A newer used RV with a manufacturer extended warranty is the way to go ... and when outfitted with LED, solar, and not too large of a floor plan is a great boondocking combination! Thanks guys!!!
I've been looking for information without all the extra stories and useless dialogue. Thanks for posting a video newbies can follow with real advice without getting bored halfway through. *subscribes*
We recently bought a used travel trailer. What made the decision of buying used easy was the fact that this is our first RV. Are we really going to use it as much as my wife and I think we will? We have lofty ideas of making one or two long distance trips a year and local camping on the weekends. If we use it to it's full potential we'll be looking at new or slightly used in a few years. I'd also like to voice one complaint...because of this channel I have a whole bunch of mods lined up. I'll be at it for awhile!
I bought new because I was in a hurry. There is no way I could have found what I wanted in the allotted time. I’m very pleased with my RV because I hunted the local market hard! I new what I wanted and got it. Who ever gets mine when I sell it will get all the perks I’ve added over the years and get a bargain. Great video topic
We couldn't afford new, actually we was looking late 90's. But was looking for the one that was a 1 owner and taken care of. We did search RV Trader and others for our perfect used Coach. We had plenty of time, so we wasn't in a hurry. Took almost a year and we did find. 1996 Newmar Kountry Aire Diesel puller. The inside has all new flooring and furniture. Outside has new tires (less than. 1,000 miles 1 year old) and a 2 year old roof. And some other things. To look for the good deal, you have to be patient and not be in a hurry to get one. And have some kind of idea what to look for in a older used RV. I've learned a lot from your Videos ! There are a few things that will need fixed, but they are small. Thanks for great videos !
You brought up points that made a lot of sense and which I will definitely fall back on once I am ready to buy an RV. The points that were important for me were: tire/battery rot. Would have NEVER even thought of checking into that. Also, buying a fairly new RV which falls in line with what I want to do. Great info, as always.
Tire rot is definitely huge and so is a new one not having some problems. I have been thru the tire issue and my inlaws went thru the new RV problems issue.
Good points. I don't think I could make that decision until the search was on. If used, I would swap out the bed and batteries right away then completely flush and clean all the tanks. Either way count on doing some upgrades. I would set a few thousand bucks aside for upgrades like a towing package, possible suspension upgrades, solar off-grid setup, and technology upgrades (that space shuttle cockpit). 😉
I definitely like the idea of some other poor guy taking the hit on depreciation and fixing all the stuff that always comes up that first year or two of ownership. I am willing to look at older coaches (20+ years) as long as the owner can show what repairs/modifications have been done with receipts!
Hi guys! Great video and helpful as always. I think a lot depends on how you are going to use and for what. For example, if it's going to be used for extensive traveling vs. short weekend trips. Also you might factor in the extent of your tinkering desire and skillset. Some love to tinker and are good at making repairs and modifications while others are not. I used to buy everything brand new and right off the showroom floor but after experiencing the recession and collapse of 2008, I now buy depreciating items that are 2-3 years old, directly from the original owner, as you described. Saves a lot of money and I find that the bugs have been worked out, plus the original owner might have made several expensive upgrades that save you further time and money. Great video and take care!
After buying both new and used RV`s , the satisfaction and cost advantage of personalizing furniture and interior design overwhelmed any advantage in buying new or ''newer'' for me. Very well done guys.
Great points, having owned a used TT and then buying a new one ... prettt much everything you said was spot on. One benefit of having the used TT, unless you buy a new one in cash ... was that you could fix things as you had the money to do so, you weren't strapped to a payment.
You are 100% correct. We just bought a used 2015 Thor ACE with 4k miles. Looks and smells brand new, but saved several thousand over a 2016. We even got several extras (TV, matress, gift cards, etc) from the dealer to buy the used 2015, over a new 2015. buying 1-2 years old made sense to us. Enjoy Australia Mates.
good video... but one point ... you forgot to mention how crooked the RV industry is.... the RV dealers new and used. are horrible in inflation of sales and worse in warranty and service... I have owned 12 RV 's, Check the dealer First... then pick your RV
RVerTV The only one I know of is Bob Ledfords ( Adventure Homes ) Greer SC . They have several . But I wished I had bought my Class c from them . Bought my first Motorhome from them and it was great . They have been around for over 60 years . Great service and great people . Check them out . They at least will dicker with you on the price !
I purchased a 2005 Type b,after thoroughly research,the type b was the logical choice,no toad required,best fuel mpg,easy to drive,park,would do it all over again.
We just bought a new coach in September and I can totally agree with your comments about the issues that new coaches have. We had to have the waste valve repaired before we pulled it off the lot and at least 10 other things within 3 months. I have two items left on the list to fix and we'll finally have a "new" RV.
We had been looking at RV's and RVing for about 7 years and agree with everything you said. RV shows give a buyer a chance to look at and compare various manufacturers as well as their floor plans. As we refined our RV wants and needs RVTrader was extremely useful to see what was actually available nationally. What you didn't talk about is the issues that come with buying an RV in another state from a private party. Who pays, me or the current owner, for the RV inspection. Inspect! Always, always, always have the rig inspected. Use NRVIA. Who do I pay the sales tax to and when? Sales tax in the owners state? Sales tax in my state? Prepare for voice mail hell! Where do I take possession of the RV? This can dramatically affect the sales tax question. With a private party sale, financing is now my problem. Who, where, how long, and at what rate. Multiple banks? Multiple credit pulls? What's your credit score now??? What is the current RV loan payoff? Who will get what check and when? When will the current lien holder get stuff to my bank. You and the current owner now need to agree on the exact wording in a purchase agreement. Do I, or they, need a release of liability document for the trip home? You did call your insurance company right? What information do they need? What coverages does the bank require? What coverages do you want? If everything lines up; now you have to make arrangements to get to the RV, get a hotel room, and rent a car. When the big day comes what do you do if the deal falls thru? Your fault, their fault, something nobody noticed, whatever it is.... what do you do? If you do purchase the RV, do things need to be notarized? Who pays for that? OK, you bought the rig, now what? Does the current owner keep the license plates? Some state require this. Do you need temporary tags? From what state, yours or theirs? Some states tell you that you need temporary tags from every state on your route home. Really??? You did plan the route home didn't you? Where are you stopping? How often are you stopping? Did you bring a navigator? What is the weather going to be like? Do you need to have anything done to the RV before, or during the trip, home? Think about winterization here. And finally, before you leave on your trip home with your bright and shiny RV..... Have you ever driven something like this before? If so, how long ago? Do you need to schedule a session with an RV driving school? Hint: a refresher course is far, far, far, far, far cheaper than an insurance claim. We did recently purchase an RV from a private party 1300 miles away. I went through everything I listed above and more. My phone became my greatest asset and my most hated enemy all at the same time.
We're buying our first RV for full time use. We've rented in the past and now visit dealer lots and shows to learn as much as we can. Thanks for your video series. I've viewed this video several times and appreciate your advice and perspective. No one can know everything before taking the plunge into ownership, but you make it easier to go forward with confidence.
We have been looking at RV's now for almost a year and go back on forth on this issue daily lol, after watching your videos for 8 months now I always feel like no one is taking proper care of these vehicles like you guys would and I always lean towards new. Wife likes the older ones for the depreciation and upfront costs. After watching this video I may be convinced that a one year or two year old Rv would be the way to go, this will be our first RV purchase and I like what you said about if it turns out to be the wrong one we could sell and buy another without taking such a huge hit, as always great video with excellent information! Have a great day, Kenny
Awesome! Thanks for letting us know. We think you're on the right track, and a good pre-purchase inspection will go a long way to determining how well the first owner cared for their rig in the year or two they owned it. Happy shopping!
Nice. One of my biggest considerations in upgrading from an old class c to a newer class a is the cost of diesel vs gas. I would like a diesel platform because of the reliability and longevity (and power, and tow rating, and mpg) but there's simply no way I can afford a new or even within a couple years new diesel rig. If you compare the cost of a newer gas coach with the cost of an older diesel you can really see the difference that depreciation makes. I'm considering doing the tech upgrades myself and getting the best of both worlds. This way you can also choose the specific tech you want as opposed to paying for a package on a newer rig.
Michael Nielsen Also I prefer the diesel. But start looking as to where you have to buy the fuel . You will be in truck stops . And the fuel price is higher for trucks . I know I drove a semi for 50 years and got rid of my diesel RV so I could have more access to more fuel stops and cheaper mechanical issues .
For me, the matter of whether to buy new or used is moot. I can only afford used because I want to pay cash. Having become debt-free and retired, there is no way I'll go back into debt. As a result, the search for the "right" RV could take longer. So I'll have to be flexible as to features in my final choice - fortunately, not a problem for me. An excellent video topic. You made me think, a good thing! lol!
Although you started by saying you were not necessarily advocating one versus the other, I definitely left with the impression you leaned new. That's just what I got out of your video and others may have seen something different. Maybe I missed it, but there's the RV park restrictions on vehicles over 10 years old. Not all parks do this, but many do. Thus, by buying a 5 year old rig, you've got 5 years left of being accepted at any park. Additionally, there have been so many advances in technology recently, that you may have a very hard time retrofitting these to an older unit. Solar, Hydronic heating, compressor fridges, Lithium batteries, etc. In all a very good video.
Great video. My first TT was used and it ended up being a lemon. I bought someone's headache. My second was a TT that sat on the lot. Another huge headache it had a leak in the skylight probably since it was built. The difference was the dealer took it back and allowed me to order a new one to my specs at no additional cost. Gently used as you said is great, just go through it with a fine tooth comb.
We bought a 1.5 year left over from a dealer. It did have some minor issues that the dealer still took care of. We offered a rather low price to the dealer and were able to save 45% off of the MSRP. It helped that we bought in the north east during a January snow storm. I'm in construction and was able to handle any small adjustments that the RV needed. It was a good deal.
