Given that the floor pack has been resized $2500 may be a fair price.
I have a 1984 FWC Keystone that is in "well used" condition. I have looked at some costs to restore it. Ask how it has been stored over its life. We bought ours used 6 years ago for $1000 and it spent most of its life outside so lots of fading and the canvas while still serviceable is near the end of its life and needs replacing as do the end panels. Our canvas is getting stiff and has repairs.
The Canvas side would run around $1800 at FWC and maybe $1500 at ATC. The fold up end panels are a few hundred each.
The canvas can last a long time if properly cared for, I have a friend with a 1985 Keystone and he has always kept it stored inside with the top up. It is still in like new condition, the canvas is still flexible and has lots of life left. Further, there are no stains from condensation and moisture trapped in the folded canvas (from storage with the top down when damp or in conditions that would allow condensation).
Examine the inside of the "canvas" at all four corners to look for staining and evidence of leaks and patching. Look at the front and rear pop up wood too. Also look behind the wood and look at the canvas there as well as the wires in the front driver side corner. Make sure there is no embrittlement of the plastic coating over the wiring or damage to the wires. The canvas and pop-up wood parts can be replaced but they are not cheap and unless you are very handy probably best done by either FWC or ATC at their shop.
These older Keystones are noticeably larger inside than the new models. However, the narrowing of the floor pack will have reduced space inside the cabinets and under the couch.
Is the refrigerator original? If so make sure all three functions are operating (110v, 12 v and Propane). Our refrigerator recently failed 12V went first then would only run on 110 and propane then it stopped cooling. Our three burner range top still works fine.
Try to assess the water holding tank. Is it new and is it still 20 gallon (narrowing the floor pack may have necessitated a new tank)? If it is original is it clean and free of mold and sediment? (Note: there is a small vertical slit in the cabinet in my camper that allows a look at the water level but you cannot see inside although a visible horizontal dark line work be a clue there is trouble). Drain water out of the holding tank and look at in after it has settled in a white bottom container.
Get on a ladder and look at the roof. Are there any repaired holes? Are the screw heads caulked? Are the seals on the screws original and crumbling or have they been replaced. Is the molding strip still in place around the edge of the pop up roof?
Of course make sure all the lights work (both 110v and 12v). Is there an older voltage converter in it? If so you will probably want to replace that.
We liked the space of our 1984 Keystone but when we got an opportunity to buy a "like new" 2009 model for about 1/2 cost of new we jumped on it. Noticeably smaller but in much better condition with a few extra goodies like electric water pump and hot water heater (our old Keystone had manual pump and no hot water). I thought about converting the old Keystone to a flatbed camper, it would be a good candidate for that, but I just don't have the time so have decided to sell it.
Hope this is of some help to you
- Craig
I have a 1984 FWC Keystone that is in "well used" condition. I have looked at some costs to restore it. Ask how it has been stored over its life. We bought ours used 6 years ago for $1000 and it spent most of its life outside so lots of fading and the canvas while still serviceable is near the end of its life and needs replacing as do the end panels. Our canvas is getting stiff and has repairs.
The Canvas side would run around $1800 at FWC and maybe $1500 at ATC. The fold up end panels are a few hundred each.
The canvas can last a long time if properly cared for, I have a friend with a 1985 Keystone and he has always kept it stored inside with the top up. It is still in like new condition, the canvas is still flexible and has lots of life left. Further, there are no stains from condensation and moisture trapped in the folded canvas (from storage with the top down when damp or in conditions that would allow condensation).
Examine the inside of the "canvas" at all four corners to look for staining and evidence of leaks and patching. Look at the front and rear pop up wood too. Also look behind the wood and look at the canvas there as well as the wires in the front driver side corner. Make sure there is no embrittlement of the plastic coating over the wiring or damage to the wires. The canvas and pop-up wood parts can be replaced but they are not cheap and unless you are very handy probably best done by either FWC or ATC at their shop.
These older Keystones are noticeably larger inside than the new models. However, the narrowing of the floor pack will have reduced space inside the cabinets and under the couch.
Is the refrigerator original? If so make sure all three functions are operating (110v, 12 v and Propane). Our refrigerator recently failed 12V went first then would only run on 110 and propane then it stopped cooling. Our three burner range top still works fine.
Try to assess the water holding tank. Is it new and is it still 20 gallon (narrowing the floor pack may have necessitated a new tank)? If it is original is it clean and free of mold and sediment? (Note: there is a small vertical slit in the cabinet in my camper that allows a look at the water level but you cannot see inside although a visible horizontal dark line work be a clue there is trouble). Drain water out of the holding tank and look at in after it has settled in a white bottom container.
Get on a ladder and look at the roof. Are there any repaired holes? Are the screw heads caulked? Are the seals on the screws original and crumbling or have they been replaced. Is the molding strip still in place around the edge of the pop up roof?
Of course make sure all the lights work (both 110v and 12v). Is there an older voltage converter in it? If so you will probably want to replace that.
We liked the space of our 1984 Keystone but when we got an opportunity to buy a "like new" 2009 model for about 1/2 cost of new we jumped on it. Noticeably smaller but in much better condition with a few extra goodies like electric water pump and hot water heater (our old Keystone had manual pump and no hot water). I thought about converting the old Keystone to a flatbed camper, it would be a good candidate for that, but I just don't have the time so have decided to sell it.
Hope this is of some help to you
- Craig
