New PUP? What should I do?

[spearmint]

I just signed for a new 06 Fleetwood Sun Valley!!!!!!!!

I looked on Craigslist for three months and couldn't find a decent used PUP. The ones I did go to see were awful.

I am glad I have a week to "cement" this deal, though. Gives me chance to research some things. Don't get me wrong the Sun Valley is beautiful and I love it BUT at the last minute we saw a used 03 Fleetwood Carmel that had just been turned in. It was in immaculate condition - $4700 compared to $7900. My S.O. likes the Sun Valley but personally I think the Carmel is the better deal, but being a used unit it has no warranty.

My S.O. says if I want a cheaper unit I should go with the new 06 Rockwood we saw as it's just a little more than the Carmel. I say it would be better to go with the Carmel as it's Fleetwood.

I am trying to be realistic and remembering it's just a camper on wheels. I think the  Carmel is a much better financial deal than the Sun Valley but my S.O. has no idea of the concept of "value".

Now, I am so confused about what to do.  Help!

[tlhdoc]

I love the floor plan of the Carmel.  I like the extra seating by the dinette.  Do you need 2 king beds or will a king and a double work for you?  In the Sun Valley you have access to the fridge when the roof is down.  With the Carmel I don't think you do.  Does the Carmel have a cassette potty, hot water, etc.  Big question, What type of roof does the Carmel have?  It it is a one piece ABS roof you have to consider that the roof may fail over time and have to be replaced.  If it is the aluminum roof you need to check that the roof seal and the end panels are securely attached to the rest of the roof.  The aluminum roof has roof tracks for accessories built in, the ABS roof is all one piece, no seams.  Good luck with the purchase.

[spearmint]

I love the floor plan of the Carmel.  I like the extra seating by the dinette.  Do you need 2 king beds or will a king and a double work for you?  In the Sun Valley you have access to the fridge when the roof is down.  With the Carmel I don't think you do.  Does the Carmel have a cassette potty, hot water, etc.  Big question, What type of roof does the Carmel have?  It it is a one piece ABS roof you have to consider that the roof may fail over time and have to be replaced.  If it is the aluminum roof you need to check that the roof seal and the end panels are securely attached to the rest of the roof.  The aluminum roof has roof tracks for accessories built in, the ABS roof is all one piece, no seams.  Good luck with the purchase.

Now you have a point about the roof on the Carmel. I need to look into that. Is this where this 03 Carmel could be a straight 03 Carmel or an 03.5 Carmel? I will ask the dealer tomorrow.

It is just two people plus little dog so the king and double beds would work for us. The one thing I really prefer in the Sun Valley is having the dining booth AND the U-dinette (couch area). It gives two separate seating areas which is nice but the Carmel of course has an extended seat on one side of the both which is nice, too.

Maybe I am just getting cold feet. I don't want to throw away money unnecessarily because I plan to refi my home very shortly. Perhaps I need to check with a banker to make sure this purchase won't hinder or interfere in any way with the refi.

I also want to be able to tow it myself if I want to. My significant other will most likely tow it for now but when I change my car to an SUV I'd like to feel comfortable towing it myself (I'm female). Is there much diff in towing a 12 footer as compared to a 10 footer?

The 06 Sun Valley is $7,900 before tax, etc. while the 03 Carmel is $4600. Is that expensive for an 06 Sun Valley?

[Dray]

I love the floor plan of the Carmel.  In the Sun Valley you have access to the fridge when the roof is down.  With the Carmel I don't think you do.

This is important to me and I wish my fridge was accesible when the roof is down.  

I also wish my PU had an access door to the cassette (container for the potty) from the outside.

[tlhdoc]

This is important to me and I wish my fridge was accessible when the roof is down.
 
I also wish my PU had an access door to the cassette (container for the potty) from the outside.

I have the access door and wouldn't want a trailer without it.  Last stop out of the campground is to dump the cassette.

