Community Forums

HighwayRanger · 06-02-2013, 11:01 PM

Hello All,

I am wondering how we would go about trading in our current motorhome if we are wanting to order a new coach from a dealership that is 2000 miles away? Will we have to drive the trade in to the new dealer, or will they figure out a way to appraise it and turn it in someplace closer to home before we take delivery of the new coach (either at the new dealer or at the factory.)

We will need to trade in our current RV but don't want that to limit our ability to get a good deal from a dealer someplace in the US other than our home region.

Anyone been confronted with this situation?

Roy

Mr_D · 06-02-2013, 11:06 PM

You'll need to work it all out with the dealer.
One thing to watch for is a "re-evaluation" clause. You deliver the rig to them, then they have maybe a month to do an evaluation, which is usually lower. At that point you have to come up with the add'l money. Not a good thing but if it's in the contract then it's legal.

vraines · 06-03-2013, 07:01 AM

Consider selling your current model and buying the new one outright. Less risk. Given the likelihood of a re-evaluation clause mentioned above, you are somewhat of a captive with the new model on the lot and you arrive with the trade-in. Good luck.

JMonroe · 06-03-2013, 07:12 AM

We've done this twice now. Both times everything went just fine. Just be honest and upfront in describing your trade-in and there will be no surprises once you get to the dealer.

Hikerdogs · 06-03-2013, 09:55 AM

When we traded our 2001 Adventurer in we took several pictures of the motorhome inside and out. We also got an assessment form from the dealer. They wanted to know if there was any damage, which appliances worked and which didn't, our overall assessment of the condition, the miles on the odometer, VIN number, serial numbber, and a number of other questions.

When we sent everything to them they returned a number they were willing to pay for it. There was a clause that stipulated if everything was represented truthfully they would give us the stated dollar amount. If things changed between the assessment and the actual trade in time they would reassess the vehicle.

When the time came everything worked out fine. They gave us what we had agreed on with no questions asked.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-05-2013, 06:09 PM

We've done it and it is actually easy. That's because the dealer trade-in is going to be pretty much the same amount as long as the appliances work and there is no major damage. They will want to know the mileage and if there is any noticeable body damage or a cracked windshield.

It's actually rather discouraging - they aren't really interested if yours is a "cream puff" or has any extra features - as long as it is decent and reasonably clean they know exactly what it is worth on resale and therefore exactly what they will offer in trade.

bdickson · 06-05-2013, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

We've done it and it is actually easy. That's because the dealer trade-in is going to be pretty much the same amount as long as the appliances work and there is no major damage. They will want to know the mileage and if there is any noticeable body damage or a cracked windshield.

It's actually rather discouraging - they aren't really interested if yours is a "cream puff" or has any extra features - as long as it is decent and reasonably clean they know exactly what it is worth on resale and therefore exactly what they will offer in trade.

We had a very similar experience trading "long distance" to Motor Home Specialists in Alvarado Texas. They emailed us a checklist which we completed as honestly as we could. They gave us a trade in price from this without seeing the coach. The offer was good for 10 days and 1,000 miles. When we arrived, they confirmed the trade price. The only things they were really interested in were: AC's cold, fridge cold, water heater hot, generator starts, engine and transmission ok on road test. As Gary said, they really didn't care about the condition, powder puff or otherwise.

HighwayRanger · 06-05-2013, 06:35 PM

This is actually good to hear since our coach is jot exactly a cream puff. I am debating how much money to put into fixing up the coach just to trade it in.

Mr_D · 06-05-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

It's actually rather discouraging - they aren't really interested if yours is a "cream puff" or has any extra features - as long as it is decent and reasonably clean they know exactly what it is worth on resale and therefore exactly what they will offer in trade.

Yep, ours has some $35,000+ in factory options and extra work, plus the Banks kit and low mileage, new tires etc. A dealer offered us pretty much mid range wholesale blue book about a month ago.

amanda_h · 06-06-2013, 12:54 AM

If you can "go without" for a few months, you may want to consider consigning locally --much easier and hassle free than selling yourself-- and then when it sells, go and buy the new coach.

My belief is that you'll get a much better deal on both sides of the deal ...more for your old unit and a much better deal for the new unit if you don't have a trade-in to negotiate.

Just the way I like to do it ...however, the most popular way, of course, is to trade-in your old coach. I still think it's leaving too much on the table by doing that. Convenient, yes, but not the best decision, in most cases, from a financial standpoint.

-harry

eta: I now see you're a full-timer so what I described would not work. Disregard.

...and in my opinion, which doesn't mean much, don't spend too much on fixing up the coach because as a general rule, you won't get back the money you spend fixing it up to trade in.

bdickson · 06-06-2013, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighwayRanger

This is actually good to hear since our coach is jot exactly a cream puff. I am debating how much money to put into fixing up the coach just to trade it in.

The only money I would spend is on repairs if any of the appliances, generator etc are broken. In our experience anyway, appearance didn't matter to the dealer. I had even removed the couch and replaced it with a $50 Walmart computer desk and a couple of office chairs. They didn't even comment on that. On the other hand I'd added a Blue Ox Trucenter, and inverter, a second house battery and some other upgrades. Those didn't feature in their offer.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-07-2013, 03:29 PM

The dealer's only concerns are (1) what can I sell it for and (2) how much money do I have to put into it. Few buyers are willing to pay extra for optional stuff, especially "techy stuff". Big screen tvs and new paint jobs might bring some extra bucks, but just about anything else is a zero on the resale side. They have to deliver it with working appliances and (in most states) an undamaged windshield, so that's an extra cost if not ok. Everything else is of no matter.