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danewguy's avatar
danewguy
Explorer
Jul 01, 2017

The Big Switch are we crazy ?????

So we currently own a 2007 33ft Georgie Boy Class A which is our second RV the first being a 1999 31ft Gulfstream Conquest Class C. We know that in 10 years when we retire we will be purchasing a nice diesel pusher. With concerns of how the the Class A will hold up over the next 10 years we are considering lowering our payment by purchasing a brand new travel trailer to use over the next 10 years. Anyone out there ever done something like this? very torn.
  • Keep the motorhome. You're already past the step part of the depreciation curve, and buying a new TT would put you right at the top again. What you'd lost in depreciation in the first 3 years of most TTs, will pay for a lot of repairs and upgrades on your current coach. There's very few TTs with good resale, and even fewer with good build quality.

    Now, if you asking about buying a new coach vs a new TT, I'd say go TT for sure, since the depreciation of a new coach the second you sign the paperwork, will be more than a new TT!
  • I still don't see where you will save money or headaches with future break downs, what if that TT is a lemon, spend a weekend and under coat your motorhome, next weekend seal the roof, next weekend change all the fluids and you should be fine, might cost a 1000 bucks to do that work but by far cheaper than selling it and buying something you might not like after 1 year..

    To each there own.
  • timmac wrote:
    danewguy wrote:


    Not really as concerned with the money side of it as I am the problems that might develop with the Class A which is already 10 years old. Our last rig went down hill fast at 10 years, rust in the compartments, roof issues, etc I guess I am just not sure even with the proper care if the A will last another 10 years


    I believe most class A motorhomes went to plastic compartments in early 2000's to stop the rust issues, not sure if yours did, Fleetwood did, also just throw a coat or 2 on the roof, that will last 10 years.

    Do you have a truck to tow that TT, if not there goes more money, going from a Class A to a TT you will hate yourself..


    Yes actually we just purchased a new Chevy Silverado. Unfortunately we do not have plastic compartments, I wish we did.
  • danewguy wrote:


    Not really as concerned with the money side of it as I am the problems that might develop with the Class A which is already 10 years old. Our last rig went down hill fast at 10 years, rust in the compartments, roof issues, etc I guess I am just not sure even with the proper care if the A will last another 10 years


    I believe most class A motorhomes went to plastic compartments in early 2000's to stop the rust issues, not sure if yours did, Fleetwood did, also just throw a coat or 2 on the roof, that will last 10 years.

    Do you have a truck to tow that TT, if not there goes more money, going from a Class A to a TT you will hate yourself..
  • From my stand point why complicate the issue? Get rid of the high dollar MH and buy a used TT that is basically a disposable unit after 10 years.

    Pack as much money away towards the retirement rig.

    Before you do any of this, rent the type of TT you think you want. A week or so on the road will show you a lot.

    Good luck
  • Gdetrailer wrote:
    danewguy wrote:
    So we currently own a 2007 33ft Georgie Boy Class A which is our second RV the first being a 1999 31ft Gulfstream Conquest Class C. We know that in 10 years when we retire we will be purchasing a nice diesel pusher. With concerns of how the the Class A will hold up over the next 10 years we are considering lowering our payment by purchasing a brand new travel trailer to use over the next 10 years. Anyone out there ever done something like this? very torn.


    Hmm.. To me, it doesn't make much sense.

    You will be selling one non-paid off depreciating asset (2007 Class A) and buying another depreciating asset for a short term (Travel Trailer)..

    Have you given some consideration to paying off your current rig by making extra payments towards the PRINCIPLE of the loan?

    By paying extra towards the principle you will payoff the loan early saving interest and then keep the current rig until you retire.

    Then you will have a few yrs to take the money that you would have been paying a bank loan and putting that back as a nice down payment on your retirement rig..

    This will also give you something with a lot more "trade in" value than say a 10 yr old travel trailer(which would be only a couple thousand dollars in 10 yrs)..


    Not really as concerned with the money side of it as I am the problems that might develop with the Class A which is already 10 years old. Our last rig went down hill fast at 10 years, rust in the compartments, roof issues, etc I guess I am just not sure even with the proper care if the A will last another 10 years
  • danewguy wrote:
    So we currently own a 2007 33ft Georgie Boy Class A which is our second RV the first being a 1999 31ft Gulfstream Conquest Class C. We know that in 10 years when we retire we will be purchasing a nice diesel pusher. With concerns of how the the Class A will hold up over the next 10 years we are considering lowering our payment by purchasing a brand new travel trailer to use over the next 10 years. Anyone out there ever done something like this? very torn.



    WHY ??

    :R

    I have a 08 Bounder with 44,000 miles and it will do another 10 to 15 years easy..
  • danewguy wrote:
    So we currently own a 2007 33ft Georgie Boy Class A which is our second RV the first being a 1999 31ft Gulfstream Conquest Class C. We know that in 10 years when we retire we will be purchasing a nice diesel pusher. With concerns of how the the Class A will hold up over the next 10 years we are considering lowering our payment by purchasing a brand new travel trailer to use over the next 10 years. Anyone out there ever done something like this? very torn.


    Hmm.. To me, it doesn't make much sense.

    You will be selling one non-paid off depreciating asset (2007 Class A) and buying another depreciating asset for a short term (Travel Trailer)..

    Have you given some consideration to paying off your current rig by making extra payments towards the PRINCIPLE of the loan?

    By paying extra towards the principle you will payoff the loan early saving interest and then keep the current rig until you retire.

    Then you will have a few yrs to take the money that you would have been paying a bank loan and putting that back as a nice down payment on your retirement rig..

    This will also give you something with a lot more "trade in" value than say a 10 yr old travel trailer(which would be only a couple thousand dollars in 10 yrs)..
  • Lwiddis makes a good point. Personally, I think it would be a wash, with perhaps a few exceptions. If you were to buy an Airstream and maintain it well, then it would likely last 10 years and keep a lot more of its value than most other trailer brands.

    The only camper we kept more than 6 years was a popup. :) It was simple to maintain and simple to operate (no furnace, no fridge, no running water, no bathroom...you get the point.)
  • The possible repairs to your current Class A (which would be worth little in ten years) would exceed the deprecation and possible repairs to the new TT over the next ten years? Do you have TV? If yes, will it last ten years?