To trade in or not to trade!

firedaniel · 04-14-2012, 09:34 PM

I have a 26tbss we have had for about 1 1/2 years and love it! It has 3 bunks for three kids and we have really been enjoying it. I want to put a king bed up front for my wife and I. I can modify it and make it work... I also have a few other things I have thought about changing up. My dad suggested trading in and trying to get something different, I got a great price when I bought it but didn't tout anything down... Any ideas if I should trade in or just change up what I have? As always I value your opinions.

Thanks
Daniel

LadyWindrider · 04-14-2012, 10:10 PM

Owned 1.5 years. Tire wear, brake wear. Bearings need repacking? This would be something to look at on the trailer you have. Didn't say how many miles it has been towed, or whether towed in flat country or mountains. If you can do the bearings and brakes your self, no big deal. Tires, about $600 or up a set. Now with that in mind, and the cost of the mods you could make, and the payoff on your loan....... Then the cost of a new trailer, and interest rate you hope for....

Sorry, I don't have much else. Your billfold, and your checkbook. Might try NADA and get a value on your trailer, vs amount owed, if any, to help wit trade in value if you decide to swap.

rkswyo · 04-14-2012, 10:25 PM

Personally if you decide to get a new trailer you would be much better off to sell your trailer rather than trading it in. I just did this same thing about 3 months ago and got $4000 more selling it on my own versus trading it in.

donn · 04-14-2012, 10:38 PM

Keep it. You already know what you want to change, Changing those few items would be cheap compared to the increase in payments. Heck, last year it was 400 dollars worth of new batteries. This year it was 800 worth of new tires. I have also installed a second AC, sat dish on the roof, 250 watts of solar, inverter, plus countless ither items to make it better than when I bought it. I understand I will never get out of it what I have invested. So what? It is now what we want. Repacking wheel bearings is an easy job, tires? Well your going to have to buy them sooner or later. Brakes? That's a joke, Unless your brakes are grossly maladjusted or you have towed thousands of miles will last you another 5 to 10 years. At this point in time you are up side down with your current trailer and there is no way anybody is going to bail you out. So unless you are willing to absorb the loss and then spend lots of a new one, you will be far better off keeping what you have.

**Terier** · 04-14-2012, 11:27 PM

It's 6-1 & a half dozen to the other. There are pros and cons to either choice. Regardless of the RV age only you can know when the right time is to trade.

My first thought was to keep it but I have no idea how much work the mods especially the bed would be. There's not much to go on in your post so I am wondering which direction you are leaning towards.

firedaniel · 04-15-2012, 08:06 AM

Not quite sure which way yet. Tires axles bearings are all new replaced under warranty. I had major issues but the dealer took care of it...

crocus · 04-15-2012, 08:17 AM

Unless you want a bigger camper, or one that is totally different, keep yours. You have already gone through the hassle of replacing things under warranty, so you know your camper is good now. Buy another new one, and you might have similar problems.
At 18 months old, nothing needs to be replaced. Your tires are good for years, and that is the only major wear item.
No matter how cheap you got this one, trading up always costs a lot of money. The first few years are the worst for depreciation.
JMO

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