I went to the RV Show here in Las vegas today. I looked for a TC and talked to the dealers there. There are none in Las Vegas. The dealers told me they don't carry them due to the pricing. They cannot sell them at the prices asked when they can sell most trailers or 5th wheels for the same or less. The equipment in them is the same as in the other RVs and they cannot convince buyers of the cost justified by the TC. So they don't and wont carry them. One told me they used to sell Lance and were looking again but the prices are just too high for what they are. That is what I got today when I asked.
I also got some brochures from a CA dealer and the pricing for the Lances and Bigfoot was over $50k with "sale pricing" at about $43K. THAT is not a sale to me!
Frank
When I was at the RV show here a few weeks back. TC's were selling as well as 5th wheels if not better & you could get a pretty fancy 5th wheel for the same price you could buy a camper like a Bigfoot or Snowriver. You will see very few large rigs in government campsites or forestry sites around here. They do not angle the entrances to spots, so backing a trailer or 5th wheel into them is near impossible. That leaves you blacktopped RV parks as an alternative. That ain't camping. That is why TC's sell so well in the Pacific NW.
sirdrakejr wrote: I went to the RV Show here in Las vegas today. I looked for a TC and talked to the dealers there. There are none in Las Vegas. The dealers told me they don't carry them due to the pricing. They cannot sell them at the prices asked when they can sell most trailers or 5th wheels for the same or less. The equipment in them is the same as in the other RVs and they cannot convince buyers of the cost justified by the TC. So they don't and wont carry them. One told me they used to sell Lance and were looking again but the prices are just too high for what they are. That is what I got today when I asked.
I also got some brochures from a CA dealer and the pricing for the Lances and Bigfoot was over $50k with "sale pricing" at about $43K. THAT is not a sale to me!
Frank
Let me see... Dealers who do not sell truck campers (insert any brand of RV they don't handle for that matter) badmouthing them...Yea, that's a new one
sirdrakejr wrote: They cannot sell them at the prices asked when they can sell most trailers or 5th wheels for the same or less. The equipment in them is the same as in the other RVs and they cannot convince buyers of the cost justified by the TC. So they don't and wont carry them.
I'm still brand new to all this, but it sure seems TCs are a lot more popular out West than here in the Northeast. So is there something unique to the Vegas area RV market, or is every other TC dealer in the country using Jedi mind tricks to sell campers? Seems to me what they're really saying is "We don't know how to sell them".
We have wrestled with the same question and have always come back to the truck camper. Yes, you can get more living space for less money. However, we concluded that we go RVing to be outdoors. We spend little time in the tc unless the weather doesn't cooperate.
When we travelled to Alaska last year we found countless other advantages.
1. The Marine Highway (ferry) is cheaper.
2. Many campgrounds limit the length of the RV. We have even been able to claim the last site reserved for tents.
3. Pulling off the road, turning around, parking in supermarket lots and general maneuvering is much easier.
4. I used my son's 35 ft. class C two summers ago. I liked the idea of getting up and walking around while travelling. However, I paid more for every fuel stop. With diesel fuel almost $5 a gallon in some places in Canada last summer, it is a major consideration.
5. For those not mechanically inclined, it is easy to maintain and do minor repairs. Winterization and other chores take little time.
6. Cleaning, sealing and waxing take far less time and effort.
I too, have wondered why the cost is so high. However, I have found the savings while travelling, as well as the tremendous flexibility and little time in maintenance is worth the extra cost per square foot.
I have both an Arctic Fox fifth wheel that I bought new for around $30,000 and a used Lance I bought for about $10,000. In my opinion, the Lance was the better deal. First, buying it used from an individual, I didn't have to pay any sales tax. Knowing what I do now, I'd never buy another RV new. Also, as some have mentioned, there are ongoing expenses the 5ver has that don't apply to the Lance, to wit:
1. No need to buy insurance on the Lance annually.
2. No vehicle registration fee.
3. No recurring expense for tires.
4. Easier to find free camping spots in the Lance.
5. Significantly better fuel mileage with Lance.
Seems like there are a few other things I can't think of right now. All in all, I love my Fox on those increasingly rare occasions when I want to travel in stately splendor. But if I had to turn loose of one of my RV's, it would be the 5ver. Sometimes less is more.
The dealers did NOT "bad mouth" the TCs. They said the costs were too high to sell when the trailers that were larger sell for the same or less. That is not bad mouthing them. As far as why Las Vegas has no dealers, those answers I got explained that for me.
Frank
It does seem that the TC concept is much more popular out west. You are blessed with all that open land BLM ect. Here in the midwest everyone (not everyone) most folks like the RV resort with the drive through sites and olympic swimin pools and the activities director to keep the kids and the grandparents occupied on Sat night. You can pull your boat with the MH or the 5. If you have 2.3 kids a couple dogs and you want to impress the nieghbors those larger rigs look pretty good. TC's are kind of frowned upon as entry level or "redneck" its really because they don't know any better. They don't really know what nature and real camping are. We went to Alaska with my family in 72 with a 69 ford camper special and a cobra TC I've been a convert ever since. Maybe I am just trying to relive that summer. I would not trade my Lance for anything right now but sometimes those 5s look awfully tempting and I travel alone. Thanks for listening.
sirdrakejr wrote: ....I also got some brochures from a CA dealer and the pricing for the Lances and Bigfoot was over $50k with "sale pricing" at about $43K. THAT is not a sale to me!
Well those prices reflect top of the line units. Both brands make less expensive versions that you might want to look at.
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