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.

[winnietrey]

Lantley wrote:

winnietrey wrote:
Spending money, is a learned skill. It can be hard for many to do in retirement.

Those of us that have had a health issue, or in my case lost a spouse, know that one's portfolio is meaningless. We know the memories are what are truly of value.

Late wife and I traveled, rved on long road trips and so on. Not only do I not regret it, I cherish those memories more that anything. ( and yeah we spent a boat load of money doing it) But had we not done it, I would have more money, but she would still be dead.

I suspect, after you get it, you will wonder why you did not get it years ago.

For what it's worth that is my take on this life

Well Said,
Unfortunately many do not truly understand what your saying unless they have personally experienced a loss or health issue.

So true, and I hope others never will have to understand. But truth is it will come to all of us at some point

[winnietrey]

cptqueeg wrote:

Hemi Joel wrote:
You're not going to find a good deal on the stealership lot. I have had good results in the past with placing wanted ads in the local and regional papers, plus going thru the obits and calling the survivors to see if they have anything they need to get rid of. It is a win/win when it works because it cuts out the dealer overhead/profit markup.

On the do it now vs. wait until your health fails, I agree 100%. BUt unless you have an unusually huge nest egg, we still need to spend wisely, or their won't be any $ left to enjoy the work-free lifestyle.

Intellectually I know I can afford it, it's the emotional part that has held me back.

Yep, its hard when your whole life, you have tried to do everything by yourself, always made do, with what you have. As I said it's a learned skill. Although If not now, when?

As for going through the obits, I guess that is a way of doing it. But in my particular case my response would have been somewhat hostile, but I can see where it would work

[Grit_dog]

If you’ve been looking for over a year, and looking diligently, you have passed on some that were a deal or at least not super inflated on price.
Maybe not so much on trucks.
If by last fall, you didn’t realize that prices weren’t likely to get better then you’re partly to blame for sitting there with no camper and staring at even higher prices.
But put a number to it and decide whether your finances can absorb, say, $20k more than “good” prices. But even that’s relative. If you’re used to dealer prices, the hit won’t be so bad private party.
If you’re stuck on one brand, one model and new off the dealer lot, you’ll pay to that convenience. If you’re flexible, you can do better than that “worst case” scenario.
You got 3 pages of “do it” responses. So the emotional support from people you don’t know has been established.
It’s up to you to decide your options.

[cptqueeg]

Hemi Joel wrote:
You're not going to find a good deal on the stealership lot. I have had good results in the past with placing wanted ads in the local and regional papers, plus going thru the obits and calling the survivors to see if they have anything they need to get rid of. It is a win/win when it works because it cuts out the dealer overhead/profit markup.

On the do it now vs. wait until your health fails, I agree 100%. BUt unless you have an unusually huge nest egg, we still need to spend wisely, or their won't be any $ left to enjoy the work-free lifestyle.

Intellectually I know I can afford it, it's the emotional part that has held me back.

[Hemi_Joel]

You're not going to find a good deal on the stealership lot. I have had good results in the past with placing wanted ads in the local and regional papers, plus going thru the obits and calling the survivors to see if they have anything they need to get rid of. It is a win/win when it works because it cuts out the dealer overhead/profit markup.

On the do it now vs. wait until your health fails, I agree 100%. BUt unless you have an unusually huge nest egg, we still need to spend wisely, or their won't be any $ left to enjoy the work-free lifestyle.

[cptqueeg]

Part of the delay is perhaps stumbling on a good used TC, but there is no inventory. I've been looking nationwide and in Western Canada for over a year, unfortunately I did pass on some early last year that were great deals. Dealers are now fully taking advantage of the shortage when something falls in their laps.

I'm not concerned about a big loss, I'll have a unique setup(flatbed truck and camper) all ready to go for the next guy should I decide to sell it. Hallmark is a quality build and I've spec'd out the highest quality components.

As far as time running out a month ago on my 110th day of alpine skiing this season I had a freak accident and suffered a non displaced hip fracture. It could have been a broken neck if I wasn't so lucky so I get that.

