New Camper

[Flametamr]

We are seriously considering a new camper. We need to upgrade from the Jayco Popup to accomodate all our new combined family. If we can get it we will be making our first camping visit to the Fort in September. We are looking at a Keystone Bullet. Anyone know much about this brand ?

Seen Here. http://www.blainejensenrv.com/travel-trailer/2010/keystone-bullet/99657

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I believe the Bullet is a new model by Keystone, so I'm not sure how much information you are going to get. I like the layout and I do like the solid fiberglass front cap on it. Personally, I like Keystone products - I think you get a lot of bang for your buck with them, but I am a relatively new Keystone owner so time will tell.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

It looks similar to my Outback. I have owned 3 campers over the years and all have had some minor issues, the biggest we had with our Outback was plumbing leaks which were easier to fix than they were to find. It came down to the gasket between the faucets and the fixtures, the one in the shower was a PITA to figure out but after a 10 min disassembly and a little silicone we have never had another problem with it. Any other little items have been minor enough that I fixed them myself. I have replaced both the tongue jacks on my TT's the stock units are usually very cheap, at least on the Outback it was a 5 min job to replace. I would like to upgrade to a power unit but I am too cheap.
Based on my experience I would say that have a slightly better than average build quality, thats strictly non scientific one person opinion.

 

[Flametamr]

Thanks Guys, I forgot to mention that the price for mine is much less than the one I showed on the link. Mine is about 27,000 out the door. And I have some trade value in my Popup. The part I like is the very light weight and the axles are spread some which helps stop sway. I will be pulling it with the wife's Ford Expedition.

The feature which we picked this one is the rear bunk area. We have 4 teens and that are doubles as a den with the bunks closed up. I will post more if we do buy it this week. I wanted a toy hauler but they just don't have any sleeping room.

 

[DaveInTN]

Hey, that's a nice looking TT! Best of luck with the purchasing process.

You probably already know this, but when negotiating make sure you do some research on prices others are paying for same/similar units. I would bet that trailer in the link you posted with the dealer price of around $34k could be had for somewhere in the low to mid 20's...assuming somewhere between 20-30% off MSRP. When I bought my first TT, I had discussed numbers with the dealer that I got comfortable with, but didn't sign anything as I needed to make sure my TV could handle it. It gave me time to do some research, and I found out I would have overpaid by several thousand dollars. I was able to come back to the dealer and finalize the negotiations with a much better result.

Now, if the unit is in particular demand due to a new/popular floorplan or limited availability, the actual percent off MSRP might be lower...my range is just an estimate based on what I've seen.

 

[jriae2000]

You probably already know this, but when negotiating make sure you do some research on prices others are paying for same/similar units. I would bet that trailer in the link you posted with the dealer price of around $34k could be had for somewhere in the low to mid 20's...assuming somewhere between 20-30% off MSRP.

Now, if the unit is in particular demand due to a new/popular floorplan or limited availability, the actual percent off MSRP might be lower...my range is just an estimate based on what I've seen.

I think DaveInTn is correct. You should be lower out the door. The Bullet line is only two years old but you should be around $23,000. Last year they wouldnt move at all around here on the Bullets. Now they have 09s on the lot with the 10s.They called me in Oct with a REAL GOOD DEAL. I told them it sounded great but 6 months late since we already bought a trailer.Trailer are selling for between half and two thirds retail price. Look on rvusa and rv trader to see the going prices. As we looked it over it seemed well built.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Flametamr]

Okay I'm going in the morning to finalize the deal. We have agreed to a price and just have arrange the financing. Im loosing on my trade badly though. I found one online like the one I wanted at another dealership for $22,995 and they are matching that price but only giving me payoff on the Popup. I could do better selling it on my own but run the risk of double payments until it sells.

If anyone needs and awesome deal on a like new Jayco Popup let me know. Not trying to sell anything here but maybe help a friend out so to speak.

 

[bama_ed]

IMO pop-ups hold their value well especially if they are recent. On Craigslist I see a couple "Very Recent" pop-ups (<4yo) and many old pop-ups (over 10yo). But you rarely see any in-between. You don't say how old your pop-up is (other than close to new) but there may be a buyer for it (springtime is the time) on eBay or Craigslist or some other resale means.

Many people look for pop-ups in good condition in the spring so they can enjoy the summer/fall camping season. So you might try to sell it seperately for a little more $$$$ rather than use it as a trade. Depends on if you're in a hurry or not and the age.

Good luck. I have a pop-up (that is paid for) that I might sell someday for a hybrid but not any time soon.

Bama ED

 

[Flametamr]

The Popup is 2008 Jayco 1207. It was garage kept almost the whole time. It has a King bed on the front and Queen on the rear. Two dining tables and sleeps 7 or so. It retails for around 8 grand and the dealer is only offering me 3800 trade. Im seriously considering selling it myself.

