Up-Grade

Get another SB! We just made a change and it worked out OK for us. We paid ~27k for an 08 30 RKFS that sold for ~54k new. We just sold our 98 for 9200 and we paid 10k for it in 05. We think buying used is best and let someone else take the big depreciation hit. We were in the Denver SB club so we still have a pipeline for good used SBs and we know all the owners and how they cared for their RVs. That helps a lot and takes the worry out of buying used. BTW, this 08 is every bit of the great quality as the early SBs, and then some. I can't say enough for the Morryde RE! SB went to Dexter frames and the big basements in about 03 and the frame is even heavier than our other two older SBs. Our 2000 24CKFS had a 12" boxed frame, the 98 30 RLFS was 14" and the 2008 is 16" boxed. Craig

Don't wait - advertise!

Craig's list, RV trader, local paper, etc.

Your 13yr old trailer will be a perfect "starter" or even an upgrade for someone else.

IMO - do the above before considering trade-in.
(Dealer will take you to the cleaners - then send it to RV auction)

You *will* be money ahead..:W

~

The economy may not be good, but the RV market is booming. Not that that matters anyway.

If it is exceptional and clean, sell it outright, forget the trade. If its rough, trade it for the tax reduction.

I would like to up-grade to a newer Fifth Wheel but market is not so good for selling or tradeing what to do?

As was shared in previous emails, "life is to short". I would not put out money to fix your older 5th wheel when you have no guarantee fixing up your trailer will actually bring what you would hope to get in a sale!!!
IMO, I would drive the 5th. wheel down just in the condition it is in and use it as a trade in for the newer 5th. wheel you want.
just my 2 cents:)

Timing is key. RVs values are low in winter for both used and new. We traded our 9 year old Arctic Fox in on a 2012 last year's larger model AF in May and the final numbers were well under what I had expected as they really wanted to clear out last year's inventory. Our trade needed some work as it was very well traveled and needed a new roof (my fault), new carpet (our fault)and some other cosmetic issues but it was a popular smaller 5th wheel that the knew would sell quickly that time of year. We even financed the balance at 3.7%, first thing I had to make payments on in about 10 years because at our age, we couldn't wait for the cash to become available, it may not ever happen in this economy....

gbopp wrote:
Get what you want and enjoy it, you don't know what life will hand you tomorrow.

x2. Take the loss and get the one you want. You only get so many sunrises/sunsets.

If the market goes up for a used trailer odds are the market will also go up for new trailers. Result is more for your used one but higher price for the new one. Becomes a wash except for the fact the used trailer depreciates while the new ones continue to cost more each year.

Buying and selling an RV is a losing proposition any way you cut it. Some are fooled into believing they got one over on their dealer because they received a lot for their trade-in, truth be known, the dealer always makes their profit margin and then some. Common mistake is assuming your rig is worth more than it is for whatever reason, but some do get lucky and sell their rig on their own to some poor unknowing sucker (one born every minute) for a decent price, although it is rare. Doubtful if waiting for the market to change will pose any real advantage, you may be able to swing a good deal during the winter season that you could live with. First lesson about RVing is you have to pay to play, worrying about mpg or return on your RV investment will certainly sour the experience. Here's hoping things work out for you and you're enjoying your new 5er soon.

Get what you want and enjoy it, you don't know what life will hand you tomorrow.

Sell it for what you can get. It's 13 years old..if the market does go up you probably won't gain more than a few hundred dollars, if you can sell it at all. In the meanwhile the price of the newer ones will be going up a lot more..

B.O.