I just replaced my 6-year-old original trailer tires with new Goodyear Endurance tires. As we are preparing for an upcoming 6-week, 4000-mile trip, I discovered that my trailer brakes are in need of replacing. Since I'll have the thing in pieces already, I am replacing the original bearings with new Timken bearings as well. So everything from the axles down (out?) will be new and high quality. Here's my question: If I go to sell this thing in a year or so, will any potential buyers care that I invested $1000 on it? Will buyers care?I'm not talking about adding $1000 or even $500 to whatever asking price I would normally start with. Mostly I'm thinking in marketing terms. Putting something in the advertising like: "new tires, brakes and bearings in 2020." Do you think buyers of used trailers would see how enhancing that is? -Speak

I know I would. Sure, some buyers won't seem to notice or care. But I'd guess that majority of lookers will see that it does enhance the unit. When we sold our TT with new bearings, brakes, etc, it was this that sold the buyer on the unit. He was looking at other units in the same price range (about $10k) but ours was only one that had new brakes, bearings, newer tires. Other units the owners could not say, or didn't know, or would say "it does not need it" when in reality they didn't know.Do it for peace of mind for your remaining trips and for knowing you did the right thing. You can then sell knowing you have a complete package for the new owner.

SpeakEasy wrote:I just replaced my 6-year-old original trailer tires with new Goodyear Endurance tires. As we are preparing for an upcoming 6-week, 4000-mile trip, I discovered that my trailer brakes are in need of replacing. Since I'll have the thing in pieces already, I am replacing the original bearings with new Timken bearings as well. So everything from the axles down (out?) will be new and high quality. Here's my question: If I go to sell this thing in a year or so, will any potential buyers care that I invested $1000 on it? Will buyers care?I'm not talking about adding $1000 or even $500 to whatever asking price I would normally start with. Mostly I'm thinking in marketing terms. Putting something in the advertising like: "new tires, brakes and bearings in 2020." Do you think buyers of used trailers would see how enhancing that is? -SpeakVery helpful. keep all receipts as proof.

Your repairs which are regular maintenance items may make a marketing difference but after trying to sell a mint condition 5th wheel a few years ago with all sorts of extras and maintenance records it did not seem to make much difference with potential buyers. The floor plan and the trailers weights had a larger impact . Just figure your investing in a safe trip for yourself and your family and hope for the best at resale.

cavie wrote:Very helpful. keep all receipts as proof.Good advice. Thanks! I wouldn't have thought of doing that.-Speak

A buyer is going to expect working brakes, bearings and tires. I doubt you will get any more money for these items but without them the prices might drop or it might be difficult to sell the unit.

Any Return on Investment? | Good Sam Community

ajriding
Explorer II
Mar 03, 2020
No.

To the ones that it would make a big difference, probably all of them are chiming in here on this post, to the 1,000s of potential buyers these small things will not matter, and to a new RVer it will mean nothing to them since they have never had to replace trailer tires or brakes, which are wear-n-tear items anyway.

Two identical campers, same price used; one has 4 brand new Endurance tires, one has worn out walmark tires. Which one gets bought? The one closest to home, or the one with prettier pictures.

Some upgrades like solar, or other huge additions, would only matter to a person thinking of wanting that upgrade anyway, to others it means nothing and adds no value. Having a TV already in there ($100 - $200 value) would mean more than other upgrades that only a seasoned RVer would appreciate, as I observe many want a TV.

Fix things that are broken and make RV ready to go camping, but upgrades are a bad idea for selling. Actually, undo the upgrades and keep them for the next RV as this will ultimately save you money, or you could lower the price by that amount. People do not want your upgrades, well, except for tires...
As far as brakes.... "What's a brake controller?" is what you will hear.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Mar 03, 2020
tdiller wrote:
It's routine maintenance I would expect it but not pay more for it.
Here you go - yes save the receipts to show maintenance history, price your TT using NADA guidelines, and use the maintenance history as a selling point. You can't expect a buyer to pay tou for maintenance items. Proving/showing routine maintenance is only a way to show a prospective buyer why they should by your unit and not someones else's.
SpeakEasy
Explorer
Feb 29, 2020
mich800 wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
tdiller wrote:
It's routine maintenance I would expect it but not pay more for it.

Agreed, but between a trailer that has been maintained and one that hasn’t been I’ll take the maintained one even if it’s priced a bit more!

But every trailer similar has the same value of a properly maintained vehicle. You are assuming the others are not maintained. Why would someone pay extra for the same vehicle condition. Like I stated earlier. It may make it easier to sell. But unless you work some dealership upsell tactic it is not worth more.

It's an interesting interaction between "easier to sell" and "worth more." The final price is a function of what a competitive marketplace is willing to pay. If I market it as having had meticulous maintenance, provide documentation, and price it at the high end of similarly available trailers, I think I'll have more people interested in buying it. More people = more demand. More demand = less pressure to negotiate the price down.

Basic free market economics.

-Speak
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 29, 2020
As the last 4 pages show, there are several valid ways to view this.
Not a clear cut yes or no answer.
mich800
Explorer
Feb 29, 2020
dodge guy wrote:
tdiller wrote:
It's routine maintenance I would expect it but not pay more for it.

Agreed, but between a trailer that has been maintained and one that hasn’t been I’ll take the maintained one even if it’s priced a bit more!

But every trailer similar has the same value of a properly maintained vehicle. You are assuming the others are not maintained. Why would someone pay extra for the same vehicle condition. Like I stated earlier. It may make it easier to sell. But unless you work some dealership upsell tactic it is not worth more.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 29, 2020
"Think about it, you're in the market for a used trailer. Two trailers that are quite similar in price, condition, quality and layout. One just shows you pictures and a price. The other shows you pictures, price and a maintenance history that shows everything is up to snuff. I'm focusing on trailer #2 as my priority."

But you could also view that trailer with the list of "repairs" as a trailer that needed "repairs", and will need more "repairs" in the future. As opposed to the one that seems to show it needed no "repairs".
spoon059
Explorer II
Feb 29, 2020
cavie wrote:

Very helpful. keep all receipts as proof.

Agree. As a buyer, I look for items that have been taken care of. A seller that indicates services done shows the buyer that it has been maintained and is likely to be in nicer condition. Whether it sells for a higher price or not, I don't know, but it will sell quicker.

Think about it, you're in the market for a used trailer. Two trailers that are quite similar in price, condition, quality and layout. One just shows you pictures and a price. The other shows you pictures, price and a maintenance history that shows everything is up to snuff. I'm focusing on trailer #2 as my priority.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Feb 28, 2020
tdiller wrote:
It's routine maintenance I would expect it but not pay more for it.

Agreed, but between a trailer that has been maintained and one that hasn’t been I’ll take the maintained one even if it’s priced a bit more!
tdiller
Explorer
Feb 28, 2020
It's routine maintenance I would expect it but not pay more for it.
SpeakEasy
Explorer
Feb 27, 2020
Dtank wrote:
SpeakEasy wrote:

Putting something in the advertising like: "new tires, brakes and bearings in 2020." Do you think buyers of used trailers would see how enhancing that is?

-Speak

Since I am a self-proclaimed (just now) advertising guru.....

It will break (no pun) down like this:

60 percent will care...:C

30 percent will not...:(

10 percent either won't pay any attention to that info, or don't know what you're talking about...:h

Bottom line: Why not include the money spent on upgrades and mechanical work in "for sale" info? (Save receipts!).

:@

.

So.... I guess that means 60% will care and 40% won't?

In any event - thanks to all for playing along. Your responses were mostly what I expected, and I learned a couple things along the way.

-Speak