Could I get a better deal on this TT?

[Zebedee]

So the wife and I went to a dealership and found a K-Z Spree Escape 14RB. It's new, but a 2014 model. It had a sticker price of $12,000, but I've seen 2016's online for under $10,000.

We've never dealt with dealerships before. Just wondering how much haggle room there is.

[rexlion]

My thought was that an Aliner (or similar hard-sided popup) would get better fuel economy... would be more economical to travel with. I usually travel 3000-4000 miles in the summer months, when I'm off work. Well, I bought a used 2010 Aliner and kept it for a year. I just didn't feel like it was sturdy enough. The door and window alignments were getting worse, and several small issues cropped up with it, and I always had a fear in the back of my mind of what could happen if I had to set up or take down the trailer in bad weather (if a strong gust came up and caught a roof panel, it would be all over). So I sold it.

I'm keeping an eye out for a molded-fiberglass Escape or Lil Snoozy. In the meantime, I can always camp in my (work) cargo trailer; it's a Lil Hauley, an empty-shell version of the Snoozy. A cot in the Hauley is a no-frills way to camp, but I can very easily take along my bike, kayak, Clam screen room, 2-burner camp stove, porta-potti, catalytic heater, cube heater, zero gravity lounger, etc etc with room to spare. About all it lacks comfort-wise is an air conditioner and running water.

Surprisingly, the Aliner only saved me about 2 mpg versus the Lil Hauley, 16 vs 14. (I got 11-12 mpg with the KZ.)

[Zebedee]

rexlion wrote:


Overall I enjoyed owning it and camping with it. But I wanted to try something more economical to tow, so I sold it.

Out of curiosity, what did you end up getting that was more economical?

[delad1954]

Yea I couldn't agree more with Westend..... I would ask for the Sealtech leak test to be preformed... it really the only way to be SURE and like he says there are no lifetime sealants......So you may want to get The Sealtech test done every other year or so.. just to be sure no new leaks have opened up !

[colliehauler]

westend wrote:
$7K-9K with full amenities like hoses, cords, WDH, etc. is what I'm seeing.
Of course, there's haggle room in this transaction. Buying an RV off a dealership lot is akin to trading camels. Bargain hard, and don't buy that extra service plan warranty no matter how good it sounds.

I'd offer the dealer $6.5 K, give him my card and be prepared to leave the lot. I'd expect a call back with a counter offer. I'd tell him I'm also looking at RV's from a different dealer. Motivate the seller, he needs your silks more than you need a new camel.

I would agree with this as well. If the dealer is not willing to deal then time for a road trip. A chance for a mini vacation. Don't let emotions cloud the deal.

[rexlion]

Interesting. I bought a 2011 KZ Escape 14RB brand new in Feb 2011, and sold it in July 2014. Paid just under $10k for it, with an added Maxx Fan in the rear vent and a Rhino hose thrown in.

The good: attractive trailer, decent layout, convenient storage, towed well.
The bad: 10 gallon fresh tank, with drain line not at the tank bottom, for an effective capacity of perhaps 8 gallons. 5k btu AC was only ok up to about 90 degrees or so, and in 105* temps it could only get the inside down to mid 80s. The pretty things over the windows are screwed into foam, so two of mine kept trying to fall down.

Overall I enjoyed owning it and camping with it. But I wanted to try something more economical to tow, so I sold it. 2 weeks later the buyer called and said the roof was leaking! So I went halfway with him on a roof re-seal.

If you want to compare price at another dealer to see what's possible, call Bell Camper Sales in Bartlesville OK and ask for Larry. They were very good people to work with.

[midnightsadie]

do a really good inspection, triple check every thing. and turn on the frig and come back the next day ,with a thermomitor frig should be O zero and the box in the lower 30,s start at 6k out the door.

[Zebedee]

I'm in New Mexico and so the RV industry is a bit more scarce here (like everything else).

My wife and I figure since this is our first RV experience, it would be best to start small, really small, just to get our feet wet. That is why, if I can get a bargain on a 2014, it won't put such a dent in our finances. But we do want to be somewhat informed and responsible buyers too.

We also like that this model is fiberglass exterior instead of aluminum.

[Luckypenny]

We went to 5 dealerships in two weeks in our area, looked over craigslist, looked at their inventory online first and played hard ball. I knew the inventory better than some of the salesmen. There will always be another trailer for a better deal. They need you more than you need them.

I had a much healthier perspective at the 5th dealership than I did the first one. I would really encourage you to go around and see what's out there. I would encourage you to look at used ones even if you're not interested in getting a used trailer, also look at some 5th wheels, motorhomes and the whole spectrum. You'll be a lot more comfortable naming your own price when you know what's out there in your local area. "Oh, you can do $12k. I was just looking at XYZ dealership down the street and liked a model that was $9k..."


I can't give you an exact price of what it should or shouldn't be. What is the salesman's reason for it being higher priced than the 2016 models? Are there any RV shows in your area coming up? I hear that is a great place to bargain.

[RavensFan24]

Why not just go with the 2016? You can still negotiate and end up with a similar deal on a trailer that hasn't been sitting since 2013.

[westend]

You'll want to look at the inside corners, window openings, and the floor. If it was me and I was a first time buyer, I'd hire out a pressurized leak test for $100-$150 and confirm that there are no leaks. The pressure test will turn up even a pinhole from the exterior to the interior. Sealtech is one company that performs these tests. You can even DIY with a blower and some soap in a Windex bottle. Plan on maintaining the trailer, you will have to get up on the roof and maintain sealants around the roof through hole fixtures. Same with windows and doors. They haven't invented a lifetime sealant, yet, although Eternabond tape comes pretty close.

[Zebedee]

These are great tips. Thanks so much.

How would I go about inspecting this trailer (for leaks and whatnot)? They did have it in the showroom until a few months ago (it's now outside), and I can confirm that from photos on their website.

[westend]

$7K-9K with full amenities like hoses, cords, WDH, etc. is what I'm seeing.
Of course, there's haggle room in this transaction. Buying an RV off a dealership lot is akin to trading camels. Bargain hard, and don't buy that extra service plan warranty no matter how good it sounds.

I'd offer the dealer $6.5 K, give him my card and be prepared to leave the lot. I'd expect a call back with a counter offer. I'd tell him I'm also looking at RV's from a different dealer. Motivate the seller, he needs your silks more than you need a new camel.

[midnightsadie]

two years old 7k out the door . and go over this rv with a fine comb look for water leaks, WHY is it still around?

[Zebedee]

Dennis Smith wrote:
If a 2016 is under 10k, to answer your question, yep you can get a better deal.

Any ballpark figures?