Buying a RV
can be a challenging enough experience without the new added “wildcard” of a whole slew of storm damaged rv’s (of all types – storm damaged motorhomes, storm damaged trailers, and storm damaged fifth wheels) that are emerging on the market in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida – particularly Harvey in Texas since so much flooding occurred in that region.
Allow me to share a few thoughts here on this subject in the following video – and then I will expand further in the narrative below.
Frankly, when it comes to purchasing a RV…
The landscape is rocky enough! After all, when searching for the right RV for your needs, you have to sift through a number of manufacturers who to be honest make substandard products. In my personal searching, with years of experience living in one and years of consulting experience, I have found only a handful that in my view are built well enough to own!
Now add the recent storms to hit the Gulf Coast including Texas and Florida. Hurricane Harvey in particular caused MASSIVE flooding across a widespread region – and some areas were caught off guard. The result? A myriad of storm damaged rv’s – both trailers and motorhomes. In short – storm damaged rv’s.
Some of these RV’s have been totaled out and disposed of. They’re not ones you’ll run into when you’re “in the market” for a RV. But… others have not. The RV’s that remain that were storm damaged broadly fall into two categories: those that were damaged, and subsequently were totaled out by the insurance companies and then purchased (either by a dealer or a private party) and now carry a SALVAGE title; alternately, there are RV’s that were damaged (largely owned by individuals) and no claim was filed with the insurance company after the storm. They still carry a regular title and it is (frankly) up to the potential buyer to spot a storm damaged rv. I view these as the more dangerous of the two – here’s why…
But first… I gotta show off my new trailer! A few photos – much more to come soon
Why are privately owned RV’s damaged in the storms more dangerous?
Ok, back to the main topic, but I gotta say, my Outdoors RV (Glacier Peak) 5th wheel ROCKS… and I will share more soon. When it comes to storm damaged RV’s, if a private owner who’s rv was damaged in the storms did not file a claim, their title status would remain unchanged, so there’s no tell tale salvage title to reveal the rv’s true history.
By now, these rv’s have dried out and may APPEAR to be just fine. But… as they say, appearances can be deceiving. YOU need to become a detective (and the trailer you are looking at may be nowhere near Houston!!) A few suggestions – crawl into the storage area(s) and see if there is a now dried water line – a dead giveaway! Do the same inside the RV, as the water may have risen into it. Look in the underbelly areas where the water pump is (people often forget to clean up these areas) – is there any evidence of water being in that area (where it does not belong)?
Insist upon plugging in the RV and check ALL functions (you should do this anyway when buying a used RV). Does the fridge start up and begin to cool? Will the furnace work? How about the hot water heater? I’m sure you get the idea.
If there are more tips that YOU have, please do report them so all can read storm damaged rv tips below!
A few additional thoughts –
When buying a RV, I strongly endorse the idea of buying an Extended Service Contract (and I can help with this – reach out to me.)
If you have a RV and all it does is sit most of the year, why not make some extra cash with it? These folks can help you get it rented!
Ok, I’ll leave you with a GREAT sunset – courtesy of Catfish RV Park…
(click the images for full size views – photos taken on Snake River in Oregon looking W-NW at Catfish RV Park (highly recommended!! See my review in RV Park Reviews)
Hi Al
I am so grateful to receive your recommendations
I will do some further research along the lines you have recommended and see where we go from there. May need to change some of our earlier plans
Thanks once again
Its nice to have a knowledgeable contact in that part of the world
kind regards
Mike
Hi Alan
Discovering your website has been a very welcome revelation
For the past 8 months I have been reading endless RV reviews and I am shocked at the quality problems that so many people have experienced. I have gleamed most travel trailers are now made by Thor industries and poor workmanship and bad customer support seem to be a common theme with Thor Industry products. I would be very interested to know if my thoughts are reasonable.
We are New Zealanders and looking to come to the US and travel for 6 months in two three month stints. We are looking to fly to Washington DC where my wife’s brother is based with the NZ embassy. We are looking to travel the east coast between Mid August – mid November 2018. We would then put our travel trailer and truck into storage in Houston until the second stint when we would do the west coast starting in March next year
Presently I am looking at a travel trailer around 24ft that sleeps 3-4 people
I want layout with a u dinette at the rear, dual axle and a queen bed that has access on three sides. I do not want a travel trailer with a slide out as a large percentage of complaints seem to be associated with slide outs. Secondly I believe a slide out compromises the structural integrity of a travel trailer
I was looking to purchase a Dodge Ram 1500 5.7litre hemi engine or maybe a Chev Avalance or Chev Tahoe with a 5 litre V8
We will most likely travel 10,000 – 12,000 miles. I am not planning to be going off road but would like to spent a good part of trip visiting your National Parks.
