Do you remember when you bought your RV? Were you excited to bring it home and take it out on its first trip? We’re sure you were! That’s one of the best feelings…
Will you tell us in the poll below if you bought your present RV new or used? What about your RV before that? Did you buy it new or used, and did it sway your decision for buying your present one new or used?
Leave a comment after you vote and tell us the story of how you came to buy the one you have now. We’d like to read those stories—thanks!
Ours was “used”, but with less than 5000 miles on it, calling it used is a misnomer. For a Mercedes powered class c, that doesn’t even have the nipples worn off the tires! We put on a few miles since getting it. ( but not as many as I’d like…the problems with being a working man..) For purposes of the inspection and extended warranty, ‘like new’ is an understatement.
I put used but officially it was. The original owner bought it, kept it a few days, decided he is didn’t like and traded it in for a class c. I saved a bunch of money.
Both of mine were purchased new – a 5er and then a class C – from high quality manufacturers. Incidentally, both companies are now out of business.
The only RV I ever purchased new was a Tent, everything else was used. Learned a lot of lessons cheaper that way. Two Travel Trailers, 75 23′ Taurus and a 85 Shasta 28′ and the current 1995 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 34′ Diesel. Unless something major happens to the coach, this will be the last RV we will ever own, getting older sucks, but better than the alternative.
LOL! We resemble that. New tent and used RV’s.
Pick-up camper (Fleetwood Caribou) purchased new in 1994. Very satisfied. Used motor home (Fleetwood Southwind) purchased in 2006. It is a 2000 purchased from a private party with 2412 miles on it. Yes, 2412 miles, not a typo. Very satisfied. Still using it with about 79000 miles and counting..
Bought our motorhome new, pre-covid! May 2019. Have 22k miles on him now, just getting started.
We were the second owners of a new but never used TT, it had been bought new by the previous owner who suffered a stroke before ever using it, the previous owner got hosed by the used RV dealer who made a handsome profit when we bought it. I found the receipt where the dealer paid for it.
Ours was used for a whole 2 weeks 2 years before we bought it for more than a 40% discount from the price of a new one. I’ve had it for 12 seasons, and am now looking for one a bit bigger.
Interesting. Majority of comments are for used RV’s but the majority responses are new buyers who haven’t commented. What, no bragging rights? Or is that you’re disappointed with the quality and the outrageous price paid for new. See earlier comments. We bought a new tent but all used RV’s. All our new-to-us RV’s have been in great shape, having been repaired for factory defects by previous owners – who by the way openly tell us about the numerous repairs required to make the RV’s fully functional. Just curious.
Not the bragging type however since you inquired. We purchased our new Montana 3121RL Legacy in April 2020. Paid $30000.00 BELOW MSRP. We ordered it and added a generator. We had the fridge door replaced because of a dent, tv had a scratch in it and one recliner was broken. All replaced immediately under warranty by Simi Valley RV. We will never by a used RV no matter what the price. I know how I take care of ours.
I prefer to buy new since they have a warranty. My 1st travel trailer was 2 years old used and had trouble with Fridge that cost around $700. or so. As tech worked on fridge other issues developed with fridge. The outdoor kitchen stove came off it’s mounting. Ceiling panel started separating from ceiling as well as formica under bed cabinet. Exterior molding that covers screws from roof started cracking. all within a year of owning. The RV I bought new had some issues, but I scheduled repair before or after camping season. Used RV’s either have no warranty or a 30 day warranty if you’re lucky. I want to get a smaller TT and called a dealer about a used 2021 Outdoors 20BD and they wanted around $45,000. with no warranty. Which was around the price when new. Too much money to buy something with no warranty.
We bought our 21′ 2017 Dutchmen Apex new and have spent maybe, just maybe $150 in cosmetic repairs that I have taken care of myself. I have done several upgrades to make our lives easier and also I could see that some issues could possibly become a problem, like cheap faucets and rubber LP hose lines, etc that could possibly last for several more years, but now I don’t need to worry about them. Our trailer still looks like new inside and out and in some cases, better than new. Because I have done all the maintenance and minor repairs myself, I pretty much know every inch of our trailer and don’t worry about the “what if’s” by buying a used RV that I have no idea of its history. Buying New or Used, may all of your repairs be minimal! Happy Travels everyone!
