My husband and I are newbies we have been in a 30 ft travel trailer for 9 months and want to get a fifth wheel now. We bought a 2014 heavy duty Silverado 2500 z71 4x4 in Nov. now we are looking for a new or used trailer. Question which one? some have said used then some said new we are so confused! Help!

To get started, you REALLY need to know what your truck is capable of handling. You need to compare the loaded weight of any FW to the truck's towing capacity, payload, and axle ratings. Second. Sometimes there's a lot to be said for buying used if you get it from an owner who kept it maintained and worked through all the manufacturing defects that are discovered in the first year.But new is nice too. You'll have the factory warranty for at least a year.

Buy a used Keystone Everest. We did for our first 5er. Now, wasn't that easy.

TucsonJim wrote:To get started, you REALLY need to know what your truck is capable of handling. You need to compare the loaded weight of any FW to the truck's towing capacity, payload, and axle ratings. Second. Sometimes there's a lot to be said for buying used if you get it from an owner who kept it maintained and worked through all the manufacturing defects that are discovered in the first year.But new is nice too. You'll have the factory warranty for at least a year.That's assuming they will be around or the same company for a year.

X2 to TiucsonJim's comments. Only thing I will add is my usual philosophy is to let someone else pay the initial depreciation in most cases. One can save a lot of money that way. Also, folks here tend to think that people normally buy three TTs or 5ers before they get the unit they really like and that fits their needs. This is another reason to buy used, unless of course, money is no object.No matter which choice you make, good luck and enjoy the day lights out of it!:B

Ok new question: for you full timers do ya'll think that the trailers from say anything before 2010 back to 2005 are better built than todays techno ultr lite trailers? Our issues have to do with us staying in places for months at a time, and different weather issues so we are trying to determine which is the way to go. Weight doesn't have a issue in this. we want something that will last say at least 5 years and not rust out. we don't abuse or stuff if that helps

buy new or used Fifth wheel | Good Sam Community

richfaa
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Buying used or new is a personal and financial choice. We choose new and rely on the first year warranty and extended warranties for repairs. we had several problems with our bought new 06 Rv but between the Manufacturers warranty and the extended warranty it cost us @1,400 over a 7 years period including the cost of the 7 year extended warranty.

We never saw used Rv that meet our standards and we are not handy with repairs.

We did help friends of ours purchase a first time used Rv. It was a Dutchman TT in excellent condition and warrantied by the dealer. It was 6 years old and looked like new.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 15, 2014
There is a big advantage to being handy. We bought a real fixer upper for our first 5er, several hours of labor and a bout $300 in materials we had a nice older 5er. We fond we still liked camping after several years away.

We then bought a 2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, and fixed a little lifted vinyl and on the first trip repaired all the drawer slides. Nothing major just shimmed for a better fit.
rkortes
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
shadows4 wrote:
ventrman wrote:
A Lot of People who buy used do not actually own the RV. It is owned by the Bank. When I purchased mine, I used the one Payment Plan.

X2

I use the opposite strategy... Usually buy used with cash but have to make payments if new because I don't have that much cash. Therefore... I almost always buy used so I don't have to rent someone else' money.
yr2017
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
richfaa wrote:
No I like new and most of us do not have horse trailers.

I had two 40' Tetons (1995 & 2000) before I went with the horse trailers. A little info about the Jamco trailer: All aluminum channel construction - 20 yr warranty on the walls and 7 yrs on the rest of it; they weigh less, have two marine heads and more living space if configured right. Mine has a 20' shortwall and 25' long wall x 8' high x 8' wide with two 8000# axles and "G" tires. They are about the same price.

The one I'm looking to upgrade to has three 8000# axles and is all living space, because I no longer haul horses. That means 50x8x8 which is a lot of volume and it will be able to sleep six comfortably with 2 marine heads + 2 showers and haul my Jeep Wrangler - two side & rear door with ramps. Three CruiseAir heat/ac units. About $155k out the door and registered. www.bloomertrailers.com/trailers
shadows4
Explorer III
Mar 14, 2014
ventrman wrote:
A Lot of People who buy used do not actually own the RV. It is owned by the Bank. When I purchased mine, I used the one Payment Plan.

X2
ventrman
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
A Lot of People who buy used do not actually own the RV. It is owned by the Bank. When I purchased mine, I used the one Payment Plan.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2014
tsetsaf wrote:
We buy everything used and it works out great. Our old 5er just sold for more than we purchased it for 4 years ago. The "new" rig is a 2014 model year that was owned for a grand total of 3 months by the previous owners. They took the hit we got the new rig. Takes patience and perseverance but can work out well in the end.

X2 here. 2006 trailer & 2006 truck. 16,000 miles on the truck. 6 months used. The price paid for both was less than MSRP on trailer alone. Like getting the truck for free.
tsetsaf
Explorer III
Mar 14, 2014
We buy everything used and it works out great. Our old 5er just sold for more than we purchased it for 4 years ago. The "new" rig is a 2014 model year that was owned for a grand total of 3 months by the previous owners. They took the hit we got the new rig. Takes patience and perseverance but can work out well in the end.
oldbeek
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
Used. I have a 1994 Alpenlite 27sl. At 20 yrs old and 77,000 miles it is solid as a rock. There is a 29rk,1995 in La Grand Oregon for $10,500. looks clean and the truck you have will handle it. It also looks like the axles have been flipped for 4wd clearance.
richfaa
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
yr2017 wrote:
richfaa wrote:
We have never purchased a used truck or Rv. We have had 6 Rv's and three trucks over the years. Trucks have warranties and Rv's have one or two year warranties. The vast majority of problems will be within the warranty period. After that a extended warranty is a good idea. We like new.

Used trucks have warranties also - usually the remaining of the five yr/100000 mi. But, you can buy an extended from the mfgr.

Good trailers have longer warranties. I have two living quarter horse trailers. The Jamco has a remaining five yr warranty and 15 yrs on the walls. Plus, I don't have to smell the formaldehyde of the new units.

And you like paying for depreciation.

No I like new and most of us do not have horse trailers.