I'm looking at a 2013 Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 221RBXL. It's in excellent shape all systems work as they should and very clean. Seller asking $12K, owes $11K, but I told him that NADA avg retail is $7550. Based on that, he's willing to take $10k firm. no more negotiating from him. My questions are: is it a quality brand and what do you think about pricing. In advance, thanks for any input

IS it worth $10K to YOU???Then buy it....If NOT worth it to YOU....PASSAS for quality.....HaHaHAThat can be hit/miss with in the same Brand/Model

Sounds like a nice unit. NADA has never inspected the unit that you are looking at. What the seller owes has nothing to do with what you should pay. In other words, it is your money and your decision. If you are looking at it as a financial investment with the likelihood of making a profit, head for Las Vegas instead. The odds are better there.

If a seller is upside down on a loan on any item, that's his own financial stupidity. Don't be an equally financially foolish buyer and pay too much to bail him out.There's plenty of used RV's on the market at the correct price for a patient buyer.

Have the roof seams been maintained? Is there a shortage of good used TTs in NC where seller isn’t upside down?

well the brand is iffy ,not one of the top five. and if possible find the lenders name, or just watch for it to be repoed, then buy it. why bale him out,its not a $10k rv.

your opinons and advice please | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

drsteve
Explorer
Apr 10, 2018
gmw photos wrote:
moresmoke wrote:
What does a new comparable trailer sell for? A couple years ago, when we were shopping, 3-4 year old used units were selling for about $1500 less than a new TT in this market. We bought new. If it lasts 15 years, I will have no regrets, the kids will be moved out, we can switch to whatever the wife and I feel like.

This has been my experience in shopping not only travel trailer, but also equipment trailers and horse trailers. Not uncommon for late model trailers to be selling for close to new prices, and still may have to buy tires and/or have wiring or brakes issues. There goes whatever savings you had hoped for by purchasing used.

So I buy new.

Keep in mind too that asking price and selling price are two different things.

A lot of people buy these things on 12-15 year loans with nothing down, then they decide to sell two or three years later, and find they have paid almost nothing on the principal. They price the trailer at what they owe, rather than what it's worth.

I saw a TT for sale the other day, same model as the one I bought last summer but a year older, and it was priced $1000 higher than I paid for mine new.
sgfrye
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
gmw photos wrote:
moresmoke wrote:
What does a new comparable trailer sell for? A couple years ago, when we were shopping, 3-4 year old used units were selling for about $1500 less than a new TT in this market. We bought new. If it lasts 15 years, I will have no regrets, the kids will be moved out, we can switch to whatever the wife and I feel like.

This has been my experience in shopping not only travel trailer, but also equipment trailers and horse trailers. Not uncommon for late model trailers to be selling for close to new prices, and still may have to buy tires and/or have wiring or brakes issues. There goes whatever savings you had hoped for by purchasing used.

So I buy new.

X2 on this

Last year I spent 3 months scanning used TT ads on Craigslist and rv trader for sale in North Carolina. I found most were listed at prices not much less than new on the lots models probably because the sellers were upside down on loans. Wife and I decided to buy new because we could pick the specific floor plan we liked , at lower loan interest rate and I know what's going on with TT. From bumper to bumper from day one.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
moresmoke wrote:
What does a new comparable trailer sell for? A couple years ago, when we were shopping, 3-4 year old used units were selling for about $1500 less than a new TT in this market. We bought new. If it lasts 15 years, I will have no regrets, the kids will be moved out, we can switch to whatever the wife and I feel like.

This has been my experience in shopping not only travel trailer, but also equipment trailers and horse trailers. Not uncommon for late model trailers to be selling for close to new prices, and still may have to buy tires and/or have wiring or brakes issues. There goes whatever savings you had hoped for by purchasing used.

So I buy new.
moresmoke
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
What does a new comparable trailer sell for? A couple years ago, when we were shopping, 3-4 year old used units were selling for about $1500 less than a new TT in this market. We bought new. If it lasts 15 years, I will have no regrets, the kids will be moved out, we can switch to whatever the wife and I feel like.
mikakuja
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
Wow, this went sideways in a hurry...lol...
While I agree that what the current owner owes has nothing to do with the value of the trailer, I think the majority of people who owe money on a rig they are selling would try to recoup as much as possible to clear their loan... If that's not what you want to pay then walk away, the price will come down as the current owner sits on it and realizes he is not getting his price...
That being said, if the trailer is in immaculate condition with no damage and all maintenance is up to par then it is your call, you have to be happy with it in the end, no one else does. I would rather pay too much for a well maintained used trailer that has zero issues than take a chance on a "good deal" with questionable maintenance. There is nothing worse than hitting the road with your new to you rig and finding out you just bought someone's nightmare....
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2018
I Googled the TT the OP asked about. Doesn't look like it has a slide. Not worth 10K IMO. Check Craigslist for similar models in your area, and what their listed for. I did this to figure out a reasonable price for my 2012 Coleman CT250GS and sold it in less than a day.

So the owner is going to have to pay it off and get a title before selling it to you. Sounds like the transaction itself will be a PITA. Your choice, good luck!
MSchu
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
All this petty arguing doesn't help anyone. Why don't you guys just break out a ruler and settle this once and for all?
TomG2
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
At least I have a point and that is that YOUR amateurish attempt at statistics is meaningless and misleading at best. Jayco has been a sales leader in the world of travel trailers for years. How does that help the OP? It suits me if you don't want to defend what you put out there as germane to the discussion.

By the way, since you are such an "Expert", why didn't you note that both Keystone and Jayco are products of Thor Industries, making your list that much more inaccurate?
DallasSteve
Nomad II
Apr 09, 2018
TomG2 wrote:
DallasSteve wrote:
Jayco also has a bunch of brands.

You must be confusing "Lines" with "Brands". What is your point anyway? Simply listing the units for sale by manufacturer is only a list of units for sale by manufacturer. It has nothing to do with quality. That is a spurious argument made by those who do not understand statistics. You will also find more Fords for sale than Lincolns if you want to test out your idea further.

Tom

What is YOUR point? Quote me where I wrote that it has something to do with quality. I'm through responding to your posts. (FYI: Ford makes Lincolns.)
TomG2
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
DallasSteve wrote:
Jayco also has a bunch of brands.

You must be confusing "Lines" with "Brands". What is your point anyway? Simply listing the units for sale by manufacturer is only a list of units for sale by manufacturer. It has nothing to do with quality. That is a spurious argument made by those who do not understand statistics. You will also find more Fords for sale than Lincolns if you want to test out your idea further.