Pre-Purchase Inspection

Squamish · 08-20-2016, 04:26 PM

I've been looking for the last 2 years, waiting for the right Fun Finder to come up. I've finally found a 2008 X 189FBR that is in the budget.

Anything in particular I should be looking for when I do the pre purchase inspection? Any known issues with this model?

Thanks

runner421 · 08-21-2016, 10:48 AM

Ask if you can walk on the roof-carefully. If any shoddy roof repairs were covered with a new roof membrane - well, you might find them.
A/C - run for a while to make sure it's cooling. Call and ask them to have the fridge/freezer cold. At least it will work on shore power. You could then switch to propane to hear the pilot light ignite. Same with water heater-hot on shore power, then switch to gas to hear the burner ignite. Make sure the water pump works as well as the heater. Test the break-away switch. Test outlets.
Known issues? Not aware of any-expect owners that complain they got a "bad" one and are looking to unload it. With a 2008-I'm guessing they worked through any issues. . .

Chirpz · 08-21-2016, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squamish

I've been looking for the last 2 years, waiting for the right Fun Finder to come up. I've finally found a 2008 X 189FBR that is in the budget.

Anything in particular I should be looking for when I do the pre purchase inspection? Any known issues with this model?

Thanks

Crawl under and look for excessive rust. On the outside look for delamination (bubbles) in the skin.

PieGuy · 08-21-2016, 03:43 PM

Fill up gray and black water tanks and look for leaks.
From under the trailer poke the floor and look for soft spots especially around the edges.
Look at the date code on the tires and odd tire ware.

John_C · 08-21-2016, 07:05 PM

Hi Squamish and welcome to the Forum...

We all were first buyers once and hoped we made the right decision...

If I can suggest, first ensure the trailer fits your needs, wants, and your Tow Vehicle's tow limits...

Try to get the Trailer's "Build Book" with the trailer; this a compilation of manuals for all appliances, radios, TV's, Converter, heater, AC, TV Antenna, including running gear, etc. It should also include all the trailer specs and manufacturers included options.

In addition to what others have posted, here is a great site to look at:
Changing Gears has several links to look at:
RV Checklists

and once there, check out the link: RV Inspection Checklist... Checklist for inspecting new and used recreational vehicles, also known as the pre-delivery inspection (PDI).

I also included the Changing Gears linked document. The list from Changing Gears is quite comprehensive and there may be check-points that are not applicable to the trailer you are looking at.

Remember as you go through the checklist and your prospective trailer ... you are buying used and will more than likely find things are damaged and things that you find in need of repair... these should all affect what you pay for the trailer.

Necessary repairs can add up to more than the trailers worth, be very sure before you buy. DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH THE TRAILER BEFORE YOU BUY....

Good luck and if you are not real familiar with trailers, it will be in your best interest to take someone with that is and let him or her go over the checklist with you ....

Michigantraveler · 08-21-2016, 07:43 PM

We have the same year and model. We bought it used last January. We bought it knowing the roof had been patched over the driver's side bedroom window. The patch looked good and solid and there are no soft spots showing. We received the repair paperwork with the trailer and they said they thought it occurred because of a manufacturing defect and they repaired it as a courtesy. We are the second owner. However, we camped in it several times in the spring and early summer and have noticed some bubbling occurring on the front cap. We are not sure what is causing this. We assume it is delamination. There is a seam. But it appears solid. Paul inspected it pretty thoroughly when he installed our Fantastic Fan. There are no indications of any leaking inside. We leave tomorrow for another short trip to the Upper Peninsula. Other than that we have experienced no problems with anything in the trailer at all.

Mortiscons · 08-28-2016, 10:46 AM

Let us know how it goes. We live on Galiano Island and are going to Richmond tomorrow to look at a FF-160. We are newbies like you. Mortiscons

Michigantraveler · 08-28-2016, 11:50 AM

Did you look at it yet? What did you decide?

jbfunfinder · 08-29-2016, 04:09 PM

Our previous FF was a 2006 X189FD. We sold it and bought our current 2012 X-189FBS mainly because of the slide out but also because of the improved roof design. If you look carefully at most newer travel trailer brands on the market (including FF since around 2012), you will notice that nearly all now have crowned roofs. I read enough bad stories about pooling water on flat roof models that I decided to buy one with a crowned roof...and we live in dry Southern California. Ours was a sway-back as an old horse possibly due to A/C weight, but more likely due to Cruiser's poor construction. If you decide to buy a model with a flat roof, follow the advice of many on this forum: Check your roof regularly for potential leaks and store the TT with the roof at an angle so water runs off.

Michigantraveler · 08-29-2016, 05:09 PM

Our 2008 189FBR does have the flat roof. But Paul installed our new Fantastic vent and said there is no problem with the air conditioner or any other problems with the roof. We did run into someone with a longer FF who did say that their airconditioner seemed to have sunk down and caused water to pool there. Not good. I think it was a 2007.