I'm in the market for a Fifth Wheel and from what I'm seeing so far either people are mighty proud of their Fifth Wheels or they seem to hold their value really well. Most that I look at are priced above NADA value. I've inquired on a few and when I tell them they are priced above value they say then move along. That's what I'm asking for it and don't make me these silly offers. So I've always been taught that when you book a vehicle the only extras you can add on when getting a used value are extras. People are adding in there A/C units, furnaces, refrigerators, slides, awnings, gel coat exteriors etc when they are already included in the book price. So basically they are adding them in twice making their values sometimes up to $10k higher than it should be. It even says in the fine print when you book out an RV that you do not include any items that come standard on the RV when purchase. The things I mentioned above are standard items. Am I wrong for pointing this out to sellers? And why are people paying over book value for these units? Just curious. What are your thoughts on used RV values.

A "good" price is when both buyer and seller think they got a good deal, no matter NADA.

It's only worth what someone will pay for it. Just keep looking

Fivers, especially ones in top shape do command a premium. Exactly what and how much are you looking at?

donn0128 wrote:Fivers, especially ones in top shape do command a premium. Exactly what and how much are you looking at?We are looking at units 2014 and newer and under $35k. This will be a recreational RV not a full time rig. I still have 10 years before retirement so no reason to go big yet. We realize at the price range we are looking at lower end units but I'd almost rather buy a lower end unit New than pay a premium for an older mid priced unit.

Most don't know how to use NADA, and everyone always thinks their " stuff " is worth more than it truly is.We looked for our 5th wheel for 7 months, and walked away from many for the reason you are stating.We looked for our DP for 9 months, same scenario.Stick to your guns, and don't overpay. Try not to rush, as that can lead to a mistake. It will happen when it's meant to be.

NADA values for used Fifth Wheels | Good Sam Community

MN_Ben
Explorer
Feb 20, 2017
Funny how the dealers can knock nearly 30 G's off their price. Or maybe their just jacking up the list price to make it feel like one is getting a deal. But I guess the time to buy new is at the shows when their running sales.
Earl_E
Explorer
Feb 20, 2017
I gave up trying to buy RVs from private individuals years ago. I know people do find great deals but I didn't. They were always way too high. I actually found better deals from dealers even though their list prices are way high. I usually got what I wanted for 30% off to 50%. Every RV I have bought from a dealer was never over NADA and often far less. Never got that from private sellers.
ACZL
Explorer
Feb 20, 2017
1 dealer I spoke with says that there isn't anything within the RV industry that states 25%-35% off MSRP (new). Most take around 15% off and if buyers don't know better, they think they are getting a good deal. Ironically, same dealer I just mentioned has a unit they are selling (new), has sat on their lot for a year and now that have it for 28% off MSRP. When questioned, reply was" It's a year old".
valleycat1
Explorer
Feb 21, 2017
Another reason private sellers price their units so high is that they may be upside down on the loan and want to get at least the full loan payoff amount, not actual value of the unit. Particularly true with newer models, and possibly true if they had purchased even a used one within the past 3 years or less.
goducks10
Explorer
Feb 21, 2017
Jayco offers a build and price option on their web site. You can cross reference every item on the invoice to see the cost of it. No different than buying a Ford or GM truck. Add the options and theres the total price. How much the dealer marks up after that is another story.

You can also go here and figure out if the dealer's jacking you around.
http://www.seedealercost.com/products/model-options/index/id/25348/productCategorySlug/recv
Flapper
Explorer
Feb 21, 2017
goducks10 wrote:
Jayco offers a build and price option on their web site. You can cross reference every item on the invoice to see the cost of it. No different than buying a Ford or GM truck. Add the options and theres the total price. How much the dealer marks up after that is another story.

You can also go here and figure out if the dealer's jacking you around.
http://www.seedealercost.com/products/model-options/index/id/25348/productCategorySlug/recv

Jayco prices according to their MSRP. Once you get that price, then starts the game of how much the dealer will knock off of that, like the prior sign that was posted. Only the most foolish of dealers would go UP from Jayco's pricing.

And......I found many, many local dealer posted prices that were below those seen in "seedealercost", before any negotiation. I doubt they were advertising them to be given away for less than their cost.....
maskins
Explorer
Feb 24, 2017
When we bought out 5th wheel last year. There were two dealers that had the same unit. Both of them had different Manufacture's pricing. One was 20 grand higher than the other. It was also at the rv show and had lots of people walking through it, didn't have the 2nd ac install, was missing the tank and battery gauges, and was a year older.
Needless to say we got it from the other dealer who was very close to what seedealercost.com had.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Feb 24, 2017
for whats it worth..

when I purchased my used trailer...from a New and Used dealership.

large sign on trailer September Sale, reduced from 17,500 to 14,995.

after an hour .. I got it for 10,000 out the door. and NO Trade-in.
with New battery, new inverter/charger and 2 new 30# propane tanks (filled)
60 day warranty on complete unit and appliances
one week later they replaced all 4 brakes.. covered.

Just like used cars.. numbers are everywhere.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2017
Just for fun I did the NADA evaluation on mine not long ago. Came out to about what I was thinking before I checked off the boxes.

The thing is, I have put alot of money into upgrades that you can't easily see, don't have a switch on them & are not inside.

Things like an air pinbox, hugely strengthened spring hanger areas, Correct Track system, Center Point Equaflex hangers & the blingy wheels add up to thousands of what really counts upgrades IMO.
shadows4
Explorer III
Feb 25, 2017
lacofdfireman wrote:

One of the craziest things I've noticed in some ads are that the people selling make zero effort in cleaning the unit before taking photos. Clutter on the floors and counters, clothes laying around and beds not made. That I'll never understand but I'd never even consider buying a trailer that someone wasn't even willing to try and clean up before snapping photos to post for sale.

We sold our last TT 4 years ago through CL. Made sure it was clean and ready for new owners. But the wife always keeps it clean. Anyway we are in KC and the buyer came all the way from Souix Falls, SD. about 600 miles. Said everything he had looked at was over priced junk. Said, as most here have said, most were filthy and unkempt. Never even tried to talk me down.(maybe I sold to cheap) And I think the reason was because I put a reasonable price on it and it was clean. He didn't need to do anything but load and go. I guess my point is, you can tell by looking at a used unit if it has been taken care of by the appearance of it. When we were looking, if it wasn't clean, we looked else where. Good luck in your search OP'er.

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