Forum Discussion

ShawnQ's avatar
ShawnQ
Explorer
Mar 12, 2015

New to TT - is NADA reasonably accurate?

I'm looking to purchase a travel trailer, K-C Spree ESCAP E196S, 2013 model.

I'm having trouble finding used units for cost/price comparison.

This one is a lightly used 2013 for around $10,500. The shoer, ac, toilet, heater have never been used.

Am I safe using NADA to value the trailer? I don't want to overpay and end up in the hole immediately.

Any advice is appreciated.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    RV values can be pretty tricky. NADA is going to be the best free source. However they base their values off of dealer transactions for units in good condition. That price includes all of their profit. If you're purchasing from a dealer, I would shoot for the low retail price. If you're purchasing from a private party of the trailer is in less than good condition, I would select a value under the low retail.
  • It looks like low retail is around $12000 with no accessories/options.

    The seller is including hoses, camping accessories, and has added a TV/wall mount.

    $10500 seems like a decent deal.
  • I was wondering the same thing. I would like to find other free sources for used RV values. I have been looking at Airstream trailers and generally their asking and selling prices are much higher than what is listed on the NADA website.
  • ShawnQ wrote:
    It looks like low retail is around $12000 with no accessories/options.

    The seller is including hoses, camping accessories, and has added a TV/wall mount.

    $10500 seems like a decent deal.


    yep, if that is about half way between wholesale and retail.
    bumpy
  • I bought a lightly used 2013 TT this time last year.

    My biggest lesson was I should have hired a mobile RV tech to do a thorough inspection.

    Although the previous owner only used it 2-3 times, he managed to clip a tree somewhere. It was being sold on consignment and the dealer's tech did not climb on the roof like he said he did.

    He did reseal part of the damage at no charge, but the TT now has a little water damage that will be there forever.

    Even with that and one other issue, I'm really, really happy about buying a pre-owned TT. Good luck with your hunt!
  • coolbikeman1 wrote:
    I was wondering the same thing. I would like to find other free sources for used RV values. I have been looking at Airstream trailers and generally their asking and selling prices are much higher than what is listed on the NADA website.


    Dealers generally mark up used trailers way, way over the actual selling price. Evidently many people don't do any research. It is not unusual to buy a used trailer from a dealer at 60% of the asking price. I don't think there are any other sources for prices than NADA
  • My three year old 25 ft. Dutchman was mint condition on the interior. We paid the NADA price but that included all the dealer fees, taxes and other charges, plus a new WD hitch. The NADA price was the amount I wrote on the check.

    In reality it was the floor plan not he price that sold the unit.