New or Used

What they will come off the asking price depends on what their asking price is to begin with. And also depends if you are looking at a $50K rig or a $100K rig.

If you google a specific model and floorplan, you will find dealers advertising that same floorplan with prices differing by as much as $20K to $30K. Generally they will also list the "MSRP". So if a dealer is already showing a price that is $25K off their "MSRP", then they are not likely to drop it much farther. If they are advertising only the "MSRP", then they will drop the price significantly. (Note that I put MSRP in parenthesis since that is a questionable number to begin with).

Do a lot of searching for the model and floorplan of interest, find the lowest advertised number, and use that as a bargaining tool.

Hey guys. I'm also looking at 5ers. I'm still new to the Rv world period. Yesterday I looked at a Columbus fifth wheel. 41' I'm pretty sure with living area in front top. I really like that. They had a used 15 that just sold,same model and price difference wasn't that much. But then I'm not sure how much markup these things have. I do know that trucks can be had for 10-12k under sticker new. They also had a 40' Cody that I really liked. 47k 2011 model. What could one expect to actually pull this off for? Say 35k?

Thanks everyone for the opinions. Dutchmen Sport, I have been to about all the dealers that you have mentioned. I was impressed with Walnut Ridge and Modern Trailer at Anderson. Everything about those two were impressive. Very organized. If I buy new it will probably be one of those two. You mention buying horse feed supplement at Wallace Grain. I drive one of their semis. I know pretty close where you are located. When we left Modern Trailer we turned west and went straight to Lapel. Small world.

We bought a used 2013 Montana over a year ago....for 1/2 the price of new! We have all the records of any repairs done and the owners info. We love it! We are full timers and work at "keeping up" on any repairs that need to be done. It's been a year, would we buy used again, yes! As everyone states, check out everything...good luck

If I was in your shoes I would buy used for sure. Unless of course money is no object. Then I would buy new. I have bought 2 new RV's and they were great. But I have bought several used and I am sure unless I win the lotto I will always buy used in the future. When you are talking trailers they are relatively simple units. Most everything is a DYI project if you have some carpentry and light mechanical skills. Once your retired I would guess you would enjoy maintaining your RV. JMHO

Also make sure your truck can tow it. For a tow vehicle bigger is better, Do NOT take the dealers word.

One of the good things about buying used is the original purchaser gets to take that first big hit of depreciation when he drives it off the lot. If the owner is on top of things he will have had most, if not all, of the problems fixed, so you don't have to. And there are always problems, sometimes especially with new ones.

And since it's been quite a while since you did any RVing, a used camper will keep you from losing so much money if you decide it isn't really what you remembered it to be.

Greg C.

Not sure where you are considering purchasing that Hartland at, but I checked and found that the following are Hartland Dealerships:

Tri-County Auto - Russiaville (near Kokomo)
Modern Trailer - Anderson
Wallnut Ridge - New Castle
Mt. Comfort - Greenfield
Colerain RV - Indy
Camping World - Greenwood
Edmunson RV - Eidenburg

Of all these dealerships, I highly suggest Wallnut Ridge in New Castle. They are still a family owned dealership and still have personal pride in their products and services. (they take everything personally). They also have a policy, when you purchase new, to return the RV after 3 months to fix any issues you have, and they re-inspect for any warranty work, and they fix everything! Then, before 12 months after purchase, when most RV's go completely out of warranty, they schedule you an appointment where they inspect the RV again and fix anything that needs attention. I asked why they do this, and they said they want all of their new sale RV's going out of warranty with everything perfect as can be when the warranty ends. They do this with every new sale. If you need service, you schedule an appointment and then bring it in, they fix it and then you take it home. They actually don't want the RV on their lot any longer than necessary. We purchased our last TT from them. They are absolutely TOPS to work with.

Next.
We live about 5 miles from Modern Trailer in Anderson. Those folks are great to work with. Like Wallnut Ridge, make an appointment, bring it in on that date and wait time is absolutely minimal. They worked on my RV's when I did not purchase from them, and they have given me as much attention to my needs as much as anyone who purchases new from them. They've been able to locate parts for me when they were no longer being manufactured, and we purchase almost all of our RV supplies from them since they are so close to home and almost every time we drive into Anderson, we go right by them. Their sales team is top notch too.

Mount Comfort is an absolutely great place to purchase from also. I've never done business with them, except for an occasional stop-in to purchase an RV product I can't find anywhere else, or we're in the area and just snooping around. Always friendly, always helpful, and great people. Also, I have some friends who work in the service department, so I know the kind of quality repair work they do, which is par-excellent! You also make an appointment then bring your RV in on that date. Your wait time is minimal this way.

Camping World.
We purchased a travel trailer from them when they were still Stouts RV. One month after the purchase, they officially became Camping World. All the time we owned our Springdale, they did it good. But when we moved near to Anderson, it was more convenient to use Modern Trailer. I have no complaints about Camping World. They always did good for us. They are just too far of distance for us when other dealerships are much closer.

I know nothing about Tri-County

And we've visited Edmunson several times too, but never purchased an RV from them. Other than their parts store, I don't know about the quality of their service.

Also, FYI, I was born in Noblesville, attened HSHS, work in Fishers, my mother still lives in the house my dad built in 1950 and the only home I grew up in, located East of Noblesville on Highway 32, I purchase horse feed suppliment from Wallace's in Sheridan every now and then, use to attend church in Sheridan when we lived in Carmel, and have done extensive camping at White River Campground near Cicero. I now live in Madison County, in the country, because after 15 years of parking my camper in my driveway in Carmel, the city of Carmel notified me I had to move the camper out. So, we left Hamilton County completely and moved to Madison County where no one gives a hang where you park your camper!

Anyway, I just wanted to share my experiences with these dealerships, if you are really set on a Heartland. Not sure which one you are considering, but of all of them ... I STRONGLY suggest Wallnut Ridge over them all.

I prefer to buy used. In my opinion, you get a better deal.

If you decide to buy new, inspect it thoroughly. Make sure everything works before you exchange any money. Don't take the salespersons word that everything will be repaired.
Quality control is lacking in the RV industry.

Used - depends on condition. You can find some great deals on used rigs that are in great condition. At the same time you can find someone's problem child they are trying to get rid of. Inspect it top to bottom, front to rear, side to side. Or have someone do it for you.

New - Google that Heartland model number and look at prices from multiple nation wide dealers. You may well find dealers with much lower prices for the same floor plan that you can either buy from, or use as a bargaining tool for your local dealer.