NH Pricing "Discount" Expectation??

[TomR]

Hi All...I continue to learn about the "residential/fulltime" RVs and am very interested in NH...perhaps a TT.

On most other brands the broad "community" has pretty well established the "normal/expected" discounts to anticipate/negotiate when buying. Most/many are in the 25-30% arena (w/o trade distortions).

The NH community is quite small and I have not found threads with any pricing discussions.

From your experience...what would be a reasonable/good discount to expect when ordering a new NH w/o a trade in the picture. My goal is not to be "unfair" but to be a knowledgeable customer.

Is 25-30% also pretty applicable at NH...I do know it will vary a bit depending on lots of variables...but there must be a range that current owners have realized??

Thanks in advance...Tom R

P.S. Feel free to PM if you do not think this sb discussed in a thread...TMR

[Raca-roni]

Tom,
What are you refering to when you say NH ? Do you mean MH ? MOTORHOME ?

[TomR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raca-roni Tom, What are you refering to when you say NH ? Do you mean MH ? MOTORHOME ?

Sorry Raca...I posted in the New Horizon site and forgot that others not on that site would be reading. NH is New Horizon...Thanks...Tom R

[ralper]

New Horizon RV Corp does not give steep discounts like other lesser RV's do.
In this poor economy they may sweeten the deal a little but do not look to deal like you are at a dealer.

[TomR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper New Horizon RV Corp does not give steep discounts like other lesser RV's do. In this poor economy they may sweeten the deal a little but do not look to deal like you are at a dealer.

So you can estimate by adding up the base price plus the options you select...then "they may sweeten the deal a little"??? That does end up with a VERY expensive trailer...even comparing to other "fulltime/residential" units.

Is NH really priced quite a bit higher than "comparable" high quality units...or does NH feel there are no "comparable" units?

Just trying to get a feel for what a NH unit might cost vs. the straight price list sum of the base plus options. Maybe that IS the price????

I don't mean to be difficult or controversial...just want to be looking at "real" pricing "facts"...Thanks...once I know comparisons will be clearer.

Tom R...in Two Harbors, MN with NO RV of ANY kind

[ralper]

Get prices and compare. That is the way to truly answer your own question.

[NULarry B]

The best way to compare is to see the other brands you are intrested in and compare them as to construction materials, available options, standard features, quality of workmanship, do they work with you after the sale.
There are so many variables when you are trying to put a vehicle together, that you can't say that one is priced higer than another without the research.

[TomR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NULarry B The best way to compare is to see the other brands you are intrested in and compare them as to construction materials, available options, standard features, quality of workmanship, do they work with you after the sale. There are so many variables when you are trying to put a vehicle together, that you can't say that one is priced higer than another without the research.

Thanks Larry...I can do that but have to make assumptions with NH as to what a "net" price might end up vs "List".

With most other mfgs you can pretty easily come close to "likely" discount through the internet and current owners. Not so easy with NH...unless List truly is net...other than some "occasional" deals.

I guess there are no dealers to learn from and you would have to be ready to order to begin asking for quotes from the factory. While I do not mind the "factory direct" system it does pretty much leave you at "List" w/o any further input on discount "philosophy" of the factory.

Again, I am OK if it is "List" w/o discount...just seems to make the comparisons pretty dramatic...even when sorting out the other fulltime/residential type mfgs.

I am still very early in the process and not yet at any purchase point...maybe I just need to wait until I have an "order" in hand :(

Also, used probably is a better "entrance" point for me and there the price is directly negotiated with the current owner.

Thanks All...Tom R

[cummins-n-grey]

We have found (thru several iterations of discussion) the best way to determine the price of a New Horizons unit is to go thru the pre-purchase planning process; they'll even pay for you to visit the factory, so you can see how they're built and put together a prospective order sheet --- without any obligation (at least that was my prior understanding)... check the website, or call, to be sure.

Historically, their prices were (mostly) without much wiggle room; due the last three years economic climate with banks, it's my understanding they now include more "wiggle" room in total package price, tho your experience will also be affected by the timing of your (eventual) order. YMMV -- but, I think you could shop with the same "discount" expectations, regardless of the manufacturer.

