here goes nothin

**californium98** · 02-26-2013, 01:56 PM

Hi my name is Sara and I need to figure out how to become a super crapper , oops scrapper, within a mater of a couple weeks. I have an Rv and its a strong possibilty it wont run when i return to it after a year and a half of it sitting under a tarp outside of detroit. i may have to scrap it. I figure im in michigan, 10 cents a bottle man, im in the money, im dancin, im making big plans, BIG PLANS! Turns out no scrap yard in michigan wants it, sept one, and they want to gimme 200 if i take the gas tank off myself. It is a class C motor home (1980 Ford Midas 18 ft) SO whoda thunk, new plan les get it. I havent been able to get anything more then vauge information about going about doing this but ive learned this much

1) Its a pain in the ass, scrap yards arent gunna let me roll up with the rv and roll out with cash
2) Some things are mandatory to remove, others are optional but if removed will make you more money (though the amount i will get in the best case scenario has yet to be determined, im told maybe 800)
3) Im told that there are (in michigan atleast? ) ships that come from china to pick up scrap metal. The price of scrap goes down when those ships get filled up, and they might be fillin up by the end of march.

What i dont know..besides most things
1) what exactly i need to remove to just get rid of it and is $200 reasonable
2) what i need to do in order to get max doolars and how much should i safely expect if all goes swimmingly
3) what tools are required
4) if the stuff about the ships from china is a bunch of malarky
5) How long should it take me
6) If my friend and I who are classy 23 year old ladies can do this with out the help of any strong..sane..people..( because i dont have any of those, or any money.. maybe $100..or any tools..il iron that out thru what friends i have at and retool best i can though.. heh)

I do not mind smashing things, using power tools that i will probly hurt myself with, getting frustrated or failing and spending all daylight hours doing as such. i have mild experience from an apprenticeship in changing oil, tires,a few break pads, trying to learn yada and yada, whatever that counts for. I have faith my friend and i can do this, just no one else really does, we dont wanna put anyone out, and need to minimize the damage we might cause to others (kind people who have kept it on their property for us) if we dont do as well as we plan to.

**freonjoe** · 02-26-2013, 02:00 PM

I think a better route would be to put it on CL for 600.00 or best offer and save yourself a lot of headaches.

**californium98** · 02-26-2013, 02:07 PM

for sure, its up, i wanna have my options down incase it doesnt pan out. CL leaves me hangin a lot

**Wolfwerx** · 02-26-2013, 02:09 PM

If all you're going to get is $200 from the local scrapyard (that sounds really low, by the way) then I'd take a stab at listing it on Craigslist.

Not all scrapyards are the same. For example, my yard would take it as-is if it were running... meaning I could drive it on the scale and walk away to the tune of $225 a ton, currently (I think). If it's not running, all they require is a big hole in the gas tank.

Good luck.

**californium98** · 02-26-2013, 02:12 PM

the thing is im sort of running out of time. i gotta about a month to handle this situation in whatever way, cant trust CL to get the job done by then

**californium98** · 02-26-2013, 02:16 PM

oh ok intresting, whats the whole for what do i use to make a hole in it you figure?

**JohnM** · 02-26-2013, 02:39 PM

Have you tried contacting one of the many junk car buyers in Michigan (you're already on craigslist anyway)? It seems like your price expectation is low enough to make this a very easy sell..

Edit: I'm no expert, but I believe the hole is so they know the tank will not explode.

**Mechanic688** · 02-26-2013, 02:58 PM

Or maybe one of the scrappers from the forum here could offer a fair price and drag it away, we have a few from the Detroit area.
An 80's model, could be any of the 3 chassis, Ford, Chevy, or Dodge.

**californium98** · 02-26-2013, 03:03 PM

ha well its not like theres a gas cap on it anyway, i guess theyd know theres no gas in it with a hole in the bottom though.and yeah ive tryed em

**californium98** · 02-26-2013, 03:06 PM

id def consider that, its a ford. il post in the michigan forum

**jghilino** · 02-26-2013, 03:23 PM

The yards here in kansas city buy running vehicles, drive it up on the scale and walk away with a check.

Theres tons of old semis and trailers and cars parked in the front of the yard every time i go, i think thy just save them till the pile gets low, then they process them.

**Sprocket** · 02-26-2013, 03:25 PM

Two question....

1. It does or does not run?

2. Which Yards did you contact? or did you contact Junk Yards? there is a difference.

Detroit is a little out of my area that I go to for scrap or I would gladly help ya out.

James

**californium98** · 02-26-2013, 03:39 PM

1) i wont know till i get there, and will have 2-4 weeks to get it off this persons property after that point

2)i googled w my area :auto salvage, metal recycling, scrap yards called all the numbers that came up

im sorry im clueless, thnx for responses btw

**Sprocket** · 02-26-2013, 03:55 PM

Well the first thing you need to find out is if it rolls. If it rolls and all the tires hold air, then you are one step in the right direction.

**californium98** · 02-26-2013, 04:31 PM

haha not a bad point

**Mick** · 02-26-2013, 04:36 PM

By way of comparison, today I hauled in a '95 Monte Carlo that weighed 3180 pounds. Drove it onto the trailer and sold it like that (called "unprepared"). Got $262.35 ($165/ton). Generally, to "prepare" it, you're going to have to drain all fluids ( gas, oil, radiator, brake fluid, transmission), remove the gas tank or punch a fist-sized hole in it. Remove mercury lamps (Hood, trunk and glove compartment). Unless you've got a way to dispose of the gas and oil, don't even start. Find a scrap metal buyer in the area - look in Craig's List or make an ad for "JUNK VEHICLE FOR SALE".

**ocedy** · 02-26-2013, 08:40 PM

I will not try to tell you not to tackle the rv. In the Houston area yards want touch an rv unless you take all the wood out. You will have a lot of work ahead of you. I scrapped one and it was an old dodge rv. I knocked all wood and fiberglass out. Cut aluminum, wires and cut frame up. I also removed gas tank. You will need the tools and a trailer. If you need more information let me know. I would try and sell it and not try to tackle it just yet. Good Luck

**holedigger** · 02-26-2013, 09:04 PM

I agree with Craigslist being your best shot. If you end up actually having to cut a hole in the tank or have to remove it, send me a PM and I will give you a detailed and simple walk through of how to do it safely, with little mess and on the cheap. Draining fluids with no money and few resources is easy. Getting it hauled away might not be. Unfortunately I can't help you with that part/

**IdahoScrapper** · 02-26-2013, 09:50 PM

I'm with the group that says scrap as is, or sell on CL. I did one last year and it was a ton of work for not much payoff. I have access to a skid steer with grapple and also a dump trailer. Even with that it was a lot of work. All in all I probably cleared about $450 after expenses.

If you're wanting a challenge, go for it. Make sure you take pics.