Forum Discussion

jodydoj's avatar
jodydoj
Explorer
Jan 30, 2016

Looking for someone to co-own the Alto Condo Safari R1713

Hi, I'm interested in discussing the possibility of purchasing a new travel trailer with another family or with a couple nearing retirement, to halve the costs of ownership. I have a specific trailer in mind, that is easily towed by just about any vehicle. It is made in Quebec, and is finally becoming available on the west coast. I don't want to own the travel trailer full time, so I have a cooperative ownership model in mind.

I'm always checking out the RVs on RVTrader and Craigslist, and I'm always slightly disappointed by the size/sameness/price points of these trailers. Maybe there are other individuals out there who are doing the same? The idea of spending $40,000 + for a new trailer is hard to swallow, and given that the statistics of using these trailers tends to be 2 weeks a year on average, it seems like a waste. I'm not interested in spending hundreds of dollars to store something off site, so it just makes sense to find other like-minded people who have slightly different holiday needs who might want to co-own and co-store this trailer. This sort of arrangement involves knowing and trusting your partners, and so, here's a little bit about me and my family, in case you find this intriguing:

I'm a 40 year old teacher with a love of camping and the outdoors. I'm married to a teacher, and we have 3 young children, two in elementary school, and one baby. We are currently trying to afford/survive Vancouver, and while we own an old home, we only have a small parking pad in the front of our home, no lane access. We have no pets, and do not smoke. We drive a Toyota Sienna minivan, and dream about doing longer road trips with our family, and the occasional long weekend trip on the shoulder season.

The trailer: http://www.safaricondo.com/en/caravanes

I am investigating the retractable roof r1713 model, and possibly the r1723 model. An RV dealership in Abbotsford is getting these models shipped out in time for the Abbotsford Tradex RV show February 18-21st. I hope to see these trailers on the west coast first hand, and perhaps this post will find other people intrigued by this alternative ownership idea. There are cooperative ownerships of many other items and things out there: cars (Modo car coop-I am a member), boats, and larger RVs (class A), why not something like this?

Maybe you are approaching your retirement, and could see yourself Snowbirding to the sunnier states in the wintertime, or you and your family also would like to do some longer explorations of our beautiful province, but don't want to drive a monster vehicle in order to pull something...I'd be interested in chatting with you. I'm willing to partner with anyone living within an hour's drive from Vancouver, as the trailer would need to be dropped off/picked up semi-regularly?

Thanks!
Jo

10 Replies

  • scbwr's avatar
    scbwr
    Explorer II
    Jan 31, 2016
    I wouldn't consider co-owning my RV with anyone....friend, family or stranger!
    First of all, RV's require special maintenance. Secondly, it's too easy for accidental damage to occur. And then, it's the hassle of who get's to use it in a given time span.

    Buy something that you can afford and use/maintain as you wish! Why complicate things with dual ownership?

    Just my opinion.....best wishes!
  • RedRocket204's avatar
    RedRocket204
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2016
    DutchmenSport wrote:
    IF you could find someone who is willing to go into a partnership with you, I think you're asking for a logistical nightmare. Who's insurance policy will carry the trailer? And what happens if the other person is using it when it gets damaged?

    You use it a couple weeks of the year, what if the other partner is not ready to return it to you yet?

    You have your camping supplies, they have theirs, You're loading and unloading and you have to store your stuff, every time there is a switch.

    Who's responsible for the maintenance, cleaning it up, washing it? What happens if the other partner turns it over to you and its filthy dirty inside and out?

    Will you be getting a loan? or paying it all upfront? If getting a loan, what happens if the partner fails to make their share of payments (and they have the camper in their possession)? What happens if they quit making payments completely? Where do you store it when no one is using it? Who pays for that?

    Tow vehicles? Each partner will need to make sure their own tow vehicles are adequately equipped to tow? What if the other partner feels YOUR's is not safe, or good enough, or too risky. I see a fight occurring, a bitter disagreement.

    I think it would be easier for a couple to go through a divorce than to see an arrangement like this end up in court when each partner is screaming "foul" at the other! Too risky in my opinion. A house, or a time share is a different matter. It doesn't move, and with a time share, you really never truly "own" the property, you are only purchasing time to use it. For a camper, on wheels, that moves, and can disappear! Um.... well ... I'd NEVER EVER EVER EVER .... EVER even "consider" such a proposal. Never!

