Resale Value

[jeemery]

I'm wanting to sell my 2008 Forrest River Cardinal, Model 30 SB, but this model is not listed in NADA. How can I find the resale value?

[kozzy]

I would check rv trader online for that model and you will probably get a good idea on what they are selling for around the country. I find that to be a better resource because it really doesn't matter what something is worth, it maters what people are paying to get them.

[Herk7769]

While this may be controversial, it is my opinion that modern travel trailers (not so much motor homes) loose value faster today than campers made previously.

Although you can finance a travel trailer for 10 years; you will be upside down in less than 3. The lightweight frames and sandwich construction methods make hidden damage difficult to find until it is too late to do anything about it.

If someone uses the camper a lot; frame cracks from frequent flexing are a concern. If someone uses it infrequently, then water leaks from poorly maintained roof seams can go undetected until damage is beyond repair.

Buying a used camper can be a great deal since some (very few) actually use and maintain their camper with determination. MOST do not.

At the 5 year point my camper will get a nose cap off NDI inspection of all frame welds since I have spent a lot of time and money modifying and fine tuning my camper to make it mine. Most people will not and have little or no emotional attachment to their camper.

[huntr70]

Are you sure its a 30SB?? Not a 30QSB LE or 31 SB LX?

I don't recall that model....ever....

[B47]

Originally Posted by herk7769

While this may be controversial, it is my opinion that modern travel trailers (not so much motor homes) loose value faster today than campers made previously.

Although you can finance a travel trailer for 10 years; you will be upside down in less than 3. The lightweight frames and sandwich construction methods make hidden damage difficult to find until it is too late to do anything about it.

If someone uses the camper a lot; frame cracks from frequent flexing are a concern. If someone uses it infrequently, then water leaks from poorly maintained roof seams can go undetected until damage is beyond repair.

Buying a used camper can be a great deal since some (very few) actually use and maintain their camper with determination. MOST do not.

At the 5 year point my camper will get a nose cap off NDI inspection of all frame welds since I have spent a lot of time and money modifying and fine tuning my camper to make it mine. Most people will not and have little or no emotional attachment to their camper.

Lou is probably one of the few who will get a NDI inspection performed on his camper. For those of you who don't know what a NDI is, it is a Non Destructive Inspection performed by using X ray or some other inspection method that allows inspection of components without destroying them. It is a common inspection method used in aircraft inspection, among other things.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by B47

Lou is probably one of the few who will get a NDI inspection performed on his camper. For those of you who don't know what a NDI is, it is a Non Destructive Inspection performed by using X ray or some other inspection method that allows inspection of components without destroying them. It is a common inspection method used in aircraft inspection, among other things.

Ultrasonic or Eddy Current testing is not all that expensive when weighed against the value of your camper. There is one near you. There one is about 5 miles from my house. http://www.globalspec.com/local/3106/PA

[h20ski]

I think here will use liquid penetrant or maybe eddy current. Ha ha

[B47]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Ultrasonic or Eddy Current testing is not all that expensive when weighed against the value of your camper.

Probably correct. I was just saying that probably most RV owners (myself included) wouldn't ever think of having a NDI performed on their unit.

BTW - I have been to several NDI schools and with the right equipment, I could perform an Eddy Current test. Really simple both in theory and application.

[B47]

Originally Posted by h20ski

I think here will use liquid penetrant or maybe eddy current. Ha ha

I believe you are confusing "liquid penetrant" with a NDI method called Magnetic Particle Inspection (commonly called Magnafluxing or Magnaflux) that uses a liquid penetrant to detect flaws in components. This method requires some electrical equipment.

Or perhaps you are thinking of a simple NDI method that uses a penetrant that is applied to a component and will show a crack or flaw.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by B47

Probably correct. I was just saying that probably most RV owners (myself included) wouldn't ever think of having a NDI performed on their unit.

BTW - I have been to several NDI schools and with the right equipment, I could perform an Eddy Current test. Really simple both in theory and application.

Zetec Miz 20A Eddy Current Unit NDT Equipment | eBay

and you could be the most popular camper at our next FROG Rally!

[B47]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Zetec Miz 20A Eddy Current Unit NDT Equipment | eBay

and you could be the most popular camper at our next FROG Rally!

Once again - correct.