Which purchase makes more sense?

Pretty obvious answer for what I would do. Your answer depends on you. Might try finding out about the previous owner, and why he traded it in. Did he have problems pf any type?? Were there any damage or repairs of any kind?? Was it ever flooded?? If the dealer won't give you contact information, I would be careful.

It's at Camping World - Traded in on bigger model. It's obvious it's never been in water,.... no repairs, but they won't give out information on prior owner. One obviously has double slides, 1 bedroom and less money. The other is new, rear bunks, single slide. The double bunks would not be used often but then there's the other offsets. What's your preference? Thanks!

What kind of family?
If you are interested in rear bunks then you must have a need for them.
For a couple the Wilderness seems to have a bigger bath.
The floor space in the Wilderness is bigger
The Wilderness outdoor kitchen is nice
I dislike the rotating tower Television in both units.
Scales tip in favor of the Wilderness

80% of the time, just the 2 of us. A few times a year the kids would come. With one they have rear bunks,.... couch and dinette in the other. In person the baths are similar, one has SMALL tub, the Wilderness has shower (which we prefer). From a financial standpoint is the NEW North Trail worth the extra almost $6,000 or is the dual slide as hot a deal as it appears to be?

Think about your use. Which ever floor plan you like the best.

I am guessing that your real question is "should I buy new or used" and that is a totally different question than "which makes more sense".

Neither makes more sense and both make more sense - it just depends on the specific logic that someone puts towards making sense of it. For example, the bunkhouse makes more sense if you have kids and want a bunkhouse; the double slide makes more sense if you want more space when parked.

Whether to buy new or used is subjective in a different way. Some people don't like the idea of sleeping on a bed slept on by other people - so they buy new. Some people want a warranty to cover issues - so they buy new. Some people want to spend less money - so they buy used. Some people don't want to incur a major depreciation hit - so they buy used.

Pros on buying new - warranty; expectation that wear and tear problems are years down the road; no one else ever used the bed, toilet, etc.

Pros on buying used - less money spent up front; no immediate hit with depreciation; expectation that manufacturing problems have been resolved; option to buy from private seller or dealer

Cons on buying new - higher up front costs; dealing with dealer over warranty items; big depreciation cost

Cons on buying used - no warranty; other people "did the deed" in the bed before you; lack of maintenance and potential problems occurring due to that; repair costs in first few years

With pros and cons do YOU believe are more important?

That's our dilemma,...we like and could live with either floor plan. Wondering if the final prices (as far as value) and new / used etc seem to be a factor that I'm not seeing?

They're both Thor - Heartland lightweight trailers.
Will CW give you any type of warranty on the used unit?

No warranty, but I know trailers and the used one checks out perfectly. I tracked down previous owner and they said had no issues,.. only traded it for a Class A.
Maybe I mis stated my question,.... both units have pros and cons floor plan wise,... one used and one new. Given the $6000 price difference is there a glaring "way to go" that I'm not seeing?
Is the Thor - Heartland Lightweight a good way to go?

rebel1965 wrote:
That's our dilemma,...we like and could live with either floor plan. Wondering if the final prices (as far as value) and new / used etc seem to be a factor that I'm not seeing?

While you like and can live with either floorplan, I think if you really imagine your planned use of the trailer, one of those floorplans will "fit" better. Go with that one.