Thor Four Winds 29G too good to be true?
I have no experience with campers at all. I recently came across a 2016 Four Winds 29G with 26,000 miles. The guy is only asking $25,000. After looking up comparible models, this deal almost seems too...
Forum Discussion
I will attempt to share with you what I have experienced over the last 50 years of rv ownership and dealership experience. Not to say this is a bad or good unit but during normal times rv manufacturers tend to push them off the line at a rapid rate. In 2016 Thor was responsible for a third of rv demand. They tend to leave the tweaking up to the individual dealer to deal with. It saves them time to build and sell new units increasing their profits.
Now it depends on the dealer. If this unit was bought from one of those good caring dealers then it might be a decent unit offering the original owner trouble free service and his reasons might be valid for its sale.
If it was bought from a busy superstore then you would have a lesser chance of the unit being a solid sale. They too, do not do good prep jobs and push them out the door to leave YOU, the new unsuspecting owner, to deal with it .
That's one of the reasons we see a lot of 3 year old rv's on the market. People get fed up waiting for rv service appointments and not having use of their rvs. This is a reason to buy a slide model rv with a useable floorplan while having the slide in the "IN" position, just in case you need to use it that way for any period of time.
There are a lot of used newer rv's on the market and that is why NADA prices and such carry little weight on the real used rv market . Dealers use a black book as part of their negotiations process regarding trades. These owners have to come up hardship stories in order to sell them privately. Taking trades is a necessity for dealers and is often problematic for them, they tend to under price the value because they have to warranty it for a period of time. This forces private sales.
Things not in your favor, the floorplan , Poking large holes in rv sidewalls to compromise its construction as well as placing a lot of weight on one side over the other. Depending on storage locations, you might be starting off driving an unbalanced rv.
Multiple slideouts and having a kitchen in a slide. Plumbing, electrical and gas lines must flex in order to go in/out. Therefore as others with experience have suggested , hire someone, a professional to inspect this unit. It could be a good unit, but there are a lot of variables to investigate because of all its moving parts. There also is a higher tendency for failure.
When you inspect any rv, make sure the roof vents and windows have been fully closed for a day before you inspect it. Your nose and a flashlight to inspect dark compartments will be your best tools. Cheap clearance lights and seals around roof installations have been a known leak source on all rvs. Water intrusions will seek the lowest levels to settle.
Check those horizontal areas where sidewalls meet the floor or cabinets and bed platforms in-between ceilings and floors. Check for newly added carpets especially under the slides. Most water damage is hidden under the carpet and stains are not visible unless the carpet is removed.
I have helped replace worn carpets from slide wear and found water damage while replacing it. The owners never realized they were leaking. We had a slideout fall onto the ground when we deployed it. It was due to rot from water damage. The owner claimed he never realized it.
The first thing I would do is check to see if the seller really has an eye doctor.
Now it depends on the dealer. If this unit was bought from one of those good caring dealers then it might be a decent unit offering the original owner trouble free service and his reasons might be valid for its sale.
If it was bought from a busy superstore then you would have a lesser chance of the unit being a solid sale. They too, do not do good prep jobs and push them out the door to leave YOU, the new unsuspecting owner, to deal with it .
That's one of the reasons we see a lot of 3 year old rv's on the market. People get fed up waiting for rv service appointments and not having use of their rvs. This is a reason to buy a slide model rv with a useable floorplan while having the slide in the "IN" position, just in case you need to use it that way for any period of time.
There are a lot of used newer rv's on the market and that is why NADA prices and such carry little weight on the real used rv market . Dealers use a black book as part of their negotiations process regarding trades. These owners have to come up hardship stories in order to sell them privately. Taking trades is a necessity for dealers and is often problematic for them, they tend to under price the value because they have to warranty it for a period of time. This forces private sales.
Things not in your favor, the floorplan , Poking large holes in rv sidewalls to compromise its construction as well as placing a lot of weight on one side over the other. Depending on storage locations, you might be starting off driving an unbalanced rv.
Multiple slideouts and having a kitchen in a slide. Plumbing, electrical and gas lines must flex in order to go in/out. Therefore as others with experience have suggested , hire someone, a professional to inspect this unit. It could be a good unit, but there are a lot of variables to investigate because of all its moving parts. There also is a higher tendency for failure.
When you inspect any rv, make sure the roof vents and windows have been fully closed for a day before you inspect it. Your nose and a flashlight to inspect dark compartments will be your best tools. Cheap clearance lights and seals around roof installations have been a known leak source on all rvs. Water intrusions will seek the lowest levels to settle.
Check those horizontal areas where sidewalls meet the floor or cabinets and bed platforms in-between ceilings and floors. Check for newly added carpets especially under the slides. Most water damage is hidden under the carpet and stains are not visible unless the carpet is removed.
I have helped replace worn carpets from slide wear and found water damage while replacing it. The owners never realized they were leaking. We had a slideout fall onto the ground when we deployed it. It was due to rot from water damage. The owner claimed he never realized it.
The first thing I would do is check to see if the seller really has an eye doctor.
