Not sure how many folks have taken note of the increase in prices over the last couple of years. Some dealers are asking over 30% more for the same model and options now as they were two years ago. I was amazed when I saw some of the asking prices for used Northstars on one of the websites. Now I see why!

Steve

 

Well if you're in the market you know... Campers that are anywhere from 10-15 years old selling for $15-25K. I've seen some in the 30's. It's ridiculous. I'm almost thinking we are just going to buy new if we buy at all. Units less than 5 years old are only a couple grand less than new. of course you can get today and not have to wait. I'm even looking nation wide and pricing is crazy everywhere. Good times!

 

You probably know how to search better than I, but the two thoughts I have is first, be willing to travel. When we bought our Hallmark going on five years ago we drove almost 600 miles to get it and the only way we managed then was the first buyer dropped out given a flood in the area. The second thought I have is to use Search Tempest so you can look at all of Craigslist in one place and do it every day. We didn't find our Northstar there, but we did find two we would have bought, but they sold within 24 hours. I also searched RV Trader everyday and almost bought a camper I found there.

I also found variability between dealership when we ended up buying new and where we bought was $2,000+ cheaper and 400 miles closer to us (we are in Bristol, TN.) so don't assume all dealerships for a particular model are selling at the same price. Forget about book prices; the price is what you have to pay; the selling price is what you can get for something.

Try not to get impatient and jump to something you really don't want. Personally I have given up on the idea prices are going to go back down or at least back down very far. Once a new normal for anything is established it seems to me that becomes the reference point. The single thought I have about buying new versus old is a good truck camper will last a very long time and sometimes buying used you get things that the manufacturer should have done, but didn't.

Good hunting,

Steve

 

I picked up my 990 back in June of 2018 and drove it home.
I placed my order through Apache Camping Center (Portland Or.) 5 weeks earlier after flying 1100 miles from SD to view the camper models they had on site. Paid a little less than 32k for mine. No Generator or solar when ordered as I added those items later.
My buddy was in the market for a camper a couple of months ago and I went with him to look at an older 06' 990 up north of LA. Drove up there and it was dated inside as expected but the jacks were solid, the slide out worked perfect and the roof was in great shape. A/C and furnace worked as well as everything else and it had a Generator that ran fine to boot.
The guy wanted 10.9k so we paid him cash and didn't haggle and just loaded it up on the truck and brought it back down south.

My buddy dropped probably 11k more into it. New graphics on the exterior, new interior paint, new flooring, cushions, window blinds, countertop, sink, cooktop ( deleted stove/oven ), sink, plumbing fixtures, microwave and hood, stereo, mattress, rear awning cover and we even got rid of the surface mount lights and put in recess lighting. Swapped out all electrical switches ( some dimmers ) and 120v outlets to newer style with usb. Changed out the plug-in jack controller to a wireless model (happy jack) and then tied in the slide-out power to connect up to the "Aux" open/close switch on the happy jack panel so he could now control the slide-out via the remote and the inside switch like the newer models.
All in he's about 21k or so and he's got a basically NEW camper. We checked out all the tanks and insulation in the floor area and all looked good to go. Just gotta get him some time off to use the thing.
I looked at a couple of other campers with him in the low 20k ranges and they were USED for sure. I think he got a good deal on this one. If he wouldn't of bought it, I would of and I told him so but probably not done the design he went with but updated it just the same and resold it for a fair profit. Found it on craigslist when we were sitting in a restaurant eating breakfast after looking at another one earlier that they wanted 22k for. Lets see 22k or 10.9k and a road trip .... easy decision. Glad it worked out for him.

 

Glad it worked out for your friend and he got what he wanted . Travel for sure. When we were searching we looked all the way to the West coast which is a heck of a long pull from the eastern corner of Tennessee.

 

Prices are definitely high out there right now. I think patience is the key in looking as Steve said above. If I were to sell ours right now, and I have thought about it, I would come to places like this, Truck Camper Adventure, Wander the West and sites like that to advertise versus the traditional outlets like Craigslist because the serious buyers and campers are more likely to be plugged into the truck camper specific sites.

 

The RV world seems to have discovered the Truck Camper. My guess is like me after a 43' motorhome and 2 5th wheels I had ENOUGH and now on my 2nd TC and loving it more everytime we go out and I get to have a BONUS F 450 to boot!

 

Not sure you want new right now anyway: https://jalopnik.com/rv-dealerships-...-to-1847755639

 

My take on this is 'it's what the traffic will bear' .
I have a 2000 pop-up truck camper in pretty good condition with everything I need and nothing I don't.
a couple weeks ago I put in the parameters of my camper in the manufacturer online build to suit site. The price was a little over $25k for identical camper [ accept for the new car smell]
so, for a little more than $21000, I can get a a new car smell.
But people gotta have the new car smell. I don't understand .