I am fortunate to have a fishing buddy w a TT that might let me use it when he leaves it empty at the lake. I have plenty of towing experience, but I'm not sure I want to double tow so I've ruled out a TT. I appreciate all the comments, they make a lot of sense.

[Lantley]

winnietrey wrote:
Spending money, is a learned skill. It can be hard for many to do in retirement.

Those of us that have had a health issue, or in my case lost a spouse, know that one's portfolio is meaningless. We know the memories are what are truly of value.

Late wife and I traveled, rved on long road trips and so on. Not only do I not regret it, I cherish those memories more that anything. ( and yeah we spent a boat load of money doing it) But had we not done it, I would have more money, but she would still be dead.

I suspect, after you get it, you will wonder why you did not get it years ago.

For what it's worth that is my take on this life

Well Said,
Unfortunately many do not truly understand what your saying unless they have personally experienced a loss or health issue.

[Siletzspey]

Modulo some depreciation, my investment advisor reminded me to view some items not as throw away expenditures, but rather unusual assets in a diversified portfolio.

Depreciated sell price - buy price + ENJOYMENT WHILE OWING = can be a good thing.

Don't overthink a TC/RV as throwing money away!

[notsobigjoe]

Kayteg1 wrote:

jimh425 wrote:
Just buy a TT and get by for a while. Btw, if you think the stock market tanked, you need to diversify more.

x2.
You are not saying it clearly, but I understand you have no experience with RV, while TC is 1 of most complex units between other RV. Add to that high driving skills required to load it.
As you can read on the forum TC are "build to leak" so buying used one requires good experience to inspect it.
New TC + Pickup set will run you about $100-120,000, when with TT buying used brings lower risk and you can pull it with any pickup, or SUV you might already have.
There is always time to spend money on TC next season.

In addition to my statement above, I agree with this line of thinking. We looked at a dozen or so TT all between 20 and 25 brand new. They were beautiful and fully functional but paper thin walls and ceilings. They are affordable and can give you more time. JMHO

[winnietrey]

Spending money, is a learned skill. It can be hard for many to do in retirement.

Those of us that have had a health issue, or in my case lost a spouse, know that one's portfolio is meaningless. We know the memories are what are truly of value.

Late wife and I traveled, rved on long road trips and so on. Not only do I not regret it, I cherish those memories more that anything. ( and yeah we spent a boat load of money doing it) But had we not done it, I would have more money, but she would still be dead.

I suspect, after you get it, you will wonder why you did not get it years ago.

For what it's worth that is my take on this life

[Kayteg1]

jimh425 wrote:
Just buy a TT and get by for a while. Btw, if you think the stock market tanked, you need to diversify more.

x2.
You are not saying it clearly, but I understand you have no experience with RV, while TC is 1 of most complex units between other RV. Add to that high driving skills required to load it.
As you can read on the forum TC are "build to leak" so buying used one requires good experience to inspect it.
New TC + Pickup set will run you about $100-120,000, when with TT buying used brings lower risk and you can pull it with any pickup, or SUV you might already have.
There is always time to spend money on TC next season.

[Lwiddis]

“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.“

Go! Buy them! You’ll love the freedom. However, buy enough truck. Then no worries.

[TxGearhead]

I worked with a guy that scrimped and saved all his life. He would get members of the National Guard to buy him clothes at the exchange. Drove old beat up VW's. Put off retirement. Died in his bathtub.
Last I heard his son was driving a new Corvette.
Don't be him.

[notsobigjoe]

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.

We were looking at TT's for some time with the intent to buy after November the 3rd. November the 3rd is going to keep us in our TC for 4 more years. On a good note we did pay all off our debt and for the first time in our lives we owe nothing to no one. On a bad note our insurance company immediately cancelled coverage of my wife's 1500 dollar a month RX. Tuff choices, tuff times ahead... Good luck sir.
Joe

[Lantley]

thomas201 wrote:
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.

Boy you have it all wrong. Its not about the money at all.
Lots of people with great portfolios that will never get to live their dream for health reasons.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed regardless of what your financials look like.
As the Nike slogan says "Just do it"