Truck Camper MSRP

Shop around. I paid about 60% of retail for mine. Careful of dealers who try and make up the difference with overpriced options and poor dealer prep.

I started out with an Adventurer 86FB in mind. That dealer wanted $3k to install a/c and $5K to install an Onan propane gen set. As we walked he complained about an RV dealer down the road who priced so low it put him and his dad out of business a few years ago. We took notes and drove down the road.

I got a better Arctic Fox with every option I wanted and a few I never even thought of for less than the initial price of the Adventurer. A well spent 2 hour drive.

Nobody pays MSRP anymore. Start with 14-15% off and work your way from there.

Best advice: Shop around.

The more you look at the more you learn and the more you discover what you like, what you don't like, what you want, what to look for.

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
The new prices so different could be, one dealer lists the MSRP of XYZ camper, in base model trim, no options. While another dealer lists their sale price on a fully loaded model XYZ, which could be significantly more than the base model MSRP of the same XYZ camper. Then another dealer may be listing their sale price on a base model XYZ, which would be lower than the MSRP. There explains the 3 wildly different prices on the same model camper.

Also if the price is a delivered and prepared price the cost of transportation to the dealer and PDIing the unit wouldn't be discountable.

The new prices so different could be, one dealer lists the MSRP of XYZ camper, in base model trim, no options. While another dealer lists their sale price on a fully loaded model XYZ, which could be significantly more than the base model MSRP of the same XYZ camper. Then another dealer may be listing their sale price on a base model XYZ, which would be lower than the MSRP. There explains the 3 wildly different prices on the same model camper.

I just made a deal on a host mammoth. When I got what seemed to be a good price, I asked a couple dealers if they could beat it and they said they couldn't touch it and taped out. At that point I figured I was getting a decent price. I didn't bother trying to negotiate further as my price of @ 19% off msrp sounds on par with what others have posted here before.

dave17352 wrote:

splitcane wrote:
I appreciate all the help. I am glad to hear that it sounds like these rigs can be negotiated down quite a bit. Sounds like I just have to be patient. Also, thanks for giving me the heads up on buying used. I think I'm a little hesitant on the used side because I know so little about truck campers. I don't even know what I am looking for that should steer me away from a used camper. I will now do a little research on what to look for when buying used campers. Once again, thanks for the help.

Number one by far is water damage on a used rig. No water damage in my opinion is acceptable. After that check the tie down points. After that check and see that everything works. JMHO

This^
But new campers could have a year or 2 sitting in the elements as well, so that's not a huge "buy new" compared to newer used IMO.
Different opinions on this, but aside from the initial depreciation on a new one, seems most campers need some warranty work, bugs worked out when new. Typical of hand built machines. Find one that's a couple years old with little use and it's basically new with the warranty work out of the way.
Of course your mileage may vary here. Buying new at least you know nothing was abused or screwed up and you have the opportunity to get the first round of stuff fixed under warranty.

Also CO is fairly popular for TCs but not to the degree the PNW is. May find more competitive dealers up here? And camping season will be over in 2 months. Best ime to buy a camper is in the fall, just like best time to buy a Sno machine is on the spring!

splitcane wrote:
I appreciate all the help. I am glad to hear that it sounds like these rigs can be negotiated down quite a bit. Sounds like I just have to be patient. Also, thanks for giving me the heads up on buying used. I think I'm a little hesitant on the used side because I know so little about truck campers. I don't even know what I am looking for that should steer me away from a used camper. I will now do a little research on what to look for when buying used campers. Once again, thanks for the help.

Number one by far is water damage on a used rig. No water damage in my opinion is acceptable. After that check the tie down points. After that check and see that everything works. JMHO

I appreciate all the help. I am glad to hear that it sounds like these rigs can be negotiated down quite a bit. Sounds like I just have to be patient. Also, thanks for giving me the heads up on buying used. I think I'm a little hesitant on the used side because I know so little about truck campers. I don't even know what I am looking for that should steer me away from a used camper. I will now do a little research on what to look for when buying used campers. Once again, thanks for the help.

splitcane wrote:
Hey Everybody. I am new to this site and am looking to buy my first ever truck camper. The issue I am running into is that the price on campers seems to be all over the place. I am sure some of that has to do with different equipment but even taking that into account it seems there is a lack of consistent pricing. I found a link online that says the MSRP for a Lance 865 is around $21,000 but trying to find one for that price is almost impossible. The NADA Guide says you can find the same camper anywhere from 17,700 to 32,00 which is a range that doesn't tell me much. I would love to hear from you folks about how you went about finding a truck camper that is fairly priced.

Thanks

Splitcane you might consider buying used for your first rig. I have bought new and used. If I were to do it over again, especially first time out I would buy used. I purchased the one in my signature for 5k or 5500 IIRC. It was in nearly perfect condition and has lots of options. Some people buy TC's and hate them. If you buy used and decide you don't like it you can sell it for what you paid for it. I am just suggesting another option. JMHO