Jimmy and Janis wrote:

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I'm down to a choice between a 2005 Mobile Suite and a 2009 Mobile Suite. Both are in excellent shape with very similar floor plans. My dilemma is for the $20,000 price difference is the 2009 worth it? Obviously it's 4 years newer, has a warranty thru 2016, 8000# axles, 17.5" H rated tires, disc brakes, Mor/Ryde suspension, water manifold system, 2 automatic awnings, slide toppers, large modern TVs(this is most important lol),  Sleep Number bed, fireplace and 4 door fridge. These are all the things the 2005 doesn't have. 

With all the experience on here I was hoping for some insight. Thanks for your opinions.

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The safety value of the G114 “H” Tires and Disc Brakes cannot be overstated.  The MOR/ryde IS is the best available and is extremely desirable.  Their value, if you went to MOR/ryde and had an 8K IS, tires and new disc brakes installed on the older trailer would be less than $10,000 – but not all that much “depending.”  If I purchased the older trailer I would seriously consider this important upgrade if you plan to travel and not just reside in the RV.

So your decision, IMO, has more to do with ~$10,000 for a 2009 “newer” trailer with a warranty.  I.e. you want the “H” tires, brakes and MOR/ryde IS.  So is the 2009 trailer worth, give or take $10,000 more?  Probably if all else is equal. However, check the age on the “H” tires.  When were they manufactured?  They could be 4 years old and tires only have – give or take – a 7-8 year life span.  So that could be a factor in your decision.  The age of the tire can be found in the DOT code on the tire. The last four numbers in the DOT code (only on one side of the tire) is the week and year the tires were made, (2207 would be the 22nd week of 2007). If you have a three digit code the tires were made before 2000.

Howard – please chime in on tire age if you care to.

The 2009 has many sought after upgrades......it is also just beyond its rapid depreciation point and will hold its value longer...the 2005 is dropping into its 10 depreciation point and will rapidly loose value.....just the warranty , upgrades and resale value or trade in on the2009 should make it worth it for the next 5 years......

I'm with Mike on the 2009.  Depreciation aside however, upgrades aside, the 2005 has nearly 10 years of use on it. Thats ten years of use on older preferred equipment vs 5 years on updated equipment that includes 2 more years of warranty coverage.  Bill is right, to make it apples to apples the difference is really $10,000+ or -. I'd say the 2009 is worth the extra 10K in that light.  Since you have mentioned the money angle, the bottom line is what can your budget handle? FWIW 

Jimmy and Janis,

I've sent you a private message with my e-mail address in case you'd like the brochures for those two model years in a pdf file.

Terry