Opinion on condition of 2720 being considered for purchase

[tentcamper]

I never seen doc and pre fees on a used private sale. Our dealers in Ohio charge around 150 for doc charges, plus sales tax if in state. Yes you would have shipping, if that how you do it. But I have to see what I buy used. So why not make a road trip of it? See it and buy it, and camp on the way back home?? Just need to make sure there is a notary if needed.

You can not get away from the sales tax for your state??

Our added coast were 1,200 miles of travel around $120, two nights motel/camping $100, food $150, transfer title and plates around $60 and 7.25% sales tax.

I had the seller put on new tires before I came out to see it, because they were very old. He agreed that anyone that would buy it, would have issues with the tires. So he agreed to have new tire on the camper for my trip, if I bought it.

When I called my DMV. I found out for my state, I did not need temp plates or plates to transport from out of state a new bought trailer to my house. So we traveled without plates.

 

[tentcamper]

I also made sure I had a good bill of sale that included the seller agreeing that there were no loans or claims. It also had that the seller would promptly assist if any additional paper work was needed and was responsible for any claims on the trailer that might arise.

All went very smoothly. The seller showed us the camper and assisted in the inspection. They showed us several times how to set it up and down and gave us their check list.

 

[agilitynut]

Tentcamper, the 2008 I made the offer on today is at a dealership, hence the doc ($399) and prep ($695) fees. Between my work schedule and upcoming weekend commitments (agility competitions with my dogs) I wouldn't have the two days to go look at it until sometime in August, and something tells me it will sell this weekend (just listed yesterday.) The dealer is nearly 600 miles from me, which is for sure a 2-day round trip.

I would be buying it sight unseen, other than the photos they have posted, which are about the cleanest I've seen in the two months I've been looking online. Tires are new, they will replace battery if it's close to three years, I will insist that they repack the bearings if they've not been done in the past year, and they said they will provide me a copy of the inspection checklist stating that everything was inspected and is in working condition at the time of sale. Salesman assured me that anything found to be broken or not working will be repaired before it leaves their lot.

It's a gamble, and one I was willing to take for a certain price. But the current total puts me about $1K over my target, $11K for the trailer OTD, $1200 for delivery to my residence, and $700 sales tax due to my home state of Missouri. So, I'm weighing out a decision. It really does look like an exceptionally clean unit, which is why it's so tempting.

This is such a great forum. Really appreciate getting so much feedback!

 

[Padgett]

When I left a large deposit on mine since it was not near a power or water source my contract stated I expected it to be connected when I returned the next week (about 60 miles away and was working then) and that the agreed upon price was contingent of all equipment being operational and if anything was not working then the price was subject to adjustment.

I would suggest something similar. I'd hate to see it delivered with an inop AC and no recourse. Get it up front and in writing (e-mail or fax).

Then when it arrives be ready to test everything and not accept delivery until satisfied.

Is the dealer a Camping World or something large that has a facility near you ?

 

[agilitynut]

Padgett, it is at a locally owned RV Dealership in Georgia, so unfortunately nothing in my area tied to it. I have friends in GA, but not in this particular area of the state, otherwise I'd be calling in a favor and asking them to make a trip to this dealer.

I was able to negotiate by phone to $10,800 OTD just before they closed today. I put down a 'refundable' (confirmed this with him a couple times) deposit contingent upon him addressing questions we discussed today (exact age of battery and replacement if it's over 2 yrs old, that bearings would be repacked, a list of everything included, etc) and a satisfactory report after a thorough pre-sales check of the trailer by their technicians, of which I will receive a written copy stating each item inspected and that everything is in working order. If I choose delivery he says they will provide me with a written statement that if anything is wrong upon receipt that the dealer will cover it.

I hope everything will check out fine and I feel like it will be a good deal (said with fingers crossed.) In the two months I've been looking I've not seen 2008s selling for much less than this, but I've certainly seen them selling for more. This is the trailer I have the deposit on http://www.rvworldofgeorgia.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=1374685&p=1&make=trail%20manor&s=Year&d=D&t=preowned&fr=xPreOwnedInventory I feel much more comfortable spending $10K+ on my first travel trailer than the $16K on the one that I referenced at the start of this thread. It stinks not being able to look at it in person, but the salesman keeps telling me it looks almost brand new. I hope this will be a risk that pays off. Deal isn't done yet, but at least I got the ball rolling.

Thanks again to all who have weighed in.

