Saturn Newbie...

ScottK · 02-22-2008, 11:11 AM

We've been wanting to get a TT for a couple years now and finally made the move. I've wanted to get an Airstream or a fiberglass "egg type" trailer, but they are both just so expensive, we couldn't justify it. When we found this little 1988 Sunline Saturn T1550 with all the features we had hoped to find in a camper we bought it! It's very clean and in excellent condition. We paid $3500 and I go back and forth as to whether or not we paid too much, but I guess I shouldn't even worry about it because it isn't going back now! We are very excited for some dry and more comfortable adventures this summer. We have always traveled in the summer and just tent camped, but I guess we are getting "soft." I figure I've paid my dues "roughing it."

I appreciate this resource, as I have already found a good deal of useful information on this site. I especially like the brochure for our camper I found here.

I ran into my first problem a couple days after I got it home. We must have caught a rock in the gray water tank , because I found a ~2"x3" hole in it that wasn't there when we bought it. Dang! I have some questions about possible solutions but I will bring that up in a separate post which can be found here. http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...?p=11336#11336

Enjoy the pictures!

Poppy & Nana · 02-22-2008, 11:43 AM

Let me be the first to say "Welcome ScottK"!

You have come to the right forum to get straightforward honest answers......I'm sure someone will be answering you soon as to repair of your tank.

In the meantime, welcome to "our world"!

kanyonkitty · 02-22-2008, 01:59 PM

HI Scott,

Welcome to the group and wonderful world of Sunline ownership. As for the price you paid, well, my best frined sold his 1982 1550 for 3K, so I'd say you did pretty good. It looks good except missing the door stripes, which is quite common on those krinkle-textured doors. "IF" your wanting to re-stripe the door, clean it well, th tape it really really well (push the tape on good so it seals into the humps & bumps) and get some dupla-color auto paint from say Waly Mart and re-apply your stripes, and this way they WILL stay on. OH, make sue you put some newspaper on the other areas to prevent from getting overspray on the trailer.

Once again WELCOME ABOARD,

Kitty

ScottK · 02-22-2008, 02:44 PM

Kitty, thanks or the paint ideas for the door. It is kind of ugly. One nice selling point for us was that the camper only could use some "cosmetic updates." (and now a new holding tank)

I thought about buying some "restoration project campers" but I thought better of it. This way, I can tinker with this and that, without having a huge can of worms on my hands. And, most importantly, we can USE IT right now! Well...we can use it in a couple months when the earth un-thaws in Minnesota, anyway.

Al in PA · 02-22-2008, 05:55 PM

Scott:

Welcome. You found a very nice 1550. Our first Sunline was the same model except it was an '85. Fortunately, yours came with an air conditioner. I'm sure you will enjoy not having to rough it anymore.

indianasunny · 04-01-2008, 08:23 AM

We just bought a 1987 TT...same model as yours. Actually ours looks almost identical to yours. We are having a portion of our floor replaced because of water damage from a window air-conditioner..or at least that is what the previous owner said caused it. As soon as we get it back I will try to take some pictures and post them.

ScottK · 04-01-2008, 09:26 AM

Very Cool! Nice find!

I'd love to see the pictures when you get them! I'm also curious if you paid more or less than me (I paid $3500) and if your's is in better or worse condition?

indianasunny · 04-01-2008, 09:55 AM

We paid $1,500 and the floor repair is supposed to be $400 or less so I think we got a good deal. Everything inside looks good and the outside just needs a good wash job. I guess we really won't know until we use it a couple of times....lol.

ScottK · 04-01-2008, 10:29 AM

Oh yah that sounds like a good deal! Like you said it takes a while to figure out what it needs, but it still sounds good to me. Congrats!

indianasunny · 05-07-2008, 08:02 AM

We got our Sunline back from the floor repair ($300.00). Here are some pics.

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ScottK · 05-07-2008, 09:32 AM

Thanks for the pictures - it looks very nice! That was a heck of a deal.

Scott

kathyh · 05-07-2008, 01:51 PM

Scott and IndianaSunny,

We had a 1988 Satellite very similar to your Saturns. One thing that we did that was very useful was to extend the floor of the bunk beds by adding in another piece of wood where the door panel is hinged on. This greatly increased the storage capacity of the bunks if they were not needed for sleeping. With the pantry on the bathroom door and the larger bunk storage, our trailer had loads of storage for an 18.5 foot trailer.

KathyH

kathyh · 05-07-2008, 01:52 PM

Scott and IndianaSunny,

We had a 1988 Satellite very similar to your Saturns. One thing that we did that was very useful was to extend the floor of the bunk beds by adding in another piece of wood where the door panel is hinged on. This greatly increased the storage capacity of the bunks if they were not needed for sleeping. With the pantry on the bathroom door and the larger bunk storage, our trailer had loads of storage for an 18.5 foot trailer.

KathyH

indianasunny · 05-08-2008, 06:44 AM

We haven't got to take ours out yet, but we are ready. We have been tent camping in the past and I think I am really going to enjoy this little camper.

Honda03842 · 05-08-2008, 11:38 AM

We have a 1982 Sunline 15.5 SB and have modified it for two for our two month trip to Labrador, adding a lot of storage space. It can be seen at the site below. It's located under the file section of this site or you can just load the following into your browser.

http://www.sunlineclub.com/docs/ExploringSunlite.pdf

One of the best things we did, not shown on above is to add a bathroom extension by creating a circular curtain that extends from the open bathroom door, providing a private dry off/dressing spot.

Good travels,

Norm Milliard
1982 Sunline 15.5 SB
2004 Honda CRV

indianasunny · 05-08-2008, 12:36 PM

Norm, I checked out your link and found it very interesting - full of ideas. I wish my husband was creative and handy as you are. We haven't had the chance to completely check out everything on our trailer yet, but if I ever have any questions I think that you would probably be able to help. Again, I enjoyed your link.

nivasispath · 08-27-2012, 01:49 PM

Cruising through this old topic, I found pictures of my 'new to me' T1550. Mine doesn't have awning or the stone protector (any ideas where I could find to fit mine?) I just love these small Tag-a-longs!