I have a seasonal trailer that's 16 years old. It has the perfect floor plan for me. At 16 years it will need some work before long such as replacing the roof and taking all the windows out to replace dried sealant. It also has a soft spot in one slideout so would need to replace the floor in the slide. I could get all this done for around 10k. The alternative is to purchase a new trailer (same floor plan) for 63k. The cons for keeping the old trailer is all the appliances are 16 years old but still work just fine. Other then the slide floor the trailer is in very good condition. The cons for a new trailer is questionable build quality and cost along with having to remodel to suit my needs. Would tear out entertainment center and fireplace and have a custom entertainment center built. (If I can't get the factory to deleate). Would also replace the factory furniture with leather home furniture along with the replacing the mattress. The third alternative is to have New Horizon custom build a trailer to exactly what I want but cost would be 150k plus. I have always been frugal with my money but realize I won't live forever. This trailer sits on a seasonal lot and won't be towed.What's your opinion?

I’d say there’s 100s of other options between sinking $10k into an old trailer (and however many hours) to end up with an old trailer that from the sounds of it won’t be worth $10k when you’re done, and $63k for a “new” one. Idk how you could actually spend that much, responsibly, on a TT unless you literally got the biggest Arctic Fox or Grand Design unit they make. I’d sell the old one for whatever I could get for it and go get a newer trailer. With a budget of $30-40k you could buy 95% or more of the relatively new, used TTs on the market. Frugal and a $63k TT don’t belong in the same sentence imo.

Considering that right now, and into the forseable future (well into 2022 ? longer?) that RV's, all kinds, are flying off the lot if they land there at all. Everyong is buying new / used RV's, and there are many 1st time buyers.I mention this because finding exactly what you want in a new one could be tricky, but you could most likely order one. I won't speak to build quality -- you and all of us know about that already....especially when folks snap up new ones faster than they can deliver. I actually thougth our local RV dealer was going out of business since it's been 6 months or so since I've seen inventory...yes, there are units there, but when it's a dozen vs. the 200 or so they normally have. Quite the opposite for them...they are booming and can't keep them in stock.Maybe that is pointing out what you already know? Point is, maybe staying the course with your current model, with some maintenance, is good for now. Maybe not all maintenance, but enough to enjoy it.Just my 2 cents!

Mieekamp that is the direction I'm leaning for the very reason you mentioned. The one I have now has the perfect floor plan for me. I've had a custom entertainment center built and put in home leather furniture. It's just getting long in the tooth. One draw back to new trailer is its 220v and all I have is 120v at my site. New Horizon has the quality but at a premium cost that's hard to justify for 60 days a year.

I honestly can't fathom paying 150k on a trailer - so that would never be on my radar. If I were in your shoes, for a seasonal, I'd likely go the repair route if everything is in good shape. 10k is a drop in the bucket compared to the costs you are suggesting for buying new, and even if every appliance goes down and has to be replaced, you will still have saved some 40-45k over a new. If there are other reasons to upgrade, go for it. If you like what you have, however, why spend an extra 40k trying to replace it?

IF you own the lot, and know you will not be towing the trailer, have you considered a small house?From log to trailer type units many possibilities, more solid construction in many cases, and can have an empty interior to build out as you wish. Some are made on skids which can be dropped off onsite, others are on trailers. One site, by no means a recommendation, but may give you some ideas. tiny house

Want your opinion | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

colliehauler
Explorer III
May 21, 2021
valhalla360 wrote:
colliehauler wrote:
Barney you would NEVER find a new TT with the quality of your Sunnybrook. One of my favorite floor plans as well.

3 trailers later, I still miss our Sunnybrook. Wish I had just bucked up and put a new roof on her when the rubber started to go.

What makes it worse is she is still in the same park we are in for the summer and I walk by her most days.

I'd be several thousand money ahead and with a layout that we liked more.
Cheap low cost mfg have run everyone that offered a little quality out of business years ago. I can't complain to much about my 06 Cherokee 30F. I've basically gutted the inside and went with residential furniture.

