I wonder how many others have walked this path.We got the bug for a new fiver recently. Made the mistake of looking at some of the new spacious floor plans with opposing slides, which are lighter than our camper in some cases. So we cleaned up our fiver and made a list of all the improvements we have made to it over the years. And you know what? Our existing fiver has more nice features than most of the new ones that are in our weight range for our truck. We also just coated the roof to prevent leaks(being proactive). Some of the things we added can't be purchased even as options on some of the new fifth wheels. Restrictions on what can be attached or welded to frames of the new ones limits the nice things that can be added: like electric leveling jacks, rear mount cargo rack to name a couple that we have on our fiver. They can be added after the warranty expires, but we camp a lot, and doing without those things would be a hassle....on top of the monthly payment for the camper.(Ours is Paid For)I also consider the 30 grand we would pay for the trade difference would finance years of traveling in our current fiver and the repairs that it might need along the way.On the other hand being 65 years old, I feel we may have 10 more years in our rving future, and it might be good to trade for a new one now instead of nursing ours along for the next 10 or more years. Is a 10 year old Cougar fifth wheel pushing the limits for rving?Anybody have a benchmark for when to buy a new one, or experience with keeping the old one and maybe regretting it? Or happy you kept the old one?

In our preliminary plans for retirement, my thoughts are to keep & maintain our existing 5er but purchase a newer truck. In my mind, the technology and layout in our 5er is just fine.

Started fulltiming in 1996 with a 1991 HH, and a FL truck, traded for a 1998 HH Champagne. Since we had the last truck we would need, we maintained the trailer. Still have it today, no urge to trade.Jim

Our fiver is pushing ten years old and just as nice as it was when we bought it - yes, I have thought about updating the outside with a full body paint job, but other than that we are very happy with what we have. We spend six to seven months a year in the fiver and it works out just fine for us.No intention looking at new ones for the foreseeable future.

After looking at new ones that were just as shoddy as the old ones I bought a 14 year old one that was in great shape. New or old all the same upgrades are needed. Generator, high profile toilet, faucets, led, 14 speed fan, Lt tires, upgraded converter, axle flip, wet bolts, ez flex, 4 batteries, rebuilt battery box,vent covers, AND drill holes all over to install stuff like solar. When I drag it through places we like to go I dont worry about the paint.

Unless yours is starting to have serious issues and you foresee putting a lot of miles on it I would suggest staying put. You obviously take good care of it and are happy with it.It will be worth squat on trade, you have already eaten the majority of depreciation.

Fixing up fiver to trade for new | Good Sam Community

camperkilgore
Explorer
Sep 17, 2015
laknox wrote:
camperkilgore wrote:
I wonder how many others have walked this path.

We got the bug for a new fiver recently. Made the mistake of looking at some of the new spacious floor plans with opposing slides, which are lighter than our camper in some cases. So we cleaned up our fiver and made a list of all the improvements we have made to it over the years. And you know what?

Our existing fiver has more nice features than most of the new ones that are in our weight range for our truck. We also just coated the roof to prevent leaks(being proactive). Some of the things we added can't be purchased even as options on some of the new fifth wheels. Restrictions on what can be attached or welded to frames of the new ones limits the nice things that can be added: like electric leveling jacks, rear mount cargo rack to name a couple that we have on our fiver. They can be added after the warranty expires, but we camp a lot, and doing without those things would be a hassle....on top of the monthly payment for the camper.(Ours is Paid For)

I also consider the 30 grand we would pay for the trade difference would finance years of traveling in our current fiver and the repairs that it might need along the way.

On the other hand being 65 years old, I feel we may have 10 more years in our rving future, and it might be good to trade for a new one now instead of nursing ours along for the next 10 or more years. Is a 10 year old Cougar fifth wheel pushing the limits for rving?

Anybody have a benchmark for when to buy a new one, or experience with keeping the old one and maybe regretting it? Or happy you kept the old one?

There are a lot of mid-size (+/- 30') FWs that are coming with 4-6 pt leveling systems and a number of mfrs do put factory hitches on the back. One, that I'm looking at, is the Jayco Eagle and Eagle HT models. Both come with a 3k rated receiver on the back and both come with optional leveling systems. My only real knock on the HT is that they have smallish (IMO) black tanks and, for boondocking, this leaves something to be desired. Another brand I'm looking at is the KZ Durango 1500. Larger tanks, also with optional leveling system, but no rear hitch option. For me, that's not a huge deal, but it =would= be nice. The Jayco gives me the option of putting a genny on the back, while the KZ can be had with gen-prep. I just mention these since they're on my short list for our next FW and both are lighter than my current Komfort. There are any number of others out there along the same lines.