Thrilled with our 2022 Newmar New Aire that we ordered and thereby were able to have built (and optioned) to suit us. We also had several specials (off-the order sheet) that changed standard features we did not like for features we do like for an additional charge. Ultimately we bought for ~$140,000 below MSRP after factoring in our trade-in, which was about 23% off. So, not a great deal, but acceptable to get exactly what we wanted, no more (e.g., dishwasher and storage bay freezer) and no less (e.g., square, not round, kitchen sink and Spartan, not Freightliner, chassis).
We bought our trailer new in 2012, apparently before the breakdown in quality. It had a few boo boo’s but were fixed and we’ve enjoyed it ever since.
New, 21 years ago next month. 2002 Newmar Dutchstar. Traveling right now, from Calif, currently in Texas on our way to Florida. Even if someone gave us the money for a new Class A, wouldn’t do it. We love our motorhome. 250,000 miles.
I bought a 1998 Casita Spirit in 2007 from a gentleman active in the fiberglass world of trailers, and the trailer was like new. Almost 16 years later, our Casita is still going strong, and still looks pretty good! We are the ones who are really showing our age!
We have two travel trailers, a ’98 22′ Layton last year that was in my in-laws estate, seldom used and excellent condition (the brother wanted to sell it for $2000), and an ’01 CrossRoads 32′ that we bought seven years ago for $5000 from the original owners. Both needed new batteries and tires, but other than repairing the furnace in the CrossRoads and replacing the water pump in the Layton, both have been pretty much problem free. And I can do almost all of the necessary maintenance and repairs myself.
First RV (pop up camper) was purchased new and used for many years. 2nd was a small TT (used) that we towed for about 3 years. 3rd was gently used 5th wheel (one year old) that we loved and towed for 11 years. 4th (and current) is a larger 5th wheel (DRV) that we purchased used at 5 years old. The common sequence of each a bit larger is true for us. Loved them all and created wonderful memories with them.
We were asked on a recent trip what year our (09) Cedar Creek is by a couple who said they were on their third. When I told them the year they said “keep it”. Don’t buy anything newer.
Have done both new and used. In either case I have spent the first few weeks either making repairs or modifications. — the repairs part on new is correcting manufacturing defects that are easier to just fix rather than spend the time & fuel going forth & back to the dealer.
We bought our 2011 Fleetwood Southwind two years ago. It had 5,000 miles on it. Was cared for very well. I had everything gone through, ALL fluids and filters changed. Been good to go. Save quite a bit of money on this rig vs new. Satisfied customer!! Safe travels.
I was cleaning out my Aliner Popup at Coach Specialties in Plano, and an Airstream Trailer had a new “for sale” sign in the window. I called the number, called the bank, Bought the Airstream. It was not inspected, all inspectors/repair crews were three to five weeks out.
We ordered our 2022 New Aire about a year ago and picked it up in early July. We have been to the factory service center in Nappanee, Indiana twice and are very pleased with the quality of the build and of the factory service technicians. Winnebago seems to have had no ill-effects on Newmar.
Congrats, Neal. The New Aire is, in my opinion, the ultimate smaller luxury coach produced today. When we downsize sometime in the coming years the New Aire will be top of the list for us.
We have owned a number of RVs over 40 years with a 50/50 mix of new vs used and across the mix of TT, 5er, class C & A gas, and class A diesel. All in all we’ve had pretty good luck across the board. The new ones had very minimal issues and the used ones go through a very thorough inspection we do ourselves which takes about a half a day.
Our current unit is a 2013 Newmar Mountain Aire 4336 DP purchased in 2019 with 40k miles. This was the cleanest used unit we had ever seen. With age comes a few longer term maintenance items (like coolant lines) on top of normal annual items, but for the hundreds of thousands less we paid vs new it has been well worth it.
Yup, used…. kind of. The plastic was still on the bed and had just been removed from the furniture. Miles were from factory to California, discovered it was smaller than they wanted and sold to dealer in Michigan where we bought it. Had just over 3000 miles, full warranty with all hoses, filters and connectors still in their boxes. Half off and the size we wanted. It was a 2017 purchased in late winter 2018. Dealer gave us a deal as they had no interest in the smaller size except us. Been a great coach with a lot more miles on it now.
Bought a 2017 in 2020 got a great deal and so glad we did we love it. And we have been able to afford to fix what broke because we didn’t pay full price!
It was 38 years old, well used but well maintained. Couldn’t pass it up for $300. Eight years later it’s still chugging down the road, albeit a little rough around the edges.
