My wife and I are in pre-retirement mode. We owned a travel trailer about 30 years ago and would like to buy a 5er to travel and to spend the winters in a warmer location. We have located a used 2013 Redwood that is priced at roughly half the price of a new one. We have not looked at it in person yet but will probably do so. We have also looked at a new Heartland Big Country at a local dealer and like it a lot. I would like your opinions about buying used as opposed to new. I have decided that if I buy used it will probably be no older that 3 to 5 years old. Also if any of you own a Redwood let me know how if it has been a good experience.

Nothing wrong with purchasing used, just inspect it thoroughly before putting any money down. Make sure everything works, no leaks, try it with slides in and slides out, if it has slides, make sure everything is accessible (new or used for that matter), check your towing weights, and if purchasing used, ask for any documented history, like service calls, repairs, things like that.If purchasing new, you no doubt will have some kinks to work out. If you have a few months you can use the camper before going full time, you can work through warrany issues, make some Do-it-yourself modifications and changes, (which usually take some time to figure out) (I just made a cabinet change yesterday after owning mine for over 3 years now, sometimes it just takes time to figure out what needs to be changed or modified with new). With used, the previous owner may have made some alterations. They may work for you, they may not, so check the used unit out thoroughly, not only for structural soundness, but also for actual comfort and usability. If a used unit is in good working order, the floor plan works for you, and there are minimal modifications you see in the future, then going used will save you a lot of money, money you can use for camping and your future retirement. It's really your decision. But which every way you go, new or used, check out the functionality with slides in and slides out. You really need to have access with slides in.

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.

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.

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 - AndersonWallnut Ridge - New CastleMt. Comfort - GreenfieldColerain RV - IndyCamping World - GreenwoodEdmunson RV - EidenburgOf 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-CountyAnd 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.

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.

New or Used | Good Sam Community

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jul 17, 2016
Nothing wrong with purchasing used, just inspect it thoroughly before putting any money down. Make sure everything works, no leaks, try it with slides in and slides out, if it has slides, make sure everything is accessible (new or used for that matter), check your towing weights, and if purchasing used, ask for any documented history, like service calls, repairs, things like that.

If purchasing new, you no doubt will have some kinks to work out. If you have a few months you can use the camper before going full time, you can work through warrany issues, make some Do-it-yourself modifications and changes, (which usually take some time to figure out) (I just made a cabinet change yesterday after owning mine for over 3 years now, sometimes it just takes time to figure out what needs to be changed or modified with new). With used, the previous owner may have made some alterations. They may work for you, they may not, so check the used unit out thoroughly, not only for structural soundness, but also for actual comfort and usability.

If a used unit is in good working order, the floor plan works for you, and there are minimal modifications you see in the future, then going used will save you a lot of money, money you can use for camping and your future retirement.

It's really your decision. But which every way you go, new or used, check out the functionality with slides in and slides out. You really need to have access with slides in.

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