Justifying the cost of a Travel Trailer

Boomerweps wrote:
I read the WHOLE thread.

I recommend looking for RV shows and check out the various brands and floor plans that might suit you.
THEN go on line and search for the models you like. The used prices you mentioned in your original post are well within the prices of NEW TTs. You can find great online reviews of many trailers, especially on Utube. Www.rvtrader.com lists models by state and distance from you, includes a lot of pictures.
I decided on my floor plan and primary concerns, such as a dry bath, a bed that does not get assembled each night to sleep in, & we wanted bunks for the grandkids. We watched some great video reviews and decided on the model we wanted. Then we searched for it. Closest was about 50 miles away, dealer wanted about $15,500 USD for the 2018 TT. Searched online, found another in the neighboring state 150 miles away for $11,500 and they just got it as a 2019 model with a bigger refrigerator.
For an individual, there are a lot of great small, easy to tow TTs with features for $10-12,000.

Not true, those "prices" you quoted are the "exception" rather than the "rule".

Back 18 yrs ago when we were first looking at RVs the AVERAGE price of ANY trailer was easily STARTING AT $12K and that was for the SMALLEST LEAST EQUIPPED POPUP you could find.

Small hard sided single axle trailers was STARTING AT $14K at that time.

Things HAVE GONE UP in costs since then.

The starting prices coupled with the cheap build of the cheapest RVs made us rethink buying new. Instead we decide to buy used, ended up buying a 1981 20ft TT for $1800 instead of buying a new 2001 model for $18K. Yes, we DID have to make a bunch of repairs to get it into camping shape, but not anywhere near paying $18K plus interest (which adds an additional $10K to the purchase price).

All you have to do to save money is go back about 8yr-10yr and shouldn't have any troubles finding a fully depreciated used RV for $3K-$4K or so.. Beats the pants off paying a 15yr note on a trailer and in the end have SCRAP RESALE VALUE at the end of the loan.

Our current TT is a 1983 26ft trailer which we bought for $700, totally rebuilt we put under $4K of rehab and upgrades into it. Yes, it took time, about 2 yrs to complete but in the end, it IS the LAST RV that we intend to ever buy. We reworked the layout to suit us, no cheesy ugly green "jungle print" that was so early 2000 too boot..

From what I gathered, the OP has never camped before, I suspect has never towed before and as such the chances are great WILL have "buyers remorse" and end up not wanting to tow or camp..

There IS a "LEARNING CURVE" to not only camping but towing, not everyone takes to towing or camping..

That IS the reason a I really recommend renting for one or two camping trips, then if they think it will work for them find an OLDER USED RV that they can tow..

For some reason so many folks think they MUST buy a new RV to camp, plenty of low cost used RVs out there, just takes some determination to find what can work for them.