, Maryland, and the Jersey Shore.
__________________

__________________
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 02-12-2013, 11:45 AM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 11
SUN #4815
maria0425 is an unknown quantity at this point
Smile Thanks for your reply.

Sunline Fan,

Thanks so much for your thoughtful and detailed reply to my post. Feeling better about looking at a Sunline. Is there a way to get in touch with Drake to talk to him about permanently placed trailers or is it a question of him stumbling upon my post and responding? I sure would love some input from him on this particular situation I am considering.
__________________
maria0425 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2013, 01:19 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
jim44646's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,125
SUN #4040
jim44646 is an unknown quantity at this point
Top of page you will find Community, Click on it and a drop down screen will show members list. Click on it and members names will come up along with alphabet heading Click on D and all D's will show. At bottom of 1st page is a list of page #'s. Drake is on page 6 Click on his name and a a screen will appear that you can send him a personal message. Hope I made it clear enough
__________________
Jim and DW Darlene
2001 T-2553 Sunline Solaris
2006 GMC Sierra Duramax 2500HD 4X4
Firestone Transforce AT tires
Reese Dual Cam Sway Control
jim44646 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2013, 04:21 PM   #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
What Jim said, and here's a direct link:

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/pr...o=newpm&u=1340
__________________
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 02-12-2013, 07:43 PM   #6
Junior Member
 
O Canada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Alberta
Posts: 28
SUN #4035
O Canada is an unknown quantity at this point
Greetings Maria. We have a 2007 T1950 parked at a lake resort just 10 minutes from our home near Edmonton, Alberta. We've had that trailer and lake lot for just one season and are very happy with the arrangement. Our site has power and available water. We have to fill our water tank from a nearby water tap. No septic available to us as we are on the water (environmental concerns). We use a blue boy (portable waste tank on wheels) to haul the black water to a septic tank on site or we can hire the operator to bring his pump truck as required. Overall the arrangement is terrific. Allows us to use the trailer during the day and either stay over or go home. We often go for morning coffee and a canoe paddle or a evening fire. We use it in some fashion 3 to 4 days per week. We don't have a proper tow vehicle at present so this is how we will use the Sunline until we do.
__________________
O Canada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2013, 09:42 PM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 11
SUN #4815
maria0425 is an unknown quantity at this point
Smile Thanks for the replies/Questions for O Canada

Thanks for all the info. O Canada you are only 10 minutes from your house. Wow! That is really close. I would be about 70 miles from my trailer, a straight shot on the thruway. It could be a day trip, but I would be more likely to stay overnight several straight days. O Canada, you said you go to your trailer 3 or 4 nights a week. How often do you stay overnight? Do you do a lot of shlepping of clothes, food and toiletries? I guess being just 10 minutes away it would not matter if you forgot something you needed--you could just run home for it.
__________________
maria0425 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2013, 10:16 PM   #8
Junior Member
 
O Canada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Alberta
Posts: 28
SUN #4035
O Canada is an unknown quantity at this point
We leave a couple changes of clothes, toiletries and basic food in the trailer. The fridge and freezer are large enough to leave adequate perishable foods but we generally have a bag full of stuff, food or otherwise every time we go. Buy the unit and enjoy.
__________________
O Canada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2013, 01:58 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Mellow Yellow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Vermont
Posts: 845
SUN #3259
Mellow Yellow is an unknown quantity at this point
I might suggest you keep extra prescription meds and eyeglasses in your car. If you leave a few extra sets of clothes, canned food, flashlight, soaps, batteries, etc. in the trailer you should be set. You can always go out and buy things, but you cannot easily get your meds or glasses. We've been to many campgrounds where they have permanent trailers. Most seem like a little neighborhood and everyone is very friendly. So, borrowing matches or sugar is likely done all the time! One of our favorites, near Lake George, has many members who gather around a fire at someone's campsite each night, for drinks and conversation. Some friends of ours have stayed there all summer for years. Theirs is a big motor home, but they don't go anywhere but to this campground in the Spring and home in the Fall.
__________________
Tom and Debbie
2018 Dodge Ram 3500 HD w/Hemi (The Poppie Mobile)
1972 Chevy K10 Custom 4 x4 - (Mellow Yellow) Orig. owners !
2001 Sunline Solaris T-250 SR

Mellow Yellow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2013, 03:47 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
MACK C-85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,131
SUN #64
MACK C-85 is an unknown quantity at this point
My family had a trailer (first couple of years a 28' travel trailer, then a 35' park model) for about 15 years in Fenwick Island, Delaware. We were about 2 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. There were over 1000 sites in the campground and I would say better than 90% of them were seasonal.