I would be very interested to what travel trailers to avoid and those you would recommend purchasing. I am prepared to do weekly maintenance checks to ensure issues are captured before they become significant problems.
I am prepared to travel 300mls or more from Washington DC to get the right travel trailer.
I am so grateful to have discovered your website and would be happy to give you our Blog so you can follow and RV highs and lows across the US
Best Regards
Mike McGivern
Mike,
Thank you for your kind words. Regarding the industry, Thor is actually the BETTER of the 2 “big boys”, Forest River being the other. Between the two, 85% of all trailer companies and trailers are made by one or the other. As I read your post and thought about your needs, I have a couple of thoughts – first, my inclination is to recommend a used Arctic Fox or Outdoors RV trailer (both are made by Northwood Mfg. in Oregon). Most of these trailers will be found out west so if you want one, you’ll have to travel a bit from D.C. to get one. I suggest used as 1) its been through its initial depreciation and 2) the first owner will have addressed any issues the factory missed.
I do offer a buying service where I’ll locate a suitable trailer and negotiate the deal for you after doing a verbal assessment of its overall condition and discovering any known issues. (My verbal assessment does not replace the need for a local tech to check the trailer before you make an offer on it.) I can also assist with the purchase of new trailers.
Last thought – yes, slides can be problematic, but its not nearly as frequent as you think, and on a good trailer, its virtually a non-issue. What they do offer is more room to live as otherwise free space in the trailer is quite limited. As a suggestion, I really like the TimberRidge 25RDS (http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/timber-ridge/) or the CreekSide 21RD (http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/creek-side/). Currently Arctic Fox does not have a rear dinette model, but they may have an older model. The only alternative I really like to the Northwood trailers is the Jayco Eagle – primarily the models from 2010 – 2016.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance.
Al
Well first up I’m depressed. I love the floor plans of the Open Range followed closely by Jayco. I loved the full size(40+ feet), So I was going to check into the GM 450’s.
I’m retired so I wasn’t worried about either as I would be paying cash and figured about $150,000+ for both. But now you have changed all that. :(… 🙂
35 ft will be my next goal. How about a few names of trailers that you would recommend?
We live near Toronto in Canada. We plan to travel to Florida for 4 months each winter then travel around Canada and the US the rest of the year. By the way, thanks for the quick response
The BEST in a 35 ft size HANDS DOWN is what I just purchased (after 2 years of my own research) – Outdoors RV Glacier Peak 30RLS or 30RKS. I will be sharing MUCH more about mine VERY soon. The catch? They are sold ONLY in the western states. I work with a dealer in Wyoming and we are one of the easternmost dealers for Outdoors RV (there’s also one in Denver and Calgary). All the others are west of the Rocky Mountains. (I’m in Idaho for the winter if you want to stop by and see it!)
Know this: I did NOT buy an Outdoors RV because I work for a dealer who sells them; in fact, with my perverse sense of humor, I would have LOVED to see the owners face as I pulled up with a trailer bought elsewhere… but, after my search, I could NOT find a better made trailer. The two models I suggest retail for between about $73,000 and 88,000 (USD) depending upon how they are equipped.
As to a truck, a F250 is fine, or a F350 is more than enough.
Arctic Fox also makes a good product – BUT – at this time, they do not offer a full profile 5th wheel with dual opposing slides in the living area at this length. Their’s is a bit longer and every foot you add closes off more potential campsites.
DRV is also made well, but at this time, they are not making anything under 40 ft. Same is true for Jayco in their best built 5th wheels. There is a 36ft Eagle (the 321), but I would not personally full time in an Eagle if I could do better.
Be sure to check out New Horizons. They are a custom manufacturer who will make pretty much anything you want. They also have some really nice trade-ins on their lot if you want to save some money. For example they have a very nice looking Teton Homes for sale for less that half of what you’d pay new. They are family owned and great people. You can stop and tour the factory on your way to Florida. 😉
http://horizonsrv.com/inventory/
David, Do you work for them? If not, you should realize that $130+ for a 5th wheel that is too heavy for most trucks that most folks own is a stretch. Especially considering that they depreciate like a rock – just like all other trailers. Further, I see the teton they have for sale that is TEN years old and they’re asking $45000. – wow – where I’m from that’s called CHUTZPAH! There is no way as a consultant I’d recommend a 10 year old trailer to anyone for anywhere near that price – teton or not.
