new purchase....help!

[rayvan]

I'm going to do my full demo inspection on my 2003 Jayco Eagle 266. It came to the lot immaculate and well maintained. Any pointers to what I should especially look for in this model (or any for that fact)? I'm kinda nervous about buying a trailer this old.

[Rustic Eagle]

Rayvan,

Welcome to the Jayco forums.

There are many things to look out for, but the most expensive is to over look a water/moisture leak issue.

IMO find a safe way to get up on (or along side of) the roof and look for any rips, patching, etc., in the roofing material. If the Eagle has the Filon smooth outer finish, look for any signs of delamination (irregular rises, bubbles, etc., in the outer skin). Check for any surface irregularities under marker lights/windows. Also check for any brown stains running down from windows and/or seams (not the normal black streaks), this could be signs of moisture getting within the wall structure.

Check for "raised dimples" on the interior ceiling and wall surfaces, brown stain on counter-tops below windows, open all cabinets, pull/remove drawers, and look for any signs of moisture damage with a flashlight.

There is never a small leak, it's what's hidden that can cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Ask the dealer if there is any maintenance records with the TT.

I'm sure others will also offer other suggestions as well.

Good luck

Bob

[Terry]

First of all RayVan - Welcome to the forum! If you get a chance, come on over to the new member forum and introduce yourself.

Here is another similar post and a link to a checklist a lot of folks use --

Checklist

There are several members out there with trailers that old and they are holding up quite well because they were well maintained. Let us know how it turns out.

[PrellFamily]

Definitely check for areas of delamination in a camper that old. Wow - that'll sure get ya!

[mhenry5144]

First, a 2003 model is not very old for a quality well maintained trailer. Like others have said, 1st and foremost check for water damage...roof, walls, floor near entrances being soft and near drains for the sink and shower which ususally has an access panel. Don't pay a big price if there are ANY bubbles under the fiberglass. Also check to see if any any interior wall panels have been painted over or wallpappered over...good indications of a cover up. Shift your weight back and forth on the floor at all doors entrances and near water drain areas.
Listen for noise or burnt wire smells near the power converter and look for fogggy marker and taillights which may indicate a leak into the trailer from the holes for the wires into the lights.
Hook a water hose up to the water and look for leaks and run some water into the gray and black water tanks and look for water there too. Check for a foul smell form the toilet which would indicate improper black tank cleanout/drainage. If all these check out you will probably have a good trailer.
But first check the price on a new trailer...take the list price and multiply by
.66 and don't pay a dime more. I've found that I can buy a new trailer for slightly more than a used one and you have a warranty that way.