Going back to a Pop Up
I've had travel trailers now for 10 years. I guess I'm a minimalist at heart because while I love the idea of having a camper that's actually a second home that I can live in comfortably, it also ...
Forum Discussion
Last year a neighbour around the corner bought a brand new 2018 Coachmen Freedom Express 204RD travel trailer. Here where we are city bylaws allow for parking a travel trailer on our driveways from May 1 to Oct 31 and that's exactly what this owner did. Last season I noticed his new trailer gone from his driveway perhaps 1/2 dozen times, presumably because they were using it for exactly what it was designed for - camping. This season it's been off his driveway exactly once, for 3 days over our Victoria Day long weekend here in Canada. And no, I'm not "spying", as I walk by this trailer every day while walking the dog - pretty tough to miss a 25' travel trailer! Here in Canada this trailer sells for ~ $28,000 Cdn - add a Blue Ox Sway Pro hitch (which he has), tax @ 13%, and he's in for ~ $33,000 Cdn, minimum - all so it can just sit there on his driveway until the end of Oct when he has to move it, presumably to paid storage. Obviously, as with any trailer, there are also significant long term maintenance costs that have to be paid and of course insurance, all while this barely used unit continues to depreciate in value month by month whether he uses the trailer or not. :R In this market, if he did want to sell, I'd say he'd be lucky to get $20,000 for his $33,000 investment. :E And in order to tow it he also has a RAM Hemi. Hmmmmmm. :h
Another I know bought a brand new Fleetwood popup back in the early 2000s, has never owned anything else, and although he did have the AlumiLeak roof replaced under warranty he's had no other significant issues with it. He's in a rural area of our city so parks it year 'round beside his garage and uses it just once each season for a 2 week vacation each summer at the same park, same site every year. AFAIK his maintenance costs have been minimal, it's still probably worth half of what he paid for it, so considering his investment vs his admittedly limited use it's still paid for itself many times over by allowing he & his family a summer vacation for almost 2 decades now. Hmmmmmm. :B
Our OP Mike may well be on to something here. :W
Another I know bought a brand new Fleetwood popup back in the early 2000s, has never owned anything else, and although he did have the AlumiLeak roof replaced under warranty he's had no other significant issues with it. He's in a rural area of our city so parks it year 'round beside his garage and uses it just once each season for a 2 week vacation each summer at the same park, same site every year. AFAIK his maintenance costs have been minimal, it's still probably worth half of what he paid for it, so considering his investment vs his admittedly limited use it's still paid for itself many times over by allowing he & his family a summer vacation for almost 2 decades now. Hmmmmmm. :B
Our OP Mike may well be on to something here. :W
