To Trade or not to Trade?

[chemoman]

For the full timers, How long do you keep your rig before deciding it is time to trade it in for a new one?

I was told by several full timers, while on the road, that they do it every three years to get the best trade in value and to avoid a lot of problems. We will be in ours for three years in March of 2016 and as of today (11/30/2015), we have put 13,000 miles on our 43ft fifth wheel rig.

Should we trade or keep? What are your thoughts?

[jnharley]

Our 5th wheel is paid for and we plan to keep it until we end our full timing adventures. Notice that at least 3 people who have posted have NuWa HitchHikers. A quality unit will last a long time as long as you care for it. If you like your current unit, why trade?

[rehoppe]

IF you pay sales tax?
Here in Colo. you pay sales tax on the Difference, not the retail price, if you trade.

[Jim-Linda]

Been fulltime in a 1998 NuWa Champagne 38' since it was new. If you keep up with maintenance, especially water leaks, it will last a long time.

Jim

[retispcsi]

Fulltime Rv'n puts more wear and tear on unit then the weekender or vacation user. These units are our only house. IF you can afford it well you only go around once. We are on the 3 to 5 year cycle. As far as trading goes as a full timer what do you do with two units? That scenario might work for part timers. You make your best deal pull your unit up to your new one, transfer stuff and go on down the road.

[Nolan]

Have the same truck and trailer when we started full-time RVing in October of 2004.

[B_O__Plenty]

I really want a new rig but I've tried to sell my 2011 and had no luck at all. Not one call. Tried Craig's and a couple national listing sites. Nothing. I know I'll take a beating on a trade but I can't own two of them. My price was the lowest of all the ones I saw advertised, my trailer is better than new. All maintenance is current and it has a lot of extras I don't expect to see anything for. I priced it thousands under low NADA retail...So in my opinion it's not as easy as everyone thinks to sell it yourself. Just my opinion.

B.O.

[arhayes]

Whatever your decision on getting a new rig, I certainly would not trade in. You'll get much less for it. Either sell it yourself or on consignment to f maximizing money is your objective. We think our rig will be good for 8-10 years unless something unforeseen occurs.

[fitznj]

I think the original question is very personal. Some buy new, others buy used, some trade in, others sell privately..........

Your original objectives are to maximize trade-in AND avoid problems. As others said, most RV today are pretty good IF they are maintained well and not abused, they will easily last 10 years. My TT has been stored under cover and gets washed inside/outside after every trip - it still looks like new.

Having said that tough, a RV dealer also has to make a living, so you either get a good deal on the purchase or on the trade-in but rarely both!!!

You've paid for the bigger part of the depreciation in the first 3 years - so if the RV is in good condition - keep it and enjoy it.

Gerry

[samsontdog]

I have never traded a RV in, all ways sold it my self. Plus I never buy new.
I have owned many RVs. I buy used and use them for several years than sell for more than I paid for them. It is a hobby of mine

[Dick_B]

If you have lots of $$ trading in every three years is the way to go. As you can see we will be in our 14th season and are happy with our TT.
HOWEVER, we are not full timers.

[donn0128]

A decent quality RV should be good for 10 years with minimal repairs. Of course if you start with a cheap piece of junk that can be a lot shorter.

[2gypsies1]

You really don't get anything on a trade.

We full-timed in a 33' 5th wheel for 8 years and sold it ourselves while wintering in one place.

We full-timed in a 40' motorhome for 8 years and took it to PPL consignment in Houston. We set our own price and sold it in one month.

Full-timers in our circle of friends don't keep getting new.