WTB Toy Hauler Trailer

Did you check out the two Sea Grins locations on 101 in San Martin and Gilroy?

Yep, the least expensive USED model they have is $10k & a 1991 .... dealers are usually 2x blue book value from nearly every one I have seen online between here & sacramento.  I understand they have to make a buck but double on a used model?  No thanks!  They add no real value to my buying experience so I avoid for the most part.  Fun to go shop them there.  Wife & I were going to go to SeeGrins tonight if I get my butt out of work & on the road before they close at 6.

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Checking again.

I post this not as a warning or whining (ok, maybe a little) but more so as my 'How To or Not To' search/buy a used travel trailer!  Been on the hunt for a couple months now and recently added my wife/kids into the searching “fun”.  They enjoy looking for them roadside when we drive around & it keeps the wife busy in the evenings looking for cool trailers.  I occasionally text her with a “hot link” to a craigslist gem that is usually something from the 60’s & a total junker to get a good laugh out of her & a ‘you’re not serious …. Right?’ reply.  She knows I’m capable of buying an oldie & gutting it for a full restore.  I digress….

Budget:  Set a high/low & plan for the upper 75-80% leaving yourself some room on the top incase you find THAT PERFECT ONE.

Research:  NADA guides, other craigslist adds, ebay, rvtrader & <gulp> dealerships.  I spent a half hour with a nice guy who opened up to the truth behind the “Game” of this all … or so he says.

My experiences so far … still no trailer in the yard yet but we’ve put on HUNDRES & HUNDRES of miles looking at various ones so far.  Closer to ‘the one’ each day.  The first trailer (Salinas)  was missing the fridge; $1500 replacement cost – passed.  The second trailer (Carmel Valley)  was registered to a past owner in Nevada & not to the guy selling it – RED FLAG, passed.  The third trailer (Fresno) … again, registered to the former owner – RED FLAG passed.  Hmmm…. I’m seeing a trend & something to look HARD at before I even drive to see them now.  Fourth trailer (Stockton) … Great family story from them on how they’ve owned for years, upgraded to something bigger & REALLY MOTIVATED to sell this one.  Bought the story … CHUMP!  Made the drive (5 hours round trip).  Trailer not even the right size they listed & couldn’t answer basic questions that, if they had owned it, they would have known the answer.  Rotted interior walls covered up with fresh wallpaper – MAJOR PASS!!!  The next week I saw another trailer listed with pictures on front of the same house.  Uhhh … they buy at auctions & flip?  My guess.  Several more calls, visits & cities later I was close to pulling the trigger.  But wait …. I find another one that is in the range of price & features.  Make the calls & listen to how he got this trailer from his dad, can’t afford to keep it stored in the storage lot, mom/dad loved to use it but they got a bigger one & is behind on the tag by 6 months.  No CHUMP a second time … the red flags are almost flying.  I get him to send me VIN# & LP so I could check on back money owed for the expired tag.  I call the maker of the trailer to find out the exact model# so I could further my research online for ‘comp’ prices.  Quick Google & I see another Craigslist add in Fresno, where the trailer I’m looking at is located.  What are the chances?  Low & behold the old CL add of a month ago has the same LP# & VIN trailer.  I call the dealer & they said it was sold at a low dollar auction because it had been on the lot for over 500 days for sale!  Explains the lack of tag being up to date & the time spent to research it a little further pays off.  Can’t wait to call him out this evening & punch holes thru his story!

Had to share some of my fun experience so far.  The dealership that previously had the trailer prior to auction says this type of “scam” happens ALL THE TIME (especially in Stockton & Fresno areas) and to avoid these sales on cars/trucks/rv/boats/etc   Nothing wrong with someone buying at auction & reselling but be HONEST about it.  This is how most car dealerships acquire used cars for sale so there is some honesty in these deals but it seems like CL (no surprise here) is easy pickens for those who are less than scrupulous. 

My parents will soon be selling their 1995 25 foot Holiday Rambler travel trailer. They are downsizing to an Escape 19 and are selling the trailer a truck and a small camper. It is not up for sale yet, so if you are interested I can arrange for you to be the first to see it.

