I've been wanting to buy a travel trailer for years now and I think I'm finally ready. I rented a 30(ish) ft travel trailer from Ft. Bragg MWR about 6 years ago, and it seemed to work fine. We had 4 adults and 2 kids, and things were a little cramped but we made it work. I never really "shopped" for the trailer, it was either a pop up or the trailer we rented, and this guy isn't staying in a pop up. It's been a few years now, and the trailer was already a few years old when we rented it so I'm sure things are totally different. I want to finance it, but don't know what length loan to consider. Do people really finance travel trailers for 20 years? Do I buy new or used? How bad is the depreciation hit if I buy new? How much cheaper can I expect a used trailer to be over new? Just like I don't walk into a car dealer without doing research, I don't want to walk into an RV store and say I want to buy a trailer and have the salesman take me for a "ride."Based on my previous experience I would probably want something similar to what we rented previously. Around 30', a bunkhouse, at least one slide. Another limiting factor I have is my truck. I currently have a '14 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel with the highway gearing, so I can only tow 7700#. I don't know if you saw my other post, I'm thinking about buying a new truck to so I can eliminate weight from the equation. Given the tow capacity of my current truck, can I find a trailer that meets my need or do I need to reconsider size?

Since you will be buying a new truck also, I would first find the trailer that I really wanted and then get the truck that is MORE than capable of pulling it.New or used is always a decision only you can make. Personally, I would shop around for a used one that is not more than three years old that someone has taken good care of.Depreciation hit on a new one will probably be around 20%. However, if you intend on keeping this trailer for many years, I would probably buy new. I think you'll find however, that most will buy their 2nd trailer within a few years of the first one.Financing a new one for 20 years? I wouldn't. Maybe five years. I would look for a used one that I could pay cash for or finance for three years at most. Go to rv dealers and just look, look, look. Don't let the salesman talk you into ANYTHING until you have done your research. This forum, and others, are a good source for finding out the particulars of a certain brand/model and what other owners have to say about them.Most of all, don't get into a hurry. Determine exactly what you want before you're ready to buy.As for the truck, don't be misled about the mfg'ers "tow capacity" bull. It is only an advertisement gimmick. Payload and rear axle capacities are more important. For trailers, take about 12% of the trailer's GVWR for tongue weight. Trailer mfg'ers quoted tongue weight is normally much less that the actual tongue weight.Hope this helpsRon

Ron gives good advice. Everyone has a different opinion of what is best for their particular family. Take your time. Visit many dealers and manufactures web sites. Get an idea of what fits you and your family. Then narrow down your search to what brand or manufacture you want to go with.Remember, sales people are there to sell and all will tell you they have the best and promise you anything. When you start to purchase determine what your walk away number is and stick to it. On a new unit never start your negotiations any higher than 30% off MSRP. Get the dealer to throw in as much as you can, dump hose, water hose, electric line, weight distribution hitch, tow mirrors. Push for what you can get.You can expect depreciation to be high.

I'd think pass the technical aspects at this point and figure out how long I wanted to keep the RV and how old my children are now. It's been 6 years since your last TT experience and your children have continued to grow. Could at least one of them be of an age where sleeping outside the RV appeals to them more whilst allowing you to clean the bathroom and cook their meals? As for financing costs, ability to pay......have you looked at a loan calculator? Ton of em online. Value down the road can be found there as well. HTH

Depreciation is worse on camper trailers then on cars or trucks. So if going new, you need to buy as cheap as possible. This holds up with used rigs too - some people pay too much when buying new, then want way too much when they go to sell it as used.I bought new from a so-called high volume wholesale dealer. I paid approx 35 percent under MSRP. IMHO, you MUST do this if buying new. This will also make it easier for you to sell when that day comes too.FYI - I bought from Holmans in Batavia, Ohio. I initially emailed them and one of their salesmen replied. I then picked out the make, model, and options I wanted, then emailed back my choices and they replied with a quote. I had them order it, drove up from Florida to get it, did a PDI and stayed hooked up in their lot for a few days, and then camped my way back to Florida. I full time in it now.There are other 'wholesale' dealers and if you post a thread asking, you will get other responses. Also, you can do a search as this has been discussed before.I also financed mine because interest rates are so low. And the interest will most likely be deductible on your taxes as a 'second home'. You can get long terms but remember about the depreciation hit. That's why you gotta buy it as cheap as you can.

I should add that I actually got quotes from 2 different wholesale dealers. Their quotes were within a few hundred dollars of each other so I was pretty sure I didn't need to get any more quotes.

