Forum Discussion

MickyLuv's avatar
MickyLuv
Explorer
Oct 22, 2016

2005 Thor Wanderer. Dealer's Extras?

I'm on the verge of buying a used 2005 Thor Wanderer travel trailer from a local dealer in Alberta.
in addition to the advertised price, the salesperson tells me that there will be several items required at extra cost. I'd much appreciate
any advice or input on the necessity and suggested price of these extra items.
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The TT weight is 4370 lbs. I'm told that I need a $529 (CAD) stabilizing hitch to tow the trailer home. The fact is that the journey is a 19 minute drive, after which the trailer will be static, sited in a corner of my daughter's yard. It's unlikely that it will be taken on the road again for some considerable time, if at all, after delivery to the site. Is this piece of equipment really necessary under these circumstances?
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I'm told that I'll need 2x6volt batteries costing $400 (CAD).
The trailer will be permanently connected to mains electricity. Are these batteries necessary for the functioning of the trailer electrical system even when mains electricity is used for power and lighting?
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There is said to be a necessary $490 (CAD). Check over by the dealer, carried out to ensure that the trailer is fully functional and fit for purpose. Is this a standard type of extra when a dealer sells a used trailer, or is the dealer's premium selling price, meant to include this service?
How is any standard used vehicle warranty affected by the inclusion or absence of such a check over?

Regards,

Mike
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2016
    Rip Off, Rip Off and Rip Off. You can get by with any much much cheaper automotive 12V Battery for your needs.
  • stew47's avatar
    stew47
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2016
    Tell them no. If they don't take no just walk away. I can assure you there are more out there.

    Really you can proabably do without a battery on any kind. Once you plug into 120 volt the converter supplies 12v to all items needing 12 v. Fridge, lights, furnace. Your emergency trailer brakes may or may not work for the short trip you are planning. If they won't let it off lot without battery find one to borrow.
  • vic46's avatar
    vic46
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2016
    Malarkey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Make spotting the trailer by the dealer, to your satisfaction, a condition of the purchase and include the condition in the purchase document/agreement.

    Also insure that all additions or deletions to the agreement are initialed by the person authorized to sign off on the agreement by the vendor.

    You do not need the batteries.

    The fee for the PDI is El Toro Popo!!!!!!!! Remove it from the purchase agreement and the vendor can either insist, and loose the sale, or accept the removal of the PDI fee. It is the middle of October, the vendor is likely really keen to move a used piece rather than carry it to May 2017. Furthermore, if there is ANY warranty by the dealer, be sure the details thereof are in written form also signed by the person authorized to sign off on the purchase and sale document. Good paper is like a fence, it stops squables!

    You are in the drivers seat! Go Get 'Em!

    Vic
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2016
    Boy, they must have seen you coming and thought $$$s! Make them a offer for them to spot it, and inspect and warantee everything at no extra charge. If you get suckered, its your own fault, cause we all told you. They are trying to play you. And if you do buy from them, get EVERYTHING in writing.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2016
    This guy is trying to skin you and hang you out to dry.

    And, when he tells you that you need a spare $75.00 louvered water heater plug, tell his to forget that too.
  • FLY_4_FUN's avatar
    FLY_4_FUN
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2016
    If your truck can safely haul the TT home to its permanent site without weight distribution then just do it.

    If you are parked on a site then all that's needed to buffer the converters 12v input is a simple group 24 battery

    The dealer prep fee is at their discretion to charge or drop....you can decide if its worth paying or walking away from the deal over. On a used vehicle the price should reflect any repairs etc they had to do to make it safe to sell (new tires/battery/fixing obvious broken stuff etc)

    Daryll
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Oct 23, 2016
    X2 on all the above, your lucky you didn,t do this deal run ,your being lied to and just think of the things you don,t know about this unit, lies,lies, lies ,run .
  • Y-Guy's avatar
    Y-Guy
    Moderator
    Oct 23, 2016
    You really don't need any of that, but the dealer is just selling you what they normally sell everyone. No need to be rude just tell him you don't need those items. You don't need the expensive hitch, but you need one that can handle the tongue weight so check your hitch first.

    You don't need dual 6v if you are not dry camping, but you will need 1 for the 12v systems; lights is the big one. But you need to watch it since you're leaving it plugged in all the time most cheap converter/chargers can cook the battery so watch the water levels. The LP water heater needs the 12v too, not sure if that one has an electric water heater or not.

    I've never paid for the dealer inspection/prep. Seems dealers are trying to tack it on after the agreed price now. Agree on an out the door price, no gimmicks. No extra PDI, no documentation fees, etc.
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    Oct 23, 2016
    Make the dealer an "out the door" offer and be prepared to walk away.

    Even if they refuse, they will probably call you in about two days and offer to reconsider.
  • pira114's avatar
    pira114
    Explorer II
    Oct 23, 2016
    We've given some conflicting info here.

    One, I agree you don't need the hitch. That weight is usually easily handled by your average truck or SUV. But you didn't state what it'd be towed with. Worse case scenario, I'd hire someone to tow it before I bought a new hitch that I wouldn't use afterwards.

    Batteries. You simply won't need it after being towed (I'd not tow a trailer without the brakes working). Borrow one for towing, then you can forget about it. I can't imagine that year trailer coming with a converter that needed a battery as a buffer while on shore power. The only reason I can think of for having a battery is to use as a backup for power outages. In which case, a cheaper deep cycle battery would be more than enough. Up to you.

    Inspections. Just a way to make money. But make sure the warranty doesn't specify it MUST be inspected. That's if the trailer even comes with a warranty.

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