Lyle

Yes Lyle,

We were considering a Jayco HT 27.5rlts for the very reasons you stated above. Our Cougar has the optional slide out bicycle rack on back which holds my diamond plate tool box in which I store hoses, leveling blocks, cables and such(not to exceed 200 lb rating). Keeps the stuff that gets dirty out of our basement. The receiver hitch on the Jayco could hold my aluminum receiver hitch cargo carrier that I already have, and my cargo toolbox. Jayco has the option of leveling jacks also. The only drawback is the bedroom slide has the Schwintek mechanizm which has a bad reputation. Don't know if it's worth the risk of slide problems given the price of the unit.

Thanks for your input.
camperkilgore
Explorer
Sep 17, 2015
rjxj wrote:
After looking at new ones that were just as shoddy as the old ones I bought a 14 year old one that was in great shape.

New or old all the same upgrades are needed. Generator, high profile toilet, faucets, led, 14 speed fan, Lt tires, upgraded converter, axle flip, wet bolts, ez flex, 4 batteries, rebuilt battery box,vent covers, AND drill holes all over to install stuff like solar. When I drag it through places we like to go I dont worry about the paint.

Looks like all the mods I have done to ours, and why it makes it difficult to buy a new one which will need at least half of the stuff I've put into mine. We don't worry about the paint either. Just the roof.
Thanks for the input.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2015
Dealers don't care about the condition much. I've gotten some quotes on trade-ins online. The prices they offer are so low vs the crazy high price they want for the new ones isn't worth it. One offered me way more than I paid for mine new...then had their new one priced at full list. When I ran the numbers vs another dealer that discounted theirs 35% like many will. They were really showing me about $14,000 less than wholesale for trade. Good deal?..in your dreams. I'd love a new one, but I'm not giving mine away. Tried to sell it on my own. That didn't work either. Not much of a market for a good quality 5 year old fiver that's priced the same as a super low buck starter model model with a 20 year finance term and lots of cheap frills. I'll just keep it.

B.O.
camperkilgore
Explorer
Sep 17, 2015
B.O. Plenty wrote:
Dealers don't care about the condition much. I've gotten some quotes on trade-ins online. The prices they offer are so low vs the crazy high price they want for the new ones isn't worth it. One offered me way more than I paid for mine new...then had their new one priced at full list. When I ran the numbers vs another dealer that discounted theirs 35% like many will. They were really showing me about $14,000 less than wholesale for trade. Good deal?..in your dreams. I'd love a new one, but I'm not giving mine away. Tried to sell it on my own. That didn't work either. Not much of a market for a good quality 5 year old fiver that's priced the same as a super low buck starter model model with a 20 year finance term and lots of cheap frills. I'll just keep it.

B.O.

You hit the nail on the head. And mine is 10 years old.
I think I can nurse this one for another 10.
crcr
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015
My used RV's are always in exceptional condition with some upgrades, so I never trade them in, I sell them myself on craigslist. They have always sold quickly for good money (much more than I would be offered on a trade-in), to the first person who comes and looks.

I notice most private party RV's for sale, they don't use enough pics in their ads, and the pics are often of poor quality. And they don't provide enough details in the description. Many many quality pics, plus FULL details of the specs, upgrades, floor plan, etc of your rig for sale, plus knowing your rig well enough to answer ANY question the prospective buyer might ask, will make you a successful seller. If someone calls and is serious, I also offer to fire up the refrigerator before they come and offer to show them that everything works.
Dutch___Di
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
We're with you Jim-Linda. We bought our 1st and only Carriage brand new in 1996 and still fulltime in it today
When we looked at new or well kept pre-owned, we decided to just spend some money to freshen up the interior. We also had the outside stripped down and had the exterior painted including the decals in 2015 so we basically have a grand new RV to ride around in. Good luck with whatever you decided to do. Hugs, Di

Jim-Linda wrote:
Started fulltiming in 1996 with a 1991 HH, and a FL truck, traded for a 1998 HH Champagne. Since we had the last truck we would need, we maintained the trailer. Still have it today, no urge to trade.

Jim
Campinghoss
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2015
We are about the same age. I started looking to upgrade to a motorhome a while back. Today I am test driving a Cayman dp with 34 miles on it. Since I am getting a little age on me I think a motorhome will be the way to go as time goes on. I ran across this deal and it was too sweet not to get serious. So if all goes well I am going to probably pull the trigger this afternoon. I plan to see if I can sell our Sunnybrook but if it does not sell the dealer will buy it from me. I do plan to keep my truck.

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