What You Should Look for Before Buying a Vintage Camper

There’s nothing like seeing a stunning vintage RV in your travels. They’re a nod to a bygone era of simpler times when America first fell in love with the open road. And luckily, many people have gotten bit by the vintage bug and are buying old rigs to keep their legacy alive.

You may be one of those people! Or maybe you want to be one. But buying a vintage camper isn’t as easy as going down to your local RV dealer’s lot and driving away with your dream RV. No, buying a vintage camper is much more involved, even when you’re looking at recently refurbished ones.

So, what should you look for before you buy a vintage camper? Here are five things:

Water Damage

Water damage is the #1 thing to look out for when buying a vintage RV. Frankly, that applies to RVs of any age! Always check for rippling and staining on walls or in areas such as roof vents, corners where the walls meet, around the windows, in cupboards, and the closet. You’ll also want to check exterior areas prone to water leaks, including the roof and seams and around the exterior of windows.

Also, beware of interior paint jobs that simply mask water damage issues! Be sure to carefully inspect all areas commonly prone to damage, even if they’ve been painted over.

If you’re into an extreme renovation, buying a vintage camper with water damage or related problems (such as dry rot and mold) may not be an issue for you. Just know what your tolerance and skill level is for such a project before you buy anything.

Broken Axle

The last thing you want is to drive away with your vintage rig and have an axle snap. Make sure the axle, springs, and bolts are solid and not rotted or pitted.

Weak Flooring

Make sure that the flooring in your rig is solid and doesn’t have any soft spots. A weak or damaged floor could need to be replaced and replacing a floor in any RV is no easy task. Why? Because all the structures attached to the floor–including dinettes, bed frames, cabinets, etc.–will need to be removed.

Bad Smells

Sure, anything old will have some sort of mild aroma, but avoid any rigs with intense smells. These are often caused by urine, mold, and rodents. If there’s a rotting wood smell, there’s likely water damage and you’ll want to move on.

A Working Electrical System

Similar to flooring, replacing a bad electrical system in a vintage camper is an intensive job. That’s because all the walls will likely need to be removed to access the wiring. So, check all interior and exterior lights (including brake lights and turn signals) and ensure they’re in good working order.  

Purchasing a vintage camper is a big commitment, even if you find the perfect one with no major issues. Just know that maintaining an older RV can be challenging and expensive. But if you love the charm and nostalgia that a vintage rig gives you, and you would do anything to ensure that the classic RVs and campers are never forgotten, then you’re a good candidate to own one.

Have you ever purchased a vintage RV before? What did you wish you had known before buying? Let us know in the comments or contact us today!