Trade in's

I have only bought two used campers with documentation (one was from my brother) - the other three used ones I have bought had nothing. I keep everything, even if it is not helpful (like the owner's manual).

My opinion has always been that my trade in will be in as good of or better than the condition of the one I'm buying. The fiver we traded in two months ago the dealer sold it in less than two weeks. He had to do zero reconditioning on it and I had every piece of paperwork for the future owners.

It is a good feeling to know how good of condition your rig is in.

I also keep our TT in top notch shape. Not necessarily for trade in value but who wants to go camping in junk? We recently had to bring it back to the dealer for some minor work and the service manager was amazed at how good the rig looked.

I'll bet many of the motor homes traded in are in reasonably good shape at the time of trade. If it is purchased shortly thereafter it is probably still in good shape. It is only after it has been wholesaled out shipped around the US and gone from show to show that it gets half destroyed and dirty. No one wants to fix and clean it until there is some money on the table. Also in that time things like service records and anything / everything in the unit gets removed.

I've noticed that some dealers seem to keep dirty, junky units on their lot so they can show the 'used' units.

Then they try to sell you a new unit. JMO

and you enjoyed a rig that was in tip-top condition while you owned it.

I believe I was the OP "ranter" that was referred to. We did eventually find our RV but man did we have to kiss a lot of toads before we found our prince. Congrats to you on keeping and enjoying a nice RV and reaping some reward for your efforts.

Problem is that RVs can get nasty just by sitting around, either on a dealer lot, a wholesale lot, or at the previous owner's place.

I have found that even in Texas where the weather conditions don't get that extreme, every 3-6 months, a rig needs some TLC, be it inflating tires, venting it out, making sure appliances work, getting the detritus out of flues, and other basic maintenance tasks. Cosmetic things are important too like washing the rig, oiling hinges, locks, and other moving parts, and so on.

Of course, there is the most important thing of all... checking the roof every few months. One imperceptible crack in the caulking, and the rig is destroyed.

Worst thing that can happen to a rig is that it sits without being at least inspected twice a year.

Never give your records to the Dealer. They simply throw them away as soon as you turn around to leave. Besides not wanting to keep tabs on the records and attached to the vehicle, some Dealers may view them as a liability. Ignorance, or claiming such, is bliss.
When I traded a truck in last year, I asked the dealer to give my phone # to the buyer (it sold rather quickly and I noticed it was off the lot), so I could give the buyer my service/maintenance/warranty work folder. No call was received. A few weeks later, I noticed my old truck out on the road (it's one of a kind, with off-road enhancements). I flagged the guy down and told him I had all the records, a Shop Manual and the special wrench for adjusting the custom suspension. He said the dealer never mentioned a word about it. He also said he couldn't believe someone would get rid of such a nice truck, which I found to be a very complimentary remark. I was driving my new, bigger truck, so that explained it.

ol' yeller wrote:
I believe I was the OP "ranter" that was referred to. We did eventually find our RV but man did we have to kiss a lot of toads before we found our prince. Congrats to you on keeping and enjoying a nice RV and reaping some reward for your efforts.

We are in the market again after selling our last RV. No shortage of "toads". No exaggeration on your part ol' yeller. This isn't just a little dust from sitting on the lot. Broken furniture, torn upholstery, stained and damaged flooring and bathrooms that haven't been cleaned in a loooong time. We are in the market for a late model used DP and I've been pretty appalled at the condition of some of the coaches we have seen. Some have just been traded and have not been detailed, but the smells and stains we have seen are kind of surprising. I know it happens, but I'm just surprised that it's been so common. I see why some just go ahead and take the hit on a new unit.

Still on the hunt...