Where to look for used

[osgoor]

My wife and I will be looking to buy a used Montana in the next year
for the first year of my retirement. Two questions:

1) How many years back from this or next year would you feel comfortable in considering a used Montana? Is anything older than 3 years, 5 years, 7 years risky for overall degradation? I know it all depends on conditions but as a "rule of thumb", where is the comfort range?

2) Where do you find the best bargains? I look at EBay, Craiglist and RVTrader.

Thanks!

[NCFischers]

Look at the bottom of the forum under market place. Stiles Watson has a Big Sky for sale that has been taken very good care of.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by osgoor

My wife and I will be looking to buy a used Montana in the next year
for the first year of my retirement. Two questions:

1) How many years back from this or next year would you feel comfortable in considering a used Montana? Is anything older than 3 years, 5 years, 7 years risky for overall degradation? I know it all depends on conditions but as a "rule of thumb", where is the comfort range?

2) Where do you find the best bargains? I look at EBay, Craiglist and RVTrader.

Thanks!

1. Amount you want to spend will be key here. A unit only a year or two old could be ideal after someone has taken the huge hit on depreciation. However if you're a good negotiator, that difference in amount may not be as large. You're right about condition too. Someone who neglects their two year old trailer may be in much worse condition than a four a five year old trailer that has been well maintained and in covered storage. I think it really is a case-by-case situation overall.

2. Forums like here as mentioned. Your local newspaper. Trader is a good idea. Some might say to stay clear of eBay. As with any source, check the unit out very carefully especially for prior damage and repair (like water damage), and if you're not comfortable doing a thorough inspection have it done professionally.

Just my thoughts...

[DQDick]

X2 on Stiles rig! All of us get old or have a lifestyle change and the folks on this forum, in general, take good care of their rigs and add good modifications. You should also look at dealers. Like used cars, when they take one in trade they need to get rid of it and will often offer a short warranty period.

[Art-n-Marge]

A lot has to do with the tow vehicle (TV), too. If you have a 3/4 ton, then an older, smaller Monty that is generally lighter than a newer model and you'll be doing some very considerable weight management, shifting items or leaving them behind. A 1 ton allows even more of a trailer that is newer, longer and heavier but you'll still be staying away from the beefiest Montanas (like a Big Sky). For the best in towing capacity a dually allows for the best range of any Monty unless the truck is very old with less capacity and you're looking at the latest model of Montana.

Just remember to measure a truck's capacity by starting with a trailer's Gross Vehicle (Trailer) Weight Rating, not shipping weight or current weight. Then hope you never exceed any rating at any point of the rig combination. If you do NOT understand any and all the weight rating interrelation, then realize it is NOT just one number you look at and ask for help.

The good news with many newer trailers is plenty of options that you'll want, the bad news is these weigh something and lessen cargo capacity in both the trailer and truck.

[H. John Kohl]

quote:Originally posted by osgoor

My wife and I will be looking to buy a used Montana in the next year
for the first year of my retirement. Two questions:

1) How many years back from this or next year would you feel comfortable in considering a used Montana? Is anything older than 3 years, 5 years, 7 years risky for overall degradation? I know it all depends on conditions but as a "rule of thumb", where is the comfort range?

2) Where do you find the best bargains? I look at EBay, Craiglist and RVTrader.

Thanks!

I suggest you do not go earlier than 07. The models before 07 were not built to handle temps down to zero before the water lines freeze. About 28F was all they could handle.
From 07 on they have the out side convince center which is very nice and the water lines are next to the heat duct in the floor instead of under the belly.

Best of luck.

[osgoor]

Thanks to all for the replies. Always open to more...

[ugh]

quote:Originally posted by H. John Kohl

I suggest you do not go earlier than 07. The models before 07 were not built to handle temps down to zero before the water lines freeze. About 28F was all they could handle.
From 07 on they have the out side convince center which is very nice and the water lines are next to the heat duct in the floor instead of under the belly.

Best of luck.

My is a 2006 3500RL and it has a convince center. So, some of 2006.5 has it.

[bigskyjimmy]

all the advise is about right we had a 2003 big sky that was great for many years when we traded it in some lucky person got it because it was still in great shape, BUT with our new Montana I can tell the difference big time in heat retention in the winter even though it had the "arctic package" when it went down below frezing and if it got really cold sometimes the pipes would freeze we had to crank the heat! not so much any more with the new one NICE!!

[simonsrf]

We own a 2006 2980RL and it has a convenience center.....the truck and the trailer will be up for sale soon.

[bob n pam]

There is a 2011 Montana 3400 here at Palm Creek (Arizona) for sale. They are asking $45,000.

[awhite]

Look at the prices of the new ones from the discounters on the internet

[HOOK]

I sent you a PM with a list of 4. Larry

[osgoor]

Got it and replied Larry.

[richfaa]

The convenience centers came out on the 2006 model year.My 06 was built in April of 06.

I would only buy used from a dealer as there is a better chance of them being it better shape.A dealer can not sell a unut with something broke on it.

[ugh]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

The convenience centers came out on the 2006 model year.My 06 was built in April of 06.

I would only buy used from a dealer as there is a better chance of them being it better shape.A dealer can not sell a unut with something broke on it.

I respectfully disagree. Yes, they do and for a lot more money. Buying from a private seller who are not upside down or emotionally attach to it is often a best deal. Even if something is wrong, the buyer could still be ahead.

[richfaa]

I do agree with you that the buyer could still be ahead. I would rather pay a bit more for a unit that we would know is in A1 shape and most dealers will offer a 30 or 90 day warranty on a used unit. Our 06 unit is on the dealers lot for sale now and they put a lot of work in it. There are good deals out there from private sellers.

[osgoor]

Thanks again to all for the replies. This will be an interesting journey no doubt.

[RRman]

In 07 I purchased an 05 from a private seller.
At that time I had a spreadsheet of the same floorplan Montanas for sale - around 30 all over the country using lots of different sales websites. Features, age and price (some got sold) was helpfull.
Lucked out with a one owner lightly used Big Sky off RVTrader only about 1.5 hours away so I was able to check it out personally.
Took $1k off negotiated "low ball" agreed to price as the Dometic Fridge dumped its ammonia. I replaced that hazardous junk with a Whirlpool residential apt size Fridge.
Plan to replace any slideout toppers and Detector/alarms after 5 years. Same for tires.

[bigskyjimmy]

I am with Rich, when we traded in our 2003 big sky they went over it big time and put a new awning on it even though the original was not bad and fixed a couple of little things before they put it on the lot for sale, some lucky buyer bought it! ,at least that was our experience maybee we just dealt with a good dealer