your opinons and advice please

TomG2 wrote:

DallasSteve wrote:
I did a quick search for travel trailers 2010 and newer on RV Trader. The top 3 brands by quantity listed are:

Forest River 26K
Keystone 20K
Jayco 10K

That doesn't mean those are the best. They may be average quality to appeal to the masses, but they wouldn't lead the market if they sold bad quality. Some will argue that point, but my opinion is if their product is really awful their sales will start to drop.

How many "Brands" are represented by each of your categories? Forest River has a bunch, thus increasing its market share. Some of the highest quality builders are not even included in your "Survey". Harbor Freight sells more wrenches than Snap-On. Marlin sells more rifles than Weatherby. A list of models with the highest resale percentage after five years would be very helpful.

"How many "Brands" are represented by each of your categories? Forest River has a bunch, thus increasing its market share."

Keystone also has a bunch of brands. Jayco also has a bunch of brands.

"A list of models with the highest resale percentage after five years would be very helpful."

Good idea. Let me know when you find it.

DallasSteve wrote:
I did a quick search for travel trailers 2010 and newer on RV Trader. The top 3 brands by quantity listed are:

Forest River 26K
Keystone 20K
Jayco 10K

That doesn't mean those are the best. They may be average quality to appeal to the masses, but they wouldn't lead the market if they sold bad quality. Some will argue that point, but my opinion is if their product is really awful their sales will start to drop.

How many "Brands" are represented by each of your categories? Forest River has a bunch, thus increasing its market share. Some of the highest quality builders are not even included in your "Survey". Harbor Freight sells more wrenches than Snap-On. Marlin sells more rifles than Weatherby. A list of models with the highest resale percentage after five years would be very helpful.

I did a quick search for travel trailers 2010 and newer on RV Trader. The top 3 brands by quantity listed are:

Forest River 26K
Keystone 20K
Jayco 10K

That doesn't mean those are the best. They may be average quality to appeal to the masses, but they wouldn't lead the market if they sold bad quality. Some will argue that point, but my opinion is if their product is really awful their sales will start to drop.

Fair market price does not mean much if it is the absolute trailer you want and have you heart set on.

As for the seller's dilemma, you have no say as to whether they pay off the TT or blow the money on lottery tickets instead.

If it is not your hearts desirer, keep looking, buying a TT is not a race.

If you decide to go ahead with the purchase make sure any liens are cleared so you will have clear title.
I think I would pass based on what you're saying.

If YOU decide to sell this trailer next year, what do you think you will get, $11,000 or $6,000? Like it or not, lending institutions use NADA values and potential buyers will be affected. The only time I buy used is when I can get a tremendous deal. New trailers with heavily discounted prices appeal to me.

When you inspect the rig, notice WHAT things you would do for maintenance and updates. Then consider the costs in time, money, and effort.

Things like new tires, resealing roof, LEDs, water expansion tank, etc.

We bought low and had to do the work ourselves. We could have bought one that had all the maintenance up to date, but we were going to change things anyways, so we bought right.

Either way is acceptable ;)

Also consider the DISTANCE. How much will it cost in time and money to travel to it and bring it home? If it isn't what you want, that will be wasted.

IMHO, condition is king- especially with RVs.

DownTheAvenue wrote:
NADA is a poor resource to establish a fair market value. You should use RVTrader and other soures to establish a fair value. Then you can decide of the prie is right for you.

RV trader will tell you what asking prices are. Whether those units sold at that price is another matter.

If you have been out looking at used rigs and have seen the good and the ugly you will know if what your seeing in this rig is heads above the others. Well kept should demand a premium if your selling or buying in my view. Good luck in your maybe purchase.

Average retail is usually based on a dealer selling, it should be a bit less from an individual.
Its a 5 year old trailer, and you often hear that trailers don't last much past 10 years so it should be selling for less than half of initial cost. Would you pay the same amount for the last 5 years of a trailers life as the previous owner paid for the first 5 years?