Before buying a camping trailer, write down your needs, its intended use and your budget. If a trailer matches your criteria, make sure your tow vehicle’s capacity and hitch will allow you to pull it. Check insurance costs and use a NADA guide, eBay and Craigslist to look up the trailer’s fair market value. Inspect the roof, ceiling, walls and floor for signs of water damage and run the house systems and appliances to make sure they work. Check the black water, grey water, freshwater and propane tanks for damage and functioning and inspect the tires, brakes and house battery. Also review the trailer’s repair history, research the manufacturer’s reputation and examine the warranty before closing the deal.
Water leaks destroy the value of more trailers than anything else. That’s why you should thoroughly inspect the trailer, including inside cabinets, for mold, mildew and stains. Propane leaks are also a problem and a serious safety hazard. Use an LPG detector or your nose to make sure the tank and hoses are airtight. Another safety hazard is the tendency of trailers to sway when they’re going down the road. If you’re shopping at new or used RV lots, find out what anti-sway systems the dealer recommends and tell them about your tow vehicle. You should also check the trailer’s dimensions to make sure it will fit in your driveway.
If price is your primary concern, Craigslist and eBay Motors are the best sites to shop. You’ll find motivated sellers here and eBay’s auction format can get you a steal if your timing’s right. However, the risks are also greater if you take this approach because you won’t get the warranty or after sale support you would with a dealer. Two of the best RV dealers are Mike Thompson’s RV Superstores and Camping World. Mike Thompson’s RV Superstores was Fleetwood’s top nationwide motor home and travel trailer dealer in 2008 and in an independent survey of its customers, 97 percent indicated they would buy from Thompson’s again. Camping World has been around since 1966 and has an established nationwide network of RV dealers.
Camping trailers have an extreme price range, because the smallest trailers are made to be pulled by motorcycles and even bicycles and the largest fifth wheel trailers are like a house on wheels. Even specific models from a single manufacturer have a wide range of options and amenities that will vary the price. Base prices for bike and motorcycle trailers range from $1,700 to $4,000 in 2010. Tent trailers are a step up; they’re priced from $5,000 to about $20,000. Travel trailers are more like a home, but you can find them for less than $15,000 with fully-loaded luxury models priced up to $50,000. At the top of the heap are fifth-wheel trailers pulled by full-size trucks. Prices start at about $26,000, but a top-of-the-line model with all the amenities can cost as much as $100,000 in 2010. In most cases, generous factory warranties are included in the price.
Charlie Kerekes, Getting Started, Changin’ Gears
Webmaster, The Definitive Guide to Travel Trailers, Camping Earth
Webmaster, Travel Trailers and Travel Trailer Reviews, Roaming Times
