New vs Used

[jondrew55]

We just got fully immersed in the AS fever a few weeks ago. We've been RVing for over 30 years with popups, trailers and MHs and always considered getting an AS, but never got around to it. We decided just to "look" about a month ago, but the local dealers did not have any stock to walk thru except a late model 30' classic. And then we found a local 2016 30' classic. Nice, but bigger than what we wanted. So my wife went to work on RV trader and kept pulling up all these local models. We found a 2021 25' Globe trotter and a 2019 28' Serenity. Overall, we liked the GT better. The decision was cemented when we realized the Serenity only had 1 AC. In the process of closing the deal on what looks like a really sweet trailer. Out of state financing by the seller and a registration screw up by the dealer are delaying things a bit, but hope to have our hands on it this week or early next.

It seems to me that there are lots of people placing orders for ASs and having to wait 9 months or more. This, when there seems to be a decent number of late model used units popping up (just checked the classifieds here and there are 2 more nice local units listed). My experience has been buying a slightly used RV has always been a better experience than buying brand new. It's had a shakedown and usually has been to the dealer for warranty clean ups. Plus, you save a bit of money. I think if you're in the market for a new unit you owe it to yourself to spend a couple of weeks checking the classifieds and or RV Trader as a lot of people who bought trailers recently are deciding this is not something they really want to do.

Just my 2 cents

[Hans627]

Sounds like good advice! I think you will like the GT especially with the 2 A/C's.

Hopefully the deal goes thru and you will be traveling soon!

[GetawA-S]

Our first A-S was a 22 Sport, “used one weekend “.
When the fridge and water heater went out, Dometic refused to provide warranty coverage because we were not the original owners.
Keep in mind.

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

Our first A-S was a 22 Sport, “used one weekend “.
When the fridge and water heater went out, Dometic refused to provide warranty coverage because we were not the original owners.
Keep in mind.

Really? That stinks. For some reason I thought warranty was transferrable. Our Fleetwood Discovery was a year old when we got it and the few things that broke were covered. Not a fridge, but the washer.

[jondrew55]

Thanks. Like the truck in your profile pic. I have the same one sitting in my driveway.

Originally Posted by Hans627

Sounds like good advice! I think you will like the GT especially with the 2 A/C's.

Hopefully the deal goes thru and you will be traveling soon!

[GetawA-S]

Jondrew55,
Yes, really. The fridge went out on our shakedown stay, and the dealer replaced it as a goodwill gesture. (They hinted they would work around the Dometic refusal somehow.)
The water heater went out two months later. A roving tech found a replacement board and installed it for $225 (on us). Not only was Dometic useless, steering us to defunct service centers, they were gleeful about denying the coverage.
You might want to have an understanding with your dealer about the Dometic appliances.

[jondrew55]

yea well these days getting warrantee coverage is one thing, getting an appointment with any service center is another. The downside to buying used is you do not get preference with the dealership you buy from for service. That was the case with our Motorhome and the trailer we are replacing with the airstream. I checked this one out as best I could. Fridge (electric) works, monitoring system works, AC works with good split temps, on demand water heater seems to work awesome (better than I would have thought) furnace... who cares, I can't remember ever using a furnace in Fl. Just a couple of space heaters. Seller took me for a ride in his vehicle so I could see how it towed. We've been having horrific downpours here lately and no signs of leaks. Not sure what else I could do. I'd definitly recommend making a sale contingent on an independent inspection. I had a couple of them lined up. Going rate is $450-$600, but probably worth it. I did not use one because this unit is only 3 months old and I feel reasonably competent to check it out. Let's hope I don't eat my words!

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

Jondrew55,
Yes, really. The fridge went out on our shakedown stay, and the dealer replaced it as a goodwill gesture. (They hinted they would work around the Dometic refusal somehow.)
The water heater went out two months later. A roving tech found a replacement board and installed it for $225 (on us). Not only was Dometic useless, steering us to defunct service centers, they were gleeful about denying the coverage.
You might want to have an understanding with your dealer about the Dometic appliances.

[GetawA-S]

Jondrew55,
Oh, private sale. I don’t see how that changes things reliability wise, and it sounds like you have a lot of experience with these things. I wasn’t trying to rain on your parade, but it’s a peeve of mine that sellers emphasize the “Airstream warranty “ without mentioning that second owners have NO protection on the things that are more frequently a problem.
Happy travels!

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

Jondrew55,
Oh, private sale. I don’t see how that changes things reliability wise, and it sounds like you have a lot of experience with these things. I wasn’t trying to rain on your parade, but it’s a peeve of mine that sellers emphasize the “Airstream warranty “ without mentioning that second owners have NO protection on the things that are more frequently a problem.
Happy travels!

No worries. I've been RVing long enough I know what pitfalls may lie ahead. Just hope my luck holds out.