When do you decide to replace your RV...

[rollscanardly]

...even though you you have no complaints about your current RV?


It's one thing to upgrade because you've decided that your current RV lacks some of the features that you wish it had. I get that.


But, if you have an RV that you're happy with, when do you decide to trade it in for a new one? For what reason(s)?



Rich

 

[dward51]

For us that would be a very hard decision. If we were happy and had no issues, there is something to be said for "paid for". I have never been one to chase the newest model of vehicle or anything else. Plus once you have spent time to deal with the inevitable issues on one unit, why start the process all over again on another one just for the sake of upgrading? Easier to maintain what you know (and cheaper too).

Of course if you are even considering an upgrade, then you apparently are not as happy with your current choice as it may at first seem?

 

[Kimber45]

A complex equation of equity and value of currant unit (or lack there of) and the cost of a new unit VS your level of income and how bad you really want a new unit. Campers loose their value quickly at first then flatten out a bid after 3-6 years. Ive bought new 5 times in about 12 years because I wanted to.

 

[TitanMike]

I had a travel trailer I really liked and had no complaints about for 22 years. It developed a roof leak I not only couldn't fix, but didn't want to.

Sold it and bought my current TT.

I tend to keep things until I get my money's worth. Why change unless you reach the point that any repairs are more extensive, or expensive, than the RV's is worth. Then it's time to get new.

 

[Tigger1]

1. When someone (him, her, or both) is not happy with some of the current features even though they were fine with them when they bought it but now want to travel farther because their priorities have changed. For ex. shower size, having to put bed up/down every day, recliners AND dinette, more counter space, more storage space, easier access to wardrobe.

2. When you spend hours upon hours looking online at all the new models then going to a huge RV Show like Hershey and seeing that there ARE other units that have what you want AND will still fit onto the driveway.

It’s an expensive trial and error experience though.

 

[clcornell]

All being said, it’s a personal decision. I like to keep my things that are paid off.

 

[wtbuck12]

For us that would be a very hard decision. If we were happy and had no issues, there is something to be said for "paid for". I have never been one to chase the newest model of vehicle or anything else. Plus once you have spent time to deal with the inevitable issues on one unit, why start the process all over again on another one just for the sake of upgrading? Easier to maintain what you know (and cheaper too).

Of course if you are even considering an upgrade, then you apparently are not as happy with your current choice as it may at first seem?

X2 on that.

 

[BehindBars]

Had our first Class C for 22 years. No real complaints. Since brand new RVs are so poorly built and require a lot of fixing up, I decided to wait to replace it until I had adequate time to work on it (now). I also realized I would not be alive for ever, so why not replace it and have something different? The new one isn’t leaps and bounds better. Surprisingly little technology has changed from the 1995 model to the 2020. We gave up a few things and gained others. It’s just different. I expect the current one to be the last one we’ll own, unless somehow the RV industry gets their act together and offers something with much better quality and features.

 

[Hatchdog]

Just this year we sold our 2007 (bought new that year) and purchased our current Rockwood. For us as we are now retired we plan to take longer trips in both distance and length of time. Our former trailer had a corner bed and no seating other than the dinette. It did come with a swivel rocker but it took up too much floor space so we left it home. Also the former trailer was very limited for storage. We bought it for a long weekend to a week trip within a couple of hundred miles of home.

Our new trailer is only 4’ Longer but has two slides rather than one. Also because it has a bed slide we have great wardrobe storage both hanging and drawers. Much better floor plan for our future travel plans and many updated features like power jack and stabilizers, power awning, fireplace and tv.

Yes, our old trailer was paid for and the new one is not but we did sell the old one and apply all the money to the down on the new one.

 

[bikendan]

For us, we change rigs when our camping style changes.
Started with tents till we got older and wanted off the ground. Went to Popups to accomplish that. Then wanted more amenities so moved to a hybrid TT. Then we retired and wanted easier setup so bought our current TT.
Our final move may be to a 5th wheel.

