Purchasing advice?

[FootSoldier]

We're shopping for a new fifth wheel and I'm trying to figure out how much below MSRP we can reasonably expect to be able to make a deal in the current economy?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[TXiceman]

Maybe things are shifting from a sellers' market back to a buyers' market. Dealers' lots seem to have a lot more inventory than they had a year or two back.

If that is the case, there is no set rule for mark up or discount. You will have to shop and shop some more. Are you willing to travel several hours from home to get a better deal and then deal with the slower service from a non-selling dealer?

The best deal you can get is the one you will be happy with.

But do make sure that the dealer knows that you will inspect the unit and he will need to demonstrate every system on the RV. And you will not accept the unit and sign the papers on it until everything on the RV is 100%. Do not take it off the lot until every item is 100% correct. Once they have the money and you are gone, they quickly forget you exist.

Also, per the above, campsites in destination areas fill fast and RV travel is not the same as it was a few years ago. You have to generally plan your trip down to every stop and stick to your schedule. We are at the point of giving up full-time travel and leaving it to the "weekend warriors"

Ken

[MFL]

FootSoldier wrote:
Considering that getting the right tow rig is something of a challenge right now as well, we might need to pump the brakes on this.

I suppose I'm feeling a little like the window of opportunity for me might be narrowing some too. I turn 70 soon and retirement is not far off. So, I have begun wondering how long I might be able to run a big rig around the country? I guess we'll see?

Maybe things will get a little more clear by the end of the year?

"Seventy...and retirement not far off"? It's too late man! No one can tow cross country after seventy! Maybe a van camper, if you retire immediately. :B

Jerry

[ferndaleflyer]

Just made a trip up through WV and had no trouble getting camp sites at New River, Morgantown, Winchester VA, and near Cass. I was in Fl in Jan and Myrtle Beach in March and had no trouble finding camp sites. Most of the time we called a couple of days in advance. Thinking about making a run up to Cleveland to Rock&Roll hall of fame soon. I don't use Sate parks etc only commercial spots.

[Likes_to_tow]

On June 1st reservations for June 1st 2023 season opened up and I forgot to go online to secure my favorite WV park campsites. On June 2nd I remembered to do it and was shocked to find almost all the "good sites" were already booked!!! So in just 24 hours everyone made plans for 2023 June and things got scarce quickly. People are still camping but not going as far. We have canceled our trip to Colorado this year due to fuel prices and availability of fuel. Things are really spooky right now and it's very unclear how things will shake out in November. I'd be very cautious of making a major purchase on any type of RV. All we can see on TV are EV (electric vehicle) ads. Ford is even making a major plunge on electrifying their most popular vehicle, the F150. Significant major adjustments are coming to America and things never seen before are happening right in front of our eyes. The ability to pull a big 5th wheel with an EV is doubtful. RV's may get really small in the future. Those little Tear Drop trailers may be the wave of the future. Unless you are loaded with cash, be cautious!! Don't get stuck with a dinosaur you can't use.

[valhalla360]

BurbMan wrote:
You'll be lucky to find one AT MSRP in this economy. The RV industry only loosely correlates to autos when it comes to "sticker" prices. RVs aren't required to have Moroney stickers, so maybe the dealer shows you some invoice and tells you that's MSRP.

We bought a trailer fall 2020 (2021 model year) in the thick of the hype and got it for 45% off MSRP.

But as others have suggested, the market is changing fast and for a newbie, the OP is probably better to get something a few years old to see if you like camping before sinking big dollars into it.

PS: we haven't had any unusual issues finding campsites including a 7 month trip with around 40 campgrounds winter 2020-2021. Obviously, 4th of July at a popular spot, you need reservations but that has been that way for decades.

[C_Schomer]

I've saved a small fortune by buying used. The last 2 came from friends and I knew they were well cared for and I paid 1/2, or less, than they paid when they were new. Most of the trade-ins at dealer are way too rough looking and not NEARLY worth what they want for them. Craig

[Lwiddis]

FootSoldier, and I’ll be 73 soon. Look at all your setup and takedown chores with an eye to making easier but just as safe. Do these chores slower too.

[midnightsadie]

wizard1 has the idea. there s tons of new/used rv.s been out on the couple times and now sitting. takes a chunk of cash to roll down the road at $7.bucks a gal. find a used rv. you,ll learn a lot just by looking.

[FootSoldier]

Considering that getting the right tow rig is something of a challenge right now as well, we might need to pump the brakes on this.

I suppose I'm feeling a little like the window of opportunity for me might be narrowing some too. I turn 70 soon and retirement is not far off. So, I have begun wondering how long I might be able to run a big rig around the country? I guess we'll see?

Maybe things will get a little more clear by the end of the year?

[IDman]

We just completed a 1700 mile round trip to Smoky Mtn. N.P. and every RV dealer we passed was jammed with units waiting to be sold. Don't believe the hype that RVs are "flying' off the dealers' lots.

While at a Love's truck stop, I met a driver who delivers RVs. He said their business had slowed down as dealers weren't ordering any other than special orders.

[Lwiddis]

With patience you can drive a very good deal…even better in late August or September when the Summer is over. Don’t brag about having cash to a dealer. They make money financing you. Mum is the word.

[Camper445]

I would wait. We're already knee deep in a recession that has the potential to make 08/09 seem like a walk in the park. RV sales are already plummeting. Those in the RV Industry are pros at propaganda and by the time a slowdown is announced officially they'll be full blown into it. It took a year and half + last go around for the RV Industry to admit it, with shipment numbers dropping from 390K to 175K. By 2010 the Goshen/Elkhart area of IN looked like a ghost town compared to what it looked like in 2007. Out of control inflation and fuel prices are not a good thing for the RV Industry.

[theoldwizard1]

If you are a first time buyer, buy something 2-3 years old. It will cost a lot less and then you can decide if you like the experience before buying new?

[Likes_to_tow]

I've seen a lot of RV's for sale lately so don't rule out picking up a used one. Lots of people swarmed into the market in 2020 because of the pandemic only to discover it's not for everyone. Now there is a significant shortage of campsites in many areas. Dealers were shouting "make every weekend a vacation" but in reality there are very few sites available. I've done this for many years and now find myself making reservations a year in advance!! The days of hooking up and heading to the lake or mountains on a whim are over. It takes significant planning in advance now days. This makes camping difficult. Fuel costs are also going to change things significantly. The old standard of 30% off MSRP is temporarily over and all those who rushed into the market two years ago are upside down on their RV. They may owe much more than it's worth in a degrading market. So shop around and look for a good deal on a used one. I'd be very cautious about overpaying for an RV right now. Interesting article
https://ezinearticles.com/?My-Top-5-Predictions-For-the-Future-of-the-RV-Industry&id=1961301

[BurbMan]

You'll be lucky to find one AT MSRP in this economy. The RV industry only loosely correlates to autos when it comes to "sticker" prices. RVs aren't required to have Moroney stickers, so maybe the dealer shows you some invoice and tells you that's MSRP.