One of the purposes of our “Campfire Questions” is to consider a variety of issues that RV owners face. But it goes beyond RV owners, because many people who check out LongLongHoneymoon.com are researching RV purchases. They may be debating whether to pull the trigger on an Airstream purchase, or another type of RV.
Bear in mind that even IF you currently own an RV, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself RV shopping again. A lot of people change RVs, moving up or down in size, or switching between travel trailers and fifth wheels and motor homes. So even if you already have an RV, it’s always wise to consider the shopping process, and making your next RV deal a good one…
There’s a lot to ponder when purchasing an RV. Although there are similarities with buying a car, it’s not the same. I mean, most of us grow up with some basic knowledge of cars; we all know the difference between a sedan and a SUV, right? But many of us have no clue when it comes to RVs. . Quick, can you tell me the differences between a Class B and a Class C motorhome? Maybe you can now, but you probably couldn’t when you first started looking for an RV.
One of the fundamental issues RV purchasers all confront, sooner or later, is whether to buy a NEW or USED RV. There are valid arguments to be made on both sides. This is ultimately a personal choice. Some might see it as strictly financial, but there’s more involved than just moula. I’ll outline a few pluses and minuses here. (Note that the issue is complicated if you are interested in Airstream travel trailers, since the desirable vintage units are all, by definition, used.)
Advantages to buying a NEW RV:
1. You can choose your preferred model & floor plan
If you’re buying new, you might as well get EXACTLY what you want. Getting an appropriate floor plan for your needs is crucial. Getting a “perfect” floor plan is priceless!
2. You get the latest RV technology.
Okay, at first glance “RV technology” seems a bit of an oxymoron. I mean, the technology of water tanks and propane lines is pretty mature and doesn’t change much from year to year. That said, there may be a few bells & whistles (flat screen TVs, media packages, etc.) on new models. Newer RVs are typically more spacious. (For example, Airstream switched all models to “widebody” dimensions in 1996.) And a few manufacturers push the envelope with regard to innovation. Sure, you may not need that mechanical screen porch that extends at the press of a button, but isn’t it cool?
3. You get a manufacturer’s warranty.
An RV is basically an apartment on wheels. Use it enough, and something will go wrong. Heck, even if you don’t use it, something will go wrong. With a warranty at least the manufacturer will pick up the repair tab.
4. It’s new!
Let’s face it. New is nice, whether it’s a car, tow vehicle, or a RV. When you buy used, there’s always a slight linger of doubt with regard to the unit’s history. Sure, it may appear to have been well maintained — but do you really know? And everyone loves that new car smell.
But what about the USED market? Unlike cars, RVs are not driven daily. Most are not used daily. Heck, many are barely used at all! When shopping for a used RV, it’s possible to find some incredible deals.
TRUE STORY: A friend of mine bought a NEW travel trailer, kept it in storage for a few months, and then resold it for a loss — having NEVER even SLEPT in it! The story is a bit unusual but hardly the only one of its kind. I once met a fellow who bought four year old Airstream Classic that was so new, it still had plastic wrap on the couch. The pre-owned market is replete with nice used RVs that have seen minimal actual usage. If you conduct a patient search, you can find what you want in “like new” condition — at a used price.
Advantages to buying a USED RV:
1. Lower up front cost.
RV values depreciate just like the values of cars, boats, and other such items. One recent depreciation chart states that the average new RV loses 35% off its full MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) in the first year of ownership. It loses 10% in the second year. So by year three, the RV is already worth 45% less than its original MSRP.
2. Less depreciation.
That depreciation chart I mentioned? It also shows that after the first few years, the depreciation curve levels out considerably. The RV depreciates 10% in year two, 6% in year three, and by year six it depreciates 5% or less annually. In other words, if you buy an RV that’s just a few years old, someone else has already taken the major depreciation hit. Not only do you enter the deal at a more attractive up front price, your rig will hold its value better than a brand new unit.
There’s an excellent financial book called The Millionaire Next Door. The authors studied the behavior and habits of American millionaires, and report their findings in the book. The book’s key message is that frugality and smart shopping lead to a high net worth. The majority of American millionaires NEVER buy new vehicles. They buy used vehicles that have depreciated a bit, so they can instead place their money in assets that will increase in value.
