I'll just start by saying, i'm only looking, just like every year, this time of year, I think upgrade.Anyhow I was searching outside the normal camper sales destinations and ran into a few 5vers i think we might actually like and deem acceptable, however they are models from 2014. They appear to me on the surface to be priced to move however.Is this something i should quit looking at? I mean it already has the same amount of exterior weathering as any 2 year old model. When it's time to trade it's already 2 years older again.What else should my concerns be? Problems with the model, a prior recall, 2 year old tires, leaky roof, i'm sure the list goes on.Based on their website, rv's is something they dabble in, but also other outdoor activities. Maybe warranty, or service is something to be concerned about.Just looking for thoughts. Thanks.

Presumably, the warranty takes effect when you take possession?Back in 2001, we bought a pontoon boat that was built in 1999. Aside from the cover getting shredded by a storm about 3 years later (weakened by constant exposure to the weather for 2 years) - it has been a wonderful boat. Granted, an RV is a lot more complicated than a boat; but a good one seems to endure just sitting there, for quite a long time?

Considering all the cons... probably no warranty, weathering, old tires, just make sure you buy it cheap enough! Craig

my Bounder was a couple of years old but "new" and I got a good price and of course warranty. IIRC I did hit them up for a new set of batteries. bumpy

Our Springdale was a 1 year old (brand new) trailer. It was a great trailer. We had it 8 years. In the first year of ownership, I realized the frame (exposed) was rusted pretty bad. It was surface rust, but I took the time (about 2 weeks worth of work), and cleaned off all the rust and repainted (with black brush-on and spray-on Rust-o-lium). In the second year of ownership, I touched up all that black paint and spots where rust was showing (because I missed those spots the year before). After that, I never had to touch the frame again. Although I did occasionally touch up spots (especially around the tongue area), where the safety chains rubbed and it scared up the paint. But never had to actually pain the frame again. And when sold, it still looked marvelous! After 3 years of ownership, I got new tires as they were showing signs of dry-rotting.In the 6 year of ownership, the microwave died and we bought a new microwave oven.After 7 years of ownership, the decals started peeling. i did not touch them, just left them as they were.After 8 years of ownership, I noticed a lot of "white" coming off the roof and dripping on the sides. (No black streaks, --- white streaks). I figured the rubber roof was wearing.After 8 years, noticed also the aluminum side (paint) was wearing thin in spots. Maybe from washing it too much, or using the wrong soap?But, after 8 years, she still towed marvelous! Everything worked perfect. The interior was in great shape. There were no leaks, no soft spots, no damages. We cleaned up the interior when we traded, and it REALLY DID look brand new. We are not smokers, and even after 8 years, there was still a hint of that new trailer smell in there.Why did we trade you ask? ... well... the floor plan simply did not work for us any more (things change and you change with "things"). The camper had no slides, and the floor plan was simply not working for us any more. We actually quite using it for a short while. That's when we realized it was the floor plan we didn't like any more. So we traded (long story), but the current trailer gets very little "rest" these day!Hope this helps you in your decision. If it were me, and the price was right on the camper ... yes .... absolutely ... I'd go with a brand new 2 year old trailer.My very first brand new vehicle I ever owned was a Chevy S-10 pick-up truck, a 1985 model. It was a manual transmission, no air conditioning, no FM radio, no carpet. It was a 1 year old truck! And lasted almost 15 years before it simply died!Nothing wrong with a 2 year old camper. You should still get all the warranties, I would think. If not ... definitely negotiate for even a better price!Good luck!

If they are brand new and have never had a registered owner, they will have a full warranty. Experience.

Buying New, but 2-3 Years Old Already | Good Sam Community

kenzmad
Explorer
Jul 25, 2015
What about recaulking the unit? Did they do it? Some manufactures require that this be done annually to keep the warranty in place.
dspencer
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
Last February we bought a new left over 2013 for a great price which was literally a few short months till the 15's came out. I would do it again in a heartbeat for the right price.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jul 23, 2015
So for the last two years NO ONE liked this model! There is a message in that! Chris
3oaks
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
poppin_fresh wrote:
I tried to make a deal on a new 2014 from my local dealer this spring. I threw them an aggressive, but not low ball offer, but they didn't bite or counter. They actually offered to order me a 2016 at an even lower price than they would go on the 2014. They claimed they were about to order a bunch of 16's so they could therefore pass along a large volume discount.

I didn't end up going with either one, but I thought it was odd they would choose to sit on the aging 2014 with a willing buyer.
I think you were smart. Something didn't smell right about that.;)
myredracer
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2015
Won't matter if you buy a 2 or 3 year old RV and never use it and keep it in covered climate controlled storage. Won't matter how much you spend on mods and upgrades. If you decide you want to buy another RV the following year, to a dealer on a trade-in, it's only worth the blue book value based on the model year. If selling privately, you're competing with all the other 2-3 year old units. You can take a huge hit if not careful.

Remember, a dealer only wants to sell you what makes them the most money at the time. Gotta do your due diligence and compare ALL the pros and cons.
thirtydaZe
Nomad
Jul 23, 2015
Thanks for all the input. Some great points in here.

Also, thanks for the tip on the water system and it being winterized, that is an area i would have overlooked for sure.

I'll have to compile a list of items to check if we end up moving forward.

Thanks again, i'll keep you posted if we end up with any new toys!
C-Bears
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
Many new RV's can be purchased for 35% off MSRP. So if you are buying a 2014 new unit when 2016's are hitting the lots, then in reality once you sign the papers you own a 2 year old unit.

Say for example the MSRP of the 2014 fiver or TT was $80,000.
In 2014 you should have been able to buy that for between $52,000 and $54,000 plus tax.

If you buy it in late 2015 (making it 2 years old) it may only be worth $35,000 or $40,000.

I'm not saying it is a bad idea, you just have to keep in mind what it will actually be worth the minute you tow it off their lot.
poppin_fresh
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
I tried to make a deal on a new 2014 from my local dealer this spring. I threw them an aggressive, but not low ball offer, but they didn't bite or counter. They actually offered to order me a 2016 at an even lower price than they would go on the 2014. They claimed they were about to order a bunch of 16's so they could therefore pass along a large volume discount.

I didn't end up going with either one, but I thought it was odd they would choose to sit on the aging 2014 with a willing buyer.
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Jul 22, 2015
I bought one that was over a year old, but new and got the full warranty. One thing I did negotiate is a roof treatment, when it was convenient for me about six months later.
BubbaChris
Explorer
Jul 22, 2015
One of the "something else category" is to ask if they've ever filled the fresh water tanks or hooked the units up to city water. If so and they didn't winterize you may have hidden plumbing damage.

I'd be tempted to treat it like a used unit and hire my own mobile RV tech to do an inspection. Could even ask for a pressure test to find any exterior leaks and make a determination based on where those are.

Maybe not if it was still eligible for a full factory warranty and you confirm where and how any warranty issues will be repaired.

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