E-News from RV Consumer Group, Nov 2012

[Grizzly]

Thank you Griz if and when I come across something of interest I will keep you in mind. Bieng this is my first rv Im looking to stick around the 10k mark. From what Ive seen so far I should be able to find something of decent value and condition the economy around here has not recovered at all regardless of what nobama claims so there are rvs popping up for sale on a regular basis around here. If Im patient (which I am) I should be able to come across something good before spring. Thanks again,
JR

You're correct diesel4life, it's a buyers market for preowned RV's right now. My BIL has been trying to sell their 2004 Cherokee for almost a year with no luck. He has the price down to $11K.

 

[JR]

Grizzly Thanks for the RV update. Rv interest does die down in the winter, at least up here. My TT has over a foot of snow on top of it right now, so I can't even do repairs or upgrades on it.



D4L "Bieng this is my first rv Im looking to stick around the 10k mark. " For that dollar amount I would look for a good quality used older one rather than a newer unit with more bells and whistles and poor quality. Your first RV gets you interested ( or not ) and from there you will find out what you like and don't like, what is practical and what is unnecessary. If the boys are big enough then bunks are real handy. You have a CTD so don't be too concerned about buying a "lite weight model". Yes you will suck a bit more fuel with a heavier model but they are quite often built more solid. You don't have to drive far to have fun. For starters visit the local places, say with in a 2 - 3 hour drive of home. Just go out and have some fun with the family. Shad

You hit the nail on the head, Shad that is exactly what Im looking for. Fancy doesnt concern me, Id rather pay for reliability and not have to be worried about working on it while on vacation.

 

[RVTRKN]

I did that with my boat as well as as my RV, getting into the starter level first, as in smaller and used. However, I did buy my AF 5ver as a used unit and paid half the price as new at 4 years old. The depreciation of RV's are high as soon as you pull it off the lot. You will find many RV's for sale with a "take over payment" option as the owners try to get out from under the high dept. , but will still have high depreciation if you chose that route. Look into the different RV sales mags and web sites, I found my AF on line, and the price I paid is still under whats its worth today. My wife set my budget and I was patient for a year and a half. But be prepared to drive long distances if the deal pops up, I saw mine online in Oregon and I live in So Cal, the next day I was on the road to pick it up.



Good luck

Steve

 

[crispyboy]

Diesel4life,
I would physically look at the various floorplans of the manufacturers and try to talk to someone experienced in rv'ing. They should have some good hints on what to look for.

 

[Shadrach]

When I was looking for a used unit in 2011 I first found out what my wife wanted and then only showed her models with the "desires" she wanted but met my "criteria" of decent quality. Since AF are more popular out West and up North and you're not there why not look at Jayco. They are decent quality for the money and offer a lot of floor plans. If you get too much into reading and studying specs of the better quality brands it will drive you nuts as you will discover you can't afford it any more. Unless you are rich it's always a compromise. Start with something simply and enjoy it. In due time you will find out your wants and needs ( they will change with a growing family ) I bought a Canadian made TT from the original owners who had hardly used it. Although I think AF is of a better quality than mine it cost half of what my friends AF did. You will pay less if you buy before the camping season starts. We bought our first TT in Oct from a dealer. We knew they had gone through it and we got a good deal. Shad

 

[JR]

Actually there is a used 31 foot 5th wheel jayco locally. It looks to be in excellent condition from the pics, but it is an older model (96) At what point is old too old for an rv? Age doesnt bother me for vehicles, I own 2 98s and a 99. Yep, my newest vehicle is a 99 All 3 are in great shape, I am very meticulous with maintenance.

 

[RVTRKN]

Expect to replace all brakes, drums, magnets, bearings and races, batteries, and holding tank valves, for a start. Then whatever you come across that needs tender loving care. More than likely the propane tank valves will have to be updated and check DOT dates on the tanks, Recommend to just replace them with complete assemblies, regulator and to include the hoses to the hard pipe connections. If it has been properly taken care of, you might not have to do a lot, but don't chance the axles, just replace what I mentioned in the first sentence. At least tear them down to inspect them, but I'm willing to bet they are worn out.