As the daughter of a "rocket scientist", I ❤️ the shuttle console backdrop...and "whiz-bangery"! And you've confirmed my strategy of hunting for a well cared for and maintained, used rig. Thank you for sharing your veteran Rv'ers insights!
A couple of thoughts based on our experiences. Our first RV was a used class A diesel. On the surface, it looked to be well taken care of. After we bought it, the rear AC unit developed a problem, the holding tanks had nasty odors (not well cared for), all the batteries were shot. We ended up getting rid of this unit 3 months after we bought it. Mostly because it just didn’t fit our needs well. Oh, the learning curve. We bought a new 2016 43’ diesel pusher in the summer of 2017. We originally saw this unit at the LA RV show in Oct. 2015. We made an offer on it then, but the dealer didn’t even come back with a counter offer. In August 2016, we noticed the dealer still had the same unit, which had been marked down twice, and we put in an offer less than that. We ended up getting the same unit 10 months later for almost $40,000 less than we would have paid at the RV show. We got a brand-new coach configured how we would have ordered it from Entegra, and still saved a significant amount of money. Your recommendation to look for a holdover RV is excellent advice.
Thanks fore sharing your experiences, Tony! Pricing, availability, and condition of any of purchase is certainly a crapshoot. Sounds like you rolled a seven! Safe travels.
I've never towed before, but I already have the truck and intend to buy an older, cheaper used trailer, mostly for 'tow practice'. I need to find an "how to tow" class. I know I'm bound to get dings and need to learn how to do basic maintenance. So a small, cheap trailer will be first. Then, once I know what I'm doing, I'll buy my dream trailer when it's 3-5 years old.
Judith Neeley Go to U-Haul & rent the biggest trailer they have to get some experience towing. It won't be as big/heavy as an RV but could be a good start. Once you have access to a real RV check out RV driving schools. One I've heard recommended is rvschool.com.
Sales Tax. In some states when you buy from a dealer you have to pay sales tax but when you buy from a private party you don't. This can be thousands of dollars.
That's what we did with our first RV over 13 years ago. We lived on the East Coast at the time, and were about to go full-time, but buying the RV from a dealer in the LA area. The dealer drove us to Las Vegas to take possession and sign the papers. We then registered in MT, which has no sales tax. If you live in CA, you may not be able to do that, as they've supposedly cracked down on people who actually live there, but have out-of-state plates.
You hit a lot of my thoughts. I'm buying a 2016 coach that has been used for 4 months. Still has some warranty left but also lower sales price and taxes. It does take a while to find someone who needs to sell an almost new RV, but it is worth it.
Great info, I bought a one year old left over and experienced "LOT ROT" if an RV sets on a dealers blanktop lot in Arizona all summer long without being moved the tires are shot. You're lucky if you can make it to a tire shop to get them replaced.
We bought a newer used rv (Itasca Navion) from the original owner. With the money we saved, it was still in the budget to install solar and upgrade to led lighting. It still had a bit of the factory warranty left as well as the chassis warranty from Mercedes.
Having sold RV's for a short time myself and having owned and full timed in an RV, used is the way to go, in my opinion. Try to find a one owner and if you have to head to a dealer, make sure you understand what you are getting for what you are paying. Do your homework. The wife and I spent 2 years looking for the right coach for us. Remember too, with slides, it's a hole in the frame and problems are common with them. The more slides, the more holes and structural integrity is compromised. Nice job with the video, as you did answer questions that plaque most first time buyers. Bottom line, do your homework! It will pay off in happy RVing!
as for me i would buy used and up to a 3 year old motorhome i bought my first new motorhome 15 years ago and it spent more time in the shop the first year thn i did useing it, i traided it in 5 years later for a new and the same thing it was in the shop 3 months total, i then after 5 years bought a used 2 year old and it was in the shop one time in 4 years, my current moterhome has yet to viset a shop and it was 2 years old also when i bought it
Hello guys. I bought a used (very used) 1987 Fleetwood Southwind. This is the newest, with the best running equiptment, that I could find within my price point. It's not much to alot of people but it's going to be my home so I'll take good care of it. Your videos have helped so far and I will bet they will help later on. Well, bye for now and be safe in your journeys.
Congratulations on your new rig, Daniel! Thanks so much for taking the time to say hi. It's always great to hear we've been helpful, so we really appreciate your nice note. Safe travels!
One thing I can add to your NEW RV side would be buying the late model year left over RV. I was making a search a couple of years ago and ENTEGRA COACH RV's were going through a complete change. I found an ENTEGRA CRONERSTONE with previous model year (and previous design) and full of amenities. It was almost the half price of the new one. I think it is right in between buying a used one and a new one. You can't customize it but it is never used at the same time. So this is the alternative to your newer used RV ... An older never used RV.
Rv trader is a great purchasing tool for used and even new rv,s. Yes you can find good deals, but more important to me is finding exactly what I want. When I'm spending my money I'm not going to compromise, there are too many choices out there. You want to travel right, there you go. It's your first adventure to log.
We are retired and considering going full time RV living. I've many hours watching UA-cam videos on this subject and have become pretty discouraged. My instinct is to buy new. I don't ever remember buying a used car. What I'm learning is that the RV industry has virtually no quality control in the manufacturing process. In the last few days I've watched videos from people who have bought brand new and in the first few days have experienced electrical system failure, jack failures and tires going bad. In this case the owner cussed out the "Cheap Chinese Tires" manufacturers are putting on their RV's. A grapefruit size bulge appeared on the inside of of one of the tires and luckily a motorist alerted them to it before it blew out. This seems to be prevalent and accepted by purchasers. This leads me to think that I should buy the highest quality RV I can, about 8 or 10 years old and try to find someone who can go over it from stem to stern and replace everything that has or might fail with top end components. Now all I have to do is learn what those upper end brands are.
Hi Amos, We're sorry to hear that your explorations into full-time RVing are discouraging you! We have a couple of thoughts for you to consider, and hope that these help: (1) Keep in mind that the people who are most likely to put information online are those who are having a problem. So the information you find around the internet will tend toward the negative. The people who are happily enjoying their RVs (and RVing) are often too busy doing just that to be posting much online. Take things with a grain of salt. (2) While the RV industry doesn't have the quality control that the automotive industry has, take into account that the RV manufacturers make a much smaller percentage of the systems/components that go into an RV than an automaker does and, thus, have much less control over the quality of those items. Plus the walls of your car don't extend to make it roomier, you can't cook in it, and there isn't much in the way of plumbing. So you can't rightfully compare the two. Think of it more like new home construction... and every new home we've ever owned (or heard about) had a plenty long "punch list" for the builder during the first year or two. (3) Not to discount the people out there who have legitimately had problems with their RVs (of which there are more than there should be IF quality control was a bigger priority in the industry), you also have to filter out those people who expect their RV to have the same quality as their new car. We whole-heartedly wish that this was the case... but it's just not. So if you make a purchase expecting that for X-tens-to-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars this RV had better be perfect... well, you're setting yourself up to be disappointed (and angry and probably considering writing a scathing post about it online). If you have reasonable expectations that these very complicated machines, even when purchased new, have flaws, you'll be a much happier man. (4) Buying a used RV can help mitigate these problems... hopefully the first owner dealt with any/all of these bigger issues and are selling you a smooth-running machine you'll be happy with. Plus, you let THEM take the biggest depreciation hit (the first couple of years are the worst, and then it begins leveling off)... so if things turn out badly and you decide to stop RVing, you won't lose as much. (5) From what we've read, we would also recommend staying away from Chinese brands of tires. We have only seen them on lower-priced units (mostly travel trailers), but wouldn't be surprised to start seeing them appear higher up the chain. Every manufacturer looks for ways to cut costs... and tires aren't cheap! With all of that said, we'd stick with our recommendations from this video... buy a used RV that's the best combination of high quality and the newest (not newer than about 2 years old) that you can afford. If you're looking at very high-quality brands and thus need to look at older RVs, we'd recommend NOT going beyond about 10 years old... as you'll begin getting into coaches that require a fair amount of work because things are wearing out, not because of poor initial build quality.
I was thinking on new if ever i wanna rv (been dreaming so so much) cos i'm a scardy cat who can't live thinking someone might have died on the used 1 plus i'm not that skilled for noticing/repairing things but you made me think twice!
One fact not mentioned is the discrimination owners with older vehicles may find. These include some RV parks, storage facilities, and repair facilities.
my grandparents on my mom's side bought a class c Chevy Itasca motor home, it had the van nose with doors with the overhang on top of the cab, and a tv above the cab too, it was a 2007 motor home. They did like what you 2 did, they bought custom and got the rv straight off the assembly line. What's interesting, and we ran into this problem once or twice, while we (mainly my grandparents) were connected to shore power, when we went to turn the engine on, the plug to the tv would get disabled, we tried turning the tv on while the engine was on, I think my grandfather thought it may have had to do with the idea of the engine being on. I think we thought it had to do with the idea of that there was a safety switch that disabled the plug to the tv, so the driver wouldn't be distracted while going down the road.
Yeah, in late 2013, towards the end of the season, the (my grandparents) bought a 2010 keystone park model right there on camp site. And then early last year (2017), they bought a jay flight park model. The 2 park model's they bought - well, the first park model, I think was custom made from the previous owner, but, not the same with the jay flight.