I don’t work for anyone, I’m just an avid RVer who’s owned five different manufacturers, shapes and sizes. I love RVing and the RV community in general and am happy to share my experience any time it might be helpful, whatever that’s worth. 😉
I do own a 2004 34′ New Horizons 5th wheel, which I pull with a 2006 F350. My family has owned it for 5 years and it is basically our second home. I’ve visited New Horizons and met the folks there and I’d encourage anyone thinking about mobile living to stop there before making a final decision.
Your point about weight is super important. A one ton diesel is bare minimum for 5vers like New Horizons, Excell Pederson, DRV (pre Thor industries), or Teton Homes. So I very much applaud companies like Outdoor RV making a 4 season trailer that can be pulled by a 3/4 ton pickup. And let’s face it, I think most people would prefer a lighter overall package. But if you’ve got the truck, I’d say you might as well go whole hog.
Also, you’re right about the price. Teton Homes, even though no longer in business, is the standard by which the 5th wheel industry has been measured for a long time. A 38′ Teton Homes is big and heavy for sure. But I’d still try to get as close to $35k as possible, or get the folks at New Horizons to modernize it quite a bit for the $45k.
Just one man’s opinion, but I do hope that’s useful.
David,
I think we need to qualify – for the high end trailers you named, a F350 DRV Diesel is the minimum. Personally, I’d never want a dually. And thanks for sharing. Al
Hello Alan. Well I’ve found you. You seem to be the most intelligent and knowledgeable RVer out there, so I’m hoping to pick your brain over the next wee while. First up I heard you mention a specific brand name that you didn’t like. I can’t for the life of me remember which one it was, but you seem to be willing to voice your opinion on different subjects. I’ve been looking at Jayco and Open Range. I actually toured the Jayco plant on our way home from Texas. I know that Open Range is now owned by the same company as Jayco, but I love their designs. They are much lighter than other RV’s, does that mean that they wouldn’t be as well insulated? Also this will be our first RV so i’m wondering about the length of it. Everything that I like is over 40 feet. Now I know that that will interfere with me getting into several spots, but how about getting used to pulling it? Will that be a tough transition from a car? I am 70 and my wife is 64 how will that affect us? We are both active and healthy at the moment. Well that a lot of “stuff” so I leave it at that. I’ll await your response. Thanks
Brett
Hey Brett,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words. First, if insulation is a consideration, lets forget about Open Range and possibly also Jayco. The manufacturer I warn folks about is Forest River – realize they produce over 30 different brands and sometimes finding out that Forest River is their “mother ship” is not a trivial matter. For example, you can see (very pretty) Crusader trailers that say “Crusader by Prime Time” – Forest River is not mentioned anywhere (gee, I wonder why??) – BUT – FR does own them in fact!
Ok, enough of that. As to length, yes, 40 ft is too long IF you want to get to the best campsites – especially out west in the mountain states. I opted for 35 ft – still long enough to be comfortable, but short enough to get into MOST campsites. (the 5 ft. difference IS significant) As to towing – you’re fine with either on open roads.
Now, a couple of questions, then I can become more specific: What truck are you towing with? Are we talking 5th wheel trailers? What budget do you have for the trailer? Where do you live? Where do you plan to travel?
Al
Also most interested in list of best RV’s- we are in the market for a gas class A
Nancy, I’m not a Class A expert, but here’s what I do know – Newmar, Tiffin, Monaco, Winnebago are all safe and good names. As to design, I strongly prefer Diesel over Gas engine (you’ll pay up for this, but get better performance in the long run and better resale ability with a diesel). I’d encourage shorter rather than longer if you want to be able to get into “out of the way” campsites. You will definitely want an extended service contract on whatever you buy, and I’d be glad to get you a quote once you select a motorhome of your liking. Al
Hi Al,
That is a beautiful rig! Thanks for the photos and for that very well timed report.
Be careful out there 🙂
Colette
P.S. (I can’t open the “Camping at the hot springs in La Grande, Or” to the larger size.)
Colette, thanks for your kind words, and the image is fixed. Al
I am interested in your list of best rv’s Please contact me. Researching fifth wheels, campers and motor homes can be exhausting! I trust your knowledge.
Carol, glad to share! What type of RV are you looking for? (fifth wheel, motorhome, etc…)
Dear Al,
We are so excited to hear you are in your new rig. Congratulations! It looks beautiful and looking forward to see more pictures. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
Bill and Doreen, Casper, WY
Thanks so much! more coming soon. Al