Good buys on fifth wheel?

[RogersM]

My buddy and I (he has a new Dodge too) are planning a November trip to Yuma Az. to look for a couple of newer fifth wheels. I have always heard that the snow birds down there often sell cheap when one person of an older couple has health problem. Anyone have experience with this or another suggestion? Prices on new alum frame trailers are way to high for me.



Thanks for any tips...



Mark

 

[jelag]

I live in Spokane WA..... I looked in Yuma 3 or 4 years ago..... looked at several that I had interest in... . all were more than I thought they should be... . but sold before I could go back, during the same week for a second look... .

I think our market at home is softer than Yuma..... I've done a couple of things... gone to Kelly Bluebook and given them the same unit, with my zip code as Yuma and the other one as my home town..... in each case the search for a price came up the same... . and I always thought that KBB was based on local information.....

 

[Bug Out]

I'd try near the factories in In.

I think you'd find a better deal near the factories in Indiana, goshen, Elkhart etc. That seems to be the towns where most are built.



Try this link. I dont think Az will give you more bargains myself... . Snowbirds or not. .





RV manufacturing companies A to Z : manufacturers of recreational vehicles

 

[SnoKing]

There is money to be saved on others misfortune, however I think you need someone on the ground down there to call and tell you when the opportunity presents it's self. "Sally just lost Bud and she is giving the 5er away at xx. xx!" This is a sad day in their lives, but it does happen sooner or later.



My father sold a number of trailers and a MH in Yuma, but always held out for what he wanted.



SNOKING

 

[PWitteveen]

I have heard of people saying the same thing about Florida, but I don't know anyone that ever had any luck with it.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

MRC Auctions. They handle repos, insurance claims, etc. I missed saving about $5000 on a real deal last week.

 

[Grizzly]

Go through craigslist.org under RV's and click on all the cities you want.

 

[DonTX]

The Rio Grande Valley is also fully overstocked with snowbird sales and tradeins. I had my pick of the market, and bought one a month or two ago, still think it was one heck of a deal (35ft, double slide Avion, 1997 model that people who look at it are still convinced is a brand new one, $15k from a dealer). The lots are so overfilled I would not make any kind of offer on one unless I was ready to take it home.

 

[R C Cola]

RV deals

If you happen to be close friends with a car dealer go on copart online auctions and take a look. The theft listings ususlly has some units with minor damage. Another place FEMA is selliing many of those units, some of them were 5th wheels (not many) and the TT's are going at about 1/2 price on auction. Good huntin camps.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

My experience of looking in Yuma or other places where snowbirds
lite" is that there are not many miles on them but the inside is worn out from long term living. You know RV's are not made with the highest quality materials.

 

[DonTX]

I feel that you are not adequately looking over the "snowbird" crop of fifth wheels. Quite the opposite of the situation you mention, the fifth wheels are often owned by snowbirds, that by their nature are part of the aging population. Often these "toys" have enabled our northern neighbors to come down to the better climates for a few months of leisure living and then haul them back home. Not uncommonly there are years where because of declining health of the birds, no southern trip even takes place. These are usually a somewhat more affluent portion of the population as well, so these units are carefully cared for, money for maintenance is not a problem, usually declining health or death makes them available.

I guess I sound like a salesman, which I am not, just wanted to give another view of 5th wheels of the southland. You might look over the listings of PPL motorhomes in Houston, Used Motorhomes and Other Consigned RV Sales - PPL Motor Homes, not the real winter Texan center, but gives you some idea of what is available and prices and photos.