I live with and help my Mother since my Dad's passing a couple years back. Her home is on 1/4 acre so it's a lot of maintenance inside (1800 sq ft) and out. Neither one of us has been able to travel but we both have the same dream, sell the house and live full time RVing and see this beautiful country we live in. I have to find a trailer, 5th wheel, or coach with 2 bedrooms! Neither one of us would want to live 1/2 of our lives in a hide a bed or make shift dining table to bed, or a bunk bed made for agile kids. Our main wish list would be 2 bedrooms, 1+1/2 bath, kitchen with island and living area with sofa, 2 recliners, built ins for electronics: flat screen tv, books, laptop/PC area to work, storage, etc. Extras would be washer dryer combo, and in the full bathroom a combo tub/ shower. Are we asking too much? We wouldn't want anything older than 2015 or 2016, whether it be a 5th wheel or trailer. I have watched videos of certain manufacturers that don't stand behind their product and am shy of a coach because if anything went wrong and it had to be fixed, there goes the only home you have. Can you give me your thoughts on a newbies dream? Please? jrrosee@gmail.com thanks a bunch for a very informative video!!!
+Jodee Loves the Lord Sorry, Jodee, but other than bunk bed compartments for kids, we're not aware of any RV with two separate private bedrooms, let alone all the other specific features you're looking for.
well thats just a bummer! Now I'm learning that most tiny homes are illegal due to gov over reach and regulations. I guess we'll have to compromise or special order. Thanks guys!
My 2 Class A s i bought was used . In 2010 i bought a 2006 Winnebago Tour The Tour is a top of the line Class A . The First thing i put new Tires and New Batterie. The Tour didnt need it but it was peace of mind . Plus i took it to Cummins had the engine Dynoed and serbiced along with the Onan Gen
We are wanting to sell our pick up and toy hauler. This pickup has lots of new features and has low mileage and a buyer just needs to load their stuff and drive off! Great deal!!
This was a lot of great information, thanks guys! I live in Australia and will be purchasing a fifth wheel soon. Since you two are about to travel around my end of the world you will realise very fast that fifth wheels are not common down here at all. Also the options we do have nothing on the quality or appeal as to the ones in America, while our prices are way more expensive. I am very envious of your RV options in the USA haha. Love your videos guys, and enjoy your trip in Australia 😀
Great video and thank you for encouraging my wife and myself to take it to the next level in life, to take the risk and commit to the adventure. I am 72 years old my wife is 65 years old and your videos are Inspiration for us to continue an adventurous lifestyle. We've traveled to 35 countries and by seeing how you take on the challenges has given us the courage to do things that we have not felt comfortable doing. The bottom line we are getting out of the comfort zone. What advice would you give us? You're doing it and thank you for what you're doing it is appreciated all.Jerry & Lori
Thank you so much for your very nice comments, Jerry & Lori, and congratulations on your adventurous life! Our advice is colored by our experience (Peter survived cancer at age 37, and lost his younger brother 3 years later when HE was 37). Those experiences made us realize that this short life might be even shorter than we expect. So we throw an awful lot of caution to the wind and say "What the hell" when it comes time to do something that others might consider a bit crazy. Go for it! 😃
We have purchased 2 new RV's. Our first was a 2006 Jayco Greyhawk Class C, no problems with anything. Our 2nd was a 2015 Itasca class A, so many problems I can't even begin to mention them all.
I really like the idea you had about the "sweet spot" between new and used. A "newer" used rv. How many years old would you consider a used rv to still be newish?
We think that two to three years would be ideal, with everything still likely to be pretty new, punch-list items worked through, but a substantial chunk of depreciation already behind it.
Since I am planning on buying in about 5 years, I am looking at new 2017 RVs with the idea that I will get a 5 year old one in 2022, roughly. I am interested especially in newer safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and blind spot monitoring - stuff that is just now coming to RVs.
Sounds like a great plan, Andrew. If you're able to narrow your search down to a couple of makes/models, you'll also be able to track them over the intervening years to see if there are any "gotchas" to be on the lookout for when you begin your purchasing search. It will be great to see more of the safety advances get integrated into motorhomes, too!
RVgeeks Thanks. Looking mostly at Newmar DutchStar and Entegra Anthem. If I had to pick now, the 2017 Anthem 42DEQ is what I would probably want to get. Still 5 years off at a minimum. After having a Tesla Model S and a recent purchase of a 2017 Honda Ridgeline, lane keeping, adaptive cruise and other safety features have become part of my highway driving - and I don't want to give those up.
About the sweet spot timing: How do dealers push previous year models? I mean something similar to what car dealers do to liquidate their inventory and get room for the newest model rolling out from the manufacturer. Do motorhome manufacturers have a typical release season for new models? Like in the car factory world, newest models start rolling out in the fall. I'm asking because I've used the timing of new models to go after cars, so I'm hoping there is a previous model year season to target for motorhomes ...
I have enjoyed your videos , use some of them on stand by . As a newbie last year the wife an I decided to buy new. I understand the depreciation issue, which means it would be imperative to get your best price . I was able to buy an upscale 5er for 42,000.00 under cost and that was a painted, loaded 5er that was on order. So based on NADA RV I'm ahead of the game even with depreciation. The ability to negotiate is a must. If it does not workout then go with a newer used model. Anyway keep the videos coming . Safe camping.
If I were in the market for a RV I would buy a gently used one - 3 or 4 years old maybe with some factory warranty left. Maximum bang for the buck. As it was said in the video, all the factory bugs and warranty issues would likely be dealt with by then. Also much more affordable, avoiding the huge depreciation hit of the first few years. If I was planning to keep it for the long term(unit age over 5 years) I would consider an extended warranty.
Excellent points...first time buyer and was thinking about purchasing a few year old new. I was glad to hear your thoughts, especially that the "punch list" has probably been taken care of!
Hi Guys, another great video. I've been shopping online for the "Retirement Home on Wheels" for the past few years. I was able to drag my wife to the Hershey PA show in Sept. and we found a Nexus RV Bentley we fell in love with. It's almost ready to pickup end of April. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Great Video. I am waiting delivery of a new Winnebago View. I am a first time RV buyer and pretty much for the reasons you listed, I went "new". Thanks so much for all your video's they have helped me so much in this journey to be a new RV'er.
Tires and batteries can be a huge consideration when buying used. Previous mechanical integrity is another one. "Mechanics" come in many forms. My rig was hacked almost to death. It's better now that someone who has a clue is taking ultimate care of it.
Great video. We wanted to purchase a brand with great resale value which usually ties in with quality. We purchased our Northwood Arctic Fox new because the used ones were few and far between and the price wasn't that much different . Also we wanted aluminum framing and L E D lighting which wasn't offered until a few years ago. Northwood included most all the options stock with little to add. It's very fun to go to a rv rally to see and talk to many rv owners and view many years of revs and styles. Enjoy down under, can't wait to see your upcoming videos. J L T
I was given an interesting bit of info from a rv salesman when I was looking at a 2007 Komfort travel trailer. I specifically like one model only made for a few years. He said because of the downturn of the economy in 2008, shortcuts were taken in manufacturing, so buy something before 08. Of course, that was then, and hopefully more care is taken in recent years. Food for thought, and maybe only applies to this brand?
I loved your 'new vs used'. I have had a travel agency for 25+ yrs but haven't been down America's roadways. However, since I don't know IF this will be something I will want to do full or even part time, I am considering a 'used' RV for all of the reasons you gave but also for the reason, that IF I don't like traveling this way I can sell it. So I am looking for the best value for the least price that is not to old but old enough to still have saleable features to either sale or trade in. I like your idea of one that is 1-3 yrs old, but that would still be too rich for my blood at this time. From the economic downfall of 2008, that year and those following was hard on the RV industry and the quality in manufacturing. It seems, that some of the 'old' quality is coming back in some of the brands, but has become an even harder challenge to achieve an ROI. THANK YOU for sharing, giving as always, excellent 'food for thought'.......
We sold our 2005 40’ diesel pusher that we bought used in 2012 with 7500 miles on it and used it part time for 5 years and put about 25000 miles on it. We are preparing for full time travel/living and I’d like to go a little smaller and get a gas rig. I’ve been thinking about an older model that we can modify because I’ve been seeing a lot of problems with newer RV’s and even the big names like Tiffin and Winnebago and Coachmen people complaining that they don’t build them like they used to! I do like some of the 2014-2016 floor plans but I’m concerned about quality. You guys just stated that you would buy a newer model that’s just a few years old and I totally understand that concept...get one from the original Owner who has worked out the kinks and has taken most of the depreciation. I’ve got my eye on a Newmar Mountain Aire 2005 gas unit and I’m wondering what you think of a unit like that? Do you think they built them better 15 years ago vs today? Any advice you’d like to give would be appreciated! Thanks, Marsha
Hi Marsha! That's such a tough one. WE certainly are VERY happy with our 2005 Newmar. It's a diesel pusher, though, so it's inherently a bit more robust than a gas RV is. But 2005 was, indeed, a good year. 2008-2009 was the era of the economic downturn... which is also when companies had to start tightening their purse strings if they wanted to stay in business. And, unfortunately, there were quite a few manufacturers that didn't survive. Newmar weathered the storm and is still around! Which is a good thing (not easy owning an orphan RV). The "they don't make 'em like they used to" complaint is age-old... and spans just about EVERY product we can think of (we hear this phrase a LOT from our mothers, LOL!). But it can also depend on your perspective. Are more things made out of plastic (or other less-expensive materials) than years ago? Sure. But LED TVs are a lot lighter than tube TVs, so that leaves more weight carrying capacity (not just because of the TVs, but you get the point). Inverters are more commonly installed at the factory than they were 15+ years ago. And LED bulbs are brighter, cooler, and last longer than incandescents (again, newer RVs are more likely to have them than older ones). New RVs come with all of these technological improvements it can be hard (and expensive) to retrofit into older RV. That said... and older RV will cost less to purchase, which could leave you with more money to make customizations that make it more your own. Just be prepared that a 15-year-old RV will likely start to have some expensive repairs needed. Windows begin to fog. Water heaters rust out and fail. Air conditioners may stop functioning well and need to be replaced. So you'll either need to be very handy so you can make those repairs yourself. Or budget properly to ensure you have the money to handle these things if they do fail. Recently, we were talking with Brett Davis, the owner of National Indoor RV Centers. Being an investor, he's big on "the numbers"... and had an interesting insight into RV ownership. Lots of people (ourselves included) tend to focus on the depreciation that occurs in the first few years... and use that expense as a justification for buying an older RV. But from the numbers he's run (based on tens of thousands of customers... both those purchasing new and getting service work done at their 4 locations), he's determined that the costs of ownership in 5-year blocks (0-5, 5-10, 10-15, etc) are MOSTLY the same. The DIFFERENCE in those blocks of time is HOW the money is "spent". In the first five years (0-5), most of the "expense" of owning your brand-new RV comes from depreciation. But service/repair costs are very low... since you start with a warranty and because most major expenses don't occur in that time period. Move to the 5-10 year range, and now depreciation is slowing down, but you begin to have larger maintenance/repair expenses. Batteries die and need to be replaced. Tires wear/age out and need to be replaced, etc. So the overall cost of ownership is about the same as the 0-5 year range... but you're spending more of that money on repair & replacement. In the next 5 year window (10-15 years), depreciation is mostly flat... but, again, you may begin to see expenses getting racked up in repair & replacement: water heater, air conditioners, engine repairs, etc. So... it's a tough choice. Newer RVs WILL depreciate (a LOT). But they come with the technological advancements that may make ownership more pleasant. Older RVs have had all the "kinks" (or "punch list") items worked out... and MAY be built better than newer RVs (possibly because you can buy a higher-end, older RV for less than an entry-level, NEW one would cost)... but could start costing you more in repairs/replacement/maintenance. Sorry there's not an easy answer... but hope this information helps!
