Forum Discussion

mhbell's avatar
mhbell
Explorer
May 31, 2013

Bought a Used 2012 Dutchman Denali 289RK

We Just Bought a Used 2012 Denali 289RK Last week. We bought it from the Dealer who originally sold it. We have owned many RV's Motor homes and 5th wheels. But have not owned a TT for 40 years. My DW was having a hard time with the steps to the Bedroom in the 5th wheel that we traded in for the Denali. We have not picked up the Denali yet and will do so next week. Is there anything we should look for and be aware of? Any trouble spots to be aware of? Would appreciate your comments both Pro and Con. I have to inspect the unit myself as the Dealer wanted $795 to do a inspection which I refused to pay, so will have to do my own. The unit Looks brand new and I have found no visible damage. It appears to be in Excellent shape and well taken care of. I will be testing everything before I pick it up. Having been RVer's for over 40 years I am pretty well informed on most things RV, Just not this model and it is the first one we have had with a rear kitchen. Any advice is appreciated.
Mel
:@
  • robsouth's avatar
    robsouth
    Explorer II
    Jun 21, 2013
    While you are "inspecting" the camper, please note the name is "DutchmEn" and not Dutchman.
  • mhbell's avatar
    mhbell
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2013
    dadmomh wrote:
    Have never heard of a dealer charging the buyer $795 for an inspection of something they should have already inspected. Are you buying this as-is?? Is there any warranty involved? The trailer may be in perfect condition, but I'd certainly be leery of this dealer. Have to wonder how they would deal with any work you might need to have done. I'd not be comfortable with this deal.
    I have never heard of a Dealer charging the buyer $795 to inspect the trailer either. I think they were just trying to pump up the price. The trailer is like brand new and has never been used much if at all. Yes I bought it AS IS. I did a very extensive inspection. The stove had never been used and the trailer shows no sign of wear at all. It was winterized and I suspect that the Dealer had already inspected it and were probably the ones who winterized it. They were the original selling Dealer. It was a Older couple who originally bought it and the husband passed away, so I was unable to talk to the former owners. Did not want to bother the previous owners wife.
  • dadmomh's avatar
    dadmomh
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    Have never heard of a dealer charging the buyer $795 for an inspection of something they should have already inspected. Are you buying this as-is?? Is there any warranty involved? The trailer may be in perfect condition, but I'd certainly be leery of this dealer. Have to wonder how they would deal with any work you might need to have done. I'd not be comfortable with this deal.
  • wannavolunteerF's avatar
    wannavolunteerF
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    I have had two rear kitchen TT's and have found that most have lots of storage. I do have to remember to load the front storage with enough that I have sufficient tongue weight. The tendency to load kitchen cabinets should be offset by tools and other things in your front pass through and under bed storage. my next TT will likely be one with the same floorplan as yours
  • GilliedogKiwi's avatar
    GilliedogKiwi
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    The original owner may just have wanted to move up - like we did. We purchased a Jayco Jayflight 24FB in mid 2011 then 6 months later we traded it in on a Jayco Jayflight 24FBS and the only reason we traded it in was to get one with a slideout. Nothing wrong with the first one at all. The dealer we purchased it from said that it is quite common for people to trade up or down even within the first year of ownership because they find that the one they purchased is not quite big enough etc. We have looked at a Denali for our next model but one of the things we are finding it hard to give up in our Jayco 24FBS is that it has a 86 gal fresh water tank and that is so handy when we stay at state parks.

    So there may not be a "sinister" reason it was traded in.
  • therink's avatar
    therink
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    I recommend that you do a thorough PDI yourself if this is a pre owned unit. Don't count on the dealer to identify and find any problems. There could be a reason why the original owner turned it in.
  • Camreal's avatar
    Camreal
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    Dont know about that model but $795 to inspect it sounds out of line..

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