    You need to either bit the bullet and purchase the camper yourself and assume all responsibility for for, or as suggested above, rent one for the time you want to use one.

    But if you do happen to find someone who is willing to take the risks with you, at least now know some of the issues you're going to have to work through to make it work. And may I STRONGLY encourage you, if you do, hire a lawyer to draw up a contract between all parties involved. "He said," "She said," is very hard to uphold in court when things go bad. (and they probably will.)



    All good points... and adding another for something to think about.

    What if one of the owners needs to move to a different part of the country? How would the co-ownership be legally split? Seems a buy-out clause would have to be present and who would do the buy-out... or more importantly, who would be in a position to do the buy-out?

    OP, I do wish you luck but also feel you may end up with a lot more problems to deal with by trying to form a TT partnership.
  • ROBERTSUNRUS's avatar
    ROBERTSUNRUS
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2016
    :) Hi, one of the main reasons that we bought a travel trailer was so we don't have to share our bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or living room with anyone. If I was willing to share those items, I would motel it.
  • GaryWT's avatar
    GaryWT
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2016
    It might work with a family member but not a stranger. Good luck.
  • Drbolasky's avatar
    Drbolasky
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2016
    Rent or find a good used unit. Far less headaches in the long run IMHO.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2016
    IF you could find someone who is willing to go into a partnership with you, I think you're asking for a logistical nightmare. Who's insurance policy will carry the trailer? And what happens if the other person is using it when it gets damaged?

    You use it a couple weeks of the year, what if the other partner is not ready to return it to you yet?

    You have your camping supplies, they have theirs, You're loading and unloading and you have to store your stuff, every time there is a switch.

    Who's responsible for the maintenance, cleaning it up, washing it? What happens if the other partner turns it over to you and its filthy dirty inside and out?

    Will you be getting a loan? or paying it all upfront? If getting a loan, what happens if the partner fails to make their share of payments (and they have the camper in their possession)? What happens if they quit making payments completely? Where do you store it when no one is using it? Who pays for that?

    Tow vehicles? Each partner will need to make sure their own tow vehicles are adequately equipped to tow? What if the other partner feels YOUR's is not safe, or good enough, or too risky. I see a fight occurring, a bitter disagreement.

    I think it would be easier for a couple to go through a divorce than to see an arrangement like this end up in court when each partner is screaming "foul" at the other! Too risky in my opinion. A house, or a time share is a different matter. It doesn't move, and with a time share, you really never truly "own" the property, you are only purchasing time to use it. For a camper, on wheels, that moves, and can disappear! Um.... well ... I'd NEVER EVER EVER EVER .... EVER even "consider" such a proposal. Never!

    You need to either bit the bullet and purchase the camper yourself and assume all responsibility for for, or as suggested above, rent one for the time you want to use one.

    But if you do happen to find someone who is willing to take the risks with you, at least now know some of the issues you're going to have to work through to make it work. And may I STRONGLY encourage you, if you do, hire a lawyer to draw up a contract between all parties involved. "He said," "She said," is very hard to uphold in court when things go bad. (and they probably will.)
  • babun's avatar
    babun
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2016
    "The only ship that never floats, Is a 'Partnership' ".
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2016
    Interesting idea, hope it works for you. Just wondering how you would go about ownership papers and insurance. I don't think you can both "own" it on paper. I wouldn't want it on my insurance when somebody else is in possession of it and wrecks it.

    As for the trailer, they are neat. I've seen a few of them around. I think you'll find it very difficult to sleep 5 people in there.
  • Bird_Freak's avatar
    Bird_Freak
    Explorer II
    Jan 30, 2016
    Why not just rent a camper when you want? Co-ownership can be loaded with problems.
  • aguablanco's avatar
    aguablanco
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2016
    Just a thought, why not buy something used? You could use the money you save and be able to afford the storage. Meaning no offense, I could not see myself co-owning a trailer with anyone, especially with 3 kids and the added wear and tear that would follow. I would add that while the trailer you are wanting is nice, it sure would be awful small for snowbirds on an extended stay. Hope everything works out for you.
    RichH

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