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.

[Avid_Fox]

"The warranty cover oil pan gasket replacement, who require engine removal, so I can only guess what it would cost without warranty."

I've had to replace that upper oil pan seal three times in my 16 F350. All under warranty. He said it would have been about $4500 each time if not under warranty. I'm going to get a new truck before the 100k engine warranty expires...

[Avid_Fox]

A truck camper is the best RV I've ever owned. Four motorhomes class a and c, 5th wheel, a smaller Lance 845 TC, and for the last 5 years and 70k miles, the AF 1150. Go anywhere, stay anywhere, turn around anywhere. But it's just me and wife now, not with kids or dogs. Different rigs for different times of your life. This one is awesome for now.

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.

[cptqueeg]

jimh425 wrote:
The only problem with buying new when you have lots of income/before retirement is that no matter how much money you have, those items still depreciate. If I had it to do over with, I would have bought less new items that depreciate, and saved that money to fix/repair items and watched it increase in value as investments that appreciated.

I don’t know about you guys but I sold/traded perfect condition cars/trucks/motorcycles/RVs/Boats more than once because I could and wanted something different. I’ve been able to find perfectly good vehicles used. I’m not saying that I’d never buy new. My Host was 5K more than a 5 year old one. So, not a hard an fast rule, but something to consider.

I really admire guys w the talent to trade and do well. It also seems to be the same group of guys can wield a wrench w authority. I am neither so I became a "buy and hold" owner of cars, trucks, houses, stocks, and most importantly wives!

[Kayteg1]

jimh425 wrote:
...... I’ve been able to find perfectly good vehicles used. I’m not saying that I’d never buy new. My Host was 5K more than a 5 year old one. So, not a hard an fast rule, but something to consider.

When I went truck-shopping back in 2016, I found lot of used trucks with 30-40,000 miles selling in $50k range. They were at the end or past the warranty and in configurations that I consider not-TC friendly.
I finally decided to special order new truck for $56k who fit my needs like a glove and had options used trucks did not have, like 360 cameras and ultimate tow package.
The updated GPS sold for US, found small suburban street in Prince Rupert, BC without hesitation. Live traffic come very handy
The warranty cover oil pan gasket replacement, who require engine removal, so I can only guess what it would cost without warranty.

[jimh406]

The only problem with buying new when you have lots of income/before retirement is that no matter how much money you have, those items still depreciate. If I had it to do over with, I would have bought less new items that depreciate, and saved that money to fix/repair items and watched it increase in value as investments that appreciated.

I don’t know about you guys but I sold/traded perfect condition cars/trucks/motorcycles/RVs/Boats more than once because I could and wanted something different. I’ve been able to find perfectly good vehicles used. I’m not saying that I’d never buy new. My Host was 5K more than a 5 year old one. So, not a hard an fast rule, but something to consider.

[Bedlam]

I have one last large financial drain before retiring but try to balance living today with tomorrow's goals.

[Hemi_Joel]

Great plan! I hope you enjoy truck camping as much as we do. But if you don't, you'll get out with your bank account still intact.

[cptqueeg]

Ok found a stopgap for the next year or 2. It will fit on my current truck, but am having some suspension work done to make sure it's good to go. The total weight of the new load is under the tire capacity so new tires are not needed. I feel pretty secure that I could turn around and sell the camper next year for about what I'm paying.

Still haven't heard anything from Hallmark besides the echos of laughter from 700 miles away. That's ok though they're busy as hell.

New GM trucks are available if you want to spend $75,000+ for all the useless junk that they are shipping then with. $1000 for iridescent white paint or $900 for sun roof for example. I even considered buying a 4500 or 5500 chassis cab and having the the DRW converted to SRW! Which isn't hard w Ford or Ram, but not that easy w GM afaik, but just starting my research on that.

All in all I'm spending about 20% of what I had planned to so perhaps I'll find out that a 6.5' pop up does the job and I won't have to go for the big bucks. In either case it's going to be another year before that would happen so maybe the outcome will be the for the best.

Anyway thanks for the encouragement!

[Grit_dog]

cptqueeg wrote:
Ok Missed out on the 2017 FWC Hawk, I'm trying to get back in line w Hallmark now. I have camping gear to use while I wait!

You’re healed!
Now find that camper.... camper!

[Longshore]

It is not always easy to realize that NOW is the time to shop for what you will be comfortable paying for. This is what I was experiencing. Retiring can be a bit stressful on its own, but with me I saved and invested, did okay, and just bought outright what I wanted. Talk about butterflies. But then was the time for me. The butterflies have turned into days spent getting the rig ready. GOOD TIMES AWAIT YOU!!

I just wished I didn't need specta to post my pics for me lol

[cptqueeg]

Ok Missed out on the 2017 FWC Hawk, I'm trying to get back in line w Hallmark now. I have camping gear to use while I wait!

[d3500ram]

Reality Check wrote:
This has been a fantastic thread to read.

Ditto.

I am vicariously living via the OP except I am substituting Road King for TC.

Keep the comments and opinions coming.

[Reality_Check]

This has been a fantastic thread to read.

I'm in agreement with most; pushed the wife hard a few years ago to pull the plug and 'retire' from her regular job. It was the only thing keeping us from the longer travels we yearned for.

One needs enough money to make it to the finish line, whenever that might be, but you sure can't take it with you. I've never regretted a trip, time with a loved one, etc.

What a great read, great input, lot's to ponder and think about.

[Hemi_Joel]

In this market, strike when the iron is hot! If it sounds good, commit to buy it over the phone and ask them to hold it until you get there to ward of other buyers who will do the same. Tell then you will be there with cash with in X hours. When you get there, if it was misrepresented over the phone or in the ad, you can bail on them with a clean conscience. If it is good, you own it!

[cptqueeg]

It appears I'm still a little slow on the draw. I saw the ad 2 hours after it was posted last night, but waited till today to call and i think it's gone.