Great video guys. I am also a fan of buying new, but the previous model year to save on some cash as well when buying new. Doing that you can save on the depreciation.
Certainly should include financing rates of new versus uses. Not many folks paying over $100K in cash these days. I would also recommend factoring in the price of a new mattress if buying used- no body wants to sleep in another's bed.
I guess there are some benefits to buying new like warranty however it seems like so many sellers of new and used rvs both private and dealers tend to forget or just pretend that rvs are not just vehicles that depreciate, rvs are not the same as houses were houses tend to hold or increase in value rvs do not, so used is the way to go but sellers that live in reality understand your not likely to recoup when selling a used rv.
Thanks for the assistance I agree with your other subscribers short and right to the point I am a newbie looking to purchase maybe a used just in case I don’t like all the work. Lol
Very helpful thanks especially as it mirrors my own thoughts. We want a very nearly new motorhome that hopefully was initially bought by someone wealthy, so it has “all the bells and whistles “ that we couldn’t afford to add on to the basic new vehicle price. Cheers.👍
Excellent advice, however be sure to get a independent RV inspection from a certified RV inspector with lots of experience. We bought a 3 year old motorhome that was inspected by a newbie certified inspector. He failed to inspect the slides for water damage. a year later the slide floor needs to be replaced.
I would add that spring RV shows you can find bargains on both new and used. The manufacturers are pumping out the new stuff and there can be some deep discounts on dealers current inventory. Must ad Paul you clean up nicely.
In 2017 i sold my Tour . To buy a 2014 Newmar King Air it had 19000 miles The firdt thing New Bridgestones 365 tires And New Batteries . The i took it to Cummins had the Gen and engine serviced with a Dyno . No it didnt need it Peace of mind
We will. Thanks again for your videos. The combination of your professional voice, thorough explanations and in depth details, its so helpful. You should see my notes! thanks to you. haha
Thanks for the advice on New vs. used RV's. I was thinking along the same lines as you were in that I plan to purchase a newer used RV pretty soon. Also thanks for mentioning the website RVtrader.com. I'm definitely going to check them out.
I am working my way through your videos. This is great information. Martha and I have worked our way through the pros and cons of purchasing new or used. We have settled on a pre-loved Class A but our RV will need to be between 2002-2006 model years. The units that fit our "must have" "and "available during those model years" list are: Winnebago - Journey and Latitude series Alpha - See Ya Holiday Rambler - Ambassador Tiffin - Allegro Do you have any "special" knowledge of those units that I might include in my inspection list while viewing these coaches? Thanks in advance guys, Charlie and Martha
That's great that you've narrowed your search to such a specific list. One of these brands you mentioned is in a different category that the other three in one particular aspect: Alpha. That's because the company doesn't exist any more, so the owners are "orphaned" when it comes to factory support, since there is none. Not that that means there aren't still good aspects to Alphas, but it does mean that in the event of a major problem requiring factory help to solve, you'd have one less major resource to fall back on. We know two people with Winnebago motorhomes who seem to spend their entire lives in the shop, but that anecdotal experience doesn't mean much, and there are surely many happy Winny owners, since it's such a big brand. Tiffin has a very good reputation as a company, but a lot of that comes from the fact that the factory service is renowned. But if you don't typically RV near Red Bay, AL (we don't), that benefit won't do you much good. Holiday Rambler has a good reuptation, too. Obviously we have no personal experience with any of these brands, since we've only owner a 2002 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel, and a 2005 Newmar. The best thing we can suggest to get the widest range of input from actual owners of these brands and vintages of RV would be the respective owners groups on the iRV2 forums. You can join for free at irv2.com/forums and read, read, read what people are saying about their own experiences. You'll see what people are having trouble with, what common problems might be, etc. And of course you can ask questions, too, but in this case, we'd suggest at least starting off by joining all available owners forums for each of these brands, and sitting back and watching the threads. You'll learn from the owners about the good, bad and ugly. ;-)
Thanks for that. I thought I had checked the See Ya for information on their parent company. I appreciate your telling me that. So, scratch off another one I guess. We really liked that layout of the two that we have seen. Currently my car is for sale and pending it leaving I will be starting in earnest with our final hunt for the "one." It has been a long road indeed. Charlie N Martha
I didn't read all the comments so if I am repeating I am sorry but another relatively cheap and effective upgrade to an older rig is LED interior lights they are easier on the batteries and generator/ inverter
I think the pro of buying new is not having to worry about major system failure for a while...engine, transmission, electrical systems, plumbing, etc. IF one has the money to buy new, the peace of mind may be worth considering.
+marsha brockman buying new still carriers those risk. Its just less likely but I have seen first hand RVs somehow make it pass inspections make it to a dealer and something be wrong. From a well known brand as well. Jayco. But you have your warranties to fall back on when buying new. Its still a mixed bag on which idea would be best. It in the end come all down to your current state. How much you have, your own skills on what you might be able to do with the RV once you have it. Maybe you have the skills to rebuild engines, or repair roofs and not allot money. That could make getting used better then ever getting new. because then you can save money and when you restore it to make it to really say you. Ive seen some people buy brand new and be unwilling to do allot customization after the sell like paint the inside, or screw in things that maybe good for you but not for the next owners if you decide to sell later and may loose value even more then the normal depreciation. but again it all comes down to you the user. There never really going to be a way to generalize which is truly best.
I've been looking at used RVs for a while now. I think I would need to go 2008 or newer. 2008 is when they started putting in flat screens and I have yet to see a good upgrade where someone put a 40" flat screen in a spot that held a 32" or smaller tube TV
A newer used RV with a manufacturer extended warranty is the way to go ... and when outfitted with LED, solar, and not too large of a floor plan is a great boondocking combination! Thanks guys!!!
I've been looking for information without all the extra stories and useless dialogue. Thanks for posting a video newbies can follow with real advice without getting bored halfway through. *subscribes*
+GoJonnieGo Thanks so much for the nice comment! 😊
We recently bought a used travel trailer. What made the decision of buying used easy was the fact that this is our first RV. Are we really going to use it as much as my wife and I think we will?
We have lofty ideas of making one or two long distance trips a year and local camping on the weekends. If we use it to it's full potential we'll be looking at new or slightly used in a few years.
I'd also like to voice one complaint...because of this channel I have a whole bunch of mods lined up. I'll be at it for awhile!
I bought new because I was in a hurry. There is no way I could have found what I wanted in the allotted time. I’m very pleased with my RV because I hunted the local market hard! I new what I wanted and got it. Who ever gets mine when I sell it will get all the perks I’ve added over the years and get a bargain. Great video topic
Being in a hurry is a valid factor in buying new for sure! So great to hear you're so happy with it. 😊
We couldn't afford new, actually we was looking late 90's. But was looking for the one that was a 1 owner and taken care of. We did search RV Trader and others for our perfect used Coach. We had plenty of time, so we wasn't in a hurry. Took almost a year and we did find. 1996 Newmar Kountry Aire Diesel puller. The inside has all new flooring and furniture. Outside has new tires (less than. 1,000 miles 1 year old) and a 2 year old roof. And some other things. To look for the good deal, you have to be patient and not be in a hurry to get one. And have some kind of idea what to look for in a older used RV. I've learned a lot from your Videos ! There are a few things that will need fixed, but they are small. Thanks for great videos !
You brought up points that made a lot of sense and which I will definitely fall back on once I am ready to buy an RV. The points that were important for me were: tire/battery rot. Would have NEVER even thought of checking into that. Also, buying a fairly new RV which falls in line with what I want to do. Great info, as always.
Tire rot is definitely huge and so is a new one not having some problems. I have been thru the tire issue and my inlaws went thru the new RV problems issue.
"And I'm used!" LOL! ty both for sharing your experience while not pushing manufacturers or motorhome classes, etc. Much food for thought.
+vap0rtranz Thanks so much for the nice comment! Glad you liked it. 😊
Good points. I don't think I could make that decision until the search was on. If used, I would swap out the bed and batteries right away then completely flush and clean all the tanks. Either way count on doing some upgrades. I would set a few thousand bucks aside for upgrades like a towing package, possible suspension upgrades, solar off-grid setup, and technology upgrades (that space shuttle cockpit). 😉
I like your thinking on the upgrades.
