Almost 10 years old-what to do

[Hedgehog]

I currently own a 2006 monaco knight that only has 28,000 miles on it. Since I only put 1400 miles a year on it and traveled mostly within 250 miles of home, I was kicking around trading it for a brand new higher end fifthwheel. One other factor is that I will have to trade in my 4 year old Toyota tundra toward a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup. I don't want to make a hasty decision but a lot of people tell me that my motorhome value will drop like a rock once it hits 10 years old. They say the primary reason is because most banks won't finance a unit this old. i can't see myself getting anymore use out of one over the other but I just feel that a Diesel engine sitting for long periods is not good. Any input would be appreciated.

[mowermech]

I like my old motorhome. It gets us there, and brings us back, and it is comfortable while we are there.
PLUS, it is old enough that it has PERMANENT registration! The registration never has to be renewed as long as we own it. I tease DW now and then that I am going to start looking at 2004 DPs, but she really knows it is just teasing.
I like what we have. I think I'll keep it.
I think you should, too.

[gbopp]

Your 2006 Monaco Knight with 28,000 miles isn't worth anything.
Send me your address, I'll haul it away for you, no charge. 🙂


Keep what you have, you will get many, many years of enjoyment from your Monaco.

[smlranger]

Agree with the consensus, keep the DP and enjoy it. If you maintain it well and keep it clean, there will always be a buyer for it.

When we traded our clean, well-maintained 11 year old DP last year, the first couple that looked at it bought it from the dealer. There is a good demand for nice used DP's that are in a price range where many folks can pay cash or write a check from their home equity account. Just make sure you drive it at least once per month even if it is only a 20 - 40 mile round trip to the store, etc.

[poncho62]

16 years old and paid for long ago here.....nuff said

[midnightsadie]

if you want it go for it, you only going around ONE TIME enjoy what you got left, OH! theres hundreds of people looking for your low mile rv.

[Dale_Traveling]

Keep what you have unless you want to considering down sizing to a modest travel trailer that your Tundra can pull comfortably. Selling off the DP and truck just because of the DP is approaching a perceived age might not be the best direction to go.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

We're working on 101K miles on our 2006 Phaeton, bought it new 9 years ago next month. Our feeling is if we trade, it will be going for an older (than ours) "premium DP" with fewer slides and bigger engine that is easy to service. Have been looking at Newells and Foretravels, so far haven't found a floor plan or interior (I hate light colors) we like as well as our Phaeton.

[Acampingwewillg]

ScottG wrote:
The best way to get the value out of your MH is to drive the wheels off it and enjoy it.
JMHO

My exact reasoning for hanging on to ours.....get as much use out of it before it becomes nothing but a money pit. While I dream of getting a new to me MH, I'm quite happy with what we have now....knock on wood. And that's a rig 18 years old.....go figure!

[Ramair]

Agree with the others here keep the MH and use it till your done traveling then sell if you want.

[time2roll]

New fifth wheel and new dually diesel truck will drop in value far more than a ten year old MH.

[smacdiesel]

Do what makes you happy, personally I would want an older DP over a 5th wheel. I love the older DP's I see on the road, they are awesome machines.

[toedtoes]

It doesn't sound like a smart move to me. You're basically trading a possible loss of value for a guaranteed loss of value.

The MH MAY lose value in the future - IF you decide to sell it AND IF enough potential buyers would be deterred due to the age to make it unsellable.
The 5er AND the truck WILL lose value as you drive off the lot. That's a definite loss right now.

In addition, if you trade in the MH, you will not get its full resale value but a lower value. The value to trade in price ratio now will most likely be worse than the the value to trade in price ratio in 5 to 10 years.

Looking at your numbers, you didn't buy the MH new. How long have you had it?

Some questions to think about: How long do you plan on continuing to RV? Are you happy with the MH (other than the concern about the engine sitting)? Does it meet your RVing needs? Do you expect any change to your RVing needs in the next 5 to 10 years?

[DrewE]

It's (presumably) paid for, (presumably) in good condition, and (presumably) meets your needs and wants pretty well. I'm siding with everyone else and saying you should enjoy it to the fullest. An RV (or truck) is not generally an investment, financially speaking; they lose value over time, rather than appreciate.

I don't think you could end up money ahead to buy a new truck and a new fifth wheel, certainly not after another few years when they have depreciated substantially. You would get greater shininess for awhile, but IMHO that's about all. For most vehicles, the early part of their life is the worst for depreciation.

[cochise49]

We knew we would be losing on our 2005 on trade-in. We wanted the new rig so we went for it. It's your money. We figured we were spending our children's inheritance....

[wallynm]

it has already dropped like a rock so I suggest it is leveling off a little. Ours is 12 years old and has 92,000 miles on it