I need some help from "neighbors"

I'm in a tight situation with my H who is being an ultimate...something. I need to find an affordable, clean, all systems working travel trailer to live in. It's very likely that I'll lose my house because my husband is not working (he's a doctor) and the mortgage is much higher than I could ever make anywhere with a teaching contract, and definately too high as a substitute here in Hoopa. The H left in October. He will not discuss selling the house, so obviously, if the $1700 mortgage doesn't get paid, GMAC will not be happy. I've done all I can to keep current until May 1.

The property adjacent to the one the house is on is mine (ours) and paid for; it has water and septic, and has the potential for electricity to it again. There is an old, run down house I've been using for storage. I cannot just pack up and leave, because I have my dog rescue going on, as well as many, many other projects that must be properly finished before I can leave Hoopa, and I don't know where I'd go, anyway, at this point. Three of my eight dogfaces are waiting for their forever homes. I get calls every week about strays. There's a thread in the Pet Forum about some of my sweet four-leggeds, so I'm truly not just pulling at heartstrings. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/610819/

Anyway, I live too far away from anywhere to successfully look for a decent trailer for what I can afford (about $3500). There are often many listed on Craig's list, most everywhere is a minimum 3 hour drive. The help I need is to look at a potential trailer, and evaluate its condition. I know that might be a lot to ask, but I'm not sure how else to go about finding one. The junk I've seen locally is exactly that - junk, and I am not skilled in the repairs that would be needed, and certainly don't have the money to pay for repairs. Once I have a home secured, I can figure out what to do after that.

So, can anyone help? Perhaps you or someone you know might have a travel trailer around, say 22-28 feet long, that they want to sell? I have a truck with a tow system, and with some assist, could haul it (just need lessons again on how it's done, though I am a bit frightened about going over the mountain passes alone, but, I'll do what I have to do).

Hoopa is far northern CA, almost to Oregon, in the Trinity mountains. Sacramento seems to have lots of listings, but it's 5 hours away (and $3.35 per 14 miles in the truck), so a joy ride is not in the budget.

Thanks much for reading this. I know some of you Californians are familiar with all that's been going on at this end. My DG friends keeping tabs on me has made all the difference in my will to keep trying, and to continue to do the right thing, when lots of times I just want to curl up into a ball in my bed, squished up with my dogs, and go to sleep until it's all over.

Laura

Good luck, Laura. This must be a difficult dilemma for you but it looks like you have a good plan to work with.

Just a thought. Forgive me for overstepping, if I am. But, you asked for help. Did your H abandon your relationship? If yes, perhaps there is a way you can sell the house without his participation.

Again good luck finding that trailer. I'm sure there a 1000s of possible vehicles here in AZ but highly unaccessible for you!

Aguane's right, you may be able to force H to sell the house. If your name's on the title along with his then you can do a partition lawsuit which will force him to sell. I don't know any details of how exactly this works, I just know that this is something that's often suggested for situations where one owner wants to sell and the other one doesn't and they can't reach an amicable agreement one way or the other. If his name's on the mortgage too you may have some legal recourse to get him to pay his half of the mortgage, I'm not sure on that one but it seems like there ought to be a way to do that too. Also, if you haven't already talked to your lender you might try seeing if you can work something out with them on the payments. It's bad for them too if it goes to foreclosure so most lenders would rather work with you to try and find a way to keep you in your house. Sorry if you've already thought of all of this, but figured it was worth mentioning in case there was an option you didn't know about.

As far as the trailer...we have a bulletin board at work where people post things for sale, I don't think there's anything like this on there now but from time to time things come up so I'll keep my eye out for you and let you know if I see anything. And I wonder if any of the RV dealers would sell used trailers? Then you've got a little more guarantee that it's in decent shape although you'll probably pay a little more for it. Plus you can call first and find out what they have to know whether it's worth making the trip.

Thank you for the suggestions, and I appreciate all, even if they've been thought of, because a different person might have a different angle, AND, sometimes, the first thought of a thought doesn't gel well. :-) So thank you!

I know - AZ is a great source, but so far at this point! I've checked dealers, and most don't deal in older models, which is what I can afford, but also what I tend to like. :-) More character, but then, more potential problems. I saw one on craigslist in Lincoln, that sounded great, but admittedly at the time, was hoping something would straighten out. I also was a coward about driving it home, but I'll have to find the courage somewhere and just DO IT...lol
THANKS a million...truly.

Lookee here, like this one? http://slo.craigslist.org/rvs/310140545.html

It could be, but with no photos or phone, if it is a nice trailer, it's probably sold. I called about one in Lincoln on Saturday, but it sold by this morning, before photos could be exchanged.

I bought my very first trailer near SLO - actually in Cambria, stella, back in ....1984. It was a little 4x6 utility trailer that I towed behind my 1980 Ford Fiesta. One of my sidelines was to sell at the Santa Cruz Flea market - "Leave the Flea to Me"- with the trailer I was able to take a lot. :-) I sold other people's stuff on consignment about once a month. Great fun. Lots of stories. That little trailer went a long way with me.

Thank you!

4paws:
Pulling a less-than-30' trailer with a powerful-enough vehicle is not hard. Really. As far as mountains, the rule I learned was, shift into the same gear going down as it took to get you up. That does assume that the climb and the descent are about the same steepness, but if they're not, you can still use as a basis for shifting, once you have the slightest experience: you can estimate that, Yes, if I were *climbing* this, I would have to shift now.

Have you been checking the Medford craigslist? (maybe that was you on Tuesday... "wanted"?) They have so many RVs they have a separate section:
http://medford.craigslist.org/rvs/

Or maybe all major areas have that section... I don't actually follow any Craigslists.

Hey, you'll do fine! Having the lot-next-door paid for is a pretty good safety net, even if you do live hours from available trailers... and who knows, now you've got your feelers out, the right one may become available much closer!

~'spin!~

:-)
Thank you for the tip and encouragement.
I shift when I drive not towing, so it should be easy to remember. Just all that length....

I've been hearing Medford's the place to go for the best price on trailers, and I like going up there. Plus, it's only one gigantic "hill" and a quiet, curvy one. (plus, the garden ladies at Lowe's and I get along fabulously; I help them mark down "sad" plants...lol)

Plus, stellapathic went through a short addiction looking for me on craig's list. She found the perfect one, in fact, but it sold within 24 hours. :-(