Bedroom I took out the garbage king and built a queen frame and quality mattress. Took out the cornor cabnet (could hold about a pair of socks and underwater in each of the nine drawers) and desk and replaced with nice oak linen cabnet. Took out the miniature sink and vanity and replace with residential sink an oak cabinet. Replaced bedroom carpet with residential carpet and pad. Covered all vinyl flooring with laminated floors. Tore out the entertainment center and had a carpenter build a oak cabnet for the lcd tv and Sony home theater system. Took out the bar, dinette, jack knife sofa and replaced with leather love seat and recliners. The only thing left original is the kitchen cabinets and appliances. If I keep it will take those out and put in a deep sink and new cabnets with a solid surface countertop.

I despise RV sinks and facets, to shallow, small and poor draining (the drain is higher then the bottom of the sink). The prior bathroom sink was so small you could probably wash one hand at a time.

The memories and friends I've made are priceless. The floor plan is ideal along with the 7'ceilings. The openness makes it feel like a small home.
valhalla360
Navigator
May 21, 2021
colliehauler wrote:
Barney you would NEVER find a new TT with the quality of your Sunnybrook. One of my favorite floor plans as well.

3 trailers later, I still miss our Sunnybrook. Wish I had just bucked up and put a new roof on her when the rubber started to go.

What makes it worse is she is still in the same park we are in for the summer and I walk by her most days.

I'd be several thousand money ahead and with a layout that we liked more.
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 20, 2021
jdc1 wrote:
Imagine how many countries you could visit for $50,000. Rhino-line the roof. Have a handyman reseal the windows. Slide a 1/8" steel plate over the soft-spot. Call it a day.
Actually close to what I had planned. I had a Mobil rv tech give me a estimate for replacing the slide floor. I told him fine go ahead and replace it. He never showed back up despite repeated calls. He charged me $150. for the estimate stating he would take it off the cost of the job if I proceed. I have finally given up on him so my plan was to replace the foot or so of rotted chipboard. I plan to use 1/8" metal to tie it together with the good portion on the top and bottom. The couch will sit over the top of it anyway.

Family told me to just purchase a new trailer and be done with it. That is why I asked for opinions.
jdc1
Explorer II
May 20, 2021
Imagine how many countries you could visit for $50,000. Rhino-line the roof. Have a handyman reseal the windows. Slide a 1/8" steel plate over the soft-spot. Call it a day.
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 20, 2021
Barney you would NEVER find a new TT with the quality of your Sunnybrook. One of my favorite floor plans as well.

For a brief time Excel built a few TT before they closed. I thought about trying to find a used one.
BarneyS
Explorer III
May 20, 2021
We are in the same situation. Our trailer is 17 years old, sits permanently now in our sons beautiful family campground, and it is fine shape except for needing a new roof and the fiberglass is quite dull all around from the sun beating on it. It has never leaked however.

We have just about decided to do a complete tear-off/replace of the roof covering and also do a full body paint. The total cost of this will be a bit less than $20,000 but will give us a new looking RV that we will be proud to give to our son when we are done using it for our summer getaways.

With the cost of new RV's and the quality problems, it is my feeling that we are much better off keeping what we have rather than replacing it. We really love the trailer and it fits us perfectly. The large appliances (fridge and air conditioner) have already been replaced a few years ago and everything else still looks and functions perfectly.
Barney
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 20, 2021
valhalla360 wrote:
I'm hearing two conflicting thoughts reading between the lines:
- You want to make the best financial choice...in which case repair and upgrade will win easily.
- You are trying to justify the fancy new unit...in which case, if you can afford it, just do it.
Yeah, I'm kind of on the fence on this one. That's why I'm getting opinions. Other then a boat payment I have no other dept and I have been making 4 payments a month to git rid of them. Can I afford it, easily. Do I want to turn loose of the cash not so much.

It seems the conscience is to repair what I have.
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
May 20, 2021
I’d spend my money on repairs and upgrades. Since you really like the floor plan, why go through the trouble of recreating it?
Biggest concern I can see is getting quality work if you are not going to do it yourself.
valhalla360
Navigator
May 20, 2021
I'm hearing two conflicting thoughts reading between the lines:
- You want to make the best financial choice...in which case repair and upgrade will win easily.
- You are trying to justify the fancy new unit...in which case, if you can afford it, just do it.
lane_hog
Explorer II
May 20, 2021
I'd rehab what you have if you like the floorplan. Removing windows and replacing the butyl tape is very messy but fairly simple work.

Our motorhome had 15 year old appliances but they all still worked just fine despite looking a bit dated.

We did upgrade the built-in TV with a LED model, but other than that, if it ain't broke, leave it alone.