Any thoughts on why a 2016 model of a popular brand of travel trailer, that's not an orphan, would still be on a dealer's lot when the 2018's are either on the lot already, or are about to arrive?Also, I would assume tires would be a major negotiating point if I decided to get one of those two trailers. Those tires would be 2+ years old by now.And another thing, what about the caulking at the seams, especially on the roof? I doubt anyone has checked the roof since it was first brought in from the factory, if then.The dealer provides a picture of the MSRP sheet from the manufacturer, which provides a description, and vin nunber, etc., plus a list of all options and the factory MSRP for each option. The MSRP sheet also has hand written in the freight charge and a line for Dealer Prep.Any suggestions on what a good percentage off the total MSRP, including freight and prep, would be?Anything else to look for on a trailer that is now 2 model years old, since the manufacturer is now building 2018 models, and has begun to ship some of the 2018 models?

Not a desirable color or floor plan

Yes, if sitting in the sun/weather for that long, roof caulking issues are likely, tires not rolling/sitting in sun, likely problem too. Often times bearings are very lightly greased from factory, so could rust from sitting. I would expect dealer to address all issues, before purchasing, and checked by you, before signing purchase agreement. With freight/prep added, I would expect not less than 40 percent off list price.Jerry

MSRP is not a real number on most units so 40% off a made up number may not be a good deal. Check the web to see the lowest price for a 2018 if comparable size etc. Use that number as a starting point. So for instance if you find a comparable unit With a supposed MSRP of $32000 but "on Sale" for $28000.. Negotiate the discount off the "on sale price". In my example I would start at 50% off the price or $14,000 because you will get caught up in the dickering game.

When we purchased our Springdale, it sat on the lot for a year. Sold as new, but a year old. The floor plan was simply not appealing, and it had no slides. We did get a good break in the price negotiation because it was a last years model.The only problem I found with the camper was an excessive amount of rust on the trailer frame. The underbelly was covered with the tarp material with insulation on the inside, but it was between the frame and floor. So the frame was completely exposed. After purchase, I took the time to sand and scrub off as much as I could and repainted the entire frame with Rust-o-lium black, a combination of spray and brush on type. The next year, I touched up areas again where it was quite obvious I missed. It turned out to be a good trailer. I only had to touch up one spot on the roof the entire 8 years we owned it. And I had to re-anchor the radio antenna and re-caulk it in place when it pulled loose from the roof in it's 5th or 6th year. If this is the camper that really interests you, then there's nothing wrong with going for it. I would still expect a 1 year warranty, and that would include the tires, and still possibly negotiate a lower price. Talk to the dealer and see what they are willing to do. Take that information, then go out and inspect the camper again. Sit on it a couple days and think it through with your head, not your heart. Crunch the financial numbers, and then go back and give your answer to the dealer. MSRP and percentages off that MSRP are all part of the negotiation. You'll never know until you find out where they are starting at what their supposed "bottom dollar" price will be. If you are OK with that, then go for it! Once you get the camper home, just like all of us, you'll use the camper a time or two and then fix everything you discover and make your own modifications anyway.Considering the camper has been sitting for almost 2 years, I would think the dealer would be willing to negotiate. He's loosing money the longer it sits on his lot.

This is a Jayco trailer, so the MSRP is less made up than normal. Jayco does a good job letting folks figure out what the MSRP is for the trailer they want, or see on a lot. Jayco gives the base price plus the price of the mandatory "options". Plus the price for any real options. This total is the MSRP from Jayco. To this, the dealer would add his freight costs and what he wants to add as dealer prep.So the MSRP of thus trailer is real, since I compared it to what Jayco listed as MSRP.But I do understand about some dealers coming up with a sales price that is out of touch with reality. They will make up a listed MSRP by adding several thousands of dollars to the real MSRP and then will discount that number by 20%.If a customer buys at that 20% or even 30% discounted price, the dealer wins big and then some.darsben1 wrote:MSRP is not a real number on most units so 40% off a made up number may not be a good deal. Check the web to see the lowest price for a 2018 if comparable size etc. Use that number as a starting point. So for instance if you find a comparable unit With a supposed MSRP of $32000 but "on Sale" for $28000.. Negotiate the discount off the "on sale price". In my example I would start at 50% off the price or $14,000 because you will get caught up in the dickering game.

Question about new at dealer 2016 model year TT

TxGearhead
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2017
^^^agree. Time of year is important. I also would try to figure out when the camper was delivered to the dealer. I don't want another Rv delivered on salted roads.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
Atlee wrote:
Any thoughts on why a 2016 model of a popular brand of travel trailer, that's not an orphan, would still be on a dealer's lot when the 2018's are either on the lot already, or are about to arrive?

