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

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27 Replies

Dave_in_TN
Nomad
May 19, 2021
If your current trailer is 16 years old, that puts its construction pre-2008 great recession. It's at that point, IMO, that build quality in RV's took the first big hit. Then more recently it seems to have declined further, based on anecdotal evidence at least. You could spend $63k on a new unit, then additional money to personalize it, and end up with a nightmare of dubious construction issues, leaks, and who knows what else. If it were me, with the seasonal situation you laid out, I'd stick with what I know, which considering how it seems to have held up was built fairly well.
bgum
Explorer
May 19, 2021
No brainer@
Fix what you have.
wanderingaimles
Explorer
May 19, 2021
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
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
May 19, 2021
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?
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 19, 2021
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.
mleekamp
Explorer
May 19, 2021
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!
Grit_dog
Navigator II
May 19, 2021
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.

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