Are you in the market for a new RV or trailer?
Have you been looking at new RVs and thought, ‘ooh, that’s a beaut, but she’s a little out of my price range?’
No worries, there are alternatives.
If you haven’t considered buying a used trailer or used RV, we’d like to show you what your options are in this category and why your best bet may be to buy used.
New RVs vs Used RVs
Much like pre-owned cars and other vehicles, used RVs and trailers give you access to a broader range of options, especially when it comes to your budget.
Now, full disclosure, we are in the RV & trailer sales (and service) business. It’s right there in our name, after all. We sell new and used RVs and trailers. What’s more, though – we’re RV people. We love the RV lifestyle, and we’d love to help you get on the road and to be fully satisfied with your trailer or RV purchase and to be a happy RVer for years to come. Our goal is to give you the best information so that you’re armed with all the facts to make the best RV buying decision.
There are pros and cons to both new and used RVs & trailers.
In the end, your best bet could be new or used, depending on a number of factors. Let’s take a look at some of those.
New RV Pros
In a perfect world, if money were no object, most RVers would probably buy a new RV. Why’s that?
- That New RV Smell – Simply put, there’s nothing quite like christening a brand, spanking new RV. Getting inside and taking her on the road for the first time, basking in that new RV smell, is a one-of-a-kind experience, something you’ll never forget.
- Customizable to Your Specs – When you buy a new RV, if you have time and an ample budget, you can order a new RV or trailer with a number of specific features customized to your heart’s desire.
- Full Warranty – Your new RV or trailer also comes with the entirety of the manufacturer’s warranty.
So with all that, why doesn’t everyone buy new? What’s the downside?
New RV Cons
Like a new car or even a new house, there are a couple big factors on the downside of buying a new RV or trailer.
- Depreciation – The adage about a car losing value the minute you drive off the lot is basically true when it comes to RVs and trailers as well. Though some RV makes, models and brands hold their value better than others, the price gap curve of what you paid and what you eventually sell (or trade it in) for is steepest in the very beginning.
- Bugs Not Worked Out – If you’ve ever bought a newly built home, you know that it can come with its share of frustrations. Same goes for an RV or trailer. Time is a great cure for breaking in that new RV, working out whatever flaws are found within the first year or two of the warranty.
Now that it’s more clear what the pros and cons are for buying a new trailer or RV, let’s flip over to the used RV side.
Used RV Cons
Are you a bad-news-first type of RVer? So are we. Here we go with the downside of buying a used RV.
- Defects or Damage – ‘Buying someone else’s problem’ is the glass-half-empty way of looking at a used RV. Could there be defects? Might it even be a lemon? Possibly. Though this could be the case even for a new RV. We inspect the used RVs and used trailers that we sell here at Travel Mor Trailer Sales in Ottawa. Many buyers also like to take a used RV or trailer to their preferred mechanic to get an independent inspection. All this is great for peace of mind in a used RV purchase.
- Limited or No Warranty – Like buying a pre-owned car, a used RV may come with a limited warranty (a matter of months, perhaps) or none at all. It’s best to factor in what maintenance will cost you down the road (this is also true for a new RV).
These are good to know, no question about it. Now, what about the upside?
Used RV Pros
As you may have guessed by the article thus far, from the title onward, we’re proponents of buying used RVs or trailers. While not for everyone, there’s much merit in this purchase.
Some of the pros of buying a used RV or used trailer include:
- Lower Up-Front Cost – You’re spending less up-front on buying that used trailer or used RV. That means you’ll have more money to spend on road trips and enjoying the RVing lifestyle!
- Holds Its Value Better – The RVer who bought this RV brand-new took the big hit on the depreciation. When you buy it used, you’re far more likely to see it hold greater value over time.
- It’s Broken In – Again, that RVer who bought it new had the burden of working out the bugs with the manufacturer. You might also see some upgrades that the original owner put into the RV, and now you can be the beneficiary!
As you can see, there’s a lot of upside if you buy a used RV or used trailer.
We recommend taking your time, finding the right RV or trailer for you, getting an inspection, and making a well educated and informed decision before putting your hard-earned money down for that RV purchase.
Buying a Used RV or Used Trailer in Ottawa
If you’re in the market for a used trailer or used RV in Ottawa, check out Travel-Mor Trailer Sales.
We one of the leading RV & trailer dealers in Ottawa and across Eastern Ontario & the Outaouais, offering RV sales as well as service, storage and much more.
Contact us today to get started!