BTW, get a good brake controller like Brakesmart that uses the hydraulic brake pressure to regulate the braking force. Your Stock controller will do the job but when you make an emergency stop, you might have to change your shorts. :-laf

 

[jelag]

My daughter and SIL were looking for a good deal on a pull trailer and happen to run across a farmer with one in his barn... . Very clean, kept dry... . 18 years old... and I'm guessing didn't have 5,000 miles on it... . She was in line at the grocery store, and was talking to the clerk, the lady behind her listened in and said they were trading up... the rest is history... . Just ask around and you'll find one...

 

[JR]

Thats one thing that bothers me about the age, not to mention things like appliances, electrical, etc. According to the add its been stored inside for the last 10 years, from the pictures it looks like its brand new. Im just concerned about the age I dont know if these things hold up or if they could really nickel and dime you? Maybe Id just be better off looking at something newer.

 

[JR]

My daughter and SIL were looking for a good deal on a pull trailer and happen to run across a farmer with one in his barn... . Very clean, kept dry... . 18 years old... and I'm guessing didn't have 5,000 miles on it... . She was in line at the grocery store, and was talking to the clerk, the lady behind her listened in and said they were trading up... the rest is history... . Just ask around and you'll find one...

How has their experiences been? Have they had alot of age related issues?

 

[RVTRKN]

Well, when I got my 1st 5ver, though it was a cheap brand, (14 year old 27' Wilderness) I had several issues. Axles (brakes & bearings complete) replaced propane tanks & regulator, with new replacements such as roof AC, awning, linoleum floors, carpeting and blinds. It was a good unit, but I had noticed the front frame under the front and over the hitch pin, which is exposed for that model, was lopsided a little and noticed from that point on several 5ver's of different brands had the same phenomenon. We donated it to an elderly homeless terminally ill cancer patient, who parked it in someones backyard. Even though it looked old, it was in great shape after I was done with it. When buying used large items such as RV's and Boats expect that there will be expensive repairs, and if you get lucky then your gamble paid off, like the AF I bought, although at 4 years old wasn't that big of a gamble.

 

[Grizzly]

Actually there is a used 31 foot 5th wheel jayco locally. It looks to be in excellent condition from the pics, but it is an older model (96) At what point is old too old for an rv? Age doesnt bother me for vehicles, I own 2 98s and a 99. Yep, my newest vehicle is a 99 All 3 are in great shape, I am very meticulous with maintenance.

diesel4life, on post #8 you said the following, "Weve got 2 boys both are still young, so like I said would like to stay on the smaller side (less than 28 ft) and simple. "



Jayco makes a good 3. 5 star 5th wheel, however for starters a 31' is very big and heavy. Maneuvering something of that size maybe a challenge, especially if you plan on camping in Forest Service Campgrounds and such.



george

 

[JR]

diesel4life, on post #8 you said the following, "Weve got 2 boys both are still young, so like I said would like to stay on the smaller side (less than 28 ft) and simple. "



Jayco makes a good 3. 5 star 5th wheel, however for starters a 31' is very big and heavy. Maneuvering something of that size maybe a challenge, especially if you plan on camping in Forest Service Campgrounds and such.



Thanks Griz thats the kind of info that I could really use. Ive pulled many large trailers (5th wheels included) but thats where my experience ends. I will say that in the last few days (Ive been searching alot over the weekend) Ive been coming across as many 5ers as anything and the price difference is not worlds apart from a comparable TT

 

[AMink]

Our first TT was a '91 Wilderness that we bought used in '98. We used it until 2005 when we got our current trailer. We sold the Wilderness to friends (I wouldn't do that if I thought there'd be concerns) and they used it until earlier this year when they got a new trailer. They sold it to friends for what they paid us and their friends are enjoying it. All that said, I think that trailer was much better constructed than some of the newer models. So, if you can find a solid older one, I agree that it's better than a crappy new one with all the fluff. It's all the way the trailer has been maintained, just like anything else.