MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum

General => Introductions => Topic started by: Leglessbear on August 10, 2013, 10:38:27 PM

Title: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Leglessbear on August 10, 2013, 10:38:27 PM
Howdy
We are looking to get a CT and had settled on a 2nd hand Australian made. Most that e have seen are are ex hire. Ant thoughts
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Tjupurula on August 11, 2013, 12:44:45 AM
Hi LeglessBea
Welcome to what I think of as the wonderful MySwag family.  Friendly people and great advice.
Regards
Tjupurula
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: muzza01 on August 11, 2013, 06:11:25 AM
Welcome to MySwag. I guess if the CT is in good condition it doesn't really matter. What area do you live. Have you tried a search on Gumtree?
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: sol on August 11, 2013, 06:54:15 AM
G'day Leglessbea and welcome.
Good user name by the way :cup:

       :cheers:
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Garfish on August 11, 2013, 07:00:20 AM
Welcome.   Nothing wrong with that, just check it out and the condition is all that matters, they could be in worse condition from private owners,   All that matters is
1 condition
2 the price and does it reflect condition

I was laughed at when I used to hunt down hire cars to buy,  but the price reflected the misnomer but they still had factory warranty and low km,
Title: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Brumbypt on August 11, 2013, 07:12:53 AM
I guess that you cant really over rev or do donnuts etc eith a hire camper trailer.

Things to look out for is excess wear in the canvas, as in they may have been too rough in putting up the tent part. Or may not have even put it away properly.
One would hope that the hire company inspected the canvas after every hire and packed it correctly.

They may have even over loaded the trailer so the springs might be sagged or over stressed, check the axle is straight by using a straight edge or spirit level..

You may have to replace the wheel bearings and shackles and bushes. They are all fairly cheap but if you cant do it yourself then factor in a few hundred $$$.. By bargaining them down by that.

Otherwise anywhere thats can be used as storage then there may be excessive marks and scratches.. Look at those places you mayhave to repaint those areas or new timber etc etc..

The wiring may have been abused so may need to rewire, change lights..
All fittings like stoves taps etc would have had excessive use so may not last as long.

Thats a start..

Then again, all the above could be a fault in privately owned campers too, especially if they have done big trips around aust etc.

So check it over, check out A few campers to get an idea of what to look for And look at.u might find an ex hire trailer in better condition than a camper thats been around aust. Or other privately own campers..

Ya just gotta get em checked over thoughoughly so wear old clothes so you can lie under neath them..

Welcome to the group




Tapa talker
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Leglessbear on August 11, 2013, 09:16:50 AM
Thanks all.

That helps a bit. How do you check the canvass. I mean other than looking at it what are the signs to look for.
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: SteveandViv on August 11, 2013, 11:23:47 AM
We did and it's now done 80K all over the place.
Title: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Brumbypt on August 11, 2013, 11:53:51 AM
Well just look for fraying and discolouring of the canvas.

So set it up, well get them to set it up if its not already.

Look at the canvas like u are looking for a tic on ya dog.. Every little section.

Joints, poles, pole holes,

Mattress, u may wanna throw it out anyway.




Tapa talker
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Bird on August 11, 2013, 08:55:43 PM
Quote from: Leglessbear
We are looking to get a CT and had settled on a 2nd hand Australian made. Most that e have seen are are ex hire. Ant thoughts

Look in the trader section here... no ex hire units there..
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Rob C on August 12, 2013, 07:08:57 AM
Welcome Leglessbear,

Good luck with your search, if in doubt there will be someone on this site that can help you.

Rob
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: GeeTee on August 13, 2013, 06:55:39 PM
I reckon that would be a great idea. Unlike a car, there's really only two moving bits to worry about - the wheel bearings

Just make sure everything else is up to your expectations - condition of canvas and zips, stove working, all power circuits working...?
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Ozki on August 15, 2013, 07:23:34 PM
Hi and Welcome ,

If you are worried about the canvas , the easy way to tell if you can see through it , it most likely no good but you can re water proof it and add a tropical roof to help , depending on brand of hire trailer some of them take really really good care of there units.

Cheers
Warren
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Leglessbear on October 11, 2013, 09:38:36 AM
Thanks all
Finally hit the bullet a month ago and got a second hand follow me camper.

It's a beaut and the folks form follow me a great to deal with and don't laugh too much at some of the questions I ask.
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Steinzy on October 13, 2013, 10:25:29 PM
Hello & welcome...congrats on your purchase. What did you end up getting?
Title: Re: Buying a 2nd hand ex hire- make sense or crazy?
Post by: Leglessbear on October 15, 2013, 09:23:37 AM
A Followme Camper
http://followmecampers.com.au/

They are made here in WA

I got a second hand Franklin