sheilph2 wrote: I'd really appreciate how all of you have wrestled with this problem, as I am sure you have thought about it.
It is hard enough coping with today's realities without adding the burden (drag) of imaginary problems. Go for it... and enjoy whatever time you are allotted -- ten minutes or ten years.
"Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge." ~ Lau Tzu
"It's tough to make predictions, especially when it involves the future." ~ Attributed to many
Well, just a few other ideas for you to consider:
First, if Fleetwood goes under, like another already said, you should still get service to most of the individual components. Also, the warranty period isn't that long, and the stuff that goes out usually isn't covered by warranty anyhow. At least not in my case!
Second, I don't see the RV industry collapsing, just changing. Already a friend who sells RV's said they are giving top dollar to towables on trade in, and very little on motorhomes. You'll probably see more class B's and C's developed over the next few years getting better gas mileage, but maybe less demand for class A's.
Third, if you're concerned about gas going to $10 per gallon, you might consider a towable instead. That way you can park it and leave it if you wish, but still have the use of the tow vehicle with better gas mileage while it's not towing the trailer.
Finally, as someone else touched upon, if you're not absolutely certain, then maybe it's not the right decision right now. Don't jump into something just because of the rebate. It sounds like maybe there is some more thinking and discussion that needs to take place. And since people are citing quotations, here's one: Buy in haste, repent in leisure. I don't know who said that, but it's kept me from more than one instance of buyers remorse!
Buy used. Easy to get a good deal right now. Then you won't have a warranty, and you won't care if Fleetwood goes under.
You can get parts anywhere. If you're going to own one, best to know how it works and what all it contains. Once you do that, your confidence level in that fact will rise substantially and you won't worry about it any more.
If gas goes to $10, more people will be living per force in RV's anyway. You'll have no trouble selling, providing you didn't overspend in the first place.
Don't mistake an RV for an investment. It's a depreciating asset. Sink your cash in a sinkhole you like, at least! I'd vote for a little more age and a little higher quality, but that's just me. (Used to live where they did the box installs - cabinetry, etc. Never met anyone who worked there that actually wanted to own one. Especially since I often heard comments as to how great it was to get to do 'real quality' work on their own homes in their off hours. A limited birdseye view, but I took that as gospel and chose something else. YMMV, of course.)
Yes, I agree with Serena. Look at a used RV. IMHO, check out Tiffin or Newmar. Obviously other people will have other "favorite" RV brands.
We purchased a 1994 Newmar Mountain Aire over 5 years ago now. And we have been very pleased. Yes, parts wear out but, just about everything in our MH is orginal with 65,000 miles driven.
Best Wishes !
If you are not both 100% comfortable with the decision to purchase this unit now, then walk away. You can always buy it later.
But as others have said, I would consider it unlikely that you would need Fleetwood to back the warranty. I also agree with others who say that you can't worry about wild, highly unlikely events. Will the RV industry collapse? Not very likely. Will gas go to $10 a gallon. Sure, but probably not in the time frame that you are thinking of - probably more like many, many years before gas goes to $10 a gallon.
There was someone else on here who asked about buying a particular unit and was worried about the resale value. I think the general consensus was, why worry about resale? You are buying it for yourself. Again, if you are not comfortable buying it today, then walk away.
Two years ago, before my wife and I had bought our first RV, I did an analysis to compare the cost of various 'vacation trips' in a car and in an RV. At that time I even went so far as to speculate what would be the impact if gas went to $4.00 a gallon. (Remember, that seemed like a lot 2 years ago.) Well, my numbers still hold true. Given the increase in prices for hotels and meals, it still makes sense for us to travel by RV. And I am sure that it will for years to come!
Not to be mean but if you are that worried and have that many question maybe you can't afford it. I would look for a used one for less money, you will sleep better. Please don't take this the wrong
Pappy, Two Grandkids & Their Dad Camping The Way It Was Meant To Be
F150 SuperCrew 5.4 V8 Wildwood LE 27BHSS
I just polished my crystal ball, so let me consult it and. . . yes, I see it now. . .
Fuel prices will soon be declining, expect $2.50 per gallon at the pumps within 6 months, diesel will drop first - after the Olympics, Congress will soon lift the ban on offshore, Rocky Mountain and Anwar drilling,
Fleetwood will stay solid until your warranty has expired and beyond,
MH's will never be good financial investments, the value will never go up, just down,
The years you spend traveling in your MH will be the most enjoyable of times,
You will have only one life.
Well, that is all that my crystal ball has shown except for the image of you riding high in a MH enjoying all of North America.
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