Pm me more info on it & their time frame, price, etc

Bill

My parents will soon be selling their 1995 25 foot Holiday Rambler travel trailer. They are downsizing to an Escape 19 and are selling the trailer a truck and a small camper. It is not up for sale yet, so if you are interested I can arrange for you to be the first to see it.

is the camper the in truck bed kind?
 

My parents will soon be selling their 1995 25 foot Holiday Rambler travel trailer. They are downsizing to an Escape 19 and are selling the trailer a truck and a small camper. It is not up for sale yet, so if you are interested I can arrange for you to be the first to see it.

is the camper the in truck bed kind?

Threadjacker     

My parents will soon be selling their 1995 25 foot Holiday Rambler travel trailer. They are downsizing to an Escape 19 and are selling the trailer a truck and a small camper. It is not up for sale yet, so if you are interested I can arrange for you to be the first to see it.

is the camper the in truck bed kind?

Threadjacker     

trailer is all yours.....I want a solo option

is the camper the in truck bed kind?

You mean a cab over camper?!

My parents will soon be selling their 1995 25 foot Holiday Rambler travel trailer. They are downsizing to an Escape 19 and are selling the trailer a truck and a small camper. It is not up for sale yet, so if you are interested I can arrange for you to be the first to see it.

is the camper the in truck bed kind?

Threadjacker     

trailer is all yours.....I want a solo option

I know   Giving you a hard time!  If you look online (craigslist) BEWARE ...  TONS & TONS of scamers right now.   It is VERY hard to find a legit, used trailer on CL right now.

Depending on what you are looking for, I've been very happy with my Tepui tent on a truck rack unless you want/need amenities like kitchen, bathroom, etc.

yeah I have been seeing more of them. I really want a pull up and be done kinda set up with a comfy bed I have been using the tent cot. but a small slide in truck bed would be ideal

There has been a few of those on CL lately.  Thought about those as a viable option but not the best for my family of 4+.  Even saw a few nice looking pup-up truck bed campers that look interesting.

dealer or someone you know is the best way.  I wonder what the hundreds of miles cost?  would you save money and time (also = money) just being shrewd at a dealer?  aren't you in sales of some sort? 

dealer or someone you know is the best way.  I wonder what the hundreds of miles cost?  would you save money and time (also = money) just being shrewd at a dealer?  aren't you in sales of some sort? 

I try & combine my trailer searching trips with a Lowrance trip of some sort   Yes, mileage costs $$$.  Here's what I have discovered with all the trailers I've prospected so far:
CL Seller lists for, on average thus far, ±30% higher than 'Blue Book' ... leaves a little room for negotiation but still ending up @ 15%+ over 'Blue Book'
DEALERS are 2X or more over 'Blue Book' because they are a "dealer"

I can accept some overage because they are a dealer but to double the money of 'Blue Book' is a bit extreme in my book.  Plus, dealers generally don't include the little extras like leveling blocks, tire chocks, hoses/fittings, etc... that you will sometimes find with a private seller.

   Trust me, I'd mush rather (at this point) deal with a dealer/salesman & try to dodge/weave around their selling tactics to get you to finance a much newer model for 2-3x my budget.  I'm at a point in life where I prefer to operate on a cash basis rather than credit.  Plus financing a trailer older than 10 years is almost an absolute 0% chance of happening.

   LOTS and and I do mean LOTS of people on CL who are buying up trailers at auction, cleaning/etc & reselling on CL with some lame ass backstory on how long they've had it & how much money/love they have put into it.  Had this happen 1x in-person to me & 3+ more times now over the phone ... busted the last guy like a swift kick to the ass & called him out!  His trailer disappeared minutes later from CL.  I understand this is how dealers get them but if you are 'Average Joe' just be HONEST about this up front.

Some of these adds ... found another one last night ... don't even have matching pictures.  They are either trolling for your 'info' or trying to pull an in-person scam.  Matching pictures?  I found one that has two pictures of the 'master bed' & they are different beds ... same for the dinette.  One picture is a SLIDE OUT dinette but the trailer has  no slide out  WTF?