Buying an experienced 5er - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Lloyd · RV-Dreams Community Member

Buying an experienced 5er

Tim & Robyn · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Loyd and Suzanne,

We're in the same boat you are, so not experts by any stretch of the imagination. However, we've come to the conclusion that we want a new 5er and a used TV. We've also just about decided that the TV wil be an HDT, and from what I've read about them they're just hitting their stride when they've got a couple hundred thousand miles on them. I wonder how many RVs last that long? Anyway, the primary reason for new 5er and used TV is that we're not going to be spending that much time in our TV, but we're going to LIVE in the RV. And being, shall we say, mechanically challenged like Howard (sorry Howard), we want as many things as possible in our home to be under warranty until we get our 'sea legs' under us after we take up the fulltime lifestyle. If the tow vehicle has to go into the shop for repairs we can always rent a car for a while to get around.

I'm interested in what folks who have been-there-done-that have to say.

BTW, as a former professional musician (French horn) and teacher (Univ. of Saskatchewan back in the mid '70s), I love your tag line and couldn't agree more!

CORdially,

Tim & Robyn Fansler

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

No one can really answer you question but you two, however we can give you some suggestions and that is what we did and are doing now.

We have had a class C, MH, and a new pull behind trailer, but now we have a used 5'er and love it. We did not buy new and have been on the road with it all is going fine. My hubby does most of the thiings that need to be done himself like you. Our 5 'er is a 2002 Mckinzie, built by Monaco. We sold the house and that money is invested and there if we should ever decide on another unit down the road so to speak. So I would suggest do what your budget can afford and do your homework when shopping around for a good full time unit.

southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs

Doncat · RV-Dreams Family Member

The question you pose about the depreciation factor has been on my mind also. I hope someone out there can give us a good answer. It will wiegh heavily in my decision to use the money from the sale of the house to buy an RV or save some and finance the RV.

-- Edited by Doncat at 12:34, 2006-11-09

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we went full time all debts were free and the sale of the house was put aside not into buying our fiver. A new unit can depreciate very fast during the first yr then after awhile it will depreciate slower, however we have figured a new unit if it was to cost $50,000 it will depreciate at least $10,000 the first yr it is like a new vechicle of any kind. You can always trade up once you have something to work with. We are NO experts in this but did buy a new tt at one time and sold it in the same yr. Maybe others here can put they're input on what they have experienced. As of now we plan to keep our 5 'er which is a 2002 yr, but if we were to sell it or trade it in on another its value would be just what we paid for it. Everyones situtation is different of course.

southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs

Roz · RV-Dreams Family Member

Greetings, Lloyd and Suzanne!

I, like you had boats (holes in the water sorrounded by wood or fiberglass into which you pour money and hours). I had both sail and power boats, the longest being 34' with live aboard capability.

Five years ago, we transitioned from boats to RVs. So much was just a transiion! So much is the same technology. So much of the purchasing decision is new vs old, price vs value, boiling down to longevity.

We purchased a four year old 1998 RV previously owned by a physian and used very little. It was a very good decision for our first RV. We enjoyed it without major problems. We sold it this year for the same price we paid for it and bought a 2004 top of the line. We got a much better RV buying a better quality nameplate that had been cared for and even loved, than if we had bought a high end model, of a lower quality brand.

There is much to be said for allowing someone else to take the initial hit, but there is much to be said for knowing what you are getting. New is not always the wrong answer. Value is paramount in any decision on a product of any kind that you will keep a long time or one that is a major purchase.

Good luck! Your homework can be fun!

Charles and Ethel

We do not stop playaing because we grow old . . .

We grow old because we stop playing!

dunwurkin · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hello Lloyd and Suzanne,

My wife, Bonnie Lou and I bought our first used 5th wheel about 6 years ago. It was a smaller (25 ft) alpenlite, 10 years old, which we used during my last 6 years of work (I retired 2 weeks ago). We pulled it all over the pacific northwest, and absolutely loved it! It was a very solid rig, giving us no trouble at all. With retirement looming, and needing a larger unit for longer trips, I began looking for another used alpenlite. After looking for about a year, I was able to locate the exact unit I was looking for... a 2004 Agusta 32 alpenlite. The exact layout we wanted, the color scheme we wanted, everything! It was absolutely immaculate, and the asking price was 35,000.00 (new retail was 60,000.00) We bought it on the spot in February 2006, have used it many times between then and now, and are very happy about our purchase. We are preparing for many long years of exciting adventures in our new (used) fiver. I really believe if you are patient and diligent, you can find just the right unit that somebody lovingly cared for while you waiting to come and take it home.

Good hunting

Gomer and Bonnie

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We bought a new custom built fifth wheel, but I can tell you that there are a lot of good used units out there. Look at Mobile Suites and see if you can find a 2004 or 2005. There maybe some "leftovers" that are still new even though they at a couple of years old (there is a brand new 2005 Mobile Suites sitting in Nashville, TN - you might find one in your area). Even though we do not own a Mobile Suites, we are big fans of them and wouldn't think twice about buying a used one. Take your time and do your homework, I can tell you that the "junk" sells for the same price as the quality units. Look at the infrastructure before you look at all of the frills.

Lloyd · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi Everyone,

Many, many thanks for your replies ... information, advice and thoughts. We're looking around, now with more "criteria" and as you've said "doing our homework" .. ! Every time I hear a new make, model or name I run off to find the mfg site and locate a dealer where I might find out more! I'm getting quite a stack of brochures! ... not to mention spec sheets and miscellaneous bumpf!

Darrell and Judy .. I looked up the Mobile Suites (haven't seen a real live one yet:) and was impressed with what I saw there! Thanks ...

And Charles and Ethel .. Ahh, once a boater always a boater - asphalt sea notwithstanding ... yes, I was getting the idea that there are a lot of similarities ... and I'm sure that "2 foot-itis" is alive and well in both kinds of cruising:)

Again thanks for your time and knowledge ... anyone else care to share some thoughts .. all welcome!

Lloyd and Suzanne