 

[Padgett]

Sounds like a great start and for an '08 that is a good price. Does have a power tongue jack which is nice and has the swivel chair which mine did not.

Let us know when it arrives.

 

[Bailey'sMom]

Check out online shipping bids

Agilitynut.....


If you search the forum you will find the name of an online shipping bid site. I can't recall the name. Something like uship.com or something. You enter your information of what you want shipped (or towed) and they bid on price to do the job. Can be a better deal than the dealer shipping. This is what I did because I too was unable to drive to Colorado to pick it up. It was kind of a leap of faith but it worked out for me.

Make sure it is fully insured before it leaves the dealer.

Sounds to me like you are getting a really good deal. Just looked at the pictures and it looks really nice! Great deal! Even has the extra over stove cabinet and removable drawer cabinet. Nice.

 

[MT Camper]

I bought my TM from The Car Show in Col Springs Colorado. I bought it while visiting my sister in Oregon. I too was nervous about buying without seeing it my self, but it was a good transaction and the trailer was in great shape and everything worked and I was very happy. I went back home to MT and left the next day to Col Springs to pickup the trailer and spent a night in the trailer on the way home to MT. I believe a lot depends on the dealer you are dealing with and if they are upfront about the trailer then you are in good shape. Hope it all works out for you.

 

[moaboy]

I'll be selling a 2009.5 within the next 30 days that is in extremely good condition with many factory and owner upgrades including Purple Line Enduro caravan movers. Hard to figure out a "fair" price for both buyer and seller. Mine has always been garaged and basically looks new inside and out, but geography also matters. Just depends on supply and demand in your area or reasonable "drive" time area.

 

[Bill]

I'm not trying to talk you into anything, or change your mind. My thoughts on the value of the options are these.

• Rear rcvr hitch. Do you need it? Will you plan to carry bicycles? If so, this is a nice option, and you will pay maybe a couple hundred dollars for it later. If not, I don't see this as much of a draw.
• Electric tongue jack. This is a nice-to-have, especially if you are not physically strong. On the other hand, if you don't mind cranking a manual jack, it is - well - nice.
• Swing away hitch. Do you need this? If you plan to park your TM in a garage, how long is the garage, compared to the length of a TM? The swing away hitch reduces the trailer length by 2 feet and many of us, including me, could not fit a TM into the garage without it. Original cost of this option was high - almost $500 as I recall - and it is very difficult to retrofit later if you find you need it.
• The A/C is a good and valuable option, most people want it. It will have a substantial effect on your resale value down the road when you sell the trailer. Incidentally, they are all "low profile".
• 40 gallon water tank. Again, do you need it? Standard is 20 gallons, and most of us live quite nicely with that. It becomes important only if you plan to do lots of dry camping (no hookups).
• Alloy wheels are again a nice-to-have. Many people value them, and your trailer will look nicer, but it won't operate any better.
• The Winegard antenna is a good thing because most folks want a TV antenna, and it is a difficult retrofit.
• The others are minor, in my opinion, with little effect on your final decision.

Others may disagree about specific items, of course.

Bill

2011 is the newest model I'm considering due to my budget.
The options on the 2011 I described include
- Rear receiver hitch
- electric tongue jack
- swing away hitch
- low profile AC
- 40 gallon fresh water tank
- microwave drawer
- Sony CD/Radio sound system
- alloy wheels
- Winegard antenna with power boost

Owner was also going to throw in
- new Travasak bedding with extra sheets and cases
- tongue pad
- new jack pads
- wheel chocks
- trailer cover
- leveling system new in box

 

[agilitynut]

I'm buying the 2008

Thanks everyone for all the help. I lucked out in more ways than one. Turns out a couple of friends in South Carolina live just over an hour from the Georgia dealership where I found the 2008 and they offered to go look at it last Saturday. (They've had trailers in the past and currently own a coach.) They said the 2008 looks brand new inside and out. Even the shower curtain looks like it's never been touched. So not only did I get someone to go over the trailer for me, it appears I've found a diamond in the rough and I got it for a good price.

The salesman had told me the tires were new, but turns out they are original. My friends said they just LOOK brand new. (A 7 yr old trailer with original tires that still look brand new? Wasn't used much.) The dealer agreed to put on new tires, including the spare. They are overnighting the bill of sale to me to sign and I'm arranging for a transport company to deliver to me on Friday. Thank you to Bailey'sMom for suggesting uShip. Every bid I've received has been less than half of what the dealer quoted me for their third party transport company.

