Over Priced Used Motorhomes.

[fossile-finder]

Have been looking for a Used Class A motor home and have come to the conclusion that Nada and Kelly Blue book are misleading with pricing of used RV's. Most people selling a used RV look at these ratings to get an idea of what they should sell there RV for and go with the highest price figuring that they will come down to a lower price when the bartering begins.
When talking to an owner of a class A from 1999 to 2001 that are 14 years old and seeing the shape of these RV's, (faded siding, total rust underneath,rubber roof that have had no care, never leaked so why care for it, old tires but still work just fine, no brake work at all, worn interior, etc.etc.)with prices from $24,000 to $20,000 I feel that they are really fooling themselves if they think it will ever sell. Most Rv's have been for sale all summer and now into the fall and still have not sold.
I really can't blame the owners, they are only looking to see what other Rv's like there's are selling for and price accordingly. Even tho none of the others have ever sold.
Am I way off my rocker and lost too many marbles or do others see this too? I realize RV's are expensive period, but anything 14 years old is rusting and falling apart.
Would love to hear what you have to say.
Thanks.

[paintedtugboat]

Ditto - "Most people don't understand how to use them (KBB or NADA) for RV's". Owners always think that their RV is worth more. Buyers always think the dealer is gouging them. KBB and NADA are actually good tools. Just remember that the numbers are based on AVERAGES. The market has been HOT for 2014 and all motorhome prices are being driven UP rapidly. There are several factors pushing prices at this time - baby boomers retiring and families looking for less expensive vacations (prices are going up in just about all tourist industry areas). Motorhome manufacturers are adding second and third shifts. High Demand + Low Supply = high prices.

[wannavolunteerF]

Frankdamp hinted at one of the big problems with using KBB or NADA prices. Most people don't understand how to use them for RV's. You start with your unit, and only add the things that were NOT part of the standard build for your RV. For example, on my TT, I don't add for slides, for the vinyl floor throughout, the type AC/furnace or stove because they were all put in by Jayco.. not even the power tongue jack or scissor jack stabilizers.. because they were standard on the model I own. I have seen folks list their MH for sell and have everything checked on the NADA list and add over 20-30 thousand dollars to the price, but everything was standard for the model for sale. I have found lower end of the base price range to be pretty accurate as to what will actually sale, and close to the "dealer/bank" book.

[guardrail53]

I think you are looking in the wrong area's! I found my 18 year old MH on a dealers lot in Phoenix, Az. It had brand new tires, brakes and rotors , bearings repacked, new shocks all around, fresh tune up, W/Wires, all fluids changed, including the transmission, couch recovered in leather, new mattress, generator serviced,(OIL, FILTER,PLUGS) and many other updates, to many to list, and fresh paint! detailed to the 10's, inside and out! Looks brand new inside and out! And I paid 5000.00 less than NADA lowest price! They are out there, you just have to NOT limit your search area! When I look for a MH, I look all over the U.S., find one that looks and sounds good, then go to RVT.com, RVtrader.com, and see what others like it are selling for? That will give you a idea! Hope this helps! Good luck with your search! Rail!

[down_home]

fossile-finder wrote:
Have been looking for a Used Class A motor home and have come to the conclusion that Nada and Kelly Blue book are misleading with pricing of used RV's. Most people selling a used RV look at these ratings to get an idea of what they should sell there RV for and go with the highest price figuring that they will come down to a lower price when the bartering begins.
When talking to an owner of a class A from 1999 to 2001 that are 14 years old and seeing the shape of these RV's, (faded siding, total rust underneath,rubber roof that have had no care, never leaked so why care for it, old tires but still work just fine, no brake work at all, worn interior, etc.etc.)with prices from $24,000 to $20,000 I feel that they are really fooling themselves if they think it will ever sell. Most Rv's have been for sale all summer and now into the fall and still have not sold.
I really can't blame the owners, they are only looking to see what other Rv's like there's are selling for and price accordingly. Even tho none of the others have ever sold.
Am I way off my rocker and lost too many marbles or do others see this too? I realize RV's are expensive period, but anything 14 years old is rusting and falling apart.
Would love to hear what you have to say.
Thanks.

