Is anyone buying a new camper?

[Redwood Highwall]

We started 4 years ago with a used 2005 Fleetwood Resolute, which we enjoyed throughly. One year ago on the 4th of July we were getting it ready to go camping the week after the holiday and it got hit by a runaway truck from down the street. A neighbor had an older Ford Bronco that could only be started from the under hood, so he placed a brick on the accelerator and proceeded to start the truck, but he forgot to place the truck in neutral and started it in reverse. It took off down the street at about 5-10 mph hit a bush and swerved broad side into our trailer which was in our back driveway parked sideways.

The impact moved it about 5 feet sideways stabilizers and all. One of the support arms was bent beyond recognition, but the biggest damage was to the metal housing at the top of the box where the top seals. His insurance comany tried for the next 3-4 months to find parts to fix it, but as Fleetwood/coleman went out of business the parts to repair the housing could not be located. So we totaled the trailer and put the settlement as a downpayment on a 2011 Rockwood HW 256.

We got a good deal on it as it was a 2011 we closed on this past December.

[akarafa]

 My wife and I just got a new Jayco Jay Series Sport 12'. We have 4 young children and would go tent camping several times a year.  We decided to get a Pop-Up this year and after looking at several used ones, we decided to go with the new Jayco.  We took our first test trip over the last weekend and everything worked perfect.  We currently have 16 nts booked at different Michigan State parks for the rest of the summer. We Love the Jayco Camper.
Andy
   

[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.

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.

Yes, occasionally a hidden gem does present itself. My current TV is a good example. It's a '04 that I bought in '09, exactly the truck I was looking for, low miles, excellent condition and a reasonable price. A similiar vehicle new off the lot would have cost me at least twice as much.

But in our case, purchasing a new RV is almost a necessity, rather than buying used. DW has some serious food and environmental allergies -- some of which could be potentially fatal -- so just about everything we do requires us to mitigate the risks involved. With a new RV, we don't have to worry about a previous owner cooking up spicy Thai shrimp with peanut sauce and spilling it everywhere, which might have happened in a used unit -- you never know. Likewise with airborne mold spores and bedbugs.

[yooperguy]

My wife and I just got a new Jayco Jay Series Sport 12'. We have 4 young children and would go tent camping several times a year.  We decided to get a Pop-Up this year and after looking at several used ones, we decided to go with the new Jayco.  We took our first test trip over the last weekend and everything worked perfect.  We currently have 16 nts booked at different Michigan State parks for the rest of the summer. We Love the Jayco Camper.
Andy
   

Welcome to PUX akarafa!  Have a safe and happy camping season!

[jimmyzshack]

Looks like we are buying a 1997 starcraft from my wife's aunt. Haven't opened up yet but it looks to be a 12-14' model with the shower, toilet water heater, and fridge. They only used it after hurricanes when they didn't have power and to the hunting camp a few times. It has always been stored in a garage. roof and a/c look good from the outside. I'll have it Sunday to open it up and check it out. We plan to take our first short trip next sat to Bayou Segnette State Park. Anyone know how to decode a vin number on a starcraft.

We have been wanting a popup for years but never had a TV big enough to pull one till now. I have a 06' tacoma 4.0 V6 now.

[Tenttrailer]

I have only bought used.  At times it has taken us over a year to find the one we want.  The last pup we looks at a lot of new ones and non of them where  what we were looking for, we ended up buying a used one. 

We have found that once they get 6 to 10 years old there are some repaires needed every year and if you'r not handy it's PIA, but that ok with us.   Also, on some of our trailers we have bought. We knew we were going to spend money re-doing the inside.  Or last PUP we spent around $1,000 re-doing the inside the way we wanted it, but we did get a great deal and are ahead of the good condition blue book value and have it our-way.

[ependydad]

We bought our pop-up used on a whim because wife's friend was selling theres (who also bought used). It worked well for us for the year, but it's a 11 year old trailer and is starting to show some of it's war wounds.

We are buying a new fifth wheel this year mostly because of our exceedingly picky requirements. In fact, we even factory ordered it so that it was exactly what we're after (albeit 7'-8' longer than I would like).

[Spirit Deer]

We bought new because we wanted a specific floor plan with specific options, and because we found a suck-um-up deal on eBay for a brand new one that was the previous model year.  Typically we try to buy used in good condition, but sometimes what we want just isn't available used.