[tlhdoc]

The 06 Sun Valley is $7,900 before tax, etc. while the 03 Carmel is $4600. Is that expensive for an 06 Sun Valley?

January 2006 my dealer in central PA listed the Sun Valley with a refrigerator and awning for $7,733.  In September of 2006 my dealer listed the 2007 Sun Valley with a refrigerator and awning for $7,895.  I don't know if the trailer you are looking at has any extras on it (AC, furnace, hot water, etc).  Also my dealer sold the Carmel new for $6,196 including the awning.
 
For a 2 year model old, new trailer I think the price is on the high side.  I also think the price for the used Carmel is high.
 
There were no 2003 Fleetwood trailers, only the 2003 1/2.  The early trailers had the ABS roof, the later trailers had the aluminum roof.
 
The weight of the trailer is the biggest difference.  If your TV can tow the 12 foot box you would be ok with either trailer.  My DH does not camp and there are several other women that I camp with the usually camp without their spouse.
 
Good luck on getting the trailer you want.

[spearmint]

January 2006 my dealer in central PA listed the Sun Valley with a refrigerator and awning for $7,733.  In September of 2006 my dealer listed the 2007 Sun Valley with a refrigerator and awning for $7,895.  I don't know if the trailer you are looking at has any extras on it (AC, furnace, hot water, etc).  Also my dealer sold the Carmel new for $6,196 including the awning.
 
For a 2 year model old, new trailer I think the price is on the high side.  I also think the price for the used Carmel is high.
 
There were no 2003 Fleetwood trailers, only the 2003 1/2.  The early trailers had the ABS roof, the later trailers had the aluminum roof.
 
The weight of the trailer is the biggest difference.  If your TV can tow the 12 foot box you would be ok with either trailer.  My DH does not camp and there are several other women that I camp with the usually camp without their spouse.
 
Good luck on getting the trailer you want.

The SV comes with refrigerator and awning but no battery or A/C, although they are offering A/C for $500. I thought the price was on the high side, too. The 08s are around an additional $1200.

Re the Carmel, I think it said Coleman on it so that probably means it has the ABS roof but I will check tomorrow. The roof looked perfect, though. Also, the woman told me that it is in perfect condition but it had just been dropped off by the previous owner that day, too.

I wonder if it is too late to dicker on price.

[austinado16]

I think you'll find that no matter which PUP you buy, you guys will make it your own as soon as it hits the driveway.  I'd say spend less, have the exact same amount of fun, save a couple of grand and put that towards fun mods and gear, and into the tow vehicle's fuel tank!

[ScouterMom]

I don't mean to rain on your parade -  but....

If you are financing the camper, it WILL affect your refinance of your house.  Basically,  the bank looks at your housing cost (principal, interest, insurance and taxes) + your other regular monthly expenses.  a large monthly payment (like for a new car or  camper) can significantly reduce what the bank thinks you can afford for housing.  

depending on your income and other factors, it may or may not make a difference to qualifying for the refi - but the best plan is to talk to the loan office for your refi BEFORE you commit to the camper.  

It's getting into winter, and slow sales and storage fees for the dealer - he may be willing to 'hold' your deal until your refi is done.  It never hurts to ask.

------

As for towing, and being female - you go girl!  There's quite a few of us females out there hauling, setting up and modifying our own pups.  You can do anything you put your mind to!

Laura

[AustinBoston]

we saw a used 03 Fleetwood Carmel that had just been turned in.

If it has a one-piece ABS roof (Fleetwood switched halfway through the year), buy something else; it's just not worth it. I have an ABS roof and have had no problems with it, but have seen others go through some real grief and $$$ trying to deal with something known as roof sag.  As a second owner, you would have to pay for the whole cost of replacement, including shipping.  Just shipping the roof can cost close to $1000, depending on where you are.

If it has a compsite roof, make sure it's in good condition.  The first year ('03) they had problems with them delaminating and leaking.

Austin