New or used

[kaptn]

I have been looking at new and used Rv's. Wilderness,Carrlite,Yellowstone,Gulfstream,Jayco that are used. And I have been looking at New vision Sportsters or sportsmen that are new. How about Chateau? I kind of like the idea of a warranty,but the wife wants to go the used route. All comments appreciated.

 

[VicR]

RV's seem to depreciate pretty drastically the first couple of years, so you can sure save a few bucks getting one a few years old, but if you are going to keep it for ever there is nothing quite like starting from new. A third alternative, which is what we did, was end of the model year close out. In the fall of 2000 we picked out the model we liked and I just started calling dealers first in my state, then in neighboring states, and found a closeout deal on a brand new 2000. The dealer didn't want to store it for the winter and after a little haggling I got a deal we were very happy with. I had to travel 400 miles to get it, but we camped on the way back, so I don't know if you can count that. I think you would have better luck doing that in fall/winter then you would in spring, but its an option.



-Vic

 

[jmtandem]

new or used RV's

Kapt'n,



Sometimes you can find a previously owned RV in excellent condition that wasn't used much. It might have all the warranty stuff fixed already, too.

 

[Deezul1]

We bought a used Airstream that was like new even though it was 15 years old. The quality is wonderful and we never could have afforded this nice a trailer even in a close to new. It took a while to find a super nice one but was well worth the wait.

 

[HBarlow]

Amen to Deezul1's comment. I've made that "speech" also.



In years past I've owned a Prowler, Terry (both old Fleetwood products), a west coast brand 35' park model whose name I've forgotten, a Kit, and several slide-in truck campers in a similar price range. They were all good value for the price but not high-quality.



Up until about eleven years ago I simply thought Airstreams and Avions were expensive, unaffordable to me, and odd-looking. A talented do-it-yourselfer friend who owned one introduced me to them and convinced me of their quality, comfort, durability, towability, and resale value.



Since that time I've owned used Airstreams and now a used Avion. I can't afford a new one and really wouldn't want to lay out the purchase price of a new one if I could. But I've become very impressed with and appreciative of the quality of these fine quality built trailers. A carefully selected used one can be a terrific value.



I recommend to anyone who is shopping for a travel trailer that he consider the value of a good used Airstream or aluminum Avion which can be purchased for less or about the same price as a new or near-new entry level unit. Yeah, I know. They are funny looking.



Each to his own. We consumers are fortunate that there are so many different brands, models, sizes, and prices offered in the RV industry

 

[Mike Ellis]

kaptn,



I have been looking aggressively for the last year, have been in, under, and around numerous 5th wheels, trailers, and truck campers. The low build quality in even some very high $$$ rigs has really been a surprise to me. The industry continues to use vast amounts of particle board and OSB, which basically dissolve when wetted. Even the fiberglas "hard side" aluminum frame models are not immune to leaks, because most of them are constructed of vacu-bonded "sandwiches" with fiberglas on top of foam with a luan backing. This luan material is apparently identical to the "visible fibers" type of luan wood panels that are on cheaper residential doors and panelling. When the luan gets wet, there must be some sort of wicking action down the fibers because even a small leak at the top of the panel can cause delamination over appreciable distances - as the luan rots, it pulls away from the bond and the fiberglas gets a telltale "ripple" or bubble. The fiberglas / gel coat layer used in these panels is not very thick - about credit card thickness to 1/8" or so - and delamination can get ugly quick.



It is kind of sad to look at a high $$$$ 5th wheel in the $30K to $50K price range and see how the buyer gets shortchanged in places where the quality isn't obvious. Look under those fancy Corian countertops and in the cabinets you sometimes see particle board with the cabinet frames stapled on - and cheaply / poorly stapled at that. Or, when screws are used, it is distressingly common to find them driven in at angles such that they don't seat correctly, this is a by-product of the power drivers that we all use today. Under a cabinet, this practice isn't a big deal - but if it is a screw along a rubber seal area, and the cocked screw "bunches" up the rubber there will likely be a stress crack and leak before long.



Just about every used unit I have looked at has had water damage in one place or another, often the owners weren't even aware of it but you can find the stains on curtains, inside cabinets, and if rotted the "mushy" feel to the sides and corners is easy to detect. With this in mind, you would probably be best served by limiting your search to the best quality units in a given year and be prepared to pay a premium for one. It may cost as much to buy a top-quality used RV as a new lower-cost one, but you won't take a beating on the depreciation and you don't have the "unknowns" to worry about.



Note also that just because the '96 Fandabulous Qualidad had great quality and won many reviews does NOT mean the '98 variant will be just as good. Good reviews lead to increased orders, and often the manufacturers will start cutting corners to get more product out the door to grab the $$$ while they can.



Units that have impressed me: in the 5th wheel and trailer line, the Arctic Fox, Airstream, and Montana units looked very good. Note there was a visible difference between the West Coast built Arctic Fox and the ones I have seen from their East Coast plant (Virginia I think). In the truck camper world, the fiberglas Bigfoot (Canadian built) is the best I have seen so far, with Arctic Fox leading the US-made pack.



Note on Airstreams: You can find some SURPRISINGLY good shape Airstreams from the 70's, but boy those interior colors are REALLY something... . gotta have a strong constitution for some of them...

 

[Fireman]

All I know is

a buddy of mine bought a Jayco Designer Series that was two years old and looked like new for $25K. If he had bought it new he would have paid in the upper $40s. It was a very nice trailer in very good shape, in fact it is twice the trailer as mine and I paid over $20K new. I would be over joyed if I could pay $5K and upgrade to what he has!



FWIW

Fireman

 

[Dean Upson]

Fireman is right, you take a heck of a beating on a new trailer the first year or two, just like our trucks. The advantage of buying new vs. a good used is that you can get it exactly the way you want.



Dean

 

[RedRamer]

Look for a top quality used unit about 3-4-5 years old.

We found a Golden Falcon and are very happy with it. Equipment is top of the line, interior looks good and when we clean it up, it's showroom. This travel model was parked for 4 years ina campground

good signs to looks for are

Oven, stove, harldy used, spotless fridge, ice cold air, auto gas/elec firdge, auto furnace/hot water tank, tho I think most are these days.

Tires still original and like new... no stone rust on frame underneath.

General care, when seen should show like new.

Check every corner, under seats, inside cabinets, curtains, walls, edges, ceilings all over for signs of wetness / stains. Discolored vinyl flloring, mildew smell, overnearing coverup smell, push floor all over for softness.

good luck

 

[kaptn]

Thank You everyone who replied. I found a 1989 Airstream that looked brand new, bright, and shiny and excelent condition inside. 29 footer and I think I got a heck of a deal. I dont know what it blue books at. It is their top of the line too, I think The Excel model. I drove 3 hrs to look at it and a lot of people were stopping to look at it so I had to plunk down a deposit on the spot. . Its mine

 

[HBarlow]

kaptn,



Assuming you paid a fair price, I think you'll be very pleased with your purchase. I'm betting you'll love the trailer. I found that the more I learned about my Airstreams (and now Avion), the more I appreciate them. They are truly a fine product that will last you a lifetime if you don't turn it upside down.



If you have questions about it as you begin using it, feel free to send me an e-mail. I'll be happy to answer questions.



Harvey