[paulmlac]

1st popup was new.  Kept it 10 years.  Took great care of it so it still looked new when we sold it.  Had 2 buyers in our driveway 2 hrs after putting it on Craigslist trying to outbid each other.

2nd popup was also new.  Tried buying used but just couldn't find anything that was decent.  It's 8 yrs old now.  Will be selling it soon.  It's in fantastic shape so should move easily also.

Looking for a class C now.  Have been looking used since last August & can only find junk.  Others have said this but it seems the OK ones are very close in price to a new one.  As a result, we will probably go new to get full warranties, etc.

[regis101]

I've been wondering if a drivable is in my future.  Always looking on Craigslist. 
IMO, Class C's are nice but want to explore Class A's just to help with usable living space especially in the shorter ~25 footers. 

[Tenttrailer]

I think it realy come down to how much do you enjoy working on things. Both me and my DW love fixing things up.

Were the one's that buy the house that was not taken care of so we can fix it up the way we want it.  Current hous we spent over 100K in materials.  We have become very good at fixing up things.  To the point in the last month, I been told by two diffrent people I miss my calling.  One from a 90 year old that after fixing several pluming problems issues in their house and another a friend that needed wooden a fence replace.

When I look at new, I see a lot of work to fix it up the way I want it. When I look at use I see more work, but the price reflects it and I can change the colors etc to what I like and be ahead on the price.  Yes you get things that are not rigt and a bent here or there that you did not want.  But the price off sets it.

My example is my current  trailer.  I'm into it at about 3,00 completly re-done including new warter pump, power distribution box, battery, tires, curtins, cushin and mattress covers, etc.  The blue book on the unti is about 4,00 to 5,000 in good condition.  A new unit that the colors are not my tast about 13,000 plus and I still need to make draws, shelfs, etc.

Now if I was to change a new unit to meet my tast, I will an spend another 1,000.

I like it my way! Why have somthing that is not the way you want it

We alway look at new, but never buy new.

[Icanoe2fish]

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.

That one of the reasons that I'd never buy a used trailer from a dealer. (or a vehicle if I can help it)
a) they, like used car outfits know the cover-up tricks that fool some (but not me)
b) they have to make a profit on it, so thier prices will be higher than what I can pick up privately
c) they are better at negotiating than the average private seller and have time to hold out for their price - private sellers are often motivated to sell for many different reasons IMO.

I think that if you follow the key rules of researching the market values, knowing (and sticking to) what you're willing to pay, being patient and knowing what to look for in buying used that you save a great deal of money in the long run.

[Icanoe2fish]

Another thing that blows me away is the depreciation RV's in general. The more you spend, the more you throw away. If we ever buy another PUP, and I doubt we will, I'll only shell out $5K max.

A pup is the best buy in my mind - lets say if you buy new and keep it for 10 years, you only throw away about $7 to $10K. (or buy used and lose a couple grand over the duration)
Now look at the cost of new hybrid or TT - 10 years later, you lose $ 10-15ish.
Moving up to a cream of the crop motorhome - you lose $75 to $100K in 10 years.
Like buying an $80-$100K luxury car...its virtually worthless in resale value in 10 years compared to what you paid.

[georgiapeach]

DH and I just bought a 2012 Aliner Classic, Titanium Edition.  It was a holdover, since the 2013s are already coming out, so we saved several thousand dollars.  We've only bought one used trailer and it was a nightmare!  I like getting the warranty, and also knowing that no one else has slept on the bed.

We have significantly downsized with this little camper, but we're looking forward to a simpler camping experience!
   
 

[manualman]

One of my wife's conditions was that we buy new, not used.  Yes, dear. ;)

The smart way to do that is to buy new in October when the dealer is figuring he's about screwed for further sales that year and wondering how many units will get mouse infested during THIS year's over-winter...  You come along and make him an offer at his cost on a unit he couldn't sell and you solve two of his problems.  Your selection is often bad this way, but if you are patient you will find something new at a used trailer price.  We got our trailer new for $7,000 in early October of '05.  Now in it's 8th season, it still looks almost new (garage stored).  I see no reason to think it won't go 20 years for us.