I found a Casita. . .

[Cudedog]

I have found a Casita on Craigslist set up the way I would like at a price I can afford. The unit is about ten years old.

I plan to go to take a look at it on Tuesday or Wednesday, it is in a city about three hours from me.

Before I go, I will need to have a hitch and wiring put on my van.

Since I am not sure what to look for, and what to ask, I would appreciate some help and suggestions on this.

Also. . . I'm not sure how to, um, "complete the sale". Since I don't want to end up dead , I will not bring $$ with me, but will need to set something up to pay for it there, should I decide to bring it home.

I know that a few of you have been down this road before in either buying or selling your unit. I also remember that this kind of thing has been discussed here before, but I don't remember - exactly - what the procedure is.

I am quite excited!

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

I have pretty much decided to go with a trailer, rather than with a used motor home of some sort. The reason for this is that I bought my van new, have carefully maintained it, so I know that it is in excellent mechanical shape. Also my van, a V-8 and a 3/4 ton cargo van, should be able to pull this trailer without breaking a sweat.

Anne

[Cudedog]

Well, nevermind.

Within the last 15 minutes I received an email from the "seller" asking me to telephone or text with further questions (sounded very promising!), instead I emailed back my questions (don't like to give out my phone number via text or call-back, to strangers).

I asked several questions about the unit, said that I could come to take a look at it on Tuesday or Wednesday, asked where (the city, not the specific address) the unit was located.

I then posted my above post to the forum.

Within five minutes received an email that the "seller" had - suddenly and mysteriously - decided not to sell, thank you for your interest, yada yada yada. Went to look and the posting had been removed from CraigsList. The photos of the unit were pretty bad, the price for this 2007 Casita was $10,500 (low end for a Casita, but not unheard of).

If it walks like a scam, and talks like a scam, and smells like a scam - it is probably a scam.

Oh well! Back to the drawing board!

Anne

[Bethers]

Dang!

[bluepinecones]

Sorry that one didn't work out for you but know you will eventually find one.

[Cudedog]

Sorry that one didn't work out for you but know you will eventually find one.

Thanks!

I think I am really (and finally!) serious about finding a Casita. The clock is ticking, and it is time for me to do some things - if I am ever going to do them.

I want to take some extended trips this summer (and am already planning them out), and although my van is up to the task if need be (went on a 12-day trip last August in my van - I know not a "Big Deal" to many of you here, but it was the longest trip ever for me. And I had a blast!).

I just feel that I would be more comfortable with a place to bathe in a pinch (when campgrounds don't have showers), and an indoor area for cooking (away from flying and stinging insects). Although I managed both bathing and cooking with the van last summer - so am still planning this summer's trips - I think long trips would just be more comfortable with a trailer I can stand up in.

Also, my daughter and her husband like to camp, but not so much sleeping on the ground. If I had the Casita and we went camping together (have done so in the past), they could sleep comfy in the Casita, and I could sleep comfy in my "spare room" - my van!

Anne

[JudyJB]

Sounds like a good trailer for you--small and easy to tow. Casitas are a little small for very long trips, but you can use your van for storing things you need on longer trips.

ANd there is always the "Consider three rainy days in a row where you have to stay inside." You will be a lot more comfortable in a Casita than in the van. Hope you find a good one.

[BarbaraRose]

I also like those little trailers. Just a perfect size for one person and/or short trips. Good luck on your search!

[Joan]

Not sure what floor plan you are looking for but below is a link to a fiberglass for sale website. You may already have the link but though I would send it anyway.

https://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/cas ... s-for-sale

[SoCalGalcas]

Hey Anne, I am very happy with your decision to buy a small trailer to hook to your van!!! I remember we talked of this at Eagle Lake! I am so happy with my little units I figure you will be too!!! Keep us in the loop! lyn

[Cudedog]

Thanks, Joan!

I'm keeping my eye on that website.

Hey Anne, I am very happy with your decision to buy a small trailer to hook to your van!!! I remember we talked of this at Eagle Lake! I am so happy with my little units I figure you will be too!!! Keep us in the loop! lyn

Lyn, yes we talked about this at the Eagle Lake GTG. It was a fun time there. I really like the smaller, more simple units.