I definitely like the idea of some other poor guy taking the hit on depreciation and fixing all the stuff that always comes up that first year or two of ownership. I am willing to look at older coaches (20+ years) as long as the owner can show what repairs/modifications have been done with receipts!
Hi guys! Great video and helpful as always. I think a lot depends on how you are going to use and for what. For example, if it's going to be used for extensive traveling vs. short weekend trips. Also you might factor in the extent of your tinkering desire and skillset. Some love to tinker and are good at making repairs and modifications while others are not. I used to buy everything brand new and right off the showroom floor but after experiencing the recession and collapse of 2008, I now buy depreciating items that are 2-3 years old, directly from the original owner, as you described. Saves a lot of money and I find that the bugs have been worked out, plus the original owner might have made several expensive upgrades that save you further time and money. Great video and take care!
great advice on the battery and the tires. I never never gave thought to the batteries..
After buying both new and used RV`s , the satisfaction and cost advantage of personalizing furniture and interior design overwhelmed any advantage in buying new or ''newer'' for me. Very well done guys.
Enjoy your comments, and on the used RV upgrading it can be a expensive but rewarding hobby.. I like tinkering with mine.
Great points, having owned a used TT and then buying a new one ... prettt much everything you said was spot on. One benefit of having the used TT, unless you buy a new one in cash ... was that you could fix things as you had the money to do so, you weren't strapped to a payment.
Agree wholeheartedly with you on the best option being a used 2-3 year old single owner coach. Nice presentation guys!
You are 100% correct. We just bought a used 2015 Thor ACE with 4k miles. Looks and smells brand new, but saved several thousand over a 2016. We even got several extras (TV, matress, gift cards, etc) from the dealer to buy the used 2015, over a new 2015. buying 1-2 years old made sense to us. Enjoy Australia Mates.
good video... but one point ... you forgot to mention how crooked the RV industry is.... the RV dealers new and used. are horrible in inflation of sales and worse in warranty and service... I have owned 12 RV 's, Check the dealer First... then pick your RV
+RVerTV Yup. Like car dealers, you have buy from a reputable one.
RV Trader.com
Camping world is the worst.
RVerTV The only one I know of is Bob Ledfords ( Adventure Homes ) Greer SC . They have several . But I wished I had bought my Class c from them . Bought my first Motorhome from them and it was great . They have been around for over 60 years . Great service and great people . Check them out . They at least will dicker with you on the price !
RVerTV I am first time buyer and I am overwhelm with all the info on UA-cam . how do you check the dealer?
I purchased a 2005 Type b,after thoroughly research,the type b was the logical choice,no toad required,best fuel mpg,easy to drive,park,would do it all over again.
We just bought a new coach in September and I can totally agree with your comments about the issues that new coaches have. We had to have the waste valve repaired before we pulled it off the lot and at least 10 other things within 3 months. I have two items left on the list to fix and we'll finally have a "new" RV.
We had been looking at RV's and RVing for about 7 years and agree with everything you said.
RV shows give a buyer a chance to look at and compare various manufacturers as well as their floor plans.
As we refined our RV wants and needs RVTrader was extremely useful to see what was actually available nationally.
What you didn't talk about is the issues that come with buying an RV in another state from a private party.
Who pays, me or the current owner, for the RV inspection. Inspect! Always, always, always have the rig inspected. Use NRVIA.
Who do I pay the sales tax to and when? Sales tax in the owners state? Sales tax in my state? Prepare for voice mail hell!
Where do I take possession of the RV? This can dramatically affect the sales tax question.
With a private party sale, financing is now my problem. Who, where, how long, and at what rate. Multiple banks? Multiple credit pulls? What's your credit score now???
What is the current RV loan payoff? Who will get what check and when? When will the current lien holder get stuff to my bank.
You and the current owner now need to agree on the exact wording in a purchase agreement.
Do I, or they, need a release of liability document for the trip home?
You did call your insurance company right? What information do they need? What coverages does the bank require? What coverages do you want?
If everything lines up; now you have to make arrangements to get to the RV, get a hotel room, and rent a car.
When the big day comes what do you do if the deal falls thru? Your fault, their fault, something nobody noticed, whatever it is.... what do you do?
If you do purchase the RV, do things need to be notarized? Who pays for that?
OK, you bought the rig, now what?
Does the current owner keep the license plates? Some state require this.
Do you need temporary tags? From what state, yours or theirs?
Some states tell you that you need temporary tags from every state on your route home. Really???
You did plan the route home didn't you? Where are you stopping? How often are you stopping? Did you bring a navigator?
What is the weather going to be like? Do you need to have anything done to the RV before, or during the trip, home? Think about winterization here.
And finally, before you leave on your trip home with your bright and shiny RV.....
Have you ever driven something like this before? If so, how long ago?
Do you need to schedule a session with an RV driving school?
Hint: a refresher course is far, far, far, far, far cheaper than an insurance claim.
We did recently purchase an RV from a private party 1300 miles away.
I went through everything I listed above and more.
My phone became my greatest asset and my most hated enemy all at the same time.
Actually, this was a very informative video..!! Thanks, for sharing..!!
+Rick Skelton Thanks Rick! Nice to hear. 😀
We're buying our first RV for full time use. We've rented in the past and now visit dealer lots and shows to learn as much as we can. Thanks for your video series. I've viewed this video several times and appreciate your advice and perspective. No one can know everything before taking the plunge into ownership, but you make it easier to go forward with confidence.
Thanks Joe! Glad we could be of some help.
We have been looking at RV's now for almost a year and go back on forth on this issue daily lol, after watching your videos for 8 months now I always feel like no one is taking proper care of these vehicles like you guys would and I always lean towards new. Wife likes the older ones for the depreciation and upfront costs. After watching this video I may be convinced that a one year or two year old Rv would be the way to go, this will be our first RV purchase and I like what you said about if it turns out to be the wrong one we could sell and buy another without taking such a huge hit, as always great video with excellent information! Have a great day, Kenny
Awesome! Thanks for letting us know. We think you're on the right track, and a good pre-purchase inspection will go a long way to determining how well the first owner cared for their rig in the year or two they owned it. Happy shopping!
Nice. One of my biggest considerations in upgrading from an old class c to a newer class a is the cost of diesel vs gas. I would like a diesel platform because of the reliability and longevity (and power, and tow rating, and mpg) but there's simply no way I can afford a new or even within a couple years new diesel rig. If you compare the cost of a newer gas coach with the cost of an older diesel you can really see the difference that depreciation makes. I'm considering doing the tech upgrades myself and getting the best of both worlds. This way you can also choose the specific tech you want as opposed to paying for a package on a newer rig.
Michael Nielsen Also I prefer the diesel. But start looking as to where you have to buy the fuel . You will be in truck stops . And the fuel price is higher for trucks . I know I drove a semi for 50 years and got rid of my diesel RV so I could have more access to more fuel stops and cheaper mechanical issues .
I used rv trader and bought my 2015 heartland north trail 34rbgs travel trailer this year which was about 20 minutes from my house.
For me, the matter of whether to buy new or used is moot. I can only afford used because I want to pay cash. Having become debt-free and retired, there is no way I'll go back into debt. As a result, the search for the "right" RV could take longer. So I'll have to be flexible as to features in my final choice - fortunately, not a problem for me.
An excellent video topic. You made me think, a good thing! lol!
Although you started by saying you were not necessarily advocating one versus the other, I definitely left with the impression you leaned new. That's just what I got out of your video and others may have seen something different.
Maybe I missed it, but there's the RV park restrictions on vehicles over 10 years old. Not all parks do this, but many do. Thus, by buying a 5 year old rig, you've got 5 years left of being accepted at any park.
Additionally, there have been so many advances in technology recently, that you may have a very hard time retrofitting these to an older unit. Solar, Hydronic heating, compressor fridges, Lithium batteries, etc.
In all a very good video.
Great video. My first TT was used and it ended up being a lemon. I bought someone's headache. My second was a TT that sat on the lot. Another huge headache it had a leak in the skylight probably since it was built. The difference was the dealer took it back and allowed me to order a new one to my specs at no additional cost. Gently used as you said is great, just go through it with a fine tooth comb.
We bought a 1.5 year left over from a dealer. It did have some minor issues that the dealer still took care of. We offered a rather low price to the dealer and were able to save 45% off of the MSRP. It helped that we bought in the north east during a January snow storm. I'm in construction and was able to handle any small adjustments that the RV needed. It was a good deal.
+Flattop Awesome! Congrats on the new RV!
As the daughter of a "rocket scientist", I ❤️ the shuttle console backdrop...and "whiz-bangery"! And you've confirmed my strategy of hunting for a well cared for and maintained, used rig. Thank you for sharing your veteran Rv'ers insights!
+Tanya Marsh Thanks Tanya! We love that you knew the space shuttle when you saw it. Your rocket scientist parent raised you well. 😊
A couple of thoughts based on our experiences. Our first RV was a used class A diesel. On the surface, it looked to be well taken care of. After we bought it, the rear AC unit developed a problem, the holding tanks had nasty odors (not well cared for), all the batteries were shot. We ended up getting rid of this unit 3 months after we bought it. Mostly because it just didn’t fit our needs well. Oh, the learning curve.
We bought a new 2016 43’ diesel pusher in the summer of 2017. We originally saw this unit at the LA RV show in Oct. 2015. We made an offer on it then, but the dealer didn’t even come back with a counter offer. In August 2016, we noticed the dealer still had the same unit, which had been marked down twice, and we put in an offer less than that. We ended up getting the same unit 10 months later for almost $40,000 less than we would have paid at the RV show. We got a brand-new coach configured how we would have ordered it from Entegra, and still saved a significant amount of money. Your recommendation to look for a holdover RV is excellent advice.
