I have been wondering what seems to be the opportune time to “trade up” for most of you that have done it in the past.
Is it just the time when you are sick of repair bills of an older trailer?
When you are just “done” with the style or model trailer you have?
The family changes and you have just outgrown your unit?
The family changes and it is the thing to do for “empty nesters”?
You just find something else you like?
You just can’t stand something(s) about your trailer anymore?
Or…
The deal on the new rig was too good to pass up?
The deal on the old rig (trade) was too good to pass up?
I’m just curious. I can’t help look at some that have traded close to as many trailers as years they have been camping and just sit back in awe. I just did a little research on upgrading to a new trailer, even though we just got our Jayco 26L last year. The numbers weren’t pretty. Enough shock to just forget it.
There are a few things we don’t care for with our trailer now that we have camped in it a few times, but most of them are not real big deals. The main deal is the bed is just not for my length frame, and I’d just prefer a nice travel trailer instead of a hybrid. The comfort is enough to ruin a good night’s sleep. Maybe my expectations are too high. After all, it is just a trailer… not the Hilton. The other thing I was thinking of was many modifications I’d like to do, but really don’t want to spend the time and money if we really are thinking about upgrading sometime in the nearer future (a couple years, at best). Most involve good money, and are things not likely to be removed and reinstalled in a new unit. Some are things I would order on a new trailer, and not have to install anyway. And, if you must know, some are things that “I” would spend money and time on that the DW would discount as “fluff” and not a legitimate “cost” to add up as a reason to just upgrade to a new trailer.
Any way you cut the cake, it’s a losing battle, which I knew was the case. But, what is the lesser of the evils? Is there a magic time? Do used values taper off at “X” years, so we should consider sweating it out and trading at “X” years? Clearly, out trailer value is dropping, and the new ones are rising. The gap only gets worse as the trailer ages. When do you just jump?
At one time, I had thoughts of buying a trailer to keep for 10+ years. But now, I believe that to keep a trailer ten years will become a box you throw money into. Especially since trailers typically sit outside (ours is kept indoors for the winter only) and the maintenance costs escalate. Besides, let’s face it, these are basically units that are built with “compromised” components that are built to minimize weight and cost, which I think minimizes longevity and durability, too. I just think that after ten years, thousands of miles, and many, many, many days under the weather, a lightweight trailer is going to show its age and the value be adjusted accordingly. And, I’m a meticulous owner who washes down the awning and tenting each time I put the trailer away. Am I way off base here, or should we opt to find exactly what we’d like to have for the next ten years and go for it? I can’t see running our 26L for ten more years, but with the $10k it looks like to trade up now, we may have to find a way to make her last… a looooong time.
We changed as our wants and needs changed. No other reason.
RRUGG
2008 Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 SB Cummins 6 speed auto 3.73
1997 Holiday Rambler 29FK travel trailer
2006 Summit 22RB travel trailer
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
Bob & Grace professional retirees
Good Sam life members
Whatever you decide the choice to sell and upgrade will be a easier pill to swallow as long as you sell the unit yourself. This will ensure you recieve the most for your current unit and that you can walk in on a "wholesale" deal elsewhere.
If you can price your unit right through craigslist.com, EBay, local swap/trade magazine's, etc. and then buy from a "wholesaler" you can make out well.
I have traded/sold every few years, but that's industry average.
Michael 2 DD's and my DW 6 Acre's of Maine 2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB 2008 Chevy 2500HD Ext. Cab LT 4X4 Camping Pictures
If your thinking about it then thats the time to move up. I gather your thinking about what you dont like in the TT you have so safe to say you really want to upgrade lol. Go for it if the fianceing is good, with me im paying the same amount now as i was 3 years ago, just 2 years longer
jerry
23ss Roo 09
chevy 09 Silverado 5.3 V8 3.73
DW,4boys all grown, GC 5 boys 5 girls ages 8 down to 1
http://community.webshots.com/user/jerr7
Equalizer hitch
ultra fab 3500 Power Jack
When momma is no longer happy with it. Our circumstances changed, we wanted a bit more room, had a few extra dollars and both of us felt it was time. The adventure began, we went to a rv show, sat in a bunch, grabbed all the literature we could find and found a few that appealed to both of us.
Enjoy the adventure.
IMPO, any of your reasons are "good" enough, but I would seriously consider what you lose on the dealings. Sometimes that can be a ridiculous cost just for upgrading for upgrading sake. Especially if you are less than a 30 night per year camper... If you can live with it the nevermind. It's all a matter of personal choice there.
The other thing is that I would recommend you "try on" a TT in the price range you're shopping in. I say this because you obviously have an issue with sleeping comfort (I understand as indicated in my prior response to you being 6'-5" myself) and quite honestly most TTs in a comparable/slightly higher price range have no more comfortable of a bed... Granted, you can have a custom mattress made though for a TT with a stationary bed, so maybe that's your decision right there... If it is, look in your yellow pages for a custom mattress company locally as you will save $100s over those just for the TT/RV crowd as my sister found after I recommended a company to her. Anyway, what I am saying is see if you can find a rental similar to what you want for a weekend trip to see if it's any better.
All in all, you have to feel like your camper "fits" you in order to really enjoy it, want to use it, and build the memories. Also, every camper from a PUP to a MH requires plenty of maintenance and just like your stick-built home, you have to customize it to fit your lifestyle...
Our Coleman Santa Fe was a 10-year to us camper. I too am meticulous and that PUP looked new even though it saw unbelievable miles and nights camped! Sure, I had to patch tenting burned by an ember, repaint the frame, replace and upgrade the axle, hack of the swivel jack and install a better unit, repair the ABS, rebuild the front bulkhead, replaces lights, reshoe it twice, and heavily modified the unit overall. However, we got every penny out of it - bought it cash as a show leftover and sold it 10 years later for $2000 less than we bought it for in a bidding war because it was that nice!
Just because you asked the question in the first place makes me think you're ready for a change, otherwise you wouldn't even be thinking about it. So, go ahead! Don't let excuses twist your arm any more! Just do it!
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
My DW said all it takes for me to sell and buy something else is to"get a hair
up my butt". One TT I bought she had time to stock it and then I sold it before we even used it. I buy low and sell high. Nothing but real clean RVs whether they are MH, TT, 5th w, campers etc. One year I had 6 RVs. It is surprising how some people buy a RV and use it several times and decide it is not for them.
Then if I am lucky I am there to offer them less than low book
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