Why not to buy used.

[Terryallan]

I know there are MANY on her who say. NEVER buy new, always buy used RVs. Myself. I always buy new, and here is an example why.

This week we were camping beside a man who had just bought a used 2015 TT. Over the course of the trip. He found out the toilet had been frozen, and had to be repaired. Then the water heater would not work, and the fresh tank was missing the plug. the list goes on.
Best thing about his trip is that he lived close by. So he didn't have to stay in a unusable TT. As soon as he fixed one thing. He found another. Didn't get to stay even one night at the CG.

That boys and girls. Is why I always suggest you buy new.

[Gdetrailer]

Terryallan wrote:
I know there are MANY on her who say. NEVER buy new, always buy used RVs. Myself. I always buy new, and here is an example why.

This week we were camping beside a man who had just bought a used 2015 TT. Over the course of the trip. He found out the toilet had been frozen, and had to be repaired. Then the water heater would not work, and the fresh tank was missing the plug. the list goes on.
Best thing about his trip is that he lived close by. So he didn't have to stay in a unusable TT. As soon as he fixed one thing. He found another. Didn't get to stay even one night at the CG.

That boys and girls. Is why I always suggest you buy new.

Buying "new" does not "guarantee" that the RV doe not have issues, in fact, I know several people who bought new only to have to continually return their RV for problem after problem..

They kept finding things that didn't work or broke then had to drag the trailer back to the dealer multiple times, losing the use of their trailer for months at a time each time..

Sure, they had a warranty, but warranty does not cover loss of use, does not cover fuel costs for dragging it back and forth and does not cover the loan payments that stack up while the dealer has it..

Buying used is a "AS IS" thing and anyone who buys used should fully understand that there may be a few things that they may need to get repaired..

But, hey, at least when it is used they didn't see an instant depreciation of 20%-30% which you would get if bought new.

The reason it is mentioned for first timers to buy used is for the depreciation, many times folks buy then either figure out that RVn is not for them OR they don't like the one they bought then want to trade and get one that fits them..

Buying new then trading in or selling a depreciating asset is a horrible financial mistake that can be avoided by buying a used unit first..

This way they try, see if they like and if they don't they can sell off for pretty much the same price they paid..

But, you are more than welcome to do it your way..

[MDKMDK]

rk911 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
As if buying new was a guarantee of no problems? Due diligence needs to be observed whether it's new or used.

very true. our first MH was a year old when we bought it. mostly trouble free. kept it 15-yrs. bought our second MH new. a little more trouble but not bad. kept it 15-yrs. bought our current MH new. many many problems. wish we still had our second MH. still planning to keep #3, likely our last MH. we bought used as that was what we could afford. we bought new because se could and since we planned to keep them well beyond most do and therefore we didn’t care about the depreciation hit. there’s no absolute right answer.

I'll second that. Similar experience with buying used to start, and similar results with the next 2 new motorhomes. It's only as right as it feels. :C

[vjstangelo]

Well we bought used, and saved $40k over new for a 4 YO Class A.

[carmichael]

There have been an over abundance of trailer, fifth wheel, Class C, Class A recalls on many many brands of RV's this year..especially the ones made in Indiana. With so many RVs selling they are having to hire people off the street just to get the product out. The cry of "Amish" made is only a portion of the truth anymore. Have met a lot of people this year who have regretted moving into a new unit as they say their old units were more reliable and better built.

There are a lot of used units available that don't have problems. There are many who buy RVs and then a spouse dies or they find out RVing wasn't for them. Almost anything can be fixed...just a buyer beware situation on new or used. My biggest turn off on buying used is odor. If no odor is present then I am willing to look at a used one further. I'm happiest that someone else has taken the "buy new hit"

[Fizz]

There is a world of difference between buying your first TT and your second or third TT.
After a few years you get to know what to look for.

[Atlee]

I've never had a new RV of any kind until last year. All the Class B's and the other 3 TT's were used. But I have a relatively shallow budget for such things.

Last year I bought a brand new Jayco Jay Flight 23RB. Dropped back from a fiberglass, aluminum frame little bit too small TT to the aforementioned stick and tin model. But it suits us, has enough space for us, and at 70, I don't see another RV being bought by me.

Folks just need to stay within their own budget. However, the guy who bought the used trailer in the OP's first post, should have done a PDI walk through before getting what he did.

[Mr_Mark1]

People need to buy what they feel comfortable with. We like new and had two motorhomes ordered from the factory, one was a main-stream coach that we picked all the options that we wanted from a choice of five color schemes. The second and current coach was a totally customized unit with a 'one-off' custom paint job.

I buy new cars too, I like the new car smell and the warranty that comes with it. I did buy one antique car at an auction that was 34 yrs. old and kept it for 19 yrs. until it was 53 yrs. old selling it just last year.

As the say in the car business that is surely related to the RV business, "Buy and Drive what YOU like" that fits into your budget.

Safe travels,
MM.

[Lantley]

New or used there needs to be a good PDI and a shake down trip shakedown trip.
None of the issues seemed major. As long as the buyer had reasonable expectations all is well.

[rk911]

fj12ryder wrote:
As if buying new was a guarantee of no problems? Due diligence needs to be observed whether it's new or used.

very true. our first MH was a year old when we bought it. mostly trouble free. kept it 15-yrs. bought our second MH new. a little more trouble but not bad. kept it 15-yrs. bought our current MH new. many many problems. wish we still had our second MH. still planning to keep #3, likely our last MH. we bought used as that was what we could afford. we bought new because se could and since we planned to keep them well beyond most do and therefore we didn’t care about the depreciation hit. there’s no absolute right answer.

[Bumpyroad]

Terryallan wrote:
I know there are MANY on her who say. NEVER buy new, always buy used RVs. Myself. I always buy new, and here is an example why. .

I feel the same way, don't want somebody else's reject. the theme here seems to be if you have a lemon, don't make lemonade, just unload it on the next sucker.
bumpy

[pianotuna]

New would be fine if I could afford it LOL

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

I agree Terry. After all, we all know that brand new trailer have zero issues. 😉 Right? :B

Here are people that are super happy with their trailers!

[Son_of_Norway]

Buying used, even with repairs, costs a fraction of the money you need to buy new. Also, as far as your money goes, buying new makes absolutely no financial sense. However, your comfort and needs need to come first.

[Lwiddis]

Buyer quickly found the mentioned issues when on his first campout. If HE had inspected he would have found them prior to purchase.

[TomG2]

I always buy new and have always been put to the front of the line when it came to warranty repairs. I buy travel trailers to use, not to repair. But I am an old guy who may not have that many more years to travel and I do not intend to spend them on my knees repairing a failed camper system. I like to "Know" what my trailer has been through.