Selling/trading moving up

[mcaslaon4449]

In April 2017 we ordered & purchased a 25' Flying Cloud TFB, with the following up-grades:
awning package
back up camera
4 stage converter
2 6 volt GMA batteries
ultra leather
Fantastic fan covers
Equal-i-zer sway control hitch
We also added an oval window to the bathroom door. The trailer has been stored inside when not in use. The factory warranty is still in effect until April 2019 & is transferrable. We added the Trident exterior coating.
We've kept our trailer in primo condition, with low milage. We recently saw a 25' International Serenity TFB & fell in love with the up-grades & decor. We plan to sell or trade our present trailer & move up to the Serenity.
Is it better to sell the trailer on Forums or trade it for the new trailer? We don't want to order a new one, because we don't want to pay the shipping cost from the factory, but that might already be built into the price, I don't know.
We're thinking of asking around $80,000 for the trailer. Does that sound like a reasonable price? We want to make the best decision & appreciate your feedback.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by mcaslaon4449

In April 2017 we ordered & purchased a 25' Flying Cloud TFB, with the following up-grades:
awning package
back up camera
4 stage converter
2 6 volt GMA batteries
ultra leather
Fantastic fan covers
Equal-i-zer sway control hitch
we also added an oval window to the bathroom
the trailer has been stored inside when not in use
We've kept our trailer in primo condition, with low milage. We recently saw a 25' International Serenity TFB & fell in love with the up-grades & decor. We plan to sell or trade our present trailer & move up to the Serenity.
Is it better to sell the trailer on Forums or trade it for the new trailer? We don't want to order a new one, because we don't want to pay the shipping.
We're thinking of asking around $80,000 for the trailer. Does that sound like a reasonable price?

You can buy a new one for less than that. I would take it to the dealer and trade it.

[njaspers]

If you purchase a new Serenity you will be paying for shipping no matter if it is on the lot or ordered.

[GMFL]

Trade and here is why.
If you trade it you will avoid the TAX on the trade value. See below

Made up numbers but close.

Flying Cloud trade 67000.00
New Serenity. 80000.00
Difference taxed amount 13000.00

Sell out right 70000.00
New Serenity 80000.00
Tax paid on 80000.00

Most of the time with a trailer this new you can not make up the difference in TAX with an out right sale.
Either way you are going to take a hit. Just a matter of weather the hit is worth it to you.

[daleyocum]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

You can buy a new one for less than that. I would take it to the dealer and trade it.

Confirmed. We just took delivery of that exact 2018 trailer less the backup camera, battery upgrade, and hitch ordered new from factory for $69.5k. Took some comparison quotes from multiple dealers but I would aboud buying straight off the lot.

[ShinyPete]

Just a thought, but how about just changing parts of your interior décor to a closer match to the Serenity? It looks like you're talking about the exact same coach, and you would be spending a bunch of money for a décor trade...........Nothing else, as the coach is the same as you have.

Of course, we love to spend other peoples money on AirForums, so why not?

Seriously though, get rid of the Goodyear Marathons on your coach (if they're still there) for Goodyear Endurance tires or a better, safer Load Range E tire than the GYMs, and use the "plain jane" interior scheme of the Flying Cloud to build your own décor palette. You could swap for corian counters, you could change easily accessible panels/doors/drawers/etc. for different laminates, you could modify the overhead locker doors to resemble the sliders.......

But like I said, just a thought. It's as if I have thought about this before in our Pete.......

[Foiled Again]

Have to agree with prior posters. On your first RV (or anything else) it is easy to pay too much. Marketing 101 - humans buy emotionally and justify it afterwards with logic. Took me years to really believe I too was so heavily influenced by emotion... until late one night I almost bought fine china on QVC.... I never entertain like that but it was so pretty!!

First, you should almost always be able to get 20% off list buying a new Airstream.

Second, you are now going to take a second BIG hit if you trade for a Serenity in one year.

So - "Serenitize" your current one. BTW I also fell in lust with the Serenity when I saw it online, then saw the real thing at a rally and, meh. Actually it looks cold and sterile to me in person. The orange accents on the walls look muddy not brilliant, and the sliders on the overheads are OK. Then I saw the Eddie Bauer in person and after years of drooling got mine. It still makes me happy just to light up the "fossil leaf" sliders.

You might search auctions and find a totalled Serenity and lift all or most of what you want from it. You could go to JC and have them replace just the overhead cabinets and dinette upholstery, etc.

But before you do anything else, go to a big Airstream rally and tour everything you possibly can. It would be awful to trade and then find something ELSE you like better again! Colonial Airstream website is good for drooling too.

[Acheron2010]

Something a dealer said to me in passing but stuck in my head - all Airstreams are the same, it is just the interiors that are different.
This is fundamental for me. If your current Airstream shell does not leak, doors work, plumbing and electrical functions, floor is solid, everything else is "decoration."
If you love that new Serenity, make your interior just like it. You will save thousands, and you will have a trailer that is yours, perfect in every way.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...OUD-5001415936

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...25FB-120583304

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...win-5000500121

[daleyocum]

Something they said on the Keep Your Daydream Youtube channel stuck with me. For them their RV is a tool for experiences. It's not an end unto itself. I've tried to keep that in mind when thinking about upgrades. Will our adventures be noticeably more rewarding or will our travels be significantly more comfortable if I do X or Y. I love to upgrade things so I need this sanity check.

For other people upgrading their RV IS their hobby, much like tricking out a car. It all depends on what truly makes you happy.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by daleyocum

For other people upgrading their RV IS their hobby, much like tricking out a car. It all depends on what truly makes you happy.

Defiantly a hobby for me. I love to tinker!

[EZTOO]

Originally Posted by Acheron2010

Something a dealer said to me in passing but stuck in my head - all Airstreams are the same, it is just the interiors that are different.
This is fundamental for me. If your current Airstream shell does not leak, doors work, plumbing and electrical functions, floor is solid, everything else is "decoration."
If you love that new Serenity, make your interior just like it. You will save thousands, and you will have a trailer that is yours, perfect in every way.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...OUD-5001415936

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...25FB-120583304

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...win-5000500121

You can do the upgrades that you liked in the Serenity, change the nameplate of your current AS to "Serenity" and make it a clone, very few people will even know the difference, you should disclose when you sell or trade it though. It's done with classic muscle cars all the time (SS, HO,Z-28, etc.) ... just a thought!!

[Lara Me]

I upgraded from a 2013 28FC to a 2017 27FB International. The layout and decor were the clinchers, as was the ducted dual AC. It was an expensive hit, like $42k difference and that was negotiating 19% off the new trailer. I could’ve cut the difference if I sold it myself but didn’t want the hassle, and I saved about $5k in taxes. All told, it was about $6-8k more to trade vs sell myself, assuming I could’ve gotten my asking price. Harder to sell a pre 2015 trailer for top dollar as everyone wants the ducted AC.

Happy with the new one but if we decided to pay a shop to upgrade we would be $$ ahead! If I was in your shoes I’d keep your trailer and upgrade finished using a local shop specializing in AS updates. In my case, I couldn’t cheaply change the layout.