Purchasing a used TT from dealer

Well thanks for all the assistance.

I did end up purchasing the Citation.

Overall it fit our needs better than the Coachmen.

I inspected it myself and didn't notice too many problems. I had another person look at it that repairs TT and he said it was a well maintained TT with additional upgrades made by the owner over the years to things like the water heater, pumps, etc

The only problem I saw was concerning the slide out.

When the slide out is all the way in and you go to open it, it sometimes binds and needs to be started by the hand crank one turn. Then if you go inside and press the button it opens fine.
Sometimes it does it and sometimes it doesn't. I tried it about 5 times at the dealership. The dealer told me the technician checked it and it's not a motor issues etc, but a problem because it's a 20' slide and it happens sometimes because of a design flaw with such a large slide. I felt like I was getting smoke blown up my arse, but I am not a TT mechanic etc. I only expect to open and close it twice a year. Once in the spring to open it and once in the fall to close it when I winterize it. Maybe they bs'ed me...

Does anyone know if that problem can be fixed if I chose to troubleshoot it myself? Any possible causes?

I have a few other questions but I will start a new thread on those.

iso

isonychia wrote:
Less expensive, older, more storage vs newer, more expensive and less storage???

Honestly, when buying any trailer it's a crapshoot, sometimes you're lucky and sometimes you're not, and I don't see how anyone here could advise you one way or the other ... this is a decision only you can make.

Thanks again for all the replies.

As far as I know it is owned by the dealership.

Visually it looks well kept. I have not done a thorough inspection yet and I have not put any deposit down.

I just recently saw another TT that I may consider in addition to the 2009 Coachmen (it is a 2009, not 2007, my error).

The other trailer is a 2005 Citation. It has a lot more storage than the Coachmen and is equal in terms of finishes, size, layout etc. The only downside is it is 4 years older.

So, aside from the fact that I MAY be able to negotiate a lower price on the Citation, I am not sure which one I should go with if the overall condition (after I inspect both) seems equal.

Less expensive, older, more storage vs newer, more expensive and less storage???

iso

I'd suggest to have the used trailer tested with inside air pressure for leaks before signing the papers and delivering over the check. Operate all the systems to your satisfaction. If you don't know how they work, hire a mobile tech to look it all over.

Don't worry about being a smart customer. Anyone at the dealership that was buying a used TT, would probably do the same. If you just went by some of the posts on this Forum, you would know that there are a few that trade in their RV with known problems rather than fixing them. It is common.

Also, isn't there some law still in effect about having more than $10K in hand and using for transactions? I seem to remember that the bank needs a special form for depositing more than $10K in cash.

Charlie D. wrote:
Dealer owns the lot and camper and can certainly dictate what he will allow but I will inspect the roof and everything else or walk away.

As it is entirely your right to do ... just as it is any dealer's right to restrict certain activities that may conflict with the terms of his business liability insurance. You may walk away if you don't get what you want but believe it - the potential for the dealer to lose his business entirely because he or one of his employees allowed activity that resulted in a libel suit is FAR more important to him than losing your sale. To believe otherwise is to be naive.

Dealer owns the lot and camper and can certainly dictate what he will allow but I will inspect the roof and everything else or walk away.

There has been terrible flooding in my area of S.E. Texas and hundreds of people have lost their homes. I have a friend who lost his and bought a 2003 model 5er to live in while he rebuilds. I went to the dealer to pick it up for him and move it to his house. Dealer assured him that everything had been inspected and repairs made and he had just taken it in for a trade from the original owner who bought another one.. While he was signing papers and putting his hard earned money down I looked at it. On the way to pick it up he said the dealer offered a 2 year warranty for $2400. I told him he could repair most anything for that money and save it.

Dealer said it had a new roof and new front and back panels. The lower half of the front had been replaced and it was obvious where the seam was. Delamination everywhere. Back had not been replaced and roof was not new. After he came back from signing papers I told him the antenna was missing. Roof caulking was cracked, one front jack had a broken pin. electric on water heater didn't work, rear stabilizers bent, numerous openings on the fiberglass and bolts pulled out of one of the awning legs where it attached to the side. Out comes the Dow Corning clear RTV in lieu of Dicor. When he asked what I thought I was too sickened to say anything but "It will do for a couple of months."

He did buy the $2400 warranty.

Sorry OP if I hijacked your post but hopefully you learn something from it.

Allworth wrote:
Hey SoundGuy,

How come LaMessa not only let me climb the rear ladder and spend a half hour on the roof in the middle of the lot, but offered to send somebody with me to take notes?

I heard one salesman tell potential customers that it was an example of how far they go to please buyers.

Obviously you didn't read what I wrote ...

"That may be a poor assumption on your part as no dealer is going to allow anyone who doesn't work at the dealership do anything that may contravene terms of the company's insurance policy and make the dealership libel for any injuries that may potentially result from such activity."

Followed by ...

"RV dealerships for the most part are private family operated businesses and as such can insist on whatever business practices they deem necessary ... so while yours may be foolish enough to allow you to climb up on the roof for inspection I wouldn't assume this to be necessarily so."

Guess where your dealer lands in this scenario as an example of "pleasing other customers" if you fall off the roof. :W :S

Hey SoundGuy,

How come LaMessa not only let me climb the rear ladder and spend a half hour on the roof in the middle of the lot, but offered to send somebody with me to take notes?

I heard one salesman tell potential customers that it was an example of how far they go to please buyers.

Don't forget to inspect the tires and the manufacturing date of said. You want to make sure your TT makes to it's destination. I think the others have all your Q's covered!

Yes do be the pain in the azz customer!!!!!!! Note that is not the same as being the azzhole customer.
Are you buying a front of the lot beauty or a back row junker? Does the dealer own it or is it commission?
They both will have bearing on your inspection and the dealers willingness to work with you.
Actually cash is probably the worst way to go. Most dealers will receive a percentage of the loans that they originate for a lender so are not real happy to get cash.