Thanks fore sharing your experiences, Tony! Pricing, availability, and condition of any of purchase is certainly a crapshoot. Sounds like you rolled a seven! Safe travels.
A not too old used RV is what I am looking at, knowing that saving money will come with maintenance cost. So I agree with your assessment.
I've never towed before, but I already have the truck and intend to buy an older, cheaper used trailer, mostly for 'tow practice'. I need to find an "how to tow" class. I know I'm bound to get dings and need to learn how to do basic maintenance. So a small, cheap trailer will be first. Then, once I know what I'm doing, I'll buy my dream trailer when it's 3-5 years old.
Absolutely brilliant plan, Judith! 👌👍😘
Judith Neeley Go to U-Haul & rent the biggest trailer they have to get some experience towing. It won't be as big/heavy as an RV but could be a good start.
Once you have access to a real RV check out RV driving schools. One I've heard recommended is rvschool.com.
Great video!! I like what you did there. The old guy was "New" and the young guy was "Old"
+David Opalach John says "Thanks David!" 😁 and I (Peter) say "Hey! Who you callin' old!?" 😐
Sales Tax.
In some states when you buy from a dealer you have to pay sales tax but when you buy from a private party you don't.
This can be thousands of dollars.
California's 8 1/2 % is 8,500 on a 100,000 RV! (2500 on a 30K purchase.) To not pay that you take delivery in Nevada and register it in another state.
That's what we did with our first RV over 13 years ago. We lived on the East Coast at the time, and were about to go full-time, but buying the RV from a dealer in the LA area. The dealer drove us to Las Vegas to take possession and sign the papers. We then registered in MT, which has no sales tax. If you live in CA, you may not be able to do that, as they've supposedly cracked down on people who actually live there, but have out-of-state plates.
Not true. When you do the title work you will pay taxes and you only pay less if you lie about purchase price. The seller may not be willing to lie.
You hit a lot of my thoughts. I'm buying a 2016 coach that has been used for 4 months. Still has some warranty left but also lower sales price and taxes. It does take a while to find someone who needs to sell an almost new RV, but it is worth it.
Great info, I bought a one year old left over and experienced "LOT ROT" if an RV sets on a dealers blanktop lot in Arizona all summer long without being moved the tires are shot. You're lucky if you can make it to a tire shop to get them replaced.
We bought a newer used rv (Itasca Navion) from the original owner. With the money we saved, it was still in the budget to install solar and upgrade to led lighting. It still had a bit of the factory warranty left as well as the chassis warranty from Mercedes.
Having sold RV's for a short time myself and having owned and full timed in an RV, used is the way to go, in my opinion. Try to find a one owner and if you have to head to a dealer, make sure you understand what you are getting for what you are paying. Do your homework. The wife and I spent 2 years looking for the right coach for us. Remember too, with slides, it's a hole in the frame and problems are common with them. The more slides, the more holes and structural integrity is compromised.
Nice job with the video, as you did answer questions that plaque most first time buyers. Bottom line, do your homework! It will pay off in happy RVing!
+Joe Allen Thanks Joe!.We agree. One good owner is the best!
Thank you Mr. New for Lot Rot advice.
as for me i would buy used and up to a 3 year old motorhome i bought my first new motorhome 15 years ago and it spent more time in the shop the first year thn i did useing it, i traided it in 5 years later for a new and the same thing it was in the shop 3 months total, i then after 5 years bought a used 2 year old and it was in the shop one time in 4 years, my current moterhome has yet to viset a shop and it was 2 years old also when i bought it
+Paul Hermsen You've got the right idea. Paul. Let someone else work through the punch-list... and take the biggest depreciation, too.
Hello guys. I bought a used (very used) 1987 Fleetwood Southwind. This is the newest, with the best running equiptment, that I could find within my price point. It's not much to alot of people but it's going to be my home so I'll take good care of it. Your videos have helped so far and I will bet they will help later on. Well, bye for now and be safe in your journeys.
Congratulations on your new rig, Daniel! Thanks so much for taking the time to say hi. It's always great to hear we've been helpful, so we really appreciate your nice note. Safe travels!
Hi Daniel, are u planning to travel long distance with your RV or mainly just live in it?
One thing I can add to your NEW RV side would be buying the late model year left over RV. I was making a search a couple of years ago and ENTEGRA COACH RV's were going through a complete change. I found an ENTEGRA CRONERSTONE with previous model year (and previous design) and full of amenities. It was almost the half price of the new one. I think it is right in between buying a used one and a new one. You can't customize it but it is never used at the same time. So this is the alternative to your newer used RV ... An older never used RV.
+Fussinated Absolutely! Great tip!
Rv trader is a great purchasing tool for used and even new rv,s. Yes you can find good deals, but more important to me is finding exactly what I want. When I'm spending my money I'm not going to compromise, there are too many choices out there. You want to travel right, there you go. It's your first adventure to log.
We are retired and considering going full time RV living. I've many hours watching UA-cam videos on this subject and have become pretty discouraged. My instinct is to buy new. I don't ever remember buying a used car. What I'm learning is that the RV industry has virtually no quality control in the manufacturing process. In the last few days I've watched videos from people who have bought brand new and in the first few days have experienced electrical system failure, jack failures and tires going bad. In this case the owner cussed out the "Cheap Chinese Tires" manufacturers are putting on their RV's. A grapefruit size bulge appeared on the inside of of one of the tires and luckily a motorist alerted them to it before it blew out.
This seems to be prevalent and accepted by purchasers. This leads me to think that I should buy the highest quality RV I can, about 8 or 10 years old and try to find someone who can go over it from stem to stern and replace everything that has or might fail with top end components. Now all I have to do is learn what those upper end brands are.
Hi Amos,
We're sorry to hear that your explorations into full-time RVing are discouraging you! We have a couple of thoughts for you to consider, and hope that these help:
(1) Keep in mind that the people who are most likely to put information online are those who are having a problem. So the information you find around the internet will tend toward the negative. The people who are happily enjoying their RVs (and RVing) are often too busy doing just that to be posting much online. Take things with a grain of salt.
(2) While the RV industry doesn't have the quality control that the automotive industry has, take into account that the RV manufacturers make a much smaller percentage of the systems/components that go into an RV than an automaker does and, thus, have much less control over the quality of those items. Plus the walls of your car don't extend to make it roomier, you can't cook in it, and there isn't much in the way of plumbing. So you can't rightfully compare the two. Think of it more like new home construction... and every new home we've ever owned (or heard about) had a plenty long "punch list" for the builder during the first year or two.
(3) Not to discount the people out there who have legitimately had problems with their RVs (of which there are more than there should be IF quality control was a bigger priority in the industry), you also have to filter out those people who expect their RV to have the same quality as their new car. We whole-heartedly wish that this was the case... but it's just not. So if you make a purchase expecting that for X-tens-to-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars this RV had better be perfect... well, you're setting yourself up to be disappointed (and angry and probably considering writing a scathing post about it online). If you have reasonable expectations that these very complicated machines, even when purchased new, have flaws, you'll be a much happier man.
(4) Buying a used RV can help mitigate these problems... hopefully the first owner dealt with any/all of these bigger issues and are selling you a smooth-running machine you'll be happy with. Plus, you let THEM take the biggest depreciation hit (the first couple of years are the worst, and then it begins leveling off)... so if things turn out badly and you decide to stop RVing, you won't lose as much.
(5) From what we've read, we would also recommend staying away from Chinese brands of tires. We have only seen them on lower-priced units (mostly travel trailers), but wouldn't be surprised to start seeing them appear higher up the chain. Every manufacturer looks for ways to cut costs... and tires aren't cheap!
With all of that said, we'd stick with our recommendations from this video... buy a used RV that's the best combination of high quality and the newest (not newer than about 2 years old) that you can afford. If you're looking at very high-quality brands and thus need to look at older RVs, we'd recommend NOT going beyond about 10 years old... as you'll begin getting into coaches that require a fair amount of work because things are wearing out, not because of poor initial build quality.
Excellent response.
I was thinking on new if ever i wanna rv
(been dreaming so so much)
cos i'm a scardy cat who can't live thinking someone might have died on the used 1
plus i'm not that skilled for noticing/repairing things
but you made me think twice!
bought our ATC aluminum toy hauler here & love it
One fact not mentioned is the discrimination owners with older vehicles may find. These include some RV parks, storage facilities, and repair facilities.
my grandparents on my mom's side bought a class c Chevy Itasca motor home, it had the van nose with doors with the overhang on top of the cab, and a tv above the cab too, it was a 2007 motor home. They did like what you 2 did, they bought custom and got the rv straight off the assembly line. What's interesting, and we ran into this problem once or twice, while we (mainly my grandparents) were connected to shore power, when we went to turn the engine on, the plug to the tv would get disabled, we tried turning the tv on while the engine was on, I think my grandfather thought it may have had to do with the idea of the engine being on. I think we thought it had to do with the idea of that there was a safety switch that disabled the plug to the tv, so the driver wouldn't be distracted while going down the road.
Sounds like that’s it… an ignition interlock that prevents the TV from being turned on while you’re driving. Very common feature.
Yeah, in late 2013, towards the end of the season, the (my grandparents) bought a 2010 keystone park model right there on camp site. And then early last year (2017), they bought a jay flight park model. The 2 park model's they bought - well, the first park model, I think was custom made from the previous owner, but, not the same with the jay flight.