We bought a barely used 2019 B+ last June. 9300 miles on it. We know we paid way too much but we love it. We are in our early 70s and have camped together in all manner of rigs from under a blanket on a clear night to our beloved class A Sunflyer 22′. Full time now in the B+ and loving it.
Now on my 8th “experienced” RV. Current one, a 2012 Big Horn fifth wheel, had several leaks in the plumbing connections in the basement that took me three weeks to trace and replace fittings. Total cost about $30.00. Some people say they don’t want to sleep in a bed someone else has slept in but that doesn’t stand the test if you’ve ever stayed in a hotel. And you could always buy a new mattress if the RV suits you.
This was hard to answer. Our motorhome was new and never used but had been titled. So it had to be sold as used.
Bought used in 2019. Loved camping but the layout was very uncomfortable. Bought a new 2021 Flagstaff Micro Lite 22TBS which was a great little camper. But too little so next was our current one a new 2021 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25FKBS. It has a lot going for it but hauling an ebike and a recumbent ebike is difficult so we just ordered a custom 5th wheel toy hauler from Dune Sports in Mesa, AZ. So one used, 3 new. No regrets on buying new.
Had a motorhome (6) in the past 50+ years. First: Open Road class B bought new. Four more: all used. Current: 2008 Winne Vista bought new.
When we went fulltime years ago, we spent a full year looking for a used, high quality 34 ft 5th wheel. We looked at over 150 units, but couldn’t find anything in a design we liked or one in good condition. We ordered a new New Horizons 5er, & 14 years later, it is still in great condition after 200K miles+. We’ve now parked it on a lease site, as a home base, & started looking for a truck camper to continue our fulltime travels. Since we would be in it for 8-10 months a year, we needed plenty of space, & we each wanted a separate recliner. The only model we found to fit that need was a Host Yukon, triple slide, & that layout had only been available for one year, thus no used ones available. So, we ordered a new one & waited a year to get it. We buy many things used, including clothing from Goodwill, but had to buy both rvs new, to get what we wanted.
We bought ours new in 2001 when they still had quality control at the factory. No way I’d buy one new today.
We bought a 39’ 2006 Country Coach, most motor home for the money we could get. New would have cost us 3 or 4 times as much. Absolute love our coach, very minor repairs in the last year, some was most likely my fault learning a new “to us” rv.
Used is the only way to go. All the bugs have been worked out and the previous owner went through the warranty hassle and took the depreciation hit. Why buy new for the warranty when you can’t use it while the shop takes its time trying to fix whatever is wrong with it. Just make sure you get an independent inspection prior to purchasing.
We bought a end of the year RV, saved thousands of dollars and still had all features we wanted
Bought my brand new Georgetown (our first RV) in 2009 from a liquidator at half off MSRP when the banks crashed the economy.
Bought a dealer show coach after they replaced it w\the next model, diesel pusher w\5k miles on it. This is the only RV we have ever owned, after doing research on types, mfg’ers, & specific models for several years. 20 years and almost 130k miles later, we are still happy w\our choice.
New but should have called it used for all the minor repairs I had to make. Just poor workmanship
We bought our 2017 Winnebago View from a private party who had listed it for sale with only 1,800 miles on it. I thought, there must be something bad with the unit. However, I eventually contacted the seller and found the reason. A serious health issue had happened that prevented them from using. We traveled 800 miles to check it out. Looked and smelled new. We bought it and saved some money over a new unit. We love it. So, it was used, however, we would never have purchased new.
Bought the Sprinter from a couple who were selling the year we wanted, low miles and great condition! Took it to Sportsmobile for the “RV” part. So we bought “new” AND “used.” Very happy with the result!
Because of a family farm we were limited to 36 feet.to get to the slab our son had built for us. I wanted a diesel pusher after 12 years with two gassers. In 2012 there were only 2 36′ DPs being made by top names. Winnebago Journey and Tiffin Phaeton. The two dealerships were less than 90 miles apart. As we were test driving and looking at the Phaeton I called the Winnebago salesman repeatedly to schedule a time. He kept telling me the coach was at another location and would be in his shop real soon now. I got the deal I wanted trading in an 8 year old Southwind with 105K miles on it for a lightly shopworn 2012 Phaeton 36 QSH. Our punch list was dealt with on the dealer’s lot while we were transferring our possessions into the new coach – 3 days. Most of failures in the first 5 years were “operator error”. The two of Big Three (disintegrating slide floor and cracking on the roof rails) were dealt with in Red Bay on first visit there, they spotted the failure on arrival inspection.