Where do I start?! | Good Sam Community

Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 20, 2016
Was gonna say be done with it and get a 3/4 ton or bigger.
IMO half ton is a half ton. You're not moving up in the world much by getting a turbo 6 banger gasser to replace your turbo 6 banger diesel.
Don't sell the Eco D short and regardless of final gearing, the wide torque band and 8 forward speeds makes up for most of any rear gear shortfalls.
But if 30' was cramped then you're pushing yourself into campers that will be a bit of a chore behind a half ton.
Depends on your use. Several short weekend trips or X country, mountains, lots of miles with the trailer hooked up matters IMO.
kohai
Explorer
Aug 20, 2016
Buy used, the depreciation hit is too much unless you can afford it (if you're financing, you can't afford it).
Askibum02
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
Payload is 1330# and GCVW is 13,750#. I'm sure we can make 30' work, we won't always have 6 with us, adult 3 and 4 was my in-laws, and they would drive separately . I realize my truck is a limiting factor, and will probably have to be replaced. When I bought it I was in a tight spot, replacing a totaled vehicle and I had two days to find one. Hoo-Ray for procrastinating. I didn't do a whole lot of researching before buying it. I'm looking at a loaded '16 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost and a modestly equipped '16 Ram 2500 CTD. Two totally different trucks I know, but both are about the same price and both will technically meet my needs. A big part of me wants to buy the Ram and the biggest 5W it will pull and be done with it, but also like the bells and whistles of the F-150, but know I will have to choose a smaller trailer if I go that route.
tomkaren13
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
Do not know how much you have read on this forum. My opinion is a 1500 truck should not tow a TT over 6000#. Got to count in you, your passengers, all the stuff you load into the TT, and even the water in the tank into the 7700# tow capacity. Adds up fast!
bikendan
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
i would look to buy used.

second, post what the payload capacity of your Eco-D is. they are usually low for that truck.

if a 30' TT wasn't big enough, yea you'll need a better truck to tow.
especially if you plan on 4 adults and 2 kids all the time.
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
Do people really finance travel trailers for 20 years?

Some do, but they are under water on those loans for a very long time. Same for many 10 & 15 year loans. I'd think twice if that was the only way I could afford a purchase. Any RV is a depreciating asset, so don't pay more than you have to. Get the best deal possible on any financing, same as the purchase price. Let the dealer know that it will have to beat your other options.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
I should add that I actually got quotes from 2 different wholesale dealers. Their quotes were within a few hundred dollars of each other so I was pretty sure I didn't need to get any more quotes.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
Depreciation is worse on camper trailers then on cars or trucks. So if going new, you need to buy as cheap as possible. This holds up with used rigs too - some people pay too much when buying new, then want way too much when they go to sell it as used.

I bought new from a so-called high volume wholesale dealer. I paid approx 35 percent under MSRP. IMHO, you MUST do this if buying new. This will also make it easier for you to sell when that day comes too.

FYI - I bought from Holmans in Batavia, Ohio. I initially emailed them and one of their salesmen replied. I then picked out the make, model, and options I wanted, then emailed back my choices and they replied with a quote. I had them order it, drove up from Florida to get it, did a PDI and stayed hooked up in their lot for a few days, and then camped my way back to Florida. I full time in it now.

There are other 'wholesale' dealers and if you post a thread asking, you will get other responses. Also, you can do a search as this has been discussed before.

I also financed mine because interest rates are so low. And the interest will most likely be deductible on your taxes as a 'second home'. You can get long terms but remember about the depreciation hit. That's why you gotta buy it as cheap as you can.
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
I'd think pass the technical aspects at this point and figure out how long I wanted to keep the RV and how old my children are now. It's been 6 years since your last TT experience and your children have continued to grow. Could at least one of them be of an age where sleeping outside the RV appeals to them more whilst allowing you to clean the bathroom and cook their meals?

As for financing costs, ability to pay......have you looked at a loan calculator? Ton of em online. Value down the road can be found there as well.
HTH
Alabama_Jim
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
Ron gives good advice. Everyone has a different opinion of what is best for their particular family. Take your time. Visit many dealers and manufactures web sites. Get an idea of what fits you and your family. Then narrow down your search to what brand or manufacture you want to go with.

Remember, sales people are there to sell and all will tell you they have the best and promise you anything.

When you start to purchase determine what your walk away number is and stick to it. On a new unit never start your negotiations any higher than 30% off MSRP. Get the dealer to throw in as much as you can, dump hose, water hose, electric line, weight distribution hitch, tow mirrors. Push for what you can get.

You can expect depreciation to be high.

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