I live with and help my Mother since my Dad's passing a couple years back. Her home is on 1/4 acre so it's a lot of maintenance inside (1800 sq ft) and out. Neither one of us has been able to travel but we both have the same dream, sell the house and live full time RVing and see this beautiful country we live in. I have to find a trailer, 5th wheel, or coach with 2 bedrooms! Neither one of us would want to live 1/2 of our lives in a hide a bed or make shift dining table to bed, or a bunk bed made for agile kids. Our main wish list would be 2 bedrooms, 1+1/2 bath, kitchen with island and living area with sofa, 2 recliners, built ins for electronics: flat screen tv, books, laptop/PC area to work, storage, etc. Extras would be washer dryer combo, and in the full bathroom a combo tub/ shower. Are we asking too much? We wouldn't want anything older than 2015 or 2016, whether it be a 5th wheel or trailer. I have watched videos of certain manufacturers that don't stand behind their product and am shy of a coach because if anything went wrong and it had to be fixed, there goes the only home you have. Can you give me your thoughts on a newbies dream? Please? jrrosee@gmail.com thanks a bunch for a very informative video!!!
+Jodee Loves the Lord Sorry, Jodee, but other than bunk bed compartments for kids, we're not aware of any RV with two separate private bedrooms, let alone all the other specific features you're looking for.
well thats just a bummer! Now I'm learning that most tiny homes are illegal due to gov over reach and regulations. I guess we'll have to compromise or special order. Thanks guys!
Very good points to bring up. New RVS have so much wrong with them.
My 2 Class A s i bought was used .
In 2010 i bought a 2006 Winnebago Tour The Tour is a top of the line Class A . The First thing i put new Tires and New
Batterie.
The Tour didnt need it but it was peace of mind .
Plus i took it to Cummins had the engine Dynoed and serbiced along with the Onan Gen
We are wanting to sell our pick up and toy hauler. This pickup has lots of new features and has low mileage and a buyer just needs to load their stuff and drive off! Great deal!!
This was a lot of great information, thanks guys! I live in Australia and will be purchasing a fifth wheel soon. Since you two are about to travel around my end of the world you will realise very fast that fifth wheels are not common down here at all. Also the options we do have nothing on the quality or appeal as to the ones in America, while our prices are way more expensive. I am very envious of your RV options in the USA haha. Love your videos guys, and enjoy your trip in Australia 😀
Thank you, you brought some things we were not even thinking about.
Great video and thank you for encouraging my wife and myself to take it to the next level in life, to take the risk and commit to the adventure. I am 72 years old my wife is 65 years old and your videos are
Inspiration for us to continue an adventurous lifestyle. We've traveled to 35 countries and by seeing how you take on the challenges has given us the courage to do things that we have not felt comfortable doing. The bottom line we are getting out of the comfort zone. What advice would you give us? You're doing it and thank you for what you're doing it is appreciated all.Jerry & Lori
Thank you so much for your very nice comments, Jerry & Lori, and congratulations on your adventurous life! Our advice is colored by our experience (Peter survived cancer at age 37, and lost his younger brother 3 years later when HE was 37). Those experiences made us realize that this short life might be even shorter than we expect. So we throw an awful lot of caution to the wind and say "What the hell" when it comes time to do something that others might consider a bit crazy. Go for it! 😃
We have purchased 2 new RV's. Our first was a 2006 Jayco Greyhawk Class C, no problems with anything. Our 2nd was a 2015 Itasca class A, so many problems I can't even begin to mention them all.
Seems like cutting corners may be affecting the quality of newer RVs. :(
I really like the idea you had about the "sweet spot" between new and used. A "newer" used rv. How many years old would you consider a used rv to still be newish?
We think that two to three years would be ideal, with everything still likely to be pretty new, punch-list items worked through, but a substantial chunk of depreciation already behind it.
Since I am planning on buying in about 5 years, I am looking at new 2017 RVs with the idea that I will get a 5 year old one in 2022, roughly. I am interested especially in newer safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and blind spot monitoring - stuff that is just now coming to RVs.
Sounds like a great plan, Andrew. If you're able to narrow your search down to a couple of makes/models, you'll also be able to track them over the intervening years to see if there are any "gotchas" to be on the lookout for when you begin your purchasing search. It will be great to see more of the safety advances get integrated into motorhomes, too!
RVgeeks Thanks. Looking mostly at Newmar DutchStar and Entegra Anthem. If I had to pick now, the 2017 Anthem 42DEQ is what I would probably want to get. Still 5 years off at a minimum.
After having a Tesla Model S and a recent purchase of a 2017 Honda Ridgeline, lane keeping, adaptive cruise and other safety features have become part of my highway driving - and I don't want to give those up.
About the sweet spot timing: How do dealers push previous year models? I mean something similar to what car dealers do to liquidate their inventory and get room for the newest model rolling out from the manufacturer. Do motorhome manufacturers have a typical release season for new models? Like in the car factory world, newest models start rolling out in the fall. I'm asking because I've used the timing of new models to go after cars, so I'm hoping there is a previous model year season to target for motorhomes ...
I have enjoyed your videos , use some of them on stand by . As a newbie last year the wife an I decided to buy new. I understand the depreciation issue, which means it would be imperative to get your best price . I was able to buy an upscale 5er for 42,000.00 under cost and that was a painted, loaded 5er that was on order. So based on NADA RV I'm ahead of the game even with depreciation. The ability to negotiate is a must. If it does not workout then go with a newer used model. Anyway keep the videos coming . Safe camping.
That's great to hear, Don! You did the same thing we did on both our rigs.... buy new with good negotiation. :)
If I were in the market for a RV I would buy a gently used one - 3 or 4 years old maybe with some factory warranty left. Maximum bang for the buck. As it was said in the video, all the factory bugs and warranty issues would likely be dealt with by then. Also much more affordable, avoiding the huge depreciation hit of the first few years. If I was planning to keep it for the long term(unit age over 5 years) I would consider an extended warranty.
Very helpful!! Hope you are having fun down under!!
rvt.com is another great source for finding RV's, travel trailers, 5th Wheels, etc. for sale by dealers and owners
Excellent points...first time buyer and was thinking about purchasing a few year old new. I was glad to hear your thoughts, especially that the "punch list" has probably been taken care of!
Thanks Gene! Glad to hear we've been helpful. :)
Hi Guys, another great video. I've been shopping online for the "Retirement Home on Wheels" for the past few years. I was able to drag my wife to the Hershey PA show in Sept. and we found a Nexus RV Bentley we fell in love with. It's almost ready to pickup end of April. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Great Video. I am waiting delivery of a new Winnebago View. I am a first time RV buyer and pretty much for the reasons you listed, I went "new". Thanks so much for all your video's they have helped me so much in this journey to be a new RV'er.
Tires and batteries can be a huge consideration when buying used.
Previous mechanical integrity is another one.
"Mechanics" come in many forms.
My rig was hacked almost to death.
It's better now that someone who has a clue is taking ultimate care of it.
1987 Holiday Rambler Imperial 33.
Classic rolling home.
Thank you, food for thought. We have been torn between a new and used 5W. We'll keep doing research. As always take care and be safe.
Great video. We wanted to purchase a brand with great resale value which usually ties in with quality. We purchased our Northwood Arctic Fox new because the used ones were few and far between and the price wasn't that much different . Also we wanted aluminum framing and L E D lighting which wasn't offered until a few years ago. Northwood included most all the options stock with little to add. It's very fun to go to a rv rally to see and talk to many rv owners and view many years of revs and styles. Enjoy down under, can't wait to see your upcoming videos. J L T
I was given an interesting bit of info from a rv salesman when I was looking at a 2007 Komfort travel trailer. I specifically like one model only made for a few years. He said because of the downturn of the economy in 2008, shortcuts were taken in manufacturing, so buy something before 08. Of course, that was then, and hopefully more care is taken in recent years. Food for thought, and maybe only applies to this brand?
Nice video guys, thanks for the good information.
Very informative, thanks for sharing .
I loved your 'new vs used'. I have had a travel agency for 25+ yrs but haven't been down America's roadways. However, since I don't know IF this will be something I will want to do full or even part time, I am considering a 'used' RV for all of the reasons you gave but also for the reason, that IF I don't like traveling this way I can sell it. So I am looking for the best value for the least price that is not to old but old enough to still have saleable features to either sale or trade in. I like your idea of one that is 1-3 yrs old, but that would still be too rich for my blood at this time. From the economic downfall of 2008, that year and those following was hard on the RV industry and the quality in manufacturing. It seems, that some of the 'old' quality is coming back in some of the brands, but has become an even harder challenge to achieve an ROI. THANK YOU for sharing, giving as always, excellent 'food for thought'.......
Guys!!! Thanks so much for this Video. My husband baby and I are planning to be full time RV'ers and you confirmed what we had been thinking :D
We sold our 2005 40’ diesel pusher that we bought used in 2012 with 7500 miles on it and used it part time for 5 years and put about 25000 miles on it. We are preparing for full time travel/living and I’d like to go a little smaller and get a gas rig. I’ve been thinking about an older model that we can modify because I’ve been seeing a lot of problems with newer RV’s and even the big names like Tiffin and Winnebago and Coachmen people complaining that they don’t build them like they used to! I do like some of the 2014-2016 floor plans but I’m concerned about quality. You guys just stated that you would buy a newer model that’s just a few years old and I totally understand that concept...get one from the original Owner who has worked out the kinks and has taken most of the depreciation. I’ve got my eye on a Newmar Mountain Aire 2005 gas unit and I’m wondering what you think of a unit like that? Do you think they built them better 15 years ago vs today? Any advice you’d like to give would be appreciated! Thanks, Marsha
Hi Marsha! That's such a tough one. WE certainly are VERY happy with our 2005 Newmar. It's a diesel pusher, though, so it's inherently a bit more robust than a gas RV is. But 2005 was, indeed, a good year. 2008-2009 was the era of the economic downturn... which is also when companies had to start tightening their purse strings if they wanted to stay in business. And, unfortunately, there were quite a few manufacturers that didn't survive. Newmar weathered the storm and is still around! Which is a good thing (not easy owning an orphan RV).
