Advice for New Travel Trailer Purchase

[crysboro]

We are first time travel trailer owners and we need to purchase a brand new trailer because we can't risk buying a water damaged trailer. My husband is extremely allergic to mold. We have a carport to keep a trailer under.

We have a Honda Odyssey so our tow capacity is limited to 3500 pounds. I'm not interested in upgrading the van because our goal is to build a house on the vacation property we bought at the coast. For now we need a place to sleep!

I am looking at the 2019 Viking 17BHS (asking price of $14995) or the Flagstaff E Pro. Obviously there is a big difference in quality between the two. If we go for the E Pro, I was quoted $20,995 to order from the factory and arrives in April. No one has these in stock in my area (Portland OR metro) The wait time is acceptable to us. This includes:

-Roller shades
--A & E power awning with LED light strip
--RVQ BBQ Grill
--Roof mounted Solar PAnel
--Flat Screen TV
--Spare Tire
--Outside Speakers
--Stereo DVD player
--Torsion Axles with polished wheels
--20,000 BTU Furnace
--WIFI Ranger with LTE capabilities
--Microwave Oven
--Bonded Windows
--Gas/Electric hot water with DSI
-Power tongue jack
-13,500 BTU Low Profile A/C
-Heated holding tanks
-Carbon Monoxide detector
-Water purifier
-Maxxair power roof vent and cover

-Full dealer prep and service
-Customer walk through and Orientation
-Deep cycle battery
-Water hose
-Sewer hose
-Toilet chemicals

Should we offer lower on this? What would you offer?

Here is a link to a different dealer to see the unit:

https://www.exploreusa.com/product-forest-river-rv/flagstaff-e-pro-travel-trailer/16bh

 

[crysboro]

Hmmm... Reading another post on here, it sounds like our Odyssey can't handle either of these trailers despite what dealers told us

 

[jackiemac]

The dealers are usually not experts on towing and often make incorrect assumptions.

You can always get it towed to the place you will be keeping it. You will need sewer, power, water though....

 

[Isaac-1]

Buying new does not guarantee against mold, all it takes to get water intrusion is for one guy at the factory to miss some sealant around the windows, or around the roof vents.      My advice is to inspect, inspect, inspect, I saw a small 17 ft travel trailer last year that was brand new though had sat on the dealer lot for a while where a large section of the roof around the air conditioner unit was rotting away due to water penetration, surprisingly enough there was no visible evidence of this inside thanks to the vinyl style head liner.

 

[IBTripping]

The dealer should be able to tow any trailer you buy to your location site. Make that part of the negotiation for the trailer.

 

[grashley]

If you are looking for something to live in short term at the new property while the house is built, and do not plan to travel with it, get what you want and have it delivered.

If you plan to travel, using the Odyssey as your TV, keep the GVWR of the trailer below 3000 lbs. 

The dealer's "job" is to get your signature on a sales contract.  Period.  They are not paid - or required - to verify your vehicle can actually tow the camper safely.  Often, they simply do not know.  Come here for unbiased advise based on real specs and real life experience.

 

[Rene T]

There are 1000's of used RV's out there with no water intrusion at all. You just need to look close and even have a qualified inspector go over it with you BEFORE you put any money down. When shopping, leave your wallet at home. If you find something you like and come up with a price, work it into the deal that dependent on a inspection, you'll buy it.