Can't overcome the fear of buying a Truck and TC.......

[cptqueeg]

I've been wanting a TC for a number of years and finally retired so now is the time, right? Of course the pandemic hits, stock market tanks, we start a major remodel on our home, can't shop for either a truck or camper in person so I've been sitting on the sidelines watching prices go up and availability go down. I did throughly research virtually every type of RV and most TC brands and the components of TCs. Now if I order a Hallmark TC it'll probably be next year for delivery.

My estimation of the economic effect of the pandemic on my personal situation was drastically wrong (thankfully); guess I'm a bit pessimistic or conservative financially. I've found over the years, for me, it's a better strategy to get what I want rather than making do and then "trade up" later. My point being a truck and camper is going to be the most expensive thing I've ever bought (outside of my kid's education) that wasn't a house.

I think it's the right product so I can hunt, tow my boat and stay a couple nights at the lake, and bring my wife boondocking to some places she's never been. I hate hotels and eating out. She's ok w the purchase since I won't be paying w "our" money. We're in our early 60's but now too old to sleep on the ground anymore. LOL

Just throwing the topic out to get an idea of how you guys convince yourselves to get off the fence or any other comments or thoughts.

[thomas201]

The S&P 500 and the Dow are both right at all time highs. So if you have a safe pension and/or invested, your net worth stands a good chance of being at an all time high.

Value of a pension or Social Security? Although there is an argument that if you can't sell it, it has no value, I disagree. What would it cost to purchase a comparable annuity? That is the net present value of your pension or SS.

If you want it and can afford it, go for it. None of us are getting younger.

[RetiredRealtorR]

srx-6 wrote:
My mother told me a long time ago “You will regret the things you didn’t do more than the things you did do”. Get the camper and go enjoy time with your wife.

FULLY agree. Every day you wait to buy it is one less day you have to enjoy it.

[srx-6]

My mother told me a long time ago “You will regret the things you didn’t do more than the things you did do”. Get the camper and go enjoy time with your wife.

[Grit_dog]

Lantley wrote:
Look at it like this. You can't take the $$$ with you!
What else are you saving it for?
The pandemic reinforces the idea we simply do not know what the future holds. With that in mind enjoy yourself and your funds while you can.

It really reinforces the concern of the inflation the pandemic has caused and the economic fallout or dip that is almost certain to happen in the relatively near future. (Although part of the inflation is due to reduced inventories, not just different buying patterns. )

Notice how it seems most people are concerned with what things cost, not whether they’ll live through the pandemic.
Regardless of the reason, fact remains that there willl be better deals in the future.
Question is, how bad do you want to get out this year.

[Buzzcut1]

We bought a 2 year old TC that was just what we wanted and the PO had out grown, got it for half of retail in perfect shape. A couple of years later we upgraded the truck the same way. We found a 4 year old F350 CC LB DRW 4x4 full Lariat package in great shape. total for truck and camper $62,000. No regrets at all

[Terryallan]

cptqueeg wrote:
I've been wanting a TC for a number of years and finally retired so now is the time, right? Of course the pandemic hits, stock market tanks, we start a major remodel on our home, can't shop for either a truck or camper in person so I've been sitting on the sidelines watching prices go up and availability go down. I did throughly research virtually every type of RV and most TC brands and the components of TCs. Now if I order a Hallmark TC it'll probably be next year for delivery.

My estimation of the economic effect of the pandemic on my personal situation was drastically wrong (thankfully); guess I'm a bit pessimistic or conservative financially. I've found over the years, for me, it's a better strategy to get what I want rather than making do and then "trade up" later. My point being a truck and camper is going to be the most expensive thing I've ever bought (outside of my kid's education) that wasn't a house.

I think it's the right product so I can hunt, tow my boat and stay a couple nights at the lake, and bring my wife boondocking to some places she's never been. I hate hotels and eating out. She's ok w the purchase since I won't be paying w "our" money. We're in our early 60's but now too old to sleep on the ground anymore. LOL

Just throwing the topic out to get an idea of how you guys convince yourselves to get off the fence or any other comments or thoughts.

So here is the thing. you aren't getting any younger. And honestly. You are not promised tomorrow. If you want it, get it while you can still enjoy it. Because YOU MIGHT WAKE UP ONE DAY AND SUDDENLY be unable to use it.
I know you think you have plenty of time, we all do. But do you? You just don't know.
I retired 2 years ago. Fit as a fiddle, and ready for anything. Now I am having health problems and using the camper is a chore. Don't wait. Go for it. Enjoy your life. Life is too short to to miss out on. And if you wait. You just might wait too long.
After all. It's only money, and you can't take it with you. It is worth nothing if you don't use it. So use it, enjoy life as long as you can.

Just the thoughts of a old man who knows how short life can be.

[jimh406]

Just buy a TT and get by for a while. Btw, if you think the stock market tanked, you need to diversify more.

[Lantley]

Look at it like this. You can't take the $$$ with you!
What else are you saving it for?
The pandemic reinforces the idea we simply do not know what the future holds. With that in mind enjoy yourself and your funds while you can.

[Hemi_Joel]

If you know you want it for sure, and you are committed to owning it long term, go ahead and buy a new one and get everything you want. But if you pay retail, or more than 80% of retail, you'll take a bath if you change your mind and sell it. If you are not 100% positive you will keep it long term if this is possibly a test, seek out a good deal on a used rig in excellent condition that has been stored indoors when not in use. That way if you change your mind and want to bail, you won't take a big hit financially.

I did it that way with my 2006 Arctic Fox 1150 that I bought in 2013. It was an awesome camper! I kept it nice, and sold it in 2018 after 5 years of use for more than I paid for it. THen I bought my 1 year old Eagle Cap 1165 for 40% off new retail, and I'm sure I can at least break even on it if I sold it today. It's not so hard to spend a large sum of cash on something when you think it will hold it's value.

Finding the right used camper at a killer deal takes time, effort, patience. Don't worry about a used camper having issues, it will. But so do new ones. Just check it really good for leaks, rot, big issues and only buy the best.
Good luck, I think you will love truck camping!

[brholt]

I totally get where you are at.
We are in contract on our house, sold two of our vehicles, and in less then two weeks we head off to be full time in our truck camper. I would be lying if there weren’t a few butterflies now and then.

Still, life is short and I don’t want to be one to not have tried it. I look at it an adventure and a journey and feel good about what we are doing. Moreover, if things don’t work out the way we hoped we will try something else. All we will have lost is a bit of money.

You can analyze stuff to death but at some point it is better to just jump.

[rexlion]

I know what you mean. I'd like to buy my retirement trailer, but on the inside I keep hearing, "Wait a couple more years." I feel like something's going to happen that would cause me to regret buying it now.

I try to listen to that little voice inside me; it tends to be right.