We're hoping to be able to "get on the road" fall of 2007 and spend our allowed 6 months (we're Canadians and have to protect our health care eligibility) finding warmer weather and generally being "snowbirds".
Our challenge is that we don't feel we can lay out the price of a new 5er and new TV (of the apparent quality we seem to gravitate to!). So, we're looking at buying, as they say, an "experienced" rig.
A little on our experience .. we've owned two boats .. a 26' wooden cruiser 1966 Wilker, and a 28' fibreglass cruiser 1972 Winner. So, I'm no stranger to repairs and such. I'm comfortable with electrical, propane, and onboard sewage sysems (holding tanks, grey water, plumbing, etc), and with the inevitable water leaks (from above and below) in old boats .. as well as repairing stuff. But we've never owned any kind of "portable" home ... not even a tent trailer, and never a truck! How much of a newbie is that?
Does anyone have thoughts or opinions (or both!) that you would like to share on things like ....
... better to buy a newer 5er, and older TV, or older TV and newer 5er?
... any particular brands and models that are favoured? (I've looked a bunch and Montana and Golden Falcon seem to stand out as good quality units)
... any advice on assessing whether a particular unit or combo is a "reasonable" or "good" deal? what's the depreciation rate for 5ers over, say, a 5 year period?
... would we be better to buy the best new 5er and TV new we can afford, or buy higher end used?
... any other sdvice you'd care to share? all appreciated!
Many thanks in advance ... and thanks to Howard for the Journal ... it's been my daily reading for a while now. Maybe we'll get to write our own adventures as so may of you have done and are doing!
Cheers
Lloyd (and Suzanne)
-- Edited by Lloyd at 10:47, 2006-11-05
-- Edited by Lloyd at 10:49, 2006-11-05
Tim & Robyn said
11:57 AM Nov 5, 2006
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 said
09:37 AM Nov 7, 2006
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 said
11:33 AM Nov 9, 2006
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 said
03:10 PM Nov 9, 2006
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 said
08:52 AM Nov 14, 2006
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 said
07:30 PM Nov 14, 2006
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 said
05:51 PM Nov 15, 2006
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 said
06:52 PM Nov 16, 2006
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!
Hi everyone,
We're hoping to be able to "get on the road" fall of 2007 and spend our allowed 6 months (we're Canadians and have to protect our health care eligibility) finding warmer weather and generally being "snowbirds".
Our challenge is that we don't feel we can lay out the price of a new 5er and new TV (of the apparent quality we seem to gravitate to!). So, we're looking at buying, as they say, an "experienced" rig.
A little on our experience .. we've owned two boats .. a 26' wooden cruiser 1966 Wilker, and a 28' fibreglass cruiser 1972 Winner. So, I'm no stranger to repairs and such. I'm comfortable with electrical, propane, and onboard sewage sysems (holding tanks, grey water, plumbing, etc), and with the inevitable water leaks (from above and below) in old boats .. as well as repairing stuff. But we've never owned any kind of "portable" home ... not even a tent trailer, and never a truck! How much of a newbie is that?
Does anyone have thoughts or opinions (or both!) that you would like to share on things like ....
... better to buy a newer 5er, and older TV, or older TV and newer 5er?
... any particular brands and models that are favoured? (I've looked a bunch and Montana and Golden Falcon seem to stand out as good quality units)
... any advice on assessing whether a particular unit or combo is a "reasonable" or "good" deal? what's the depreciation rate for 5ers over, say, a 5 year period?
... would we be better to buy the best new 5er and TV new we can afford, or buy higher end used?
... any other sdvice you'd care to share? all appreciated!
Many thanks in advance ... and thanks to Howard for the Journal ... it's been my daily reading for a while now. Maybe we'll get to write our own adventures as so may of you have done and are doing!
Cheers
Lloyd (and Suzanne)
-- Edited by Lloyd at 10:47, 2006-11-05
-- Edited by Lloyd at 10:49, 2006-11-05
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
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
-- Edited by Doncat at 12:34, 2006-11-09
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
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!
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
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