Should you Buy a New or Used Toy Hauler?

Should you buy a New or Used Toy Hauler? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. I’ve been down both roads. So here’s my take on the subject.

New or Used:

If you want the most bang for the buck consider a Used Toy Hauler. You’ll save the infamous off the lot depreciation; get a larger or better equipped unit and perhaps have lower payments. Or, get a similar unit to a New one but with lower payments.

    Some of the pitfalls of Used Toy Haulers to consider; are age and maintenance. If you are going to live fulltime in your Toy Hauler (don’t laugh, some do) be aware that some RV Parks won't allow RVs older than 10 years. Ridiculous, yes but true. If this describes you, then I’d stick to something less than five years old.

    Another drawback to a Used RV is maintenance. Besides the usual winterizing and the like, Used RV's may have weaknesses, such as failing batteries or deteriorating plastics. Be aware of undisclosed or hidden problems. These can lead to a major outflow of cash. A refrigerator will run $1200 and up and lord knows what it would cost to fix the AC unit. Shop labor in our area is exceeding $50/hour.

    I chose a to buy New Toy Hauler and bought an extended warranty. I might not have the most Toy Hauler for the buck, but I am free of repair headaches for 7 years. That means peace of mind and hopefully freeing me from repair duty.

    If you go for the extended warranty make sure it covers all of the add-ons including appliances. Since refrigerators, AC units, and generators are big ticket repair items, be sure they are included. Not to mention the down time while your RV is being fixed.

While a RV dealer is the obvious choice for shopping the New market, be sure to ask about the Used Toy Haulers they have stuffed in the back corner of the lot. These are not shown to you first since there is more profit in a New sale.

    Speaking of a salesman, if yours is more interested in the sale than getting you into the best Toy Hauler for YOU, get a new salesman. Enough said.

    Online sources like rvtrader.com and rvtraderonline.com can be a great place to find your New/Used RV and to size up the market. Note that many dealers place ads for New/Used Toy Haulers on these sites. The best part is you can browse without a salesman leaning (as my daughter would say "hovering") over your shoulder. A cup of coffee, an easy chair, and all the time in the world, now, that's what I call online shopping.

    Don’t be too concerned about buying your RV via the Internet. I’ve made both small and large purchases online. A little buying savvy on your part will make the purchase go well. You should ask the owner as many questions as it takes to get you comfortable with their integrity, and the unit they are selling. You may even ask to have additional pictures e-mailed to you.

    Only when you are comfortable, should you take the next step. That is to inspect the Toy Hauler in person. Avoid sellers that ask for large holding deposits prior to your in person inspection. If the owner wants more than a couple hundred bucks to hold it, I would consider his motives to be “suspect.”

    Regarding inspections. Traveling a great distance to inspect the RV may not be practical, there is an alternative. By mutual agreement you can arrange (for a fee) to have the RV inspected by a reputable RV dealer. The report should be faxed to you from the dealer or you can call the dealer. I've used this service, to sell a car, with great success.

    Really all you need to decided is New or Used and weather to pound the pavement or pound the keyboard. Take your time and make the right decisions for you.

SBI!