Good luck, in your search --- remember, it's a journey (so you might wanna enjoy it!)

-Don

[shj525]

TomR,

We ordered the RV Consumer Group's Buyer's Guide. It comes with a book "How to Select, Inspect, and Buy an RV" that is very educational. Their guide rates RVs according to usage (full-time, snow bird, week-ender, etc).

My suggestion is to narrow your search to 2-5 manufacturers and tour their factories. You get to see what is really on the inside of your RV so you can be comfortable towing and living in your home on wheels.

[Loren B.]

Tom,
　
If you are looking at a travel trailer, you will probably not find a used New Horizons. I searched for two or three years for one and finally just ordered a new one from the factory.
　
I agree that buying used is smart, especially for someone who has not owned an RV before. RV’s are like boats and many other things in that you often have to own one for a while before you know what you really want.
　
I suspect, although I don’t know, that many New Horizons owners are not first-time buyers. They do sell many trailers to well-heeled, first-time buyers who want to start full-timing after retirement, but those of us with more modest means usually do not start at the quality/price level of New Horizons.
　
To get around to your original question, I think that you’ll find that there actually aren’t any trailers comparable to New Horizons. This is largely because EVERY New Horizons trailer is custom-built for the customer. You just won’t find that around the next corner. If you do find a manufacturer who will build you a unit to your specifications, it will probably cost even more than a New Horizons.
　
Actually, that’s why we are buying a New Horizons. We were unable to find a floor plan that suited us that was made by a quality company.
　
If you’ve never had an RV, you may want to consider starting with a used unit at a lower price. This will give you some experience with what RVing is all about and how you like to approach it. Some RVers like the full hookups and a campground with WiFi and a swimming pool, while others want to be out in the boonies with no services for weeks on end. You should know what you like before you approach a custom builder like New Horizons.
　
You should also be aware that New Horizons has several used New Horizons fifth-wheel trailers for sale at their factory in Kansas. I didn’t see any travel trailers when we were there a couple of weeks ago, but you could start with a used New Horizons fifth-wheel if you want. This will give you an opportunity to deal with the company and to check out the quality first hand.
　
My philosophy is that I am going to have to pay for quality. It’s possible that I will pay a lot and get junk (especially if I don’t do my homework), but if I underpay, I definitely will not get the quality I am after.
　
Best of luck with your search.

-- Loren

[Loren B.]

Tom,

Something I failed to mention earlier is that with New Horizons you are dealing with the factory, not with a middleman. The result of this is that the middleman’s cut (profit) is removed from the equation.
　
When you deal with a dealer rather than the manufacturer, how much of the discount you expect to get comes out of his profit? I suspect that all of that discount is at the dealer level. The manufacturer has already gotten his price from the dealer.
　
If you deal directly with the manufacturer, as with New Horizons, there is less total markup in the price, so therefore there is less "wiggle room" to create a discount.
　
Again, good luck finding a suitable trailer.
　
– Loren

[GartKataway]

Tom R: We just saw a New Horizons at the Hershey PA RV show. That brought us to this forum. My advice: See One - and I don't mean photos! Find an Ambassador or go to the factory. Pix won't let you feel the stability like stepping in one, opening a door or drawer, etc. Talk to the owners of the company - Phil, Karen and Cole gave us their time, face to face. Then decide if there's anything else out there that compares :-).

[mwilliams]

A visit to the factory is indeed the best way of seeing what the NH product is like. However a very good second option is to attend the NHOG (New Horizons Owners Group) Rally which will be held October 24-29 in Bushnell FL. There will be at least 20 units there with most of them willing to be looked at during a time of "open house". There will be forty owners ready and willing to tell you what they like (and perhaps what they don't like) about their New Horizons home. Registration forms for the Rally can be gotten from the thread listed in the New Horizons section of this website; or send me a private message.

Mike Williams, 2011 NHOG Rally Master