What make is your unit? I know we talked about this too, and you told me, but I have forgotten. I decided to broaden my search a bit, thinking that the fiberglass Casita's are probably more expensive than a more conventional unit because they are more "specialized", being fiberglass. Although one really can't compare apples to oranges, it does not seem at first glance that a Casita is that much more expensive than a stick-built trailer. Casita's seem right in the ballpark - and I personally prefer the way that the molded fiberglass trailers are made.

Unfortunately, Casita's are few and far between here in California. I found one that - might - fit the bill on the Salt Lake City Craig's List. In the heat of the moment I considered jumping into my van to make the two-day drive to Salt Lake to take a look. Then reality thinking set back in. For example, one can never tell - for sure - what a unit is going to be like (unless buying new, of course) without seeing it in person (no matter the owner's wonderful words, or the posted photos). Or if it might get sold while I was driving there. I would hate to make a four-day round trip to look at a trailer and find it to be junk - or to be no longer there at all.

So I guess I will just need to wait until one comes up for sale here in northern California. They do, every so often.

One thing that is rather bothersome that I have often discovered when looking at used Casita's, is that people seem to feel free to make their own interior "modificaitons" to the unit.

This generally entails cutting a hole (or multiple holes - both large and small) in the interior fiberglass walls in order to install a something-or-other (maybe like a big stereo).

What people don't seem to understand is that the Casita is of "monocoque" construction. A Casita is not built on a wooden frame (as is a stick-built trailer) but rather the fiberglass body itself acts as the frame. When one goes cutting holes in the fiberglass, it can seriously weaken the structure of the trailer, especially over time as the trailer bounces down the road. Kind of like peeling back the "skin" of a stick-built trailer, and taking out a piece or two of the wooden frame.

Not good. Can definitely lead to cracking of the fiberglass, and possibly even failure.

Still on the hunt! Thanks!

Anne

[JudyJB]

I don't know anything about them, but Scamp is another brand of molded fiberglass trailers. I also see a lot of Rpod trailers, and they look really cute and about the right size for you.

And I agree that people should not be cutting anything but extremely small holes for something like wiring.

I know Lyn really liked her unit because it had a permanent bed. You've had enough experience now that you know what you want in a trailer--able to stand up, etc.

[Cudedog]

I don't know anything about them, but Scamp is another brand of molded fiberglass trailers. I also see a lot of Rpod trailers, and they look really cute and about the right size for you.

And I agree that people should not be cutting anything but extremely small holes for something like wiring.

I know Lyn really liked her unit because it had a permanent bed. You've had enough experience now that you know what you want in a trailer--able to stand up, etc.

Thanks, Judy.

Have also been looking at the Scamps, but (again) not too many in my area. And the smaller ones don't come with the same amenities that the Casita does - and the pricing is similar. The Casita I am interested in (Spirit Deluxe) has a dinette and a place for a permanent bed. Also wet bath.

Thanks for the suggestion about the RPod. Checked into them, they are a bit larger than the Casita, and priced quite a bit higher. Do you remember the make of Lyn's trailer?

Hey Sue! What make is your new trailer?

Heh. Might just as well consider them all.

My requirements are pretty basic: just a bit of room to be able to stand up and turn around, a private place to bathe, and a place to cook my food without having to do constant battle with flying insects (yellow jackets are the worst).

Although I very much enjoyed the Eagle Lake GTG, Eagle Lake was difficult for me because there were no showers. Each night I was there I would sneak into the rest room with my basin after dark to take a quick (very quick!) sponge bath/hair wash in the sink (using my basin).

I have a skin thing that pretty much makes it so I itch all of the time. During the day I can mostly ignore it as I busily go about my day - but at bedtime when I am trying to relax to go to sleep it can get bothersome. Bathing stops the itching long enough for me to fall asleep. No bathing pretty much means no sleeping.

Thanks.

Anne

[JudyJB]

Ann, you should have said something. You could have easily taken a shower in my rig. Next time, say something.

[monik7]

Anne, I think Lyn’s trailer is made by Lance. Good luck on your search. You’ll be surprised one day when you happen across “the perfect one.”
Sandi

[Bethers]

I'm not positive, but the layout on this one looks like Lyn's Lance to me.
https://www.rvt.com/Lance-1475-2017-El- ... 4-UX117790