NADA has two books. One for Dealers and one for everyone else. I assume Kelly does too, or perhaps it is just Internet today.
They are not geared to realism but to making money for Dealers.
A RV is worth whatever you feel it is or the better price you can find one for. No way would we sell our RV at NADA book values. We know who and how it is maintained. It is far better than what the Dealer would pay.
We've seen some really nice older MHs better constructed, originally and in much better than many, new, on the lots, at RV Parks. The People live in them or sue them gently and are always doing something to/for them. I don't remember brands but a 99 Fleetwood built one at the Factory for some minor repair was as clean as a barracks after a GI party. Saw one at a RV Park near Goshen that he war doing some repairs on the door glass. The construction was real quality and the fiberglass/paint had been maintained really good. New tires and everything. Of course it didn't have slides, I think but the thing looked like it was built like a tank. It was for sale and for around 30,000.00 two years ago. It was forty feet and had a Detroit diesel, that looked like new. Sometimes you just run a croos RVs for sale that bear closer examination and you may get a real value.

[bakerman]

I looked for a mh for over a year I realized stay away from large dealerships in big cities, they have big over heads, commission salesman. I looked all over Dallas area if I looked 75 to 100 miles away I could save thousands. I found a very clean coach low miles with new frig and new batteries. The inside was a 9 or 10 the exterior was faded but and about a 6. I discovered Zep wet look floor polish after reading on other rv sites. This stuff is amazing coach shines like new and graphics are very good also. I found my coach 250 miles form my home at a small travel trailer dealership. Best of luck on your search. Keep them shining

[mike_brez]

Or maybe the moderator removed once already. Guess someone never read the forum rules :R

You may not use the Open Roads Forum for "For Sale" or "Wanted" posts. Solicitations by private/public agencies, or individuals for any cause are also not allowed.

[Sully2]

Selling of RV's isnt allowed on this BB...

[SteveL1948]

fossile-finder wrote:
Have been looking for a Used Class A motor home and have come to the conclusion that Nada and Kelly Blue book are misleading with pricing of used RV's. Most people selling a used RV look at these ratings to get an idea of what they should sell there RV for and go with the highest price figuring that they will come down to a lower price when the bartering begins.
When talking to an owner of a class A from 1999 to 2001 that are 14 years old and seeing the shape of these RV's, (faded siding, total rust underneath,rubber roof that have had no care, never leaked so why care for it, old tires but still work just fine, no brake work at all, worn interior, etc.etc.)with prices from $24,000 to $20,000 I feel that they are really fooling themselves if they think it will ever sell. Most Rv's have been for sale all summer and now into the fall and still have not sold.
I really can't blame the owners, they are only looking to see what other Rv's like there's are selling for and price accordingly. Even tho none of the others have ever sold.
Am I way off my rocker and lost too many marbles or do others see this too? I realize RV's are expensive period, but anything 14 years old is rusting and falling apart.
Would love to hear what you have to say.
Thanks.

Post deleted:
"You may not use the Open Roads Forum for "For Sale" or "Wanted" posts."
Admin
RV.net

[crcr]

rockhillmanor wrote:
I found the pulse of the going market price at dealership used RV lots.

Dealerships know what the wholesale price is because it is their business. They price to sell or ship the unit out to auction.

And yes there are going to be overpriced ones on the lot but those are going to be the consignment units.

Prices of vehicles of 'any' type differ from state to state and to locale to locale.

Where I use to live what an RV would sell for in Illinois would be higher than just 100 miles over the state line into Wisconsin.

Since I've moved I drove around to the dealership to get an idea of what the going prices where and price my RV's accordingly. All of mine have sold within days.