Bought ours new 13 years ago. It replaced our first trailer that we bought used. We love our trailer and will hopefully use for many more years…Nash!
We bought our 2020 Entegra Accolade 37K Super C earlier this year. The previous owner had bought it during Covid & only used it a couple of times for a short trips. Then he sold it to a local dealer in southwest Florida & we traded for it. Only had 2000 miles & 1300 of those were bringing it to SW Florida from the Indiana factory.Excellent condition, just needed fluids changed, etc. Great value for us plus our trade-in was worth prime $$$ this past March.We got much more in actual $$$ for our trade-in that we paid for it 3 years & 15,000 miles ago!
I kind of had to find a used one. I have wanted a GMC since the mid-70’s and they stopped making them in 1979. I lucked out and found a good one. We have loved her for 17 years. Many in our community are longer term owners.
ME TOO. YOU HAVE ‘CHAUMIERE’ AND WE HAVE ‘HOMER’ AND ‘ROY’.
Like Rodney Dangerfield said about not buying used textbooks that were already highlighted “That guy could have been a maniac”. Much more inclined to break it myself than buy someone else’s problem.
Answered we bought our RV new. Which is 1/2 true. My parent purchased her new, my wife and I got her from my parents.
I researched RVS for 2 years before buying. As a boat owner, I knew of the big hit in price a first buyer takes. Bought a late 2011 Newmar with 9,000 miles in 2016 for 50% off original list. It’s been a joy for 35,000 miles so far.
We have purchased three brand new RV’s since we started RVing in 1978. All were Winnebago products purchased from Poulsbo RV in Kent, WA and they have wonderfully done most all of our service work for these 45 years.Our 1998 Itasca Suncruiser just hit 100,000 miles coming home from a WIT outing. There will not be a 4th RV however as we both turned 90 in 2022. Our WIT group meets every month and several of our kids have RVs or trailers so our travels will be local. It’s been a big part of our lives and we have enjoyed it.
Used. Best decision we ever made. Would not buy anything being built now including the current Tiffin brand we have. ” If you buy a Thor; You will be sore”.
We bought it New in 2005. It is a Coachman Spirit of America. We have never had a major problem and very few little problems. It is a Gem and still going strong. It has been back and fourth across the US and to Alaska twice. We mostly boondock or dry camp in Forest Service Campgrounds. I see I can still find them used. That gives me hope that if this one does fail, I can still get another!!
Motor Home #5. 2018 Fleetwood Storm with 17k and absolutely no marks of any kind inside or out. Largest (39′), newest, most expensive and by far the one with the most problems. After 15 months the coach itself has been great, but from insta hot problems, microwave oven failure, check engine light issue, leveler sensor, black tank valve leak, A/C blower motor, outside radio display failure, battery charger cylinoid, tank/charge gage circuit board, and our toilet vacumn pump crack/leak. And now I need to do the expected maintenance of re doing roof sealants and replacing the 5 to 6 year old tires. Only good thing I have to say at this point in time is that I still have over 4 years left of my extended warranty. The warranty company is at a loss now not to mention all my deductibles and inconvenience.
We bought our class A used after researching for a year. We bought from a dealer because they got us a 3 year extended warranty that was a great deal, and included mobile rv repair. We used it one time for 4 things. Prior owners kept all their records and receipts, original books, window sticker, instructions from Fleetwood and appliance books, etc in the unit. Very well cared for. 4 years of full-time RVing and 40,000 miles later, we’re still happy. Better quality, bugs worked out before we bought, better value. Living the dream 😊
I’ve bought 2 class a in the past 5 years, first was a newmar dutchstar gasser. She ran great and family made a lot of fantastic memories with her, traded a few years later for a 2001 Beaver Patriot and traveled across the country for 3 months with the family, what a fantastic lady she is. Drives like a dream and still get plenty of compliments on her when we’re on the road. Covid has shut her down for a bit but I know she wants to get out and explore some more soon. Have never regretted buying used. The build quality is still better than most mh being put out today.
We have always bought used vehicles. We bought our current RV from RV Park and Sell in Tucson, good deal and straightforward people. Due to a minor glitch (check engine light due to throttle position) they delivered it to us at our next destination in California, and drove our trade back to Tucson.