I need HELP

Ffemtp613 · 07-25-2017, 02:25 PM

I am looking at a Cougar 333MKS trailer.

It has a prior salvage title from water damage.

the only damage I can see is where water got into the under belly passthrough storage area. no water marks in the bottom of the cabinets and the vinyl floor is solid throughout.

It is an incredible deal, but with a prior salvage title, I just need to know what your thoughts are.

Would you buy this unit?

Do you think I would have a hard time selling it down the road?

Thanks for your help.

John

notanlines · 07-25-2017, 02:41 PM

Keep this in mind: You are looking for a VERY good deal. The persons trying to sell it to you MUST take all the loss, NOT you. Have I made this clear? It bears the status of damaged goods at this point. Don't let a few thousand make you think this is a good deal.
http://www.dmv.org/ks-kansas/salvaged-vehicles.php
http://www.dmv.org/mo-missouri/salvaged-vehicles.php

These two sites may help you just a little on how to deal with things.

redmaxx · 07-25-2017, 02:43 PM

Without knowing year model and price... A few things come to mind.
The leak that caused the salvage title., has been fixed? Can someone point out to you where the leak was, so you can verify this fix.
In your area, how are the camper sales, in the event you want to unload the camper down the road.... In my area camper sales have been booming for many years. '' deals'' around here, especially salvage deals do not last long.

Ffemtp613 · 07-25-2017, 02:50 PM

2016

The water damage was from a flash flood

Tbos · 07-25-2017, 03:38 PM

I hope it turns out to be a great deal for you. I'd have them pull the coroplast down so you can see the underside. Pull the drums and inspect the bearings and brakes. Be prepared for electrical issues if the water got high enough to reach any of the light fixtures. My other concern would be the front and rear caps. They often are not bonded and water intrusion from the bottom may have caused or may cause mold and rot in the insulation in those areas. Let us know what you decide.

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Ffemtp613 · 07-25-2017, 04:12 PM

So buying with a salvage title would not bother you as long as everything checks out?

spicercars · 07-25-2017, 04:25 PM

First of all the salvage title means that the camper was totaled by the insurance company. That means the repair bill was more than 75 percent of the value. There is a lot that you cant see in an rv. Wood swells when it gets wet so there is a lot of damage that is not visible. Not worth it unless it is really cheap. Also remember if you purchase it is hard to finance if you need to and the insurance payoff if there is a second claim would be much less then the first because of the salvage title. Sounds to me like the owner bought it back from the insurance company and is trying to flip it and make some money.

Tbos · 07-25-2017, 04:30 PM

Are there any pictures of it when it was in the water or what the damage was from the water? I'd have to see everything and tear it all down before I committed to it.

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**sourdough** · 07-25-2017, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbos

Are there any pictures of it when it was in the water or what the damage was from the water? I'd have to see everything and tear it all down before I committed to it.

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I'm pretty much with Tbos. If the insurance company totaled it, what exactly were the problems? There had to be more than a little water damage in the passthrough. Dropping the coroplast would be the first place I started then go from there.

ctbruce · 07-25-2017, 04:59 PM

A little more information may help. What year is the trailer? Is an individual or a dealer selling it? How long was it in the water and what steps did the previous owner take to dry it out and get it out of the weather? Have you seen the lights, radio, AC, WH, fans, etc work? Water pump too. Just some things to wonder about and check off besides just how the outside looks.

the sodfather · 07-25-2017, 05:04 PM

Me, I would pass. I was tempted the same as you at one time to buy a beautiful "salvage" titled RV. After a very through inspection, (the guy was not fond of me bringing and "RV guy") we chose to pass.

JimQ · 07-25-2017, 05:13 PM

I'm with Sodfather. Pass on it. You asked about resale. With a salvage title, you will not make up the money you think you will be saving. Whatever you think your saving in dollars, will be negated in major headaches. It was declared a total loss for a reason. Just my opinion. Good Luck with your decision.

jonnyaiks · 07-25-2017, 06:49 PM

If there's any way to see the repair estimate that the insurance co saw, it might help you decide what you can handle ... although I have no idea what incentive the seller would have to provide it, if it was ever shared with them in the first place.

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Ffemtp613 · 07-25-2017, 08:32 PM

This is a 2016 cougar 333 MKS.

It was on an RV lot in Southern California.. they had flash flooding. The water line appears to me to be below the floor decking and below any electrical wiring. There is evidence of water getting into the through storage compartment and in the area where the grey and black water levers are.

I did not see any water spots inside the unit.

The unit would cost around 25K.

I have financing for it for a bank.

I'm not sure this information helps but it's all I know about it

brenkco · 07-25-2017, 08:51 PM

Salvaged title means the insurance company determined the repair costs exceeded the value of the trailer. They paid the full ACV (actual cash value). If repair costs were less than the acv, it wouldn't have been salavaged.

The big unknown is the extent and quality of the repairs that was done. It's a huge risk that I, for one, would never take. JIMHO

Ken

jonnyaiks · 07-26-2017, 04:28 AM

If there isn't much apparent damage and it was written-off, I would guess there is frame and/or pervasive electrical damage from the flash flood. My shaky math tells me their asking price is near or above what a 2016 of that model would get at a dealer used vehicle auction if it wasn't a salvage. IMHO, I don't think it's a good deal at all.

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notanlines · 07-26-2017, 04:48 AM

2018 2016 cougar 333 MKS's are all over the country for 45K so I believe if it could be had for 20K that would give you some breathing room. 25K is just too much.

**chuckster57** · 07-26-2017, 04:59 AM

How good are you at repairs? Might be a good deal, but don't count on making ANY money when/if you sell it, You probably won't be able to trade it in

Ffemtp613 · 07-26-2017, 05:12 AM

I want to thank everyone who replied.

It's a pass.

bsmith0404 · 07-26-2017, 07:56 PM

As for the salvage title, yes it is a concern. As already mentioned, insurance companies typically don't like to pay as much, banks may not loan, and buyers will be skeptical. So yes, it is a concern and is worth much less than one without a salvage title. Maybe in the area of 50% less.

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