The "they don't make 'em like they used to" complaint is age-old... and spans just about EVERY product we can think of (we hear this phrase a LOT from our mothers, LOL!). But it can also depend on your perspective. Are more things made out of plastic (or other less-expensive materials) than years ago? Sure. But LED TVs are a lot lighter than tube TVs, so that leaves more weight carrying capacity (not just because of the TVs, but you get the point). Inverters are more commonly installed at the factory than they were 15+ years ago. And LED bulbs are brighter, cooler, and last longer than incandescents (again, newer RVs are more likely to have them than older ones). New RVs come with all of these technological improvements it can be hard (and expensive) to retrofit into older RV.
That said... and older RV will cost less to purchase, which could leave you with more money to make customizations that make it more your own. Just be prepared that a 15-year-old RV will likely start to have some expensive repairs needed. Windows begin to fog. Water heaters rust out and fail. Air conditioners may stop functioning well and need to be replaced. So you'll either need to be very handy so you can make those repairs yourself. Or budget properly to ensure you have the money to handle these things if they do fail.
Recently, we were talking with Brett Davis, the owner of National Indoor RV Centers. Being an investor, he's big on "the numbers"... and had an interesting insight into RV ownership. Lots of people (ourselves included) tend to focus on the depreciation that occurs in the first few years... and use that expense as a justification for buying an older RV. But from the numbers he's run (based on tens of thousands of customers... both those purchasing new and getting service work done at their 4 locations), he's determined that the costs of ownership in 5-year blocks (0-5, 5-10, 10-15, etc) are MOSTLY the same. The DIFFERENCE in those blocks of time is HOW the money is "spent". In the first five years (0-5), most of the "expense" of owning your brand-new RV comes from depreciation. But service/repair costs are very low... since you start with a warranty and because most major expenses don't occur in that time period. Move to the 5-10 year range, and now depreciation is slowing down, but you begin to have larger maintenance/repair expenses. Batteries die and need to be replaced. Tires wear/age out and need to be replaced, etc. So the overall cost of ownership is about the same as the 0-5 year range... but you're spending more of that money on repair & replacement. In the next 5 year window (10-15 years), depreciation is mostly flat... but, again, you may begin to see expenses getting racked up in repair & replacement: water heater, air conditioners, engine repairs, etc.
So... it's a tough choice. Newer RVs WILL depreciate (a LOT). But they come with the technological advancements that may make ownership more pleasant. Older RVs have had all the "kinks" (or "punch list") items worked out... and MAY be built better than newer RVs (possibly because you can buy a higher-end, older RV for less than an entry-level, NEW one would cost)... but could start costing you more in repairs/replacement/maintenance.
Sorry there's not an easy answer... but hope this information helps!
RVgeeks thanks! That information does help and pretty much makes me think that buying the slightly used, newer model is my way to go!
just bought my first rv. it was 2013 coachman 30 feet at 13k. it has been 2 months now and the only. things that might need fixing is the battery.
+Big City Ready 2017 That's awesome! Congratulations on your new rig! 😊
Great information! You have so much experience and knowledge, thanks for sharing.
One thing that's hard to do unless you've owned RVs already is what do you want/need in an RV.
Love you guys, Know have watched a lot of your videos and they have helped me a lot so thanks so much.
Great to hear, Larry! Thanks so much for letting us know. Always nice to hear we've been helpful. 😊
I am shortly buying mt first class a rv used. I find your website very helpful. Thank you 😉
Awesome! Best of luck with your new rig.
Great video guys. I am also a fan of buying new, but the previous model year to save on some cash as well when buying new. Doing that you can save on the depreciation.
Certainly should include financing rates of new versus uses. Not many folks paying over $100K in cash these days. I would also recommend factoring in the price of a new mattress if buying used- no body wants to sleep in another's bed.
I guess there are some benefits to buying new like warranty however it seems like so many sellers of new and used rvs both private and dealers tend to forget or just pretend that rvs are not just vehicles that depreciate, rvs are not the same as houses were houses tend to hold or increase in value rvs do not, so used is the way to go but sellers that live in reality understand your not likely to recoup when selling a used rv.
First time watching your video. Enjoyed it and have subscribed.
Thanks for the assistance I agree with your other subscribers short and right to the point I am a newbie looking to purchase maybe a used just in case I don’t like all the work. Lol
This was informative and to the point . Thank you geeks .
Very helpful thanks especially as it mirrors my own thoughts. We want a very nearly new motorhome that hopefully was initially bought by someone wealthy, so it has “all the bells and whistles “ that we couldn’t afford to add on to the basic new vehicle price. Cheers.👍
Excellent advice, however be sure to get a independent RV inspection from a certified RV inspector with lots of experience. We bought a 3 year old motorhome that was inspected by a newbie certified inspector. He failed to inspect the slides for water damage. a year later the slide floor needs to be replaced.
Good advice, Neil. Sorry to hear about your experience.
I would add that spring RV shows you can find bargains on both new and used. The manufacturers are pumping out the new stuff and there can be some deep discounts on dealers current inventory. Must ad Paul you clean up nicely.
Thanks Dan! From time to time I do try to avoid being trailer trash. LOL
I got that covered.
In 2017 i sold my Tour .
To buy a 2014 Newmar King Air it had 19000 miles
The firdt thing New Bridgestones 365 tires And New Batteries .
The i took it to Cummins had the Gen and engine serviced with a Dyno . No it didnt need it Peace of mind
Your videos are so thorough. Glad i found them before i buy an RV. Getting one this month! can't wait!!!!!!!!!!! See you out there.
+Charlie Hogland Thanks Charlie! Congratulations on your upcoming purchase, and safe travels. Have a blast out there!
We will. Thanks again for your videos. The combination of your professional voice, thorough explanations and in depth details, its so helpful. You should see my notes! thanks to you. haha
Great job guys! Thanks....much appreciated and I learned quite a bit.
Thanks for the advice on New vs. used RV's. I was thinking along the same lines as you were in that I plan to purchase a newer used RV pretty soon. Also thanks for mentioning the website RVtrader.com. I'm definitely going to check them out.
I am working my way through your videos. This is great information. Martha and I have worked our way through the pros and cons of purchasing new or used. We have settled on a pre-loved Class A but our RV will need to be between 2002-2006 model years. The units that fit our "must have" "and "available during those model years" list are:
Winnebago - Journey and Latitude series
Alpha - See Ya
Holiday Rambler - Ambassador
Tiffin - Allegro
Do you have any "special" knowledge of those units that I might include in my inspection list while viewing these coaches?
Thanks in advance guys,
Charlie and Martha
That's great that you've narrowed your search to such a specific list. One of these brands you mentioned is in a different category that the other three in one particular aspect: Alpha. That's because the company doesn't exist any more, so the owners are "orphaned" when it comes to factory support, since there is none. Not that that means there aren't still good aspects to Alphas, but it does mean that in the event of a major problem requiring factory help to solve, you'd have one less major resource to fall back on.
We know two people with Winnebago motorhomes who seem to spend their entire lives in the shop, but that anecdotal experience doesn't mean much, and there are surely many happy Winny owners, since it's such a big brand. Tiffin has a very good reputation as a company, but a lot of that comes from the fact that the factory service is renowned. But if you don't typically RV near Red Bay, AL (we don't), that benefit won't do you much good. Holiday Rambler has a good reuptation, too.
Obviously we have no personal experience with any of these brands, since we've only owner a 2002 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel, and a 2005 Newmar. The best thing we can suggest to get the widest range of input from actual owners of these brands and vintages of RV would be the respective owners groups on the iRV2 forums. You can join for free at irv2.com/forums and read, read, read what people are saying about their own experiences. You'll see what people are having trouble with, what common problems might be, etc. And of course you can ask questions, too, but in this case, we'd suggest at least starting off by joining all available owners forums for each of these brands, and sitting back and watching the threads. You'll learn from the owners about the good, bad and ugly. ;-)
Thanks for that. I thought I had checked the See Ya for information on their parent company. I appreciate your telling me that. So, scratch off another one I guess. We really liked that layout of the two that we have seen. Currently my car is for sale and pending it leaving I will be starting in earnest with our final hunt for the "one." It has been a long road indeed.
Charlie N Martha
Good Idea to look online and see more variety. I have been looking and do think that buying an RV that is 3-5 years old is great.
great video. Hope to retire in 3 years and love how you did the pros and cons on new and used.
You guys are right on the money! Great advice........................buy USED!
I didn't read all the comments so if I am repeating I am sorry but another relatively cheap and effective upgrade to an older rig is LED interior lights they are easier on the batteries and generator/ inverter
We're with you Dan! Great advice. We have a whole video series on how we did just that, and we love our LEDs!
I think the pro of buying new is not having to worry about major system failure for a while...engine, transmission, electrical systems, plumbing, etc. IF one has the money to buy new, the peace of mind may be worth considering.
+marsha brockman buying new still carriers those risk. Its just less likely but I have seen first hand RVs somehow make it pass inspections make it to a dealer and something be wrong. From a well known brand as well. Jayco. But you have your warranties to fall back on when buying new. Its still a mixed bag on which idea would be best.
It in the end come all down to your current state. How much you have, your own skills on what you might be able to do with the RV once you have it. Maybe you have the skills to rebuild engines, or repair roofs and not allot money. That could make getting used better then ever getting new. because then you can save money and when you restore it to make it to really say you.
Ive seen some people buy brand new and be unwilling to do allot customization after the sell like paint the inside, or screw in things that maybe good for you but not for the next owners if you decide to sell later and may loose value even more then the normal depreciation.
but again it all comes down to you the user. There never really going to be a way to generalize which is truly best.
Also, just because an rv is new does not mean some of the hardware is new. Literlly, we had our deadbolt go out withen the first week.
I've been looking at used RVs for a while now. I think I would need to go 2008 or newer. 2008 is when they started putting in flat screens and I have yet to see a good upgrade where someone put a 40" flat screen in a spot that held a 32" or smaller tube TV