New versus Used

We rented a pop up. Bought a pop up. Bought a hybrid. Bought a TT. Bought truck camper. Back to TT. And on a small TT. Probably over 25 years, all used.. Had to match camper to tow vehicle and pocket book. Never lost a lot of money in trades and sales. The history just shows how our camping desires changed through the years. I enjoyed the TC but wife can't climb anymore so off it went. As I age, I don't want that 32' camper anymore. A camper can be a blessing to enhance life's experience with loved ones. Maybe a MH is next. It will be used!

My wife and I faced this same decision. We decided that the biggest bang for the buck was in a used trailer. Fortunately we live in an area that has plenty of dealers with both new and used TTs.

The trick of course it finding a “gently” used one.

I am on my third RV. all used all paid cash for. I know there is a lot of folks that like to finance and buy new, but from day one I was not worried if I was upside down, or writing a check each month in the winter when we weren't using it. My biggest is a 22 fun finder for $12,000. We love it, it is big and roomy, nope, but its warm, nice bed, and a big bathroom. And we can park it just about anywhere. We will never buy new and watch 20% go down the tubes when you pull it off the dealers lot.

I have to agree with the other posters, that you need to have a lot of experience to know what you really want and need. I don't feel you can just think this through, but have to experience it. And that comes with time and trial and error. I am not against buying new, but I would look for something built and sitting on the lot. There is a lot more flexibility of the dealer to unload inventory, than just be the ordering platform. If he has it on his lot, he either owns it or is paying floor plan interest on it. That is an incentive to deal.

If you have 2 years to retirement, jump in with a used unit and start working on your "Must have" items.

Good luck in your search.

we bought our first 3 new/used .
we took very little depreciation hit over a 7 year period .
we bought our last , a 2002 21T Komfort as a factory ordered unit exactly how we wanted it .
we were going to as many RV shows as possible and quizzing owners in the campgrounds during the 7 year period .
we submitted an exact spec sheet to a half dozen dealers .
our local dealer was not low but did come down to the price of the best offer .
we paid less than the " rv show " price by a large amount .
it took us a while to decide on the perfect unit for our needs .

Buying new= more money and you lose money the minute you drive off the lot
Buying used= potential of inheriting someone else's problems and no warranty (got burned once)

I buy new and spend a little more money for the piece of mind... Just my opinion.

Have you ever used one of these things before? If not, I suggest getting a used one now, see if you even like the experience and can tolerate being in it for long periods. A weekend here and there is not enough. Even if you have to spend a couple of weeks at a time in the driveway, at least get a good taste of it. Also, using it in only good weather does not count. Get in it during awful weather too. Full timing, you will have, at some point, to spend days at a time in the thing. If that is the case, definitely go used. If you are experienced in RV's, I say spec out what you want and go new. When you hit the road, you will know it's maintenance history and quirks. If you're keeping it as long as it sounds like you are, the depreciation becomes a non factor. We bought used for many years, and it taught us exactly what we wanted, and didn't want, in a rig. As retirement and fulltime get nearer (not quite there yet), we had an exact idea of what would work and what wouldn't. At that point we bought new and have not regretted it for a second.

My wife and I looked at over 100 used rigs.... Not an exaggeration at all. We decided to pay cash for a used unit to see if we liked the camper lifestyle.

That unit served its purpose for three years and it taught me several things.

1) you will need to learn how to tighten screws... New or used, RV's are rolling earthquakes and screws, fittings, and moldings will need tightened up from time to time.
2) outside latches will break. It's just a fact of life. The sun will wear them out. Keep extras on hand.
3) tires on a trailer take a beating. Inspect them often, if you see damage or rot... Replace.... Learn how to read tire dot date codes. Your brand new trailer could have one or two year old tires. (Something I will not accept)
4) vent lids break, get caught in a hail storm, rogue tree branch, or even a mis step on your roof. Suggestion.... Install MaxxAir covers over your vents.
5) learn to do some inspection, try to not let your trailer go months without checking it out. Assume it will leak, because it eventually will. You must be vigilant and be aware that leaks can be external or internal and take care of them immediately
6) A $5.00 part can really put a hurt on your vacation. Learn the art of redundancy.
7) expect and accept that you will lose money....we don't rv because it makes financial sense. We rv because of.... Well.....insert your answer here .
8) remember if you buy new you are buying build quality and your dealer... Both are equally important. If you buy used... Your buying the previous owners TLC for the unit. If there was no TLC it's a bad deal.
9) for used if your nose smells rot.... No matter how beautiful.... Walk away. New or used. If the trailer doesn't seem right... Walk
10) the "perfect" trailer in a brochure or at the dealership may not be the perfect trailer in campground with you and your family in it. Be prepared for this.

I think that's all I can think of right now.

Jeremiah

With new you can order it the way you want it and you get the warranties.
With used you can save some money and may have to compromise.

Surely couldn't hurt to do some searching for a unit maybe a couple of years old that suits your needs, but I'm thinking that for your purposes and full timing, get exactly what you want....go new. You'll have the warranty and should be able to get service most anywhere. Traveling distances in an older unit puts you at the mercy of the dealer/repair shop. Both our HTT and TT were bought new and though we didn't like the depreciation factor, the pros outweighed the cons.