Wow!

Depreciation is significant. But it also depends on how good a deal you got in the first place. People can pay thousands of dollars difference for the same RV based on negotiating skills and/or dealer they bought from. Have no idea where you fall in relation to that.

caysea7254 wrote:
MY DH and I got an eye opener! We were just thinking about trading in our 2015 Grand design Reflection 337 RLS for a 2017 337 RLS or a 2016 318 RST Reflection, and we didn't realize how much a unit depreciates! We will keep our current unit and just do upgrades! We had no idea!!! Is this the usual or just a grand design thing? Lets put it this way, they took off around 12,000 a year!!! Just venting!! Tara :)

Don't worry, they'll put it back on when they put out on their lot.

Look at it this way, they didn't really take off $12,000 a year. Most of that came the day you drove it off the lot. :)

Just wait 2 years when you retire and get the 2017 then when the most dramatic drop in value has already taken place. Were are going to do the same thing and do everything possible to not purchase our next rig new, rather aim for a 1 or 2 year old unit with all the bells and whistles.

Just a few things. Really this is our first 5th wheel and we really didn't realize the super depreciation. We wanted the automatic leveling system, solar prep, textured panel on fridge, we like where the electric hook up is on the side instead of the back like ours. Also hubby liked the fact there is a tube next to the dump valves to store the hose. And I like the medicine cabinet in the 2017, ours is thicker and we hit our head on it when trying to wash our faces. ok I know that's not a big deal but we plan on full timing in 2 years and we wanted a few of the up grades. But we will do it all ourselves now. Hubby is a jack of all trades. Tara

Why would you want to spend money just to get the same model in a later model year? We've made significant improvements and upgrades to our 337 and won't be turning loose of it any time soon!

Rob

X2. DW and I picked up our 2014(March '15) Laredo for 14k less than a new 2016 cost.

Funny thing is I found a receipt with the original owners name tucked in with the owners manuals. Recognized the last name as a relative of my neighbor. Was able to call and get the history of the unit and why he sold..

This is why some of us go looking for a one or a two year old unit. First owner takes a huge hit on depreciation & deals with all of the new unit gremlins.

Next owner gets a virtually new unit cheap & has all of the issues taken care of.

Perfectly normal in this industry! If you have a 15 year loan, and are paying it off on time (not paying ahead), it will take you about 10 years before you will no longer be upside-down (when the value of the camper is worth more than the remaining balance on your loan).

Its a typical depreciation for a RV. RV's will lose value faster than cars for the first 3-4 years.

Its something we have to live with when buying new.