Travel Trailer Purchase

lane hog wrote:
Don't dismiss stick & tin construction... All laminated trailers will eventually have some degree of water damage and delamination. They also cost considerably more to repair if there's damage.

Stick and tin requires some basic carpentry skills and won't delaminate.

Nothing wrong with stick and tin other than it isn't "in vogue" now days and doesn't look as modern and sleek like keeping up with the next door neighbors RV..

But, because it isn't as popular with the modern looks crowd, they tend to sell at a lower price point used. Downside is if you wanted to resale one, you might not get all of your money back out of it either but at a lower purchase price, you have less to lose.

Stick and tin does lend it's self as easier to repair water damage, you can remove the siding in the affected area and when you have fixed the rotted area, rehang the siding and no evidence of damage or repair is going to show.

If resale is the driving factor, buying an much older unit is a way to reduce your losses.. Right now on Craigslist I am seeing 2004-2006 travel trailers being offered for $4K-$6K.. Although this is twice the price they used to be offered at that age for it is pretty much in reach of most folks budgets even if they had to buy on a personal loan at a higher interest rate. Just have to be careful that you don't get one that has a lot of severe water damage (unless you don't mind the work to repair it) so inspect carefully.