New vs used - price differential poll

[JaneM.]

If you were considering a new to you trailer, what is the cost differential you'd need to see to purchase a used trailer over a new one?

Some context: Our wonderful eggs keep their value so well and I've seen some one year old trailers listed at $1000 less than it would cost to purchase them new. For $1000 difference I'd order new, but this started me thinking about how much would make it worth while to buy used. I'm not sure where my cutoff is, what's yours?

[carlkeigley]

I'm a cheapskate, but there have been some become used I would
have purchased if I hadn't already ordered/bought a new one.

So far they lose their money on their options.

Guess it would depend on the trailer, location, cash in pocket.......
Really, hard to say. Biggest for me is how much of the bug bit me.

[Donna D.]

For me it would be the time of year and how long I'd have to wait for a new one. Oftentimes, build times are out for months and if it's at the beginning of camping season... I'd want it NOW. One thing you can never get back is time and one wasted camping season is gone forever. Make memories while you can

[Ed Harris]

I don't think I will ever buy a new one.

So far I have bought a bunch of them used and each one well below what seems to be the common value,I intend to continue buying them just the same way.

I would much rather let someone else take a hit from new.

Buy Low,Sell High!

[Thomas G.]

Don't overlook shipping. $1000 doesn't go far to ship across the country.

[rabbit]

5k$.

Jack

[deryk]

Well I bought my 2012 ParkLiner used from a forum member here, was used for 3 trips, he paid 16.5k I bought it at the end of december where the new models were around 18k with the options Harry purchased...I got it for 14k. Was well worth buying used in this situation.

[honda03842]

Some used trailers have added features that may not be available at any cost from the manufacturer. I could list at least 30 items we've added that are simply not available from Scamp. At least 16 new storage areas alone.

[carlkeigley]

Originally Posted by deryk

Well I bought my 2012 ParkLiner used from a forum member here, was used for 3 trips, he paid 16.5k I bought it at the end of december where the new models were around 18k with the options Harry purchased...I got it for 14k. Was well worth buying used in this situation.

That's how I would have bought my Snoozy had the used ones been
put on the market before I ordered mine. But I'm fine with new.

[carlkeigley]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Some used trailers have added features that may not be available at any cost from the manufacturer. I could list at least 30 items we've added that are simply not available from Scamp. At least 16 new storage areas alone.

Exactly. That's why I said it would depend on the trailer before.
Like buying a used car. I've always wound up with a fancier
version that just the base auto. Not on purpose. I just come
across what others may have ordered special.

[Roy in TO]

I'd let my budget dictate potential options first. Next would be suitability to what I want. Then there is warranty. That $1K difference you state might not be worth the loss of warranties.

[carlkeigley]

Originally Posted by Roy in TO

I'd let my budget dictate potential options first. Next would be suitability to what I want. Then there is warranty. That $1K difference you state might not be worth the loss of warranties.

My meager brain always visualizes a scale with all the pros and cons.
Sometimes new can be cheaper in the long run.

[honda03842]

Before we had our Scamp we went to the Florida Scamp Camp and saw how people had modified their Scamps, The kind folks allowed us to walk thru their trailers, ask questions and generally learn. We left with a long list of things to make our Scamp more useful. Initially we created a list of 50 items. We have not completed that list and continue to make improvements.

In fact we have never been to a rally where we did not leave with a list.

In part when you buy a used trailer you can be buying the additions that others have made to their trailers. A lot of things that are not available from the factory. Here's a list of most of ours accumulated over 3 years.

Since we're on the road for long periods most are designed to make road living easier and more organized.