Re pricing of RV's on the dealer's used lot, my experience has been different. The dealers I have been to, the used units are generally vastly overpriced. This I believe for the purpose of allowing plenty of room to pad an offered trade in price to the potential customer. Plus they don't even do any detailing, let alone repairs to the used units. Many of them I have noticed to be quite dirty and neglected.

[rockhillmanor]

I found the pulse of the going market price at dealership used RV lots.

Dealerships know what the wholesale price is because it is their business. They price to sell or ship the unit out to auction.

And yes there are going to be overpriced ones on the lot but those are going to be the consignment units.

Prices of vehicles of 'any' type differ from state to state and to locale to locale.

Where I use to live what an RV would sell for in Illinois would be higher than just 100 miles over the state line into Wisconsin.

Since I've moved I drove around to the dealership to get an idea of what the going prices where and price my RV's accordingly. All of mine have sold within days.

[wallynm]

A sale takes a willing seller and a willing buyer. Looks like you have neither. Find an RV auction and check prices.

[frankdamp]

It's very easy to get a stupidly high price if you use KBB as a guide for selling. They provide a base-line price and the prices for "Extra" features. These include stoves, sinks, toilets, propane systems, h/w heaters and many other things that are absolutely basic on any motor-home.

I'll be putting ours on the market in the next couple of weeks and I'll be taking another look at KBB and NADA, but trying to remain realistic.

[rockhillmanor]

bsinmich wrote:

enblethen wrote:
There are many good 14 year old rigs.
If you are looking in MI only, I would suggest getting away from the area where large quantities of salt is used during the winter. It remains on the road and other areas year round contributing to early decay.
You might look at RVT.com for what you are interested in. Some locations even pay your way your come and look.

I have lived in Mich. all my life and have had RVs since 1969. I have never had my RVs in snow!! Salt is use a lot less than previously and it does not remain on the road all year

. Rain and snow wash the salt away regularly. There is no rust under my '95 Roadtrek or '03 Mountain Aire.

Thank you! X2

I lived in Wisconsin.
A. we don't drive our RV's in winter.
B. The salt does NOT remain on the road after the torrential downpours of spring it's gone. If it were not we would all be sporting white dusted windshields all summer long and we don't.

I just bought property in Florida for a winter base. That said.

I would buy a Midwest RV in a heart beat OVER any RV from the south.

What the damp swampy rainy weather, green mold and black mold, and blazing sun does to a MH down here is unbelievable. And the damage is done in a very short time if they are not driven each and every day.

I parked my MH for the winter months in Wisconsin and come summer it looked the same as the day I parked it come summer. I parked my MH down here for 3 months and the damage had already started.:(

It rains 'everyday' during the summer months like clockwork. And it's sheets of straight down down pour rain for long periods.

That creates the green mold all over the RV. If there is a pin hole in the MH anywhere the water WILL find it. Just the humidity alone creates mildew/mold inside the RV. Pine trees pollinate down here and if not wiped and clean daily it permeates the RV. Decals? forget about it they last maybe a year in the south. And more so on the side facing the afternoon killer sun. Tires? Rot in half the time sitting from the intense sun.

Nope, I see what it is doing to my poor beloved MH as I look out the window right now and I would definitely buy one from the Midwest area versus the South. Just saying.

[bsinmich]

enblethen wrote:
There are many good 14 year old rigs.
If you are looking in MI only, I would suggest getting away from the area where large quantities of salt is used during the winter. It remains on the road and other areas year round contributing to early decay.
You might look at RVT.com for what you are interested in. Some locations even pay your way your come and look.

I have lived in Mich. all my life and have had RVs since 1969. I have never had my RVs in snow!! Salt is use a lot less than previously and it does not remain on the road all year. Rain and snow wash the salt away regularly. There is no rust under my '95 Roadtrek or '03 Mountain Aire.