 

[tlh0726]

The Popup is 2008 Jayco 1207. It was garage kept almost the whole time. It has a King bed on the front and Queen on the rear. Two dining tables and sleeps 7 or so. It retails for around 8 grand and the dealer is only offering me 3800 trade. Im seriously considering selling it myself.

For what they are giving you for the trade, no doubt in my mind it would be sitting in my front lawn with a big for sale sign as well as craigslist.

When we traded in our old MH, dealer wanted to give us half of what we sold it privately for.

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

we bought a 2009 popup last May. 5 months later we went back looking at TT and dealer was taking 30% off what we paid as a trade-in. We'd used the camper for maybe 30 nights & they wanted to hit us for 30%!?!??! we decided against it.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Trade in on any TT is notoriously low. There are a number of online sites that can give you a realistic value on your trade, and, like a car, it will be much lower than you could get selling on your own. Don't be fooled by a dealer paying off your loan, since it will just be incorporated into your new camper loan and the dealer will basically be getting your trade for free unless you negotiate a separate trade. As far as trades go, though, I figure the dealer has to make some profit, too, so naturally they are not going to give retail value on a trade.

 

[disney4dan]

Looks like a great trailer set up. We just picked up a Passport Ultralight 300BH last summer and got some great warranty support from the dealer in the first two weeks. Ours had a very similar bump out for the kitchen and couch area, as well as a bunk house slide on the passenger side rear (different floor plan though) and both slides leaked in rain water. It took them three tries, but they got the problem solved, has to to with the way the gaskets flip over when the slide out goes out.

Also - check the roof seals. Ours had a "sloppy" job done where the fiberglass front sealed to the roof. I commented on that at the walk through before signing, and they did reseal the area (I am going to put Eternabond over it this summer). Look for staining on the underside of the plywood that is visible from the front cargo area.

 

[des1954]

Very sweet TT!! I'm sure you and the family will get a lot of enjoyment out of it! Congrats.

 

[Flametamr]

Thanks everyone. I am very seriously considering selling the Popup on my own. Im certain I can get at least 5 grand for it and thats about 1200 more than the dealer is offering.

On a side note if we can finish the deal today I will have some pics next week. We leave tomarrow for a spring break camping trip to Panama City FL. We will be staying at St Andrews State Park. Hopefully we'll be in the new camper. Otherwise it's gonna be crowded in the popup. Ya'll have a great week and thanks again for all the advise.

 

[Millermouseketeers]

Congrats! We tried to buy the same model in February but they would not give us enough on our trade in PUP. We are upside down on it. Our goal is buy the bullett. It is an awesome floor plan. We really like it, especially with teens, like you. Enjoy!

 

[stacktester]

I would sell the pup myself as well. I bought CampingChristys pop up last year for not much less than you were offered and it's a 99 model. I think mines a 1205 and I wouldn't take less than 3k for it even being 11 years old. Unless you want a junk pop up you can't get a good one for less than 3k. Hope you work out a good deal on the Bullet. I'm on my 3rd Keystone and I've had pretty good luck except the warranty issueswith them denying a few things.

My 5th wheel msrp was 37k. I offered them 26k and they took it so I got 30% off roughly. My neighbor sells Keystones and he said the market is getting better but they're still making deals.

 

[stacktester]

Just talked to my neighbor. He can do a Keystone Passport BH for 19.8k. That's in Jax at Suncoast RV.

 

[AuburnJen92]

popups on craigslist down here in south florida and the treasure coast are selling in about 3-4 days after listing (I have been looking for a friend) so I would sell it outright...they are few and far between here and most are selling for asking price....go for it!

 

[Flametamr]

Okay we bought the Bullet today. They finally matched the price of another dealer in Georgia. They also came up on my trade value too. No where near what it is worth but trading I expected to not do well. They basically strongarmed me into trading it rather than keeping it to sell on my own. Saying the finacing was contingient on my trade otherwise they could not do it. Something about the finance company will not let a person have two rvs financed at the same time for fear of a default on the older one. I believe that was all BS to get my pup. But in the end I decided to do the deal. I wanted and need the Bullet for my now larger family. The wife is very happy so thats all that counts.

On a side note I was a nervous wreck driving 50 the miles home. A greyhound bus blew by me and I thought he had actually hit me by the way I felt it thru the camper. I didn't really have an issue with sway just feeling the side push I guess. I have the weight distrabution hitch but I decided not to get the sway bar from them and will add it myself in a day or two. Can anyone tell me if this helps what I am feeling ? I have driven and towed lots of stuff but this kinda bothered me. I'm hoping it's just jitters on having something new and so valuable behind me.

We are headed to St Andrews state park in Panama City Florida tomarrow for a week of Spring Break fun. I will update and post pictures later in the week.