Rear Bumper Box,
Rear sewer hose box
Rear pole and clothes line storage box.
5 under trailer boxes, 2 biggest on slides.
6 added draws inside the trailer, (5 more than the trailer had)
2 door, 6 shelve, over couch cabinet
2 over the side window shelves.
2 bathroom shelves
3 door over dinette overhead cabinet
Under dinette wine rack
Wall mounted spice rack
Faux wood doors replaced with urethaned birch plywood

All LED reading lights
LED tail lights and outside LED door light
7 added AC outlets, 1 outside
3 added 12 volt DC outlets
Tall water faucet
Electric and Gas hot water.
Inside Air Conditioner with powered exhaust.
Refrigerator coil fans with inside switch.
Additional fridge shelves
Water collection from fridge cooling fins
80 watt solar panels mounted to contour of roof.
Over couch LED spot light
2 Over dinette LED lights (1 standard)
Pantry with 2 pull out can shelves.
Potato/onion storage bin.
Soda/beer storage rack.
Draw slides on utensil draw.
Folding dinette table
TV/Sat dish cable input connectors.
Break away switch,
Auxillary front jack.
Front rock shield supports.
Built in Clothes Hamper
Shelved closet.
Shelved under sink cabinet for pots and pans.
Extended bread box.
3 storage baskets on wooden cabinet support.
5 storage baskets on bathroom wall
anti sway bar
Bottom of trailer painted
Updated to 2" ball
Red Maxx Pro 3 glow.
1200 watt Inverter.
35 amp PDI Convertor

Over the years we have seen so much that one can't buy new like bigger tires, shocks, water level gauge,... just all kinds of things. The beauty of these little trailers is that they're often loved, cared for and improved.

[carlkeigley]

ALL THAT in a fiberglass trailer?!...........LOL j/k
I've seen some of your fabulous mods on other threads.

I'm planning on making mine a one of a kind before my heirs get it. LOL.

[jwcolby54]

I found a deal on a 4 year old scamp 16 standard, $10k, plus 1k for the tv, a 2000 dodge dakota v8 4.7l 4x4. The engine had just been rebuilt. My Scamp is the front bunk side bath with frige, stove , heater, sink etc. No idea what the new price is. The po got sick and needed to unload it. As Donna said, it really depends on what's out there. I looked for months then fell into this deal.

It needs to be thoroughly cleaned and is missing the battery and propane tank, but I am camping my way home in it now.

I stopped by camping world and picked up a real door latch which I will install tomorrow. My tt spent the last year closed up on the ocean front in maine. Lots to do.

[JaneM.]

Thanks everyone!

[RogerDat]

I would not discount sweat equity purchase of used if one has the knowledge to properly assess difference between easy/cheap repairs and improvements vs difficult/expensive tasks.

Sometimes a modest price for a sound camper with "good bones" but poor curb appeal can be a really good deal.

Can be an even better deal if you have custom modifications you wish to make, why pay for factory features if you plan to take them out to replace with your own unique modifications.

[stevebaz]

When I bought mine used I was looking for about 1/2 price of new with condition about 80% of new. I dont want to pay the government more than I have to with sales/registration and in my state property tax. Plus where the fun doing the upgrades and repairs if you buy new. I am pickey on how stuff should be done and a new trailer with their rush to production and cost cutting ways would irk the pants off me. When done with my upgrades I will be about 75% of new cost but done my way. At least if something doesn't work or leaks its my fault. If I had to pay for labor too it would be twice the price of new.

[Ice-breaker]

I would suggest that other than repairs that are necessary to maintain the function of a used trailer in a state that is comparable to that of a new trailer (i.e. fix leaks, repair rotting floors, fix broken appliances, etc), 90 percent of modifications made by most owners will result in little or no added value to a used trailer (in real $). To me, a well thought out shelf here or there, or a light fixture, or some similarly useful mod increases the plusses of a trailer, but does little to increase its value. Like most things, there will be exceptions, and I am sure there are mods that can impact the value (upwards). However, the situations where a lightly used trailer with mods is worth more than the original new purchase price are very rare.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Ice-breaker

I would suggest that other than repairs that are necessary to maintain the function of a used trailer in a state that is comparable to that of a new trailer (i.e. fix leaks, repair rotting floors, fix broken appliances, etc), 90 percent of modifications made by most owners will result in little or no added value to a used trailer (in real $). To me, a well thought out shelf here or there, or a light fixture, or some similarly useful mod increases the plusses of a trailer, but does little to increase its value. Like most things, there will be exceptions, and I am sure there are mods that can impact the value (upwards). However, the situations where a lightly used trailer with mods is worth more than the original new purchase price are very rare.

Are you saying that I wasted my time carefully crafting fiberglass tail fins onto my FG trailer?