Interesting times to be shopping for my new truck camper

[restlessways]

Not sure if I should just quit looking for now, seeing how businesses are being shut down, state parks, entire states, etc. I may not even be able to use the thing in a few weeks.

It's also got me wondering - since we now seem to be headed for the 2nd coming of the great depression, might I be better served waiting to get a better price? I mean, as everybody's going broke, it seems to me that RVs and everything else are just about to crater in price.

Weird stuff going on right now. They're talking about a 25% contraction in GDP in the 2nd quarter!

[jimh406]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Before 2008 recessions TC were selling in $20k range.
Few years after the recession we are talking $50-70k.

Fyi, because I actually bought a 2006 in 2006, my TC was 32K and that was a far better price than many dealers. I believe the MSRP was 42K based on memory. Not saying that the lowend TCs weren’t going for 20K, but Hosts definitely were not.

[Kayteg1]

You might find that life is always having lot of variables.
By now I would expect that you can find a dealer, who lacks cash for next mortgage payment and it will unload his inventory at dumping prices.
Waiting till after the recession is not showing good historically.
Before 2008 recessions TC were selling in $20k range.
Few years after the recession we are talking $50-70k.
Flip the coin if in doubt.

[restlessways]

GeoBoy wrote:
I wouldn’t spend my monies all at once on a new truck when GM is offering discounts and 0% financing for 84 months. Good luck.

I'm not buying a new truck.

[Lwiddis]

“If we have a complete lockdown with the military shutting down the highways, buying a truck camper makes no sense right now whatsoever.”

More unnecessary speculation on the military and highways. And telling those who are purchasing or might purchase they “make no sense right now whatsoever.” The sky isn’t falling.

[restlessways]

Thanks for all the great comments. I didn't intend upon waiting this long to purchase but there has been very little in the way of gently used on the market, and the dealers are just getting stocked it seems. Further, the discounts I've been quoted by dealers were not very good. When you combine that with the fact that msrp has been skyrocketing over the years, purchase price has become more important than ever, especially since I'm paying with hard-earned cash.

I think the prudent move is to sit back and see what transpires over the next couple months. If we have a complete lockdown with the military shutting down the highways, buying a truck camper makes no sense right now whatsoever. I was buying it to start using it immediately. Spending all that money for something to sit around is not a wise choice. I am a person who only buys what he uses.

[Grit_dog]

Yup flip a coin, but my money is on prices dropping on vehicles and luxury items.
The issue is planning to cash in on it. Where to spend money? Investments, new truck and some more property is on the top of the list. That and a screaming deal on a newer wakeboard boat!

[ajriding]

Tough one to guess.
Prez is hopeful there is a medicine, and he has been dropping hints to this all year, and hopeful by spring (soon) things get better... hopeful means little, but his pattern is to never say something until he already knows it (his committee knows it), but Im still watching it all...
Will RVs become worthless or will they become gold?
Will people want to bug out (need an RV) or will they hunker down at home?
The above depends where you live; city or country.
Will truck campers be more valuable than a trailer? Is a TC the ultimate bug-out RV?
Will an RV with solar/self-contained power source be of value and more desirable?
Will RV owners decide to just keep their rigs for the above reasons?

The market alone will answer these questions.

Will our economy come out of this and become stronger than it ever was and be THE time to sell your RV? Should a seller wait until the economy is strong or sell when nobody has money?

Dealers will be in a different boat than an individual seller. Dealer might want to reduce inventory at cost just to have cash, or will they raise prices if new inventory is not in the pipeline?

[Lwiddis]

“She said the doctor has a government security pass. I'm not totally sure its going to happen...just passing on info I have been told.”

Doctor should have his/her security clearance revoked.
You are passing along “information” or rumors? Government agency, I guess, to doctor. Doctor to your daughter. Your daughter to you. You to this RV forum. Reliable? NO! Your post incites panic.

[ksg5000]

There is no way I would pull the trigger on any major purchase right now - prices are going to soften on almost all big ticket items.

[ppine]

Wait awhile. Cash is going to talk loudly in a few months.

[Dagwood_55]

We are in the same position. We have a nice 5th wheel, but have been wanting a popup TC for weekend and quick, short get aways. We have the ability to pay cash for new.

So a week ago we visited the local dealer to look and price. Had a good idea on what we wanted. Looked and liked. Pricing was decent, but not a killer deal. Intended on going back or calling on Monday last week to seal the deal and buy. But after last weekend and things changing so fast, we've decided to wait a bit to see just what the economy is gonna do and possible the prices come down a bit.

So, we're in a holding pattern.... Still intend on buying, but just not today..

[bwlyon]

Interesting times indeed. I agree with the wait and see approach, but in the meantime figure out exactly what camper best fits your needs. Like you, I too wonder if the entire economy is going to collapse over the next few months, which could create some unique buying opportunities for those with the wherewithal to act. I’m fortunate to have a job in healthcare and always required to work regardless the chaos going on. I’m now torn as well, on purchasing a new truck for our camper, and possibly an adventure van/grandkid hauler. I’m thinking now is the time to wait for some smoking good deals that will likely come in the next several months, since we really can’t be out traveling at this time. My belief is we are gonna be locked down for the next few months till either a vaccine is created, or the virus is contained. In the meantime, we’re going to work and dream of our next vacation!

[JD5150]

Full lockdown for the US could be coming soon. My daughter is a nurse manager and she told me yesterday that the doctor told her its coming. She said the doctor has a government security pass. I'm not totally sure its going to happen...just passing on info I have been told. The way the virus is spreading it looks like that is what will happen sooner or later.

[jimh406]

You should continue working on deciding what you want. Then, pull the trigger once you are confident with the financial situation.