The only thing that was significantly different than "come and go" camping was you were required to tie-down the camper. We had about three foot long auger ties and cables wrapped around the frame on the camper. The park model actually had metal "hurricane straps" built into the unit. These were strips of sheet metal approx. 1 1/2" wide that went under the siding, over the trailer and out the other side. They made special augers with a roller on them for the strapping.

We carried clothes and perishables...everthing else was left at the trailer.

Mack
__________________

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Club Cab 4x4 CTD
2007 Sunline Solaris T-276-SR: Misty Blue/Cherry
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Reg Cab 4x4 OFF-ROAD
MACK C-85 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2013, 04:07 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 186
SUN #2431
bdichristina is an unknown quantity at this point
Hi Maria and welcome.
We have learned so much from this forum. Daily reading is a part of our routine in hopes of learning something new. We have 2 Sunline trailers which have both required extensive work.
If you need any help with finding parts, let us know. We have found many resources for parts that work with the Sunline. We are also in the Buffalo area, on Grand Island, so we are not far from you.
Camping has been a great way for us to meet new people, kick back, relax, and spend quality time together. Some day we want to have a permanent site also. Keep us posted.
__________________
Bobby DiChristina
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee - "Jeep Two"
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee - "Ahyoka"
2009 Jay Feather Sport 165 - "Little Bird"
Former: '03 Super Duty, '04 Suburban, '84 Sunline T-1750, '99 Sunline T-2553, '04 Terry Quantum AX6,
bdichristina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2013, 02:38 PM   #12
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 11
SUN #4815
maria0425 is an unknown quantity at this point
Thanks all. I too am learning a lot and soaking up information like a sponge. I also make it part of my daily routine to check out this forum. This is a very friendly group and a very special place. Thanks again.
__________________
maria0425 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2013, 04:18 PM   #13
Junior Member
 
O Canada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Alberta
Posts: 28
SUN #4035
O Canada is an unknown quantity at this point
questions regarding seasonal camping

While we're on this topic, are there any special precautions or things one should do as a seasonal camper. Tire care comes to mind. Covers and maybe some rubber treatment. What about leveling jacks? Is it ok to use the levelers on the trailer long term or should I be using some stand alone type of jacks to level and to also take some weight off the tires / suspension? Thoughts or opinions please.
__________________
O Canada is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2013, 08:05 PM   #14
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
Quote:
Originally Posted by O Canada View Post
While we're on this topic, are there any special precautions or things one should do as a seasonal camper. Tire care comes to mind. Covers and maybe some rubber treatment. What about leveling jacks? Is it ok to use the levelers on the trailer long term or should I be using some stand alone type of jacks to level and to also take some weight off the tires / suspension? Thoughts or opinions please.
Depending on how long you plan to park it, I'd just cover the tires and call it a day. If you plan to leave the trailer parked for five years (or the tires are already a couple years old), I wouldn't worry much about them because they'll need to be replaced before you do any serious towing with them anyway. I'd cover them more to keep the wheels clean/from rusting than protecting the tires.

Sure, you can use leveling jacks long term. Just be aware that it's possible they'll back off just a little over time, so you may need to snug them up again. It just happens because the screw doesn't have a brake on it at all. Granted the typical scissor jacks are rated for much more than your 1950, so they probably won't unwind with that. I'd be hesitant to use blocks or something solid because you could bend the frame of the trailer.
__________________
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 02-15-2013, 07:24 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,279
SUN #1830
Jim-Bev-2363 is an unknown quantity at this point
Another solution.... Bulldog Winter Wheels
__________________

__________________
Beverly & Jim
Sebring, Florida
1991 T-2363 Solaris
Jim-Bev-2363 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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Why did you buy your Sunline TT? rrwayne Sunline Travel Trailers 30 01-30-2017 04:44 PM
Looking to Buy a Sunline Advancer 20 jason kimbrell Wanted 1 10-28-2010 07:27 PM
Sunline has closed it's plant in PA + is out of business RootyC Sunline Community 17 02-04-2007 12:49 PM
Sunline is Out of business and closed it doors? RootyC Sunline Owners Meet & Greet 3 01-26-2007 09:57 PM
sunline closed posted on rv.net rich2500 Sunline Community 17 11-15-2006 04:50 PM


» 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 03:23 AM.


×