| Campers For Sale |
I have searched and can not find a rating system similar to Consumer Reports for RVs, is there one?
The best known ratings are by RV Consumer; you can find them on the Internet. We also tried to establish a rating system in the past, as has no less than J.D. Powers. We and Powers gave up, and with good reason. Rating things for which quality control varies widely, as it does with RVs, means there is no such thing as a typical example from any manufacturer. Thus, sample sizes have to be monstrous to provide valid reliable information. To the best of our knowledge, no one at present has sample sizes approaching those necessary to be of value to consumers.
It is possible to get a very good one or a very bad RV from any manufacturer. What we have discovered, both from gathering data and from working on RVs almost daily, is learning how to examine potential purchases is far more important than wasting time seeking to learn the name of the "best manufacturers".
For what should I be looking in trying to evaluate fifth-wheels and travel trailers?
As with all RVs, start by considering how you intend to use it. As a general rule, it is easier to tow a smaller RV than a large one, and obviously it is important to be aware how much weight your tow vehicle will be able to tow. Naturally, if you plan on staying put for long periods of time or full timing, bias in the direction of going larger in size.
I would advise you to stay away from any RV that falls into the entry level i.e. cheap price range. The only way manufacturers market entry level products is by "decontenting" the product or by pushing it down the line. I have seen some of these in which appliances were not even wired before leaving the factory. I would also advise against buying from any manufacturer that has not been in business for at least five years. Everyone needs a track record.
Once you know what size and shape you are going to tow, attend several RV shows and do some research on the Internet, until you have a sense of differences in construction. Examine every aspect carefully and do not attempt to buy based simply on a manufacturer's reputation and do not forget to make sure everything works. After you narrow the candidate list, be sure to complete a test tow before signing on the dotted line and try no to get caught up in modifications and add-ons until you have used your RV for several months.
How much of a discount can I expect when negotiating on a new RV?
The question of how much to pay is an age old question and if you have spent much time in the owner's forums, you already know the answer. At present, 25% off the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), is fairly typical. Obtaining pricing information, however, is not as simple as researching the price of a car. All dealers do not pay the same amount for their RVs, do not have the same overhead, do not offer the same level of service after the sale, etc. In other words, there is much less uniformity among RV dealers than there is among car dealers.
You also will not receive as great a discount on popular models as on unpopular models. For example, as this is being written, the market for motorhomes, as one dealer recently said "is extinct". Discounts on motorhomes may be greater than 25%. Until recently, large rvs with plenty of slides were the sales leaders. With fuel prices on the rise and the state of consumer confidence, light-weight travel trailers have become the market leaders. Which model will lead the market next is anyone's guess.
It is important to be aware shopping for the best price may leave you hurting after the sale and some dealers will not do service work at all on RVs not purchased on their lots. Again, warranty coverage is not like it is with your car or truck.
The one behavior on the part of buyers I regard as questionable is taking up a great deal of a salesperson's time, than searching the Internet to save a few dollars when it comes time to purchase. There are some superb dealerships out there and paying a few dollar more is well worth the money. In my opinion, if you focus only on price, whatever befalls you after the sale, you deserve!
FAQs for buying con't here