Now I just need to make sure I have everything I need for when it's delivered, as I plan to camp in it that same night at my friend's farm.

Have to say again what a great forum this is….it's been a great help to me!

Thanks!

 

[TrailManorMan]

Congrats!!! Enjoy the TM

 

[Padgett]

"I plan to camp in it that same night " - have power available, either a gen or a long extension cord. This time of year you will probably need AC.

 

[B_and_D]

It sounds like you found a great TM for your needs. If you're going to pick up the trailer and drive away that same day, you probably won't have time to get the refrigerator going unless you ask the dealership to pre-cool it. You should ask for a full tank of LP, at least 1/2 tank of water, a water hose, and a sewer hose at the very least. It took forever to deal with the dealership when we picked ours up and I knew way more about it (TM wise) than they did. I emailed them and asked them if they needed a cashiers check, they didn't get back to me, and then when we showed up over Labor Day weekend, they wanted a cashier's check. Thank goodness we got there the Friday before. Luckily they had a Wells Fargo close by and we were able to get a cashier's check for them. Maybe you've already done the financial transactions, and if so, that's good.

It sounds like you found a really gently used TM like we did in 2003. We are still enjoying ours, although it's currently at a local body shop due to running over a wheel that came off of a car coming towards us on the way home from Yosemite a month ago. It just broke my heart to see it a little damaged . My Prius and my TM are my babies, like in the auto insurance commercial when the guy is washing the giant baby .

I hope it suits your needs and that you have many enjoyable trips in it. I've taken ours out a few times without DH and have had no problems after I learned how to back it up. When we went to Yosemite I backed it into the campsite and the guy camping across from us came over and complimented me on my parking job, it was pretty tight getting into that spot. It just takes practice.

Good luck with your purchase and your trip home.

D'

 

[Bailey'sMom]

Glad you found better deal on the shipping cost. Now cross your fingers and say a few prayers that it goes smoothly. Mine did and I'm sure yours will too. Congrats!

 

[B_and_D]

You were smart to ask about the tires. When we bought ours, they were original but looked brand new, even had the little rubber threadies sticking out from the tire. Lasted about a year and then we had a blowout. I had no clue how old they were. It wasn't fun. I went into the rest room at a fast food place on the way back and looked at my face in the mirror after we'd ordered some food for the family and realized that I had tire grime wiped all over my face after changing the tire.

Lots of good advice here on this forum.

Thanks to all of you TM owners who continue to contribute to the wealth of knowledge that makes this board so worthwhile and informative.

 

[RottieMom-TMO]

agilitynut, my TM is the first travel trailer I've ever owned and most of the time I travel solo with it. I created checklists for myself to make sure I didn't forget to do something or the right sequence to do it in whether it's hooking up the trailer, setting it up or taking it down. Something you may want to consider.

Congrats on your purchase and I hope you get lots of enjoyment out of it.

 

[agilitynut]

Thanks everyone. I'm pretty excited.

The outrageous prep fee includes two full tanks of propane, so I'm good there. They included in writing on the bill of sale the three new tires and checking bearings, so covered there as well. Got the bill of sale via Next Day Air yesterday and signed and overnighted back to them. Wiring payment this morning and they were to start prep for delivery first thing this am. She's as good as mine.

The only hiccup is the transporter I booked called me yesterday morning to tell me his truck dropped a valve and would be in the shop, so he had to cancel the booking. I relisted it and have another transporter who can deliver, but not til Sat am, so unless he runs ahead of schedule I'll be in a hotel the first night. But at least I'll have it for the rest of the weekend.

The nice thing about being at my friend's farm this weekend is I'll be parked beside her house, have access to a porta-john about 50 ft away, and get to use her 30 amp plug in. So I won't truly be camping, but it will be a great intro to the trailer for me - I can test things out without having to really "need" anything but the A/C. It's her annual picnic weekend event and all our friends can't wait to check out my new trailer. She and another friend have even said they want first right of refusal whenever I decide to sell it. Haha!

RottieMom, thank you for reminding me about a checklist. In the few months I've been shopping for a TM I've read a lot on this forum to try to educate myself and one of the things I saved off was a very detailed check list that someone had created and shared. After reading your post I made sure to print it out to take with me this weekend.

I have a ton to learn as this is my first TT and first time to tow anything, but I'm excited about the adventure. Thanks again to all who contribute on this forum. I paid my subscription and will surely continue to learn from you all in the future.