How much off retail to start haggling? New TT

Start at 30% off. The dealer's job is to get as much as he can. You will need to increase to the point that you are willing to walk away from the deal. If you go a little higher that you would like, make sure to push for accessories to be thrown in. Best wishes and may God be with you and bless you with many wonderful and safe trips.

lacofdfireman

Your response is noted and does add a new dimension to the equation. If you are looking for a camper to rent-out, and you want something that can be towed by virtually anything, I think a smaller camper, like a Casita Travel Trailer would be a better choice. It might not have all the bells and whistles you are thinking of, but face it ... someone renting a TT probably has no, or very little, prior experience. Outside kitchens, bunks, (bells and whistles) probably will not affect one's decision as much as what they can actually tow ... especially if they have a smaller tow vehicle. With this style of camper, most will probably not need weight distribution, in some states, if the total weight of the camper is less than 3000 pounds, the trailer does not even need brakes. This is something else you need to consider for each renter with the camper you are considering. Although it sounds like it's a certain weight, weight distribution will still be needed, as well as an electric brake controller. I don't know of too many people driving an F150, or 1500 that does not already own a travel trailer has as an extra spare weight distribution hitch laying around, let alone wired for electric brakes?

Your idea is OK, you just need to think of a smaller camper that fits a wider clientele's tow vehicle.

Edit:
There is another option. You said you have campgrounds near you. Here in Indiana, there are a few boat rental companies that will haul the rented boat to your choice of lake. Then they come and pick it up and take it back to their shop.

If you are planning on doing the same... provide the transportation, set up and then bring it back home yourself, then the camper you have selected would definitely be a winner! Personally, if I were to rent my camper, this is the only way I'd do it. Tow it myself, set it up, and then take it down. The customer just shows up at the door with their blanket and pot and pan and hotdog stick.

lacofdfireman wrote:
Looking for a TT for my wife and kids.

lacofdfireman wrote:
This isn't our first RV. We have owned many so we do understand the benefit of having a slide. We are buying this trailer for the main purpose of renting it out.

I gotta be honest I feel deceived. I answered based on your OP which made it sound like this was for personal use. And now you tell us this is for commercial purposes?

And the 220bhwe is a 27 ft trailer, not 22 ft. http://www.keystonerv.com/springdale/models/220bhwe/model-mobile.

This isn't our first RV. We have owned many so we do understand the benefit of having a slide. We are buying this trailer for the main purpose of renting it out. I know, I know I must be crazy to rent out an RV. We are currently finishing our 3rd year renting our 36ft Class A. It has been really good for us but we are wanting to add a Travel Trailer to our rental list. We want something small enough that it can be pulled by most SUV's or 1/2 ton trucks. The Springdale I mentioned in the above post seemed to fit our requirements. 22ft and under 5klbs. I think most SUV's can handle that carrying capacity? If anyone else has any better suggestions on a better trailer I'm open to options. Want to keep it as close to $15k so my payment is low. Not interested in hearing all the reasons I shouldn't rent because we know the risk. Thanks everyone for your insite.

Reason for no slide should be obvious for a rental. Less potential to have issues while the renter is in possession. Bunk beds will equal more family friendly. We live by 2 National parks very close so the Travel trailer I think will be a hit.

It also depends on the time of year you are looking to buy. We bought ours in May. That's just how it worked out. No way would they go down 30%. It was closer to 20% off MSRP.

I'm also curious about what SUV you have. With kids and a trailer that size you may well run out of payload capacity before you hit your towing capacity. Also, don't look at the dry weight of the trailer, that's a fictional number. No travel trailer is at it's dry weight ready to camp. Look at the GVWR of the trailer and calculate from there. The trailer you are looking at has a GVWR of 7570. Granted you will probably not put 3000# of "stuff" in it, but you will have at least 1000# of "stuff".

And don't be afraid of a slide. In fact now that I have one I'd never want to be without one.

"Many" dealers put out a sheet with the MSRP on it. And then they list their price. Those that do it that way. Generally expect to get that price, and will tell you up front.

Those that just use the MSRP. Expect you to talk them down close to the price the other dealers start with.
We have several dealer like that near here. I got a better deal from the dealers that show their non MSRP price.
They will usually work with you better on trade as well.

Springdales tend to be heavy. What is your SUV and its specs (towing capacity, real axle, tongue weight limit, etc.)? Your offer depends on the dealer - some already discount heavily, while others list the MSRP on their campers.

Our first 2 TT's did not have slides (Dutchmen and Springdale). It was just the wife and I (and dog). The Dutchmen was 18 feet and it became too cramped. Sold it within 2 years. Got the Springdale (31 feet). Worked OK for about 6 years then we simply quit using it. One day we sat down and evaluated our lack of usage. Turned out, we both agreed, we did not like the floor plan, and it seemed too cramped up. We almost gave up camping completely. Still, we hung onto the Springdale a while longer.

By the way, never had ANY roof problems with either of these.

After 8 years with the Springdale, we finally came to the reality if we wanted to enjoy camping again, we needed something different. Thus ... enter the Outback; three slides, 36 feet long, and set up for only 2 people! What a world of difference. Since purchase, we have literally been living in it now and no desire to stop. Use it every day, parked at home and through the winter. Love it! (3 years now).

And, by the way, .... no issues at all with the roof or the slides. No leaks, but I do treat the roof, inspect and wash it about 3 times a year, and treat the seals and slide mechanism on the slide-outs twice a year too. I think that is the success to keeping slides "healthy". Use the rubber seal conditioner and keep the gears and tracks lubed.

You'll enjoy that Springdale (for a while), but if you have kids (thus the need for the bunks), you will probably find yourself cramped also in a couple years.

That is a pretty good looking layout, to fit all that in 22 feet.

I hate to ask this... but... when you say "SUV", what vehicle are you planning to tow with?

I can't help much with the pricing. Shop around, get different prices, do the best you can. If you are happy with it, then you got a good deal!

there are more places to leak than a slide. I wouldn't be afraid of any RV with a reputable build and a slide. I think that folks here say to start at 30% off retail. but retail is not necessarily set at the factory, it is set at the dealer. so 30% off might be worse than 20% off depending on MSRP.
I personally think 20% is a more reasonable offer unless the dealer has something he wants to unload, is over stocked, etc.
My salesman & friend said that they don't figure a % off, they figure cost plus whatever they need to clear on the unit.
bumpy