2013 Trailer at dealer over 1 year

Boband4 wrote:
To me, the real question is why did the original owner only keep it 3 months? Will the salesman tell?

Which story? The truth or the one the salesman just made up? ;)


In fairness, probably very little chance the salesman knows the true story anyway. The one owner only owning it for 3 months may be fabricated too.

Always do a very detailed inspection, or pay a 3rd party professional to do the inspection.

myredracer wrote:


As mentioned, tires are going to be 3 years old. I'd negotiate a new set of tires. A standard full factory warranty should be provided.

Absolutely on both of these. Fortunately you are dealing with a fairly reliable manufacturer, but it would be nice to know why the former owner only owned for 3 months. If it were for problems, then can you get a record of warranty work done on it?

I'm also curious why it has sat on the lot for so long, even taking into account the 3 months of previous ownership. Could it have been recalled to Jayco? Those types of fixes usually take many months if major work had to be performed.

If it sat for that long on the lot with no problems, than it could be the dealer is not willing to negotiate, which may mean they didn't get a good deal on the buyback from the first owner (which is hard to believe, since most owners get totally hosed getting rid of an RV after only 3 months of ownership).

Has the dealer explained any of the history? If so, can you trust what they have said?

Back in the 1990s I bought a 3-year old new Coleman PU from a dealer. When I took it out for the first trip, the canvas leaked from dry rot. Fortunately the dealer ordered a whole new set of canvas and installed it under warranty. It was a hassle but did not cost me financially. You obviously won't have this issue with a TT, but there may be other things to look for.

Find out what the Blue Book value is. If you ended up selling it for any reason shortly afterwards, that's all it will be worth. The moment it rolls off the dealer's lot, it's a 3 year old unit - period.

Definitely get the exterior caulking checked out by a professional. Don't allow the dealer to say it's okay. A pressure test would be best. The dealer won't have been doing regular caulking inspections and re-caulking where needed.

As mentioned, tires are going to be 3 years old. I'd negotiate a new set of tires. A standard full factory warranty should be provided.

I have a 2011 Jay flight that I bought NEW when it was slightly over a year old. Dealer already had 2012's on his lot too. I negotiated things beyond the sales price. Got mine for 30% off MSRP, but it was NEW so I had a 2 year warranty. I negotiated things like accessory purchases at discount and installs for free, roof treatment and check/recaulk seams for free (to be done in 6 months), insisted on full propane, water system sanitized, set up hitch and everything, so I could hookup and leave immediately to use the trailer.

I feel like I got a reasonable deal and the dealer has been willing to work with me on repairs for my goofs (bent awning from too much rain water when I didn't have it slanted enough). Whenever I carry trailer in, they do the work, I need in a reasonable time and at a reasonable cost.

If you feel comfortable with the dealer, then negotiate and come to an agreement. I would probably offer 50% off and then negotiate from there. You will be happy with your Jayco.

To me, the real question is why did the original owner only keep it 3 months? Will the salesman tell?

It's used even if it's not titled. It's not a car or truck.

I made the mistake of almost buying a 3 year old "new" camper and had to back out of the deal. To many things wrong as the dealer did no caulking over the years after the caulking went bad sitting on the lot. Had water leaks in the roof near the AC, had water leaks in the wall. And the tub framing was weak and not supporting the tub.
Thankfully I could get out of that unit. Dealer said no problem as they'd just use it as a rental.

I actually had good luck with the sales people but service was pretty bad and incompetent like most Dealership shops. Hopefully my current dealer keeps his good guys.

BTW, I was paying only 60% of MSRP and it was still a bad deal. 70% is near what I expect to pay for a current model year, not a used 3 year old model. RUN, DON'T WALK!

tshirtman wrote:
It is a Jayco Jay Flight 29rlds (discontinued model after 2013)

That makes it tougher! Lol

Is there a similar floorplan you have considered?

It is a Jayco Jay Flight 29rlds (discontinued model after 2013)

I would have them do a pressure leak test

What trailer is it you are looking at? Floorplan?