OT--Camper Trailer

Jiles · Dec 12, 2016

I go to a lot of tractor shows and car races. I have decided to buy a pull camper trailer for long trips.
I am really surprised at the price people are asking.
When buying anything like a car--truck--or equipment, I check the online book price.
I have found that every camper I have call about or seen is priced way above DEALER RETAIL according to NADA appraisal and are not willing to negotiate very much on asking price.
I always thought camper trailer were in the same category as House Trailer Homes and was a bad investment.
Am I wrong?

Eldon (WA) · Dec 12, 2016

(quoted from post at 08:45:53 12/12/16) I go to a lot of tractor shows and car races. I have decided to buy a pull camper trailer for long trips.
I am really surprised at the price people are asking.
When buying anything like a car--truck--or equipment, I check the online book price.
I have found that every camper I have call about or seen is priced way above DEALER RETAIL according to NADA appraisal and are not willing to negotiate very much on asking price.
I always thought camper trailer were in the same category as House Trailer Homes and was a bad investment.
Am I wrong?

It could be the area you are in. Out here it is normally the opposite. I bought a travel trailer last spring for $17,000, book on it was $33,000. This time of year the deals should be even better.

Switchflicker · Dec 12, 2016

It could be the area you are in. Out here it is normally the opposite. I bought a travel trailer last spring for $17,000, book on it was $33,000. This time of year the deals should be even better.[/quote]

In southern Arizona (Yuma area) in late March or early April the prices go very very low. I was told this is because the population is cut in half when the snowbirds head north, and the dealers don't want to be stuck with inventory for the rest of the year.

dhermesc · Dec 12, 2016

How nice/new of one are you looking for? I bought a "time machine" - a 1971 Road Ranger last winter for $1000. The biggest issue with the interior was the curtains had faded - the rest like it was 1973 - the exterior was near perfect with a little sun fade on the lower edges - it had sat under a canopy since it was new.. Older units - even ones in near perfect condition (usually kept inside) are usually pretty cheap.

Trying to buy one less than 5-6 years old and the owners are still trying to get their money back out of them. Usually the comment is "I only used it 3-4 times" how can it only be worth 50% of what I paid for it?

waynesteuck · Dec 12, 2016

Jules , if You want a neat one , check out Casita trailers , I know not cheap , but it has a bathroom , and light weight , IF I had the bucks that would be my
first choice
Wayne

moresmoke · Dec 12, 2016

From what I have seen camper depreciation is similar to cars. The thing to watch for on used ones is hidden water damage. They all leak if the caulking is not looked after. Anything else can be fixed relatively
easily. In my area, there are older ones available fairly cheap, some usable some not. Late model used campers are almost the same price as new. Bought a new camper a couple years ago, someone else's headaches were
not worth saving a $1000. If this one lasts me 15 years, i cna throw it out and will be happy.

Jiles · Dec 12, 2016

I am not expecting to make money--just don't want to pay 15K and three years later have to sell for 10K !
Most I have checked on are still for sale.
I found one setting in a yard with sign. Looked like it had been parked for quite some time. No one at home, so I called after checking NADA.
It was priced $800.00 above Dealer Retail and they lowered the price $200 ! They had owned it for 7 months. Sounds like the bought to resale?

Dan in North Houston · Dec 12, 2016

Not to hijack the thread, but maybe someone can explain how the camper trailer dealers can afford to have such a large inventory on the lot. Here in Houston, I drive by dealers that have the whole lot crammed full of travel trailers. There must be a huge markup to cover all that inventory.

da.bees · Dec 12, 2016

In Tx private sellers are usually well below NADA low retail. The
worst thing you can have on a rv is water damage. Unlike a building or
house,it's next to impossible to replace rotted wood. You didn't say
where you are located, how much you are willing to invest nor what you
need in a trailer. If you tell us that "AND"people that comment say
where they are located,you might save enough to drive some distance to
buy.Tell us how many people will use it at same time,what you will tow
with,goose,5th,bumper hitch,dry camp or full hook-up and any special
requirments so we can tell you what's available.

moresmoke · Dec 12, 2016

Probably bought it with financing, and didn't use it enough to justify. Now they are trying to get out from under the loan. I think a lot of the profit on new ones is made with financing.

da.bees · Dec 12, 2016

Dan the same could be said for new car dealers,what you see on their lot is only part of their invintory,there's usually just as many parked on a storage lot nearby. If you try to sell a dealer something you find they don't invest near retail.