The only reason it's still there is because no one bought it. It doesn't get any simpler than that.
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2017
Our first TT was like that. Got a very good discount for it being a previous model year but was in Sept. at the end of the season. After just one season we realized it was simply way too small for us. When we found the new TT we wanted we tried to trade it in at the dealer. They simply looked up the Blue Book value and offered us a price for a 2 year old unit despite only having used it for one season from new plus we had spent a lot on mods and upgrades. The offer was insultingly low so we decided to sell it ourselves and in the end got more than the dealer's offer.

If you do decide to buy that particular TT, I would think carefully whether or not you intend to keep it for a number of years to come or not otherwise could lose a bundle on selling it or trading it in. Money spent on mods & upgrades may not be recouped either.

Jayco is a well regarded brand and would be a good choice over others. I like the fact that they have a BAL frame too.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jun 02, 2017
I look up the used price in a popular guide and offer a price close to to that. Most dealer's want a older unit off the lot.

What's working against you is the fact it's the beginning of camping season, prime time of year for sales.
Hannibal
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
They're playing hard ball. Play hard ball with them. You don't need the trailer. They really need to sell it. You have the upper hand. Don't let them make you feel otherwise.
Camper_G
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
I'd pass on it if they don't want to work with you. No reason to take a mediocre deal on a now 2yr old unit and make that depreciation hit even worse than it already will be. Remember, your in the drivers seat on this deal, not the dealer. If they don't want to work with you, walk. This is not like buying a used vehicle where your trying to make a deal on that exact unit. There are thousands of campers built every year, you have many other optiins.

Good luck
Atlee
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2017
As it turns out, they did not go for it. The price they are selling it for, is the price they are selling it for, and they can't go lower.

But they did say we could come to an agreement on the tires.

So that is not now an option.

temccarthy1 wrote:
Minimum 40- 50%%off MSRP and ask them to give you NEW tires as part of the deal along with an E2 WDH and an electric tongue jack! These are all things you need, but in order for you to take a 2 year old TT off their hands, make them pay for these items . They will go for it! I bought a 2014 at the end of 2014 and got 40% off! Look at several dealers, make them sweat a little!
Atlee
Explorer II
May 31, 2017
The 2012 model year Koala trailer I currently have was built in April of 2011. The tires, going by the date molded on them, were built in 2010. So it's possible they are that old.

mike-s wrote:
Atlee wrote:
Any thoughts on why a 2016 model of a popular brand of travel trailer, that's not an orphan, would still be on a dealer's lot when the 2018's are either on the lot already, or are about to arrive?

Also, I would assume tires would be a major negotiating point if I decided to get one of those two trailers. Those tires would be 2+ years old by now.
How do you figure? If the '18s are just starting to show up, then the same for the '17s one year ago. That '16 may have been toward the end of production, so 1 year old tires, 2 at most, not "2+." RV manufacturers are cheap, they won't pay to keep tires around for long before they get put on a trailer.
mike-s
Explorer
May 30, 2017
Atlee wrote:
Any thoughts on why a 2016 model of a popular brand of travel trailer, that's not an orphan, would still be on a dealer's lot when the 2018's are either on the lot already, or are about to arrive?

Also, I would assume tires would be a major negotiating point if I decided to get one of those two trailers. Those tires would be 2+ years old by now.
How do you figure? If the '18s are just starting to show up, then the same for the '17s one year ago. That '16 may have been toward the end of production, so 1 year old tires, 2 at most, not "2+." RV manufacturers are cheap, they won't pay to keep tires around for long before they get put on a trailer.
rbpru
Explorer II
May 30, 2017
You can of course ask them for anything and everything but the dealers are only going to give you what they wish to give you.

I used the NADA values off the internet as a start point, I also took over a year to decide what I wanted, including a rental for a week or so, to see if I really wanted to pull one of these barns down the road.

I our area there really is no "bad time of the year" the units we looked at in the spring breezes and summer heat were the same price in the February snows.

We were down to three used units in at two different dealers and finally went with the floor plan we liked best. Floor plan lasts when all else is forgotten.

Currently large dealerships are in a good position. Last year the RV industry sold over 400,000 TTs and 5vers, this year they are a pace to sell 460,000 units. There probably is not as much incentive to deal. That does not mean you should not ask for one. My price included a hitch and new battery but most important I got the TT my DW wanted at a price a could afford.

Good luck