Hi all, I've read through a few posts here about hail damaged trailers and was hoping for your expert opinions. I'm looking to buy my first travel trailer, I have a wife and 4 kids so sleeping 6 is my minimum for size. I found a trailer local to me that is "new", a 2017 K-Z RV ESCAPE 231BH . I checked it out at the dealer knowing that it had hail damage. They told me it has "already been discounted" for the hail damage but I'm not so sure that's true. Current price: $17,932. The trailer itself doesn't have any dimples/dents around the sides, but the top aluminum is pretty dented and some of the plastic has been cracked, they claimed they were going to replace any plastic that got hit by the hail. Initially this felt like it might be a good deal however I've been searching online, I've found a few of the same model in other states for less $$, no damage, and a year newer. My question is, should I even bother with the hail damaged trailer (good title), and if I do, how much bargaining power do I have? My wife/family all like the layout/floorplan/trailer, it's light enough I can tow with my old 2005 denali, so everything lines up except the hail damage and questions about resale value. Here are some pics of the roof: https://goo.gl/photos/tadBtc8koxGSBHfT8Thoughts?

Just because a dealer says it's discounted don't count on it. Salesmen have been known to fib. Some have called them outright liers.

jlrosine wrote:Initially this felt like it might be a good deal however I've been searching online, I've found a few of the same model in other states for less $$, no damage, and a year newer. I think you answered your own question.

I would walk away, that's entirely too much damage. Also, aluminum roof is a little strange as most TT have a rubber or TPO roof. Better RVs may have a fiberglass roof. Also, after purchase of a new unit, you would want a warranty on the roof. Much too easy for leaks to occur and you would have no recourse. One small leak can cause major delamination to sidewalls.

Consider that many insurance companies will not insure hail damaged trailers or they will put a rider exempting anything that was damaged.I would tread carefully.

Thanks for the quick replies everyone, much appreciated.

Should I offer less for this new Hail damaged KZ trailer?

29 Replies

schlep1967
Nomad
Jun 22, 2017
Most likely the dealer has already had his insurance company cut his business a check to make the repairs. If he can sell the trailer at his "discount" price as is he gets the repair money free and clear.
You can offer him $10,000 for the damaged unit knowing you will be spending more in the future to repair the damage or, buy elsewhere, save money and avoid this dealership in the future.
ppine
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2017
troubledwaters is right.
Any dealer wants to get rid of a damaged new trailer. You can use the internet to figure out what it is worth new, and then negotiate hard to save some money. Just remember that as soon as you own it, the rig will be a used hail damaged trailer.
troubledwaters
Nomad
Jun 22, 2017
You have all the bargainer power in the world, whether new, used, damaged, pristine, whatever. The dealers is in the business to sell; he don't sell he doesn't make any money. You are a potential sale to him - you hold all the power.

Make an offer, negotiate, keep negotiating until you either agree on a price or you determine he won't sell it for what you feel is a fair price. Why are people so adverse to sitting down to hard negotiations?
2Bargos
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
Done a quick google search and found several same model/year undamaged for $17,900-$18,300.
Basically dealer isn't offering any kind of reduced price for the damage.
jlrosine
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
Thanks for the quick replies everyone, much appreciated.
delwhjr
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
Consider that many insurance companies will not insure hail damaged trailers or they will put a rider exempting anything that was damaged.
I would tread carefully.
LakeN
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
I would walk away, that's entirely too much damage. Also, aluminum roof is a little strange as most TT have a rubber or TPO roof. Better RVs may have a fiberglass roof.
Also, after purchase of a new unit, you would want a warranty on the roof. Much too easy for leaks to occur and you would have no recourse. One small leak can cause major delamination to sidewalls.
DavidP
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
jlrosine wrote:

Initially this felt like it might be a good deal however I've been searching online, I've found a few of the same model in other states for less $$, no damage, and a year newer.

I think you answered your own question.
stickdog
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
Just because a dealer says it's discounted don't count on it.
Salesmen have been known to fib. Some have called them outright liers.

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Should I offer less for this new Hail damaged KZ trailer?

29 Replies

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