Buying first TT - New or Used?
Hello! We are a family of 5 with three small children (ages 7,6,2) and we are wanting to buy a travel trailer - doing alot of research - and wondering if we should buy new or used. New we are thinking...
Forum Discussion
Buy used and when you are ready to purchase make the deal contingent on having an independent tech look it over. Don't use the same dealers tech if you buy from a dealer.
I'll give you 95% odds, within 2 yrs you will have different wants and needs, so no reason to take a huge depreciation hit or live with a trailer you don't like. If you have the used unit checked out, there is no reason to expect any more repairs than with a new unit (and new units need more repairs than you would think. Even if they are under warranty, that doesn't help if the unit is in the shop when it's time to leave on your vacation).
I'll take the opposite tack on which to buy first. Find the trailer first. If you buy the truck and then come across trailer you love at a great price but your truck can't handle it, it leaves you in a bad position. Once you know the trailer, you can buy a truck to handle it. Trailers are far more variable than trucks, so it's generally easier to find a truck that meets your needs than the other way around.
I'm not sure if they make the 3/4ton equivalent in a suburban but seriously consider moving up with that size trailer or look for a 4 door pickup in the 3/4 or 1 ton range. The 1/2 ton might do it but the bigger truck will tow much nicer.
I'll give you 95% odds, within 2 yrs you will have different wants and needs, so no reason to take a huge depreciation hit or live with a trailer you don't like. If you have the used unit checked out, there is no reason to expect any more repairs than with a new unit (and new units need more repairs than you would think. Even if they are under warranty, that doesn't help if the unit is in the shop when it's time to leave on your vacation).
I'll take the opposite tack on which to buy first. Find the trailer first. If you buy the truck and then come across trailer you love at a great price but your truck can't handle it, it leaves you in a bad position. Once you know the trailer, you can buy a truck to handle it. Trailers are far more variable than trucks, so it's generally easier to find a truck that meets your needs than the other way around.
I'm not sure if they make the 3/4ton equivalent in a suburban but seriously consider moving up with that size trailer or look for a 4 door pickup in the 3/4 or 1 ton range. The 1/2 ton might do it but the bigger truck will tow much nicer.
