Help Me Evaluate Used True North 20

[StoveHopeful]

Hi there! I am interested in buying a True North 20 (TN20) for our 20 foot yurt in Vermont. I found one for sale used for $750, but it's a 4 hour drive away (8 round trip). It is apparently almost new, used for 2 months but too small for their house.

1. What should I look for to evaluate this used stove? Anything in particular that might be broken and expensive to replace?

2. Would the stove fit in the back of my Subaru Forester? I do not have a truck, but could rent one if necessary. I don't want to make the drive if it won't fit.

Thank you!

 

[begreen]

It's a good choice for a yurt stove. Can you get pictures that you can post here first? Pictures should be of the exterior and interior of the stove. It's 28" tall so it should fit in the back of the Forester.

 

[StoveHopeful]

It's a good choice for a yurt stove. Can you get pictures that you can post here first? Pictures should be of the exterior and interior of the stove. It's 28" tall so it should fit in the back of the Forester.

Thank you, this is very helpful! I will ask for photos of the inside, I do have photos of the exterior and will try to attach them here.

I noticed the back has drips down it. I was told the new stove pipe from home Depot dripped on it - I was thinking maybe it's creosote? You can see it in the photos.

 

[EbS-P]

Are you prepared to drive Home empty handed? I drove 2.5 hours one way to find the stove had been left outside and needed a new paint job. (It wasn’t a total loss we got some shopping done at LL bean). Looks like they had the pipe installed backwards and water or creosote dropped down on it. Don’t expect a perfect paint job. The install looks questionable. Raises a small flag for how they might have run the stove.
I don’t know how much a new baffle and tubes are if they are damaged less than $200 maybe.

 

[StoveHopeful]

Are you prepared to drive Home empty handed? I drove 2.5 hours one way to find the stove had been left outside and needed a new paint job. (It wasn’t a total loss we got some shopping done at LL bean). Looks like they had the pipe installed backwards and water or creosote dropped down on it. Don’t expect a perfect paint job. The install looks questionable. Raises a small flag for how they might have run the stove.
I don’t know how much a new baffle and tubes are if they are damaged less than $200 maybe.

Very helpful information and perspective, thank you! I am prepared to come home empty handed, but have asked for inside photos to try and make it less likely that I come home without the stove due to unforseen circumstances. I'm definitely concerned about how the stove was run based on that install, I'm just not sure how I can tell if the stove is damaged or not based on over firing or anything else. Any suggestions on what to look for?

 

[EbS-P]

Very helpful information and perspective, thank you! I am prepared to come home empty handed, but have asked for inside photos to try and make it less likely that I come home without the stove due to unforseen circumstances. I'm definitely concerned about how the stove was run based on that install, I'm just not sure how I can tell if the stove is damaged or not based on over firing or anything else. Any suggestions on what to look for?

Cracks, warping and gray paint. Paint is enough to fix. Warped replaceable parts are too. Cracks are harder to fix.

 

[begreen]

The stovepipe was installed upside down. The crimped end always faces the stove so that any creosote drips back into the pipe and not outside. So far I don't see red flags. See if you can get a shot that includes the stove top too. If the interior shots of the stove look good then I think the drive is justified. The market is going to get very hot any day now and good deals will disappear very quickly. Just make sure they don't sell the stove while you are on your way.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I'd look at a trailer for the haul. Putting a few hundred lbs hunk of metal in the back of a car and then taking it out sound like a bunch of chiropractor visits to me. Renting a trailer you could load with a dolly sounds cheaper.

 

[EbS-P]

I'd look at a trailer for the haul. Putting a few hundred lbs hunk of metal in the back of a car and then taking it out sound like a bunch of chiropractor visits to me. Renting a trailer you could load with a dolly sounds cheaper.

That amount of weight would be fine in the back. It’s less than two of my cousins that would fit in the back besides towing for 8+ hours of your not used to it is a CHORE. It’s not a 650 pound beast.

Take the baffle out, take the bricks out. Move it lay it down on its back with the second row folded. 4 persons job or 1 if you have an engine hoist.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Ok, I’m not going to argue, lol.

I suppose pulling a trailer for that long, especially in traffic, can be nerve wracking. I wouldn’t want my wife to do it. Everybody is made differently!