Buying a used RV

Camper4871, I would look around for someone who has an rv that they camp with a lot and who does most of his own work. they are going to know Rv's better than most. Also, those people who do repairs for you on your home turf know more than most. I would tell you that my husband would help you, but he is going thru some serious medical issues. What ever, Do NOT have a salesman advise you. Altho I like all the bells and whistle, I know it is more important to have a unit that is in good mechanical condition. Good Luck Camper, I hope this adventure goes well for you. Feel free to PM me if you would like.

Most of the people complaining about massive depreciation overpaid when buying new.

Most of the people selling at a high price overpaid when buying new and have their heads in the clouds about what their RV is worth. Basically, they expect you to absorb their poor research and ability to negotiate.

I've bought my last 2 RVs brand new and will buy my 3rd the same way.

In my experience TTs and 5th wheels are worth roughly 50% of their MSRP around 3-4 years from when they were purchased. If you paid 90% of MSRP I can understand your frustration. If you paid 60-65% like me you're very content with the cost of ownership and benefit of owning a new unit with a warranty that doesn't smell like some else's wet dog and dirty feet.

To each their own.

Camper4871 wrote:
Thanks to all who responded.
I will certainly have any used unit inspected, as suggested.

ro-sie, do you,or anyone else, know how I might locate an inspector in SC?

KSG, you were right in that I communicated with several sellers suggesting a much lower price. Got no response.

I will keep looking.

For someone to do an inspection, look for a mobile RV tech. Those guys are intimately familiar with what parts of an RV are most likely to fail.

Thanks to all who responded.
I will certainly have any used unit inspected, as suggested.

ro-sie, do you,or anyone else, know how I might locate an inspector in SC?

KSG, you were right in that I communicated with several sellers suggesting a much lower price. Got no response.

I will keep looking.

Camper4871, I know you want the DW to be happy, but my advice for you is to not just look at how pretty it is inside. You want to know it is in good shape mechanically and structurely. Recently there has been lots of flooding in our country. Many rv units were in those areas. You do NOT want one of them. I hope you have someone you know well who is a long time camper to go over your unit. Be good at body language to access the seller. Water is an rv's worst enemy. Be on the look out for any sign of water in the unit. Wishing the best of luck on finding something worthy of you and your DW.

When buying anything there is no magic formula. My experience in buying cars, houses, RV etc is that you make your own determination of what it's worth - make the offer, be prepared to walk away, and be prepared to counteroffer. Often as not your low ball offer won't even get a response. It's a time consuming process and one that requires your ability to handle confrontation/stress and patience.

If the idea of a toyhauler was just for a small dirt bike or MC you could get a 5er with a hitch that can be modified to carry a toy off the tail.
Just a thought.

Thanks for all the good info.

As to DW, I know she's got to be happy. I could live with a really inexpensive unit myself, but I want her to go and to have fun. That means I find something much nicer that she will enjoy using.

I'm just trying to get comfortable with what the used units should be worth, so if what I buy turns out to be too big, too little, too heavy, etc I won't end up "upside down".

I believe that for RV's as well as cars, used is the way to go because of depreciation. You really don't give up much and the premium for new is too high just to get a warranty. Dealers will try to get you to believe that a new one is the about the same price. However, the posted price on a used one will be way higher than they will take, especially without a trade-in. That is, if you compare a used one with a nearly identical new one. Take for example a Toyota Camry. If the true price on a new one is $20000, no one would buy a 2 year old one for same price. They might ask $19500 but actually sell for $15500. Same with RV's. I would just make a real low offer and you might be surprised.

I'll give my two cents, but will address the second issue first.
If DW is not happy with her surroundings, how much joy will you have, or be allowed to have in those surroundings?
On the prices , new you have to also consider the thousands that a dealer will usually add after a price is agreed to. Transportation, prep, PDI, Documemtation, all of these add up. Some states also dont apply sales tax to used (previously taxed) vehicles, that could be another few percent saved. The used private sale has none of these. Also on the private sale you have the chance to find the motivated seller, who is more anxious to sell the unit.
It really becomes a question of time, to find the great deal, usually requires a greater investment of time, in order to save some money. Which do you have more of available is the decision you have to make.