 

[H20loo]

Dumb luck

Bought our trailer at an auction thinking if the DW doesn’t like it I would sell it. 103 camping days later my DW has toured many nice tt but sez she loves our layout and it checks all her “must have” boxes.
Too bad, I have the itch to trade lol.

 

[rollscanardly]

Interesting viewpoints.

I'm in the dward 51 camp. If what I own is paid for, and suits my needs I'm keeping it, until the repair costs don't make sense anymore.

Plus, I've always admired older vehicles, etc. that are in nice shape for their age.

New is nice, but payments are not.....

Then, again, DW and I are newbies that haven't ventured out much. But...she recently retired, and I'll be retiring in 288 more days. Can't wait! After that, we'll be hitting the road more. Then, we'll get to decide what we really need.

As of now, we love our little camper. Just what we need and not much more.

Rich

 

[Gottaluvlife]

For us..we are weighing pros vs con between our current Mini Lite upgrade to Ultra Lite.
Current RV pros: paid off, already fixed/modified to make it our own. Cons: too small for longer trips or overnight guest (yes! Adult children still want to crash a night or two when camping nearby)
New RV cons: More $, worried about finding those little annoying factory blunders that need to be fixed. Smaller bathroom. Need to upgrade Tow vehicle.
Pros: Will be able to plan longer trips (we both are retired,), room for occasional overnight guest, Separate bedroom.
Still deciding!

 

[lswartz]

We went to the RV show at the MD Fairgrounds to see the new models last month. The TT we liked best was the same model we have. Seemed like an easy decision to make, just keep our TT for another year. Bigger TT’s weren’t any better and the smaller TT’s were just too small. I would like to see an Oliver though or even a Lance.

My advice, if you current TT does what you want then keep it. When it doesn’t, sell it and get one that does.

 

[jughrad]

When the DW tells me to. LOL

 

[rollscanardly]

So...on the flip side...

...has anyone had an RV that they were very happy with, but decided to buy a different one (for whatever reasons), and regret not keeping the old one??


Rich

 

[Cabinfever97]

We had our first TT, a bunkhouse, for 5 years. After the kids wernt going anymore we decided we wanted a RL. We will keep this one for a long time. We are usually like others and like paid for and get all the good out of our purchases, large and small.

 

[jwfrede]

You replace it when you have the money and the hassle of buying a new one is less than hassles/problems with the old one.

Assuming my present trailer was perfect for what I needed and I could replace it with a nearly identical new one for just a $1000(instead of actual cost of maybe $30k) I'd probably buy a new one every 4-5 years or so. Things start to break, newer trailers often have better features, etc. New trailers don't cost just $1000, but if you have tons of cash its the same thing.

For an RV I might want to replace more often if the mileage started to get high enough that you worry about breakdown. I travel cross country once a year and would rather not worry too much about that. So for my tow vehicle, an F-150 I was thinking maybe 100k miles or so. Of course, in the first 50k miles I've broken down 3 times already,!#@$@% fix or repair daily. My ranger went $150 before anything ever broke.

But really, who is totally satisfied with their TT or RV?

 

[markb422]

When your next door neighbor buys one that is bigger than yours.

 

[Jim Barb]

Value of RV and Financing Concerns

This is how I look at the RV value versus financing and retention.
1) Don't accept dealer financing and associated fees without looking elsewhere.
2) Expect 12% depreciation driving off the lot.
3) Expect a minimum yearly depreciation of 6% or more in succeeding years
4) Don't expect dealers or finance institutions to offer and provide financing on a 7 year old RV. Finance sources don't see a reasonable risk value in a 7 year or later RV.
5] Check to see if you can claim the interest (mortgage) deduction on you Fed. taxes as a 2nd home.
Bottom line! Expect to spend and loose $ on a RV that you will hopefully enjoy.

Jim