Blackhole49 · Dec 12, 2016

Maybe you should look closely at something a little older. I've had this since 1993 and it is in very good shape inside and everything is original and works great. It has been stored inside for the last 15 years. I doubt I could get $2,000 for it.

Ken Macfarlane · Dec 12, 2016

Family member has gone through 3 campers in about 7 years in the 27-32 ft range with slide outs. The values in spring I've seen them get go like this for absolutely mint condition, never had the toilet used campers:
New - 40,000$
1 year old - Private sale, 30,000$, trade-in value - 25,000$
2 year old - Private sale, 25,000$, trade-in value - 20,000$
3 year old - Private sale, 20,000$, trade-in value - 10,000$

From watching the pricing, the Feb/March price of 40K, becomes the 38K RV show special in April. By late August the price is 32K, in October they will take 27,000$.

As best I can figure the dealer pays 25k for the thing and wants to average 8-10k income per transaction to support the warrantee and the expenses.

dhermesc · Dec 12, 2016

To be honest that's pretty much what you can expect. If you paid $15K for a it fairly new and keep it three years $10K would be the expected selling price - unless it starts to leak then its worth WAAAAAYYYYY less.

That's why buying one like Blackhole49 has for sale starts to look real good because the depreciation has been taken. You reach a point where it worth what its worth because of condition and working options - not its age. To many of the ones the age of the one he has have been destroyed due to water damage. One with water damage like his is worth $500 (frame and axles) and the one that's been stored dry and maintained is worth $2500-$3500. Keep it dry and maintained and its still worth $2500 three years later. Store it outside and it leaks through the winter without it being caught and its worth $500.

I bought mine (first one I ever owned) because I wanted something small so it would be easy to pull and store inside, most of the ones I found that were newer were trashed from leaks from sitting outside since new. I would have loved to buy a Scamp (fiberglass egg) but those in decent shape are still $5000 to $9000 even 20+ years old. More than I wanted invested in a 4H camper for the fair and a mobile winter cabin for hunting.

dhermesc · Dec 12, 2016

Agreed. Added a few options and its above the average retail and a 95% loan. They'll be lucky to pay it off as fast as it depreciates - even sitting with no use. Surprises me (actually is doesn't) that a person will spend $20,000 - $35,000 on something like that and won't spring another $800-$900 for at least a car port to park it under to keep it out of the weather.

Watch a couple You Tube videos on assessing a camper and see how a leak will literally destroy what is otherwise a nice looking camper - and how those leaks are easily hidden even though the damage is extensive. It is flat out brutal how the repairs cost many times what the camper it worth - even a fairly new unit.

Pair-a-dice farm · Dec 12, 2016

I don't really know about campers. Maybe they are like pickups and suvs. Sometimes people buy beyond their means and hope to find a sucker to get them out of their trouble.

Jiles · Dec 12, 2016

(quoted from post at 18:54:34 12/12/16) I don't really know about campers. Maybe they are like pickups and suvs. Sometimes people buy beyond their means and hope to find a sucker to get them out of their trouble.

Looked at a really nice 20 foot last week. Offered it for 300.00 above retail.
Checked behind cabinets and floor and was not impressed by the shoddy repair that had been done from roof leak.
I asked him and he said he repaired the roof with Caulking.
I walked away.

moresmoke · Dec 12, 2016

I think many people are sold a camper that is beyond their tow vehicle. Then they either need to buy a bigger vehicle or a smaller camper to be comfortable hauling it.

BarnyardEngineering · Dec 12, 2016

People that buy new ones fall into two categories:

1. Those that know what they're getting into, and don't care.
2. Those that don't have a clue what they're getting into.

Savvy buyers in category #1 buy trailers because they like traveling and camping. They understand the trailer's value will depreciate heavily.

The ones in category #2 think that because it's only a few years old and not used much, that it's in mint condition and worth a premium price. Of course it's still setting there for sale.

Geo-TH,In · Dec 12, 2016

Jiles,
Want a cheap camper or motorhome, go to where old people spend the winter in
them. Many times an old person dies, trailer or motorhome is a retirement
village where it's warm and the kids just want to get rid of it.

My oldest brother used to manage a retirement trailer park in W palm, Fl.

Old people buy trailers and find out when their parents die, they can't sell
them. Rent is over $500 a month. Eventually the kids, sign the title to
trailer over to the park owner.