3. Customization
In the Airstream owners community, the hippest trailers are vintage units customized to their owners’ delight. All vintage Airstreams are “used.” Sure, new Airstreams are lovely and offer some amenities not present on the vintage rigs. But vintage units have a style and panache that is simply unmatched.
To a certain extent, the option of customization exists in all RVs, but it makes more sense in a used rig. I mean, if you are buying a new RV, why wouldn’t you just start with the interior you want? With a used rig, there will be fewer pangs of guilt should you decide to replace the flooring or upgrade the cabinetry and recover the couch. To a certain extent, an RV is like a home. You can decorate and renovate it to your desire. If you buy used, you can immediately start making those small changes that make a big difference to you.
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New or Used? Some final thoughts…
As mentioned above, if you want to pick up a hip vintage Airstream, then by definition you will be buying a used unit. Many people buy old Airstreams and renovate the trailers from the shell up. The key is to find one with “good bones,” but that’s another topic of discussion.
Another factor is how long you plan to keep the RV. Are you the type of person who frequently buys and sells this sort of thing? Then buying a brand spankin’ new unit may not make sense, due to the steep initial depreciation. Repeatedly buying and selling new, expensive, rapidly depreciating assets is a recipe for financial disaster.
On the other hand, are you a “buy and hold” type? Do you know EXACTLY what you want? Then maybe it makes sense for you to buy a new RV. Sure, you’ll weather the effects of massive depreciation, but if you are keeping the unit for a long time then it arguably doesn’t matter as much. The cost is amortized over time.
Have you never owned an RV before in your life? If so, then maybe a used model would be the safest bet. (When testing water temperatures, gingerly dip your big toe instead of leaping headfirst into the deep end.)
Have you never RV’d before in your life? Please, try one out before making a purchase. Borrow a friend’s, spend the night in a KOA Airstream, or try one of Cruise America’s motorhome rental deals. It’s definitely wise to try before you buy.
Any thoughts on the NEW versus USED issue? Feel free to chime in…
We bought a used 2001 fifth wheel in ’05. I think it was the best option for us. We had set a budget and made a list of all the options and floorplans we wanted. This unit was the best fit for our family. Yes, we have had a few repairs over the years, but most of them would have not been covered by a new policy (i.e. low branch putting a tear in the roof, and flat tires). All of our repairs occurred after we had owned it over 2 years. Always when purchasing used get an independent inspection done. By purchasing used we were able to get what we wanted and stay in a budget. If we had purchased an expensive new RV we would feel like every vacation we must use it to get our monies worth. Now when we want to take a vacation without the RV (like a cruise), we don’t feel bad.
Ahhhh the question is.. is new better made than the old.
while new has lots of high tech goodies… which most can be added to the older RV’s too … you just can’t get around the age of the used factor. A lot of parts for the old RV’s are not made anymore. (i.e Ford said that they will not support their PU trucks over 10 years old) So also went the RV manufacture and his suppliers when the ecom went soft. After all they were in it to make money.
A lot of older RV’s have been sitting and mold is a major problem.
that being said, if you don’t mind doing some work on the older RV’s you can buy a whopper for pennies on the dollar as the oldies are getting out of RV’n and not many are taking it up due to the confusion about save the whales, save the wilderness, planet, sun, moon, etc etc… and not save themselves or their money and enjoy what is…
Getting back to the orginal topic of old vs new. In the older Airstreams you have a lot of craftsmanship with wood designs. The newer ones we have seen are lacking that and (as I call it) engineered home’ly’ness. The new ones are all like your living in a beer can. No interior decore like the older ones have. (new has plain alu interior old has vynal coated metal…with a pattern..more expensive too) Ya it means more maintenance from the little lady in taking care of the wood items, but, I am not one for looking as metal and thinking its decore when on the inside. No variety, no decore… just simplicity and cheap metal. Which turns one into a mach instead of home’ly individuals nest on the road. 😉
Now the new ones are all production items. By this I mean.. if you want the bathroom at the rear… and closed off.. nada they don’t make it that way anymore… why.. well because they took some of the metal out of the frame going from the rear truck (wheels) back to the rear.. to lighten the trailer up so that you can pull it with a go-kart and make mileage doing it. Nice if that is all you want. I have pictures of the older trailers that beatrice foods made (nice interiors lots of decore.) ….where the long ones 31-4 footers when towed over rough roads come apart. (bet airstream doesn’t like that being known) but, it was more because they put the holding tanks in the rear under the bathroom which then caused a larger moment on the trailer frame. Today Airstream knows about the problems of the early adventure.. so to speak… and so puts the bathroom in the center where the holding tanks and weight don’t have such a large moment. Now the problem is where the hitch joins into the frame. as most are using weight equalizing hitches that can overstress the design limits of the tube’n frame at the hitch. Again its not because Airstream didn’t know about it.. but rather the sales people pushed the idea that you can tow one with a toy or short coupled vehicle… (which I wouldn’t.. and why I use a PU truck.. with lots of weight and STRONG running gear…they don’t make good stationwag’s any more that have big brakes, transmissions and engines) So the user today demands a lighter easy to tow trailer… with more room and less maintenance.. i.e cheap.
