Popup Buying Question

[Bdawgsc]

Happy New Year everyone!

So, I've really enjoyed camping and the people I've met. I've also had a really good time with friends who actually enjoy camping. Who knew it could be so much fun? I finally settled on buying a used popup. I really think it's a great place to start and what works best for me right now and in the short-term future. Actually, I'm kind of excited...

Now the question.... I've been shopping around for well over a month and seem to notice private sellers and dealerships are all charging at least double NADA value in most cases for older popups. Is this common? Of course, I'd never pay twice what something is worth (because I'm cheap, err frugal), but do dealers negotiate or should I just keep the NADA retail value in mind, but consign myself to paying more? I've been looking at mid-late 90's models for a starter and it seems like there isn't a lot of value in buying them at the price listed...

Thanks in advance for any advice you all could give.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

NADA should only be used as a guidline for RV prices. The best thing is to check on Craig's list and the classifieds to get an idea of what people are asking. The prices at dealerships vary depending on the time of year, with higher prices generally in the spring and summer. Popups tend to hold their value very well and there is always a demand for them as entry level campers for families. Keep looking, there are deals to be had. I paid 700 bucks for my first used Coleman and we camped all over the US with that thing before it died in the driveway.

 

[Cindy F]

I would say keep an open mind to older campers. The 1985 Starcraft we bought was in better condition and had more amenities than the majority of the later models we had looked at. It's not really the age of the popup that counts, but how well it's been kept

We started with that pop up and moved to a hybrid. We loved the pup so much, we kept it! We found it by posting a wanted ad in Craig's List

Here's a few links to start you off. Good luck and I hope you find just what you're looking for!

http://charleston.craigslist.org/rvs/2148957354.html

http://charleston.craigslist.org/rvs/2087965629.html

http://greenville.craigslist.org/rvs/2141613643.html

http://greenville.craigslist.org/rvs/2138098978.html

http://charleston.craigslist.org/rvs/2118161019.html

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/RVs-and...&_sticky=1&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_sop=2&_sc=1

 

[des1954]

I would go to Craigslist before buying a used pup from an RV dealer. RV dealers will rob you blind on used equipment. Also - don't I remember you saying you're a teacher? If you have a teacher's lounge - put up a notice that you're looking for a used pop-up & how much you'd like to spend. Just because someone isn't advertising doesn't mean they're not selling.

Besides the obvious - like checking to make sure everything works....CHECK EVERYWHERE FOR WATER DAMAGE!! I can't stress this enough - thus the "shouting". We bought a used pup that water worked its way behind the aluminum siding and we had severe water damage to the box frame. My DH is very handy & was able to repair it - but it was a LOT of work. Check the sides all the way around & the floor, and inside the cabinets. Nothing should feel mushy, but should feel very sturdy. Check the mattresses for mildew & look under the mattresses for water damage. Check, check, check!!!

Good luck on your hunt & hope you find something real soon (and for a good price).

 

[stacktester]

That Jayco for $1,600 looked good. I think it was 3rd from top. One thing to look for is water damage underneath as well as in cabinets and under drawers.

Check the a/c and furnace. One thing about a/c's is that someone could just put freon in them if they were leaking. If you have an a/c friend have them look at it to check for leaks.

If you're going to use the propane I would replace the CO detector for safety. I would also check and maybe even replace the axle bearings unless the owner can tell you they've been replaced recently. Things like a bad bearing going out can ruin a trip.

If you do get a pop up make sure you have a jack that will work in case of a flat. I went thru that a few months ago.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Also go to harbor freight, especially if you are getting an older popup and get some jackstands. They will come quite in handy if the stands on the popup go bad. (this is from experience) I bought a 1982 coleman for $250. Yes, she is definitely a fixer-upper. I am not using the water or propane in it and yes, it needs work. However, it is for my boy and his friends so they do not kill my MH. I was extremely patient and found one and I am in no real hurry either to fix it up. It is usable how it is and my son loves it. Your situation is a bit different. I found a guy that didn't know how to fix the lift system on the popup and hence, got the thing for a song. If you are handy, you might want to go that route. If you are not so handy, you are better off being patient and paying attention to the water damages, especially around the roof where the a/c is.

 

[Bdawgsc]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

I'm pretty handy, actually, so I don't mind a little tlc... I do, however, mind a rotting box. Also, great advice about the jacks (leveling and for changing a tire). I've been stranded on the side of the road in a fleet vehicle before that had a missing jack. No fun at all.

I saw the Jayco already... and it's on the short list. It's a little more camper than I expected to get on the first try, but I do think it's got what I want. Really, all I want is a/c. Otherwise, all features are in the "that's nice, but I don't have to have it" category.

I'll keep looking. I'm not in a huge rush, but I'm hoping to make the purchase before the summer... I have lots of free time and usually do a 2-week WDW trip. I can't think of a better place to spend it than the Fort. I can tent it until then.

 

[Cindy F]

... Really, all I want is a/c. Otherwise, all features are in the "that's nice, but I don't have to have it" category.

Just a FYI, if you find a pop up that you really like but it doesn't have A/C, you could always consider a portable A/C unit.

That's what we had for our popup and between reflectix on the bunkends/zips, the awning, and the portable A/C- we were able to have temps of around 76-78 when it was around 100 outside, even lower if we closed off the bunk ends during the heat of the day.

Our unit is a 9,000 BTU Amcor with remote and was on sale at Circuit City once upon a time for $139.

Searching for just the right popup is almost as fun as actually finding one!

 

[soccermomof3]

Look at this website www.rvtrader.com I know buying from a rv dealer might not be best for you, but for us it is great. We bought an rv off of craigs list from and individual, and everything look really good on it until we got home and put it up. Lets just say we learned the hard way to look EVERY WHERE for water damage. We had it 2 weeks and was able to trade it in to an rv dealer for a newer one. The dealer was very patient with us about questions we had, showing us how to put it up and down, and any other questions we had. I know we might be crazy, but one of the main reasons we bought a pop up is so we move from tent camping to being off the ground at WDW.

 

[Bdawgsc]

Look at this website www.rvtrader.com I know buying from a rv dealer might not be best for you, but for us it is great. We bought an rv off of craigs list from and individual, and everything look really good on it until we got home and put it up. Lets just say we learned the hard way to look EVERY WHERE for water damage. We had it 2 weeks and was able to trade it in to an rv dealer for a newer one. The dealer was very patient with us about questions we had, showing us how to put it up and down, and any other questions we had. I know we might be crazy, but one of the main reasons we bought a pop up is so we move from tent camping to being off the ground at WDW.

I've spent a lot of time on RV trader. Their iPhone/iPad app is much better than the website, for me at least, and really lets me search around based on areas, price ranges, etc. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to purchase.

I'm not opposed to buying from a dealer, but I know how they mark things up. I'm in no rush, though, so I have my fingers crossed something will come along in the next six months and I can get a good deal. It can't hurt that I'm ready to pay cash.

Oh, and I don't think you're crazy at all. I have a suspicion I'd also use mine the majority of the time at WDW. In fact, that's the main thing that's convinced me to buy it. I don't mind tent camping, but that's very weather specific for me... especially in the summer. I'm mostly looking for the popup to get off the ground and to give me maximum flexibility in when I can camp.