New or Used?
We are considering a newer, not new, travel trailer or 5th wheel toy hauler. With a $30,000 budget, would it be better to purchase a mid-line pre-owned unit, as old as 2012, or buy new? Used o...
Forum Discussion
I buy new vehicles and used toys. We went to shows and dealers and looked at several new ones. The last one that we looked at took 3 hard slams to close the door. It was $32,000. I can slam the door on a $10,000 one just as easily.
I couldn't do it. I read about all the different issues on here and decided to buy used. If I bought new or used I would still need to do many of the same things such as, flipping the axles, going up to 16 inch wheels and tires, fan/vent upgrades, transfer switch, ems, pressure tank, led bulbs, AND sort out all the little boogers that these things are notorious for.
I also would have cringed every time I drilled another hole or shot another screw into the wall of a new one. As you probably know the number one issue is water damage. If you find something dry and in presentable shape your next risks are the frig, ac unit, furnace and water heater. All of those items could be replaced for about $3,000. $3,000 risk or $20,000 plus more in price.
I also read of people on here with brand new rigs with the water tanks falling out while sitting still. Or slide leaks, and fighting with the dealer. I couldn't do it. I would go ballistic. It would be too much on my mind vs just going out and putting an older one in shape and moving on. BUT, I was a mechanic and a glutton for punishment too so you may not be into what I do. If you buy new, I would sure look for high quality. Those cheesy sheet metal I beam frames and stuff scare me.
On the other hand, SOMEONE keep buying new so that a used market is created for us cheap sob's downstream.
I couldn't do it. I read about all the different issues on here and decided to buy used. If I bought new or used I would still need to do many of the same things such as, flipping the axles, going up to 16 inch wheels and tires, fan/vent upgrades, transfer switch, ems, pressure tank, led bulbs, AND sort out all the little boogers that these things are notorious for.
I also would have cringed every time I drilled another hole or shot another screw into the wall of a new one. As you probably know the number one issue is water damage. If you find something dry and in presentable shape your next risks are the frig, ac unit, furnace and water heater. All of those items could be replaced for about $3,000. $3,000 risk or $20,000 plus more in price.
I also read of people on here with brand new rigs with the water tanks falling out while sitting still. Or slide leaks, and fighting with the dealer. I couldn't do it. I would go ballistic. It would be too much on my mind vs just going out and putting an older one in shape and moving on. BUT, I was a mechanic and a glutton for punishment too so you may not be into what I do. If you buy new, I would sure look for high quality. Those cheesy sheet metal I beam frames and stuff scare me.
On the other hand, SOMEONE keep buying new so that a used market is created for us cheap sob's downstream.
