mtofell1 wrote:
The last TT I bought was new and I negotiated about 33% off MSRP (+ got WDH). I'm eyeing a 2010 unit listed at 19K. The MSRP was around 33K back in 2010. I can't see paying over 15K for it and I'm even questioning that. It's in very nice shape other than some decal wear and just the usual aging. I don't think the past owners used it much.
I really want to buy new or newer but the floor plan is rare. The model I'm looking at is in my city and I've been considering driving a long ways to find one. So, this one does have some appeal.... but 6 years is A LOT on a trailer IMO.
Anyway, I'm thinking a 33K MSRP TT should have been had for 25K at the most. In 6 years I'd have to think the depreciation would put it down close to 15K? I'd likely just pay cash so it's not like I'm trying to get some monthly payment. I just don't want to overpay and lose a bunch of $$ the day I buy it.
The model in question is Keystone Outback if it matters.
I agree with what Huntingdog stated. I'll add some more to maybe help you with this.
From what I have found, a dealer makes/sells about avg. $4 to $5K on a used TT in the age and size range you are looking at. If you get a lot older and more used that may shift that number. The pricing you listed lands you in the right area.
But... a 6 year old unit may not be a bad thing or can be pending how it was built when new and how the prior owner took care of it. 6 years on a well built and well maintained TT can still be a good deal and give you a lot of good times. But... you really need to know how it was built on day one and what your needs are.
The brand, does the one you are looking at have the cargo capacity to fit your needs? does it have the running gear (tires, axles and springs) sized right to carry your required cargo plus a good 15 to 20% reserve capacity on the tires? And then their is frame cracks at the hanger areas of the I shape (I beam) flexing which can show up in the age your looking at. Pending the model, Keystone plays the game well with some of the other manf's on cutting the running gear to the bare minimum. Too close in some cases for my needs. You have to drill into this if you wanting this camper for a long time after you buy it.
Next is the roof and the sealant on the roof. You have to get up there and know what your looking for. Educate yourself in how campers die a death from water damage and lack of the prior owner being matriculates about cleaning the roof and dealing with the sealants/caulking. It can look great inside but water damage may lurk in the roof system.
Are you handy in fixing things and have your own tools and space to do it? and in this case fixing your camper?
I'm bring this up because you are concerned about the price. If you a have roof/water damage problem or a frame problem they can affect the cost to you. If you can fix any of those issues yourself, if you end having issues after you buy it, then the cost is not so bad. If you have to pay shop rates to address these areas, then the cost may not be good.
Your situation and mine are close other then the brand of camper. I bought my first camper new and the brand was a better built higher end camper. We then moved up to the camper in our sig. It is the same brand as our prior new one, larger and with a slide, but was 2.5 years old/used at the time we bought it. In my case the TT manufacture was out of business when I bought it in 2007, the 1st camper they where still in business.
We were after a specific floor plan and brand. Our floor plan was only made for 2 model years. The hunt was on country wide for that floor plan and brand on the used market. It was hard as heck to find it. We lucked out and found the one we have now, took 1,000 miles to get it home but we found it and it was in good shape and built well from a design standpoint as far as an RV goes.
That being said, I have had my share of "fix'ing" to do on it over the years. Had slide floor rot that I really believed happened on the dealers lot with the slide out waiting to sell. I also had to deal with the frame builders mess up that could not weld hangers on true. But I had something good to start with. There was no roof issues other then sun damage to the plastic parts on the roof which I later replaced all the plastic on the roof except the tank vent covers. The prior owner did nothing as far as UV protection. And for a 32 foot camper I had 2,900# of cargo capacity.
What saved me on the cost was I fixed everything myself. So initial price is only a starting place, get the right deal for you. You might have to pay a slight amount more for that floor plan, but if it is a good camper, fits your needs and you can deal with things down the road when they come up, well, your ahead of the game.
We still have the camper and from all my fixes and modifications, it still has a lot of life left in it yet. It is now going on 12 years since the construction date. I am a lot more educated on the way campers are built and the way they fail from seeing others fail. I know some day I'm going to need a different one and that is going to be a hard time to find the quality at the right price I'm after if I stay in the TT line.
Point: Research and know the model/brand the way it was built and how to spot issues if the one you are looking at has them. Initial price is only a starting point. Most of us only buy an RV to have enjoyment out of it. If you have your heart set on one specific floor plan, then get it. Price is only a relative thing you deal with on day 1. Day 2 and into the future is were the good times come from.
Had some time today, so I typed trying to help the cause. Good luck in your search and happy camping.
John