I would never tell anyone to buy a travel trailer, motorhome or any kind of
manufactored home or trailer. They depreciate faster than you can pay them off
and good luck selling them.

Some people are happy to buy one, then happier when they sell them.

My sister has a 40 ft diesel pusher Monico motorhome. Lucky to get 10 mpg. I
hate driving it. I would just as soon get better mileage and spend the savings
on Holliday Inn.
geo

Leroy · Dec 12, 2016

That is OK IF there is a place avaible where you want to go. Me when I go anyplace no motel within driving distance at 10:00 at night when tractor show closes and be back again at 8:00 the next morning. That is the good part about a camper can park where you want to be, not 50 mile away. And when not in use just sets in my barnyard not costing a thing.

JOCCO · Dec 12, 2016

I don't do campers I use a motel. Seems to
be many used ones but some are dumps.

Geo-TH,In · Dec 12, 2016

I've never had a problem finding a place to stay, but I've not been to tractor shows that I needed a place to stay.

When I travel, I enjoy driving a car. My sister's 40 ft motor home is no pleasure for me to drive. One time my sister told me to pull into a gas station. We almost never go it out. Need two acres to turn it around.

I only pull a 20 ft implement trailer. I have to be careful when gassing up too. Nothing like a 40 footer.

RandyB(MI) · Dec 12, 2016

Four yrs ago we bought a "new" / "used" Jayco 18' er. Young couple had bought it new with ext warr, and all and before they could even camp one time in it his job changed and they had to relocate and buy a house and needed it off their credit/debit sheet for home financing. They were going for $ 13,500 new. They paid $ 1000 for ext warr. so $14,500. We got it for $ 8500 inc. transfer of warr....never used!We love it. Thanks to craigslist. Be patient, they are out there as situations change and people just change their minds. I wouldn't go over 3 yrs old unless it was some older people and kept inside.

jm. · Dec 12, 2016

WELL WELL George and I may disagree on the termites but here is one thing he is dead on.. Most folks the buy the things are just a proud to get rid of them.. Owned one motor home and that was enough for me in my life time.. Always something to work on and you can stay in a motel without the worry for less money.

Meangreen · Dec 13, 2016

Have you ever wondered why the monthly payments are SO low on a camper? I wondered this myself, did the math and found out it would take 12, yes 12 years to pay the dumb thing off. This is the Omaha area. Never owned one and don't really have an interest in owning one.

Jiles · Dec 13, 2016

Just checked on one this morning---
Camper, 21ft. Keystone Cabana 2100. In my surrounding states of Al., sellers seldom list year model or model number. I have had to contact Nearly all to get this information.
This particular camper is priced at $5,200 --NADA RETAIL is $4,580!
Just glad that I do not have to buy one, have the money to purchase one--at a decent price--when and if I find what I want.

Not a day goes by that I do not remember what my dad said years ago[i:9fc1565ca4]--"If you don't get in a hurry, you will find what you want at a price you are willing to pay" [/i:9fc1565ca4]

massey 333 · Dec 13, 2016

Jiles,you are looking at the pricing a little wrong.NADA or others maybe helpful,but that's all.A lot of times a over priced(your words)5-10 yr.old camper is a better buy then a newer mistreated under NADA priced one.Unless you are a flipper,then it shouldn't matter.Find something you like and if you can live with the price,the H--- with NADA,because you may never find anything.After your posting,I looked at 3-4 towns "Craigslistings" and found several very well priced postings,especaly Class Cs like John Ts .

Jiles · Dec 13, 2016

(quoted from post at 17:48:24 12/13/16) Jiles,you are looking at the pricing a little wrong.NADA or others maybe helpful,but that's all.A lot of times a over priced(your words)5-10 yr.old camper is a better buy then a newer mistreated under NADA priced one.Unless you are a flipper,then it shouldn't matter.Find something you like and if you can live with the price,the H--- with NADA,because you may never find anything.After your posting,I looked at 3-4 towns "Craigslistings" and found several very well priced postings,especaly Class Cs like John Ts .

You are correct--NADA is only a suggestion (history of sales)
When buying ANYTHING, even a tractor, I check book value.
I am 71 years old and have never given above or even close to retail price for anything I have bought. A Camper will not be my first.
From post I have read, seems like the area has a lot to do with pricing. I have found several, price right, but they are close to 1K away, but don't plan to drive and pull back that far.
I'll just keep looking.

OT--Camper Trailer

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads