2003 30' Classic..TMV opinion????

[AZstreamin]

So I go to you, the community for your valued insight and opinion.........
I've narrowed it down to a couple of floor plans. The requirements are mid bath split, queen bed, dinette, couch so it can sleep 6, later model to minimize repair and upgrade time. Which means it will be a 30' classic or 28 international. I like both, with a little personalization; it's all about the floor plan.

I'm currently looking at a 30' classic 2003 w/ Hensley and solar their asking $45,000 clean, not perfect or unused but well kept.

Need your opinion how much is real market value? I know what NADA says but don't believe it to be TMV. So what do you think???

Thanks, B

[Steve Heywood]

Originally Posted by AZstreamin

I'm currently looking at a 30' classic 2003 w/ Hensley and solar their asking $45,000 clean, not perfect or unused but well kept.

Need your opinion how much is real market value? I know what NADA says but don't believe it to be TMV. So what do you think???

Thanks, B

Airstreams frequently sell for more than NADA retail. How much above depends on several factors, not the least of which is how much you're willing to pay for the trailer. Since the base NADA retail for this trailer is $36,450 their asking price isn't completely out of line. It's easily worth $40K.

Keep in mind the Hensley is worth about $1500-2000 and the solar could be worth $1000-1500. Unless the tires are new they will need replacement in a year or two. Same with both batteries.

On a side note, this is an excellent floorplan. Spent a rainy weekend in mine with 3 adults, a 4 year old, and 2 dogs and never felt cramped. Big tanks, good storage. Only downside (that I've found) is the lack of tongue weight. Makes it very critical of proper hitch settup. Since the one you're looking at has a Hensley it's a no-brainer.

[flynmike]

B

Just noticed your posting and was curious if you bought the trailer you were looking at. I'm looking at an '02 30' Classic non-slide out in similar condition for $44,000.

I've looked at Kelly Blue Book (38,000) and NADA (32,000) and it's discouraging that the asking price is so much higher.

There are so few used ones around...almost impossible to find, I'll pay the price.....if I have to, but I won't like it!

Mike

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by flynmike

B

Just noticed your posting and was curious if you bought the trailer you were looking at. I'm looking at an '02 30' Classic non-slide out in similar condition for $44,000.

I've looked at Kelly Blue Book (38,000) and NADA (32,000) and it's discouraging that the asking price is so much higher.

There are so few used ones around...almost impossible to find, I'll pay the price.....if I have to, but I won't like it!

Mike

Mike you should be able to get into a new 30' classic for about $10K more. With it you get the new disc brake system and a ton of other things the 02 wouldn't have. Another concideration if you're financing, interest rates on new are cheaper than used plus you can stretch new out longer and may even get a lower monthly payment.---Pieman

[StreamNTyme]

You said the Hensley hitch is worth 1500-2000 and solar 1000 to 1500...??
Where?/ I thought a Hensley is well over 3000K, solar at least 2000K..tongue weight too low onthe 30', please explain... I thought they were all comparable.
I am also looking for a 30'Classic...found a couple 1996-2000 in the $30K range...I would buy a new one but then the tax, add the hitch and you are up more + depreciation is faster on new (I think) $$$.. Thanks

[Condoluminum]

With a total national "Market" of fewer than two dozen thirty foot trailers, and fewer still in exact same condition, NADA and Kelley Blue Book and other guides are just that. Suggestions! They are written by dealers for dealers and to help banks and Credit Unions decide how much to loan against them...

The longer the trailer (especially now in land of $3 to $4 gasoline and Diesel.. ) the smaller the potential market.. Until you test, you have no idea how eager or patient the seller is.. Herewith a few scenarios from among dozens of possibles..

1. Seller lost job, needs cash now..
2. Seller has ordered new RV, and is about to take delivery and is trying to beat low trade-in from dealer, but must decide by next Wednesday
3. Seller has health issues, and is giving up Airstream but needs cash for medical expenses
4. Seller has unrealistic view of actual market value, and will wait until Heck freezes over until they get that magic price....
5. Actual owner has passed on and family members would like to sell quickly to settle an Estate...

I could go on, but bottom line is that you have no idea how many other offers they'll get or have gotten until you try yours.. They might prefer $44K, but be willing to accept $38K or even less.. Not a lot of buyers come along every day with lotsa cash and a big truck and able to spell Hensley... If your offer is politely (or even rudely..) rejected, you have every right to ask why and begin an educational dalogue to learn whether some other number below their asking price might be acceptable, or whether they are one fo those who just know it's worth $44K and aren't going to budge... Armed with that new knowledge, and a scan of the national markets to see what other choices you have, you can make an informed decision of the actual value to you, and decide to buy or not accordingly..

There is no particular value or credibility in trying to buy below blue book, and it will be of little comfort to you if the exact model in condition and trim you've been coveting for 6 months gets away over a thousand dollars...

John McG

[Steve Heywood]

Originally Posted by kmtyme

You said the Hensley hitch is worth 1500-2000 and solar 1000 to 1500...??
Where?/ I thought a Hensley is well over 3000K, solar at least 2000K..tongue weight too low onthe 30', please explain... I thought they were all comparable.
I am also looking for a 30'Classic...found a couple 1996-2000 in the $30K range...I would buy a new one but then the tax, add the hitch and you are up more + depreciation is faster on new (I think) $$$.. Thanks

A NEW Hensley is about $3K, I've seen used ones sell for $14-1800. My guess about the solar was just that, a guess. I have no idea how complex or simple the system is.

A 30' widebody Excella/Classic with the dinette only has about 680 lbs of tongue weight for a 6800-7000 lb trailer. Until I got my hitch adjusted correctly stability was less than expected. Now it's fine but I'd love to upgrade my Eaz-Lift for either a Reese with a Dual-Cam or a Hensley.

[AZstreamin]

Originally Posted by flynmike

B

Just noticed your posting and was curious if you bought the trailer you were looking at. I'm looking at an '02 30' Classic non-slide out in similar condition for $44,000.

I've looked at Kelly Blue Book (38,000) and NADA (32,000) and it's discouraging that the asking price is so much higher.

There are so few used ones around...almost impossible to find, I'll pay the price.....if I have to, but I won't like it!

Mike

Hi Mike,
I did not purchase the 30' classic. After much thought we are now looking at an '05 30 safari bunk. I belive it will better suit our young growing family over the next 10 years. If you want to know more I'm happy to share. Good luck in your search.
Brent

[Cracker]

Originally Posted by Steve Heywood

A NEW Hensley is about $3K, I've seen used ones sell for $14-1800. My guess about the solar was just that, a guess. I have no idea how complex or simple the system is.

A 30' widebody Excella/Classic with the dinette only has about 680 lbs of tongue weight for a 6800-7000 lb trailer. Until I got my hitch adjusted correctly stability was less than expected. Now it's fine but I'd love to upgrade my Eaz-Lift for either a Reese with a Dual-Cam or a Hensley.

Your hitch and trailer weights seem a bit light. For the record, my 2000 30' Excella weighs in at about 8,400 lbs when ready to travel - inclusive of the hitch weight of about 940 lbs. That's using a Sherline scale for the hitch, and truck scales for the axles. My truck, with the wife and I onboard and a full tank of diesel, almost matches the trailer weight exactly - or 8,400 lbs!

[Safari Tim]

I noticed all you guys are towing these late model 30 footers with diesels.

How would a us lowly gassers do with a 6L? How about the gas mileage?

[SilverToy]

Tim -

Don't exactly have a late model 30 footer. Have a '92 34' BUT I DO have the 6L motor you are asking about.

When simply playing 'kid taxi' I get about 15/16mpg. When towing it averages about 11 or so. We are about 7000ft altitude however.

For serious uphill towing I do wish I had more Omphf, but then those times really ammount to about 5% of my towing and the 6L is Great for everything else. My '01 TV only has about 58K on it, so it will likely be with us a while. The 2500HD does have a bigger brakes/ trans upgrades/ w/4.10's. All keep the heartrate down.

Hope that answers the question asked.

Axel

[Safari Tim]

That's great mileage. I only get about 12mpg w/o my Safari. And about 10/11 mpg with it.

I was hoping the 30'er would not drop it too much.

Originally Posted by SilverToy

Tim -

Don't exactly have a late model 30 footer. Have a '92 34' BUT I DO have the 6L motor you are asking about.

When simply playing 'kid taxi' I get about 15/16mpg. When towing it averages about 11 or so. We are about 7000ft altitude however.

For serious uphill towing I do wish I had more Omphf, but then those times really ammount to about 5% of my towing and the 6L is Great for everything else. My '01 TV only has about 58K on it, so it will likely be with us a while. The 2500HD does have a bigger brakes/ trans upgrades/ w/4.10's. All keep the heartrate down.

Hope that answers the question asked.

Axel

[Steve Heywood]

Originally Posted by Cracker

Your hitch and trailer weights seem a bit light. For the record, my 2000 30' Excella weighs in at about 8,400 lbs when ready to travel - inclusive of the hitch weight of about 940 lbs. That's using a Sherline scale for the hitch, and truck scales for the axles. My truck, with the wife and I onboard and a full tank of diesel, almost matches the trailer weight exactly - or 8,400 lbs!

I agree, I was basically quoting the weights Airstreams posts for my trailer, 6810 lbs dry, 610 lb tongue weight, 8300 lb GVWR. My trailer loaded is at least 8000 lbs. If you compare the 30' side-bath/dinette model Excella/Classic to almost any other Airstream it has the lowest % of tongue weight.

[apple 1]

My 96 30' Excella also has low tongue weight. The GVW rating is 8300 lbs and the tongue weight is 650 lbs. You need min of 10% of GVW so needs to be 830 lbs or higher up to 12% or 1000 lbs. I have added 175 lbs in lead shot, in vinyl bags which weight 25lbs each, under the sofa next to the battery boxes to get my tongue weight where it should be.
Jim