Is anyone buying a new camper?

[allan]

We had used popups for 24 years. Then bought a new one. Then bought a new TT. IF at all possible. We will only buy new from now on. The first used one, A 73 Jayco J. was a mess. It didn't show till later. But we couldn't afford a new one so we bought a used 70 StarCraft. It was great, Kept it, and used it for a very long time. then got a 89 Skamper. OK but not great, and then a Palamino. Then a New 99 Viking. Boys and Girls. there ain't nothin like a NEW popup, and they ain't nothin like a new Tt either. If it has a scratch, It's MY scratch, If the tenting is dirty, It's my dirt.

We are looking for a new TT now, and yes it will be new. If I can't get a new one, I'll keep what I got. It's paid for. So I can wait as long as needed. But the next one  will be new.

As for vehicles, and TVs. If I can get a superclean, LOW milage vehicle, I will. Mt current truck, had 19000 miles on it when I bought it. It's super nice. But again. they ain't nothin like a new SUV, or truck.  DW's Escape had 6 miles on it. All the miles are our's. Nothing like it.

[Icanoe2fish]

I'll never buy anything other than a used trailer, car or truck. Someone else gets to pay off the initial depreciation and a trailer is an occasional use "toy" in which I'm not willing to spend big coin on.

[Travelhoveler]

Ain't nothing like a low payment or none, as far as I am concerned.  Buying used makes economic sense.

(I would buy a new mattress...)

[krinen]

I am buying a new 2012 Flagstaff 228. Picking it up next weekend. (Was supposed to be yesterday.) I was going to buy used, but I have wanted one for so long, and plan to keep it for even longer, so I think new is a good investment for me. The dealership gave me a used loaner this weekend that is comparable to the one I am buying new, and camping in it confirmed on all counts that I have made the right decision, both on the features I am getting and the fact that I am buying new.

Krinen

[indybp57]

Is the reason dealers don't carry too many popups because there is such a glut of used ones?  My friend and my sister both traded their popups for new hybrids and were told by the dealer that they would have no problems selling their used popups.  My friends popup sold the next day.  We listed our popup on Craigslist and within 2 hours I had about 5 people wanting to come look at it.

[Oz and Us]

Is the reason dealers don't carry too many popups because there is such a glut of used ones?

No doubt, but it's only one of many reasons.  Popups have always been viewed by most as a low price point entry into the market so there's a lot of pressure on anyone, private or dealer, to keep the selling price down and with so many used popups on the market new ones on a dealer's lot are a tough sell.  A few years ago there was a notable price difference between popups and hard side trailers but that's no longer the case these days when one can buy a well equipped hybrid or travel trailer for not much more than a well equipped high wall popup and in most cases guess which wins?  Popups for dealers are a loss leader, meaning those that are sold barely cover the costs involved in handling them so the primary purpose in any dealer selling them is to use it as a tool to develop a loyal customer base that will return in future years to buy some form of hard side trailer that offers a much better profit margin for the dealer and thereby allow him/her to stay in business.  It would take an awfully large dealership, selling many hundreds of units each year, to sell just popups and remain profitable.  No question, popups are a quantum leap up from camping in a tent but for the vast majority of purchasers a popup eventually becomes a stepping stone to the convenience of a full height trailer ... and since market trends prove it very few dealers could rely on popup sales alone to keep their business viable.  It's just simple economics.

[Kiwi Camper]

My HTT was used, it is an 02 and I bought it in 07.  There are 2 reasons I bought my HTT used.  Economics & I wanted to be sure that camping would be a hobby that I would stick with.  It has been 5 years and I am still camping but I think that my next HTT will be slightly used.  I would rather someone else take the depreciation hit. However, I am glad there are so many of you that buy new so that, eventually, there will be something used for me to buy.  I also buy used cars.

I certainly see the advantages of both new & used purchases.

[Harryshoe]

I was looking at used PUPs.  DW wanted a new one.  Therefore, we got a new one.

[Brian]

I'm glad someone buys new and I encourage you all to do so, but I seldom buy new.

I am with that 100%. My last new car was a 1989 Ford Probe and I  cannot foresee a circumstance where it will not  be my last new car.

A good example of why we buy used is the deal we just got on DW's 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid. It is virtually identical  to the 2012, but it is loaded with every feature Honda offered and we got it for less than the MSRP for the new stripped version.Plus it is Honda Certified (new tires, plugs,fresh service, etc.) and we got bumper to bumper HondaCare thrown in the bargain until 2017 with 120k miles! The normal warranty is 3/36.

All for letting someone else use it on a corporate lease for a couple of years.  It is a complete no brainer for me and that wouldn't change if I had Mark Cuban's money

As to a new camper, I am on the lookout for a 2005 Fleetwood Newport, if I could get it for my price

Brian

 

[nimrod65]

We bought a new 2011 in 2010.  We looked at used, but I didn't want to deal with someone else's problems, or dirt.  Buying a new Jayco, we had a 2 year waranty. It is paid off and will keep it for a while yet. I had no problem buying new. Depreciation had no factor in our decision. If we keep it in good condition, I believe it will keep its value.

[regis101]

I'm on Craigslist everyday since I have no life looking for the deal(s) of the century.  I see a glut in all aspects of the RV world.  I see prices all across the board.

If you want to buy new, then so be it.  If you want used, there are deals out there.

The confusing part is when I see a PUP that is ten years old and selling for what I paid new for ours, albeit, a shaky apples to apples comparison.

So, IMO, when you find something you like, old or new, go for it.

[indybp57]

The confusing part is when I see a PUP that is ten years old and selling for what I paid new for ours, albeit, a shaky apples to apples comparison.

That was our experience looking for a used hybrid.  Used 2010's and 11's were about what we bought our new 2013 Roo for.  We suspected people are upside down on their financing and trying to get out from under their loan. 

[trs]

wife would not go for a used mattress, etc. she really did not need to twist my arm, second new one for us last year and old went to daughter and grandkids. Now we get too have them join us. "priceless":)

[GreatWhiteNorth]

When I was in the market for my current trailer, I took a look at some used trailers that happen to be sitting on one dealer's lot just to satisfy my curiosity. One look was all it took to convince me that I should be looking at purchasing new. The two trailers I looked at weren't old, but they obviously hadn't been taken care of. Both had the moldy/mildewy smell of a leaking roof and water damage, and the dealer had tried covering the smell up in one with half a can of air freshener. I couldn't say what the condition of the rest of the trailer was in because once I took a sniff, I left.

[Oz and Us]

When I was in the market for my current trailer, I took a look at some used trailers that happen to be sitting on one dealer's lot just to satisfy my curiosity. One look was all it took to convince me that I should be looking at purchasing new.

As my DW & I contemplate the idea of switching from a bunk bed trailer to a couple's trailers I too have been paying more attention to what's out there and I'd say most people just don't take care of their trailers at all ... and it shows as most used trailers I wouldn't even remotely consider.   Once in awhile there is an exception and just last week I spotted a 24' 2008 Pilgrim that would have been perfect ... perfect size, great couples floorplan, but most importantly in next to new condition everywhere I looked.  Unfortunately, someone else recognized a deal when they saw it and beat me to it ... too bad, but sooner or later I'm sure another similar opportunity will present itself.