So now we get down to the real bottom line… how much. For what you are going to use it for.
Saddly I look around and see lots of RV’s parked for years at a time. The orginal owners had every intention of using it during their golden years but other things block them from enjoying the fruits of their labor and youth. So their they sit and rot. Not in the driveway.. No..NO.. most now have laws that you have to have YOUR Rv stored ina authorized approved storeage facility. Some costing as much as 400 bux a month.. thats almost 5,000 dollars a year. Which then brings up the real value which is linked to real enjoyment. And as all things mechanical, they wear out with age and use.. thus needing repairs and parts… and them RV parts arn’t cheap …
then the question becomes ..owning or renting… which is better and more economical…in the long run. something to be said with the pride of ownership but, bottom line is cost weather its new or used.
By the way this same ideology can be applied to tow vehicles too.
Ok so what is the bottom line… well one should ask themselves (after reviewing their resouces) … how much can I afford and how much will it cost ….. then that be your direction.
Ok Sean…. lets drop the cut to’s ….outtakes between issues… in the video…as it goes no where… creats confusion in the views mind kinda thing… And I perfer …instead of focus on one subject talking in a fixed position… a VO and some views of others doing what is being described. You never show a pic of the old vs new from the inside…etc… (you show new bathroom… but old? ) Like the addtion of the sound effects but, dwelling on the sales cost… ahhh almost like it was disorg’ed) … and you opened up pandoras box with this one.. you ain’t done yet… as we describe below…
Might want to cover the sale of a stolen RV also…so the person that is running out and looking for that almost new one is not taken advantage of.
.. and what is new and what is used like new.. as to AS you have New then almost new and finally really old being at the other end of the spectrum i.e vintage
Might also want to follow up with.. what to look for .. good and bad… what will cost you to fix… and what to run from if found in a airstream… go through the cost of replacement parts such as .. add says.. good trailer but needs water heater.. ops did it rot the floor? how much is a water heater going to cost to replace.. can you do it yourself? Those kinds of things might be a good trailer (video) to make up also… so that when you see the add and it says .. all it needs is a front vent cover… ( one that is not made anymore) one will know… ops not for me… instead of paying out hard earned cash and finding out late… what do you mean they quit making them 20 years ago… kinda thing… 🙂
Have fun down in the islands .. man… where beer is replaced with rum…
Another option is to buy last years model. Which is what we did. Got a great 2009 fifth wheel that was substantially less than the 2010 models and its new.
DARNIT!
Not sure if it’s me or what..but this video is gone, too! I think there should be one?
I see there was not one to be found on the Jamaica trip yet..sure hope there is! Though I think you might have just left everything behind and taken a TRUE vacation?
Is a vacation to you guys always work involved, still? Or is the video making still FUN…hence why you are still doing it? Having watched some from quite a few years back…somewhere in South America, if I am remembering correctly? Peru? Maybe I am on the wrong continent…anyway, it was a Walkabout Production. Pretty long and involved…you must know what I am talking about! LOL!!
Just curious if this still holds the same FUN aspect for you still? I certainly hope it does…cause you are both SO GOOD at it 🙂
Brenda