Buying a used RV

If it is a dealer selling the used unit then it's up to you to negotiate. You know the dealer paid the previous owner half of what it's worth, which gives the buyer some room to negotiate.

Remember asking and selling prices are not always the same thing,in fact they rarely are. Also much of the time those asking prices are based upon the seller being upside down on a loan and they may be seeking payoff as once you add in fees, interest, etc. much of the money going out the first couple of years on a 15+ year loan is just treading water and putting you back at where you thought you were when you started the whole process. For example when you are taking that initial MSRP and subtracting 30-35% to get out the door cost, are you then adding back in sales tax, registration cost, and all those other things people tend to roll into a loan.

How do these compare to what you are seeing?

http://www.nadaguides.com/RVs

Just read stats on this. When you tow a trailer off of the lot a trailer is worth around 23% less.

I just bought an 07 TT for 12 grand that was bought for new for 42 grand.

Buy from a private owner because a dealer will just hide stuff and tack on about 20%.

Here are the numbers I am trying to understand.
Mythical new 2017 5th wheel.
MSRP $100,000
Selling price $65-70,000 (30 to 35% off MSRP)
I find used units (same Model, etc) 2-4 years old with asking prices $70 to $80,000.

every post I have ever read says big depreciation in first couple of years.

So, I am thinking the 2-3 year old unit that can be bought new today for $65-70K should be maybe $50,000?

Am I looking at this wrong?

2 to 4 yrs is NOT old
new prices go up, so does the value of 3yr old RV
find one they liked and used, one they can tell you if they had something fixed, what squeeks etc..

with the industry the way it is right now, many people will tell you stories about having things fixed, things not right from the factory

things you should not have to worry about with a slightly used RV a couple of years old

Only you can determine that. Really, decide what is important, what isn't. Look at floor plans and decide what you want.

It's no fun trying to convince someone at the last minute to go your way, you will live with the frustration either way for too long. Been there, done that. She is still unhappy, and if she isn't happy, it won't last long.

So, choose wisely, sometimes the good rigs sit unloved, sometimes the love they lack makes them bad choices. Try to find an owner that makes you feel he loved his rig, but has to move on, either smaller or bigger, but with great memories and stories of fixing stuff.

Camper4871 wrote:
I have been reading this forum for months and am about ready to buy
my first RV. I have read many times on here to buy used. The problem is most of the 2-4 year old RV's I see are priced (asking) close to what I think I can buy a new unit for.

So, how much below the asking or advertised price should I expect the seller to accept? And, would that % be different for an RV dealer versus a private seller?

FWIW, I am looking at 5th wheels. I want a toy hauler but DW may have a different idea.

Thanks

depends on how motivated the seller is to sell and how motivated the buyer is to buy. best advice...determine how much you are willing to spend regardless of how much you love the RV (there will always be another one) or the great deal you're offered. stick to your budget. if not paying cash....better to stay out of debt...then put diwn enough to stay right side up for the life of the loan. don't appear eager to buy. and always, always have the unit inspected by a qualified RV and automotive tech who has no interest in the transaction.

good luck.