I did NOT see that coming. Your wonderful analysis and strong critical thinking skills are greatly appreciated. Caveat to all of this of course you really have to get that 30% off MSRP :)

I am too old and done buying anything used motorized. I am not buying anyones headaches. I have finally learned. Life is short...

Bought our Tiffin Allegro Bus used 2 years ago. 2015 with less then 15K on the ODO and less than 100 hours on the 10KW Gen. Drove it 1,500 miles back to our base camp and went through absolutely everything. Everything looked fine except the engine air filter which by the vacuum gauge and mileage was fine but it had aged out. Paper ages and they should be replaced every 2-3 years and this one was the original. Don't want to suck paper into the turbo! $$$$ Low mileage is awesome but some things will need replacement due to age as well as miles. After going through everything, it was as good as new. Did we save buying used? Absolutely! Especially since I do my own work. Tires ~ According to Michelin you can safely use their tires for up to 10 years WITH annual inspections. Most RVers use the 5 year rule. Ours are now at year 9 and will be replaced very soon even though they pass inspection. (bus was kept in an interior storage environment and that limited the UV exposure). Monitor your tire pressures with a TPMS set-up. Pricing ~ More typical is 20-25% off MSRP depending on demand. During the covid demand, folks were not getting these discounts but they are now back with the current economic conditions. Batteries ~ Previous owner just replaced all the house batts with good AGMs. I replaced the 2 starting batts with AGMs since they handle vibration better than wet cells and are maintenance free. Myles = 'Magic Carpet' / Our rig =' Seasonal Time Traveler '...as we escape winter and chase 70 🙂 Looking forward to your stainless trim install video 👍

Thanks you for settling my argument with Hubby. NEW has the better way to go. I so appreciate your honesty on your experiences and can't wait to meet you guys on the road!!!!

Excellent research. We bought a new 5th wheel and Duramax diesel truck. We lived in it 2 1/2 years when we bought a property now we just take 2-3 month trips. One suggestion. We did buy a 7 year extended warranty. The dealer wanted about $3300. All I did was call the warranty company they used directly and purchased the next level up for just over $1700, 7 years $100 deductible. If you live in California you will need an out of state address.

Mark, you out did yourself on this video. A truly thorough analysis covering all costs of ownership that goes way beyond just the cost of a new vs. the cost of a used rig. This was a Brett Davis-esque analysis of new vs. used. He would approve of your analysis. In the end, knowing you and Sue, as two people who know what they are talking about, one can go to the bank on this information.

The information contained in this video should get a lot of traffic and many thanks 👍🏼because you've done the homework for those in the buyers market. On my 2023 Sprinter 3500XD AWD, I paid for the extended complete five year, 100K miles warranty @ $10, 340. The total cost of just the van was $99K with another $67K for the conversion, including the 600w of solar + 270ah lithium battery. Motorhome, Travel Trailer or Van, the total cost of ownership is staggering, with the only hope being the residual asset sale somewhere down the road is equivalent to enjoyment it gave making the bottom line priceless.

One of your very best episodes.

Thank you I appreciate you alot I looking and what you said I will buy a new one. Thank you again 😊😊😊😊😊😊

Great information.... My pro tips..Buy new one model year old. Buy at the end of the quarter. Buy out the door price. Offer multiple dealers the same deal.. I bought a 2018 KZRV 315rkd 5th in March 2019. The list was 72k on sale 62k offered 50k OTD final negotiation ended at 45k OTD... Did not buy extended warranty. Thanks OJM

FYI with regard to the extended warranty. I too purchased my first RV used a 2017 Newmar Canyon Star in 2019. The original extended warranty expired in June 2022. I purchased a new exclusionary policy for two additional years. I was shocked the warranty provider did not inspect the unit which at the time had 96,000 miles on it and the new policy was approximately $6,000. Since then I have had approximately $17,000 worth of repairs covered. So you can purchase high quality extended warranties on used coaches.

We bought a quality 12 year old Class A for $220.000 less than a comparable new rig. After spending another $30,000 at Freightliner and other reputable shops, we have a unit that is perfect for us. All running gears are new or inspected. Tires and brakes are new. Awnings are new. Best of all we dont need DEF. With the left-over savings, we were able to 'tick it out' with 2,000 watts of solar, 900-amp hours of Lithium and converted refrigerator to residential. Now we optionally camp off grid and save more money. At this price we didn't have to borrow, and we had less than half the taxes. Now three years later, I have no regrets and would never buy new. Let someone else eat the depreciation. I'll admit the repairs were higher than expected. but we are still at half the price of our best price for a new comparable rig.

I would also say you keep great records. I too keep records in great detail, e.g., each invoice line item has an entry in my software with part numbers. As I mentioned in my other comment, I have an extended warranty. Even with an exclusionary warranty not everything will be covered. I too use NIRVC exclusively, but I find the hours the warranty allows for diagnostics is often less than the hours required in addition the amount the warranty will cover is sometimes less than the actual cost. Thus, I think the new rig analysis should have some cost for repairs which in my mind based on what you have shared would made buying new versus used about the same. One other thought about assuming the original owner has worked out all the bugs. I think that is often not the case and not tending to one issue could cause a different issue down the road so buyer beware. I guess I'm kind of talking out of both sides of my mouth with these two comments since one would see to support used and the other support buying new. Oh also, in the four years I have had the Canyon Star repairs, excluding consumables and maintenance, e.g., this cost does not include tires, windshields (I'm on number six) or maintenance was just over $55,000.

That is good detailed info. Eye-opening.

Top your oil off with Marvel mistre oil Ron for about 10. -15 min to get engine hot it will keep the oil sensor Kleenex so it won’t start and shut every time but this fixed mine.

Worth the new coach smell!!! Honesty you're right on.

I'm now looking to buying a 2014 Tiffin Alleged RED 33 AA. The rig has been meticulously maintained. The price is attractive. I get a feeling now I should get a certified inspector look at it. Now you have given me a lot to think about buying used.

wonderful video, I’m glad I saw it! It confirmed our decision to buy a brand new Tiffin, we take delivery next week. Happy travels.🤗

Wow! This is the only video to come to this conclusion! But the Chan-Man's detailed thinking and accounting proves it. I'm not sure if we would have changed our minds on our purchase, but we certainly would have thought more about it. A big howdy from Alpine, Wyoming this month as we explore Grand Teton & Yellowstone NP. Happy, safe, & healthy travels! Brendan & Lena

Very interesting you do a great job thanks

Mark, A perfect comparison. I was surprised at the outcome. But it makes sense. Thank you for all your work. Richard and Virginia.

Excellent video as usual. My wife and I are about to embark on our fulltime "Journey" next month. I have experienced replacing many of the items that you mentioned in this video. First thing on our new (to us) '13 Thor Palazzo was rear tires. The front tires had been replaced and were just a year old. The rear tires had a date code of 2012!! That made them 9 years old when we bought the coach. Next was replacing coach batteries with Lithium as the existing batteries were very tired and did not perform well. Our rig had 39k miles on it when we bought it, and after driving 50 miles up the road from where we bought it (individual) it threw a serpentine belt due to a defective idler pulley. Pretty scary to have your rig towed to a repair shop right out of the box. We took advantage of having it in for the repair and had the shop go ahead and perform all of the service items on the engine. The generator had 400+ hours on it when we bought the rig, and I am ashamed to say we didn't get it serviced until over 800 hours, but it never gave us a problem and the oil and coolant that came out of it looked close to new. We leave for Appleton, WI in a couple of days to have the full length slide on the drivers side upgraded to a Vroom system since the Schwintech system failed on us coming back from Alabama in April. Looking forward to hitting the road soon and hope we cross paths with you somewhere down the line!!

Thanks for confirming my future purchase

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I couldn't agree more with your final thoughts. Great amazing work in this video.

Your analysis was very insightful and detailed. I’m glad I viewed this video, it really put things into perspective. While used isn’t off of the table, new is looking like the way to go. Especially since there are deals to be had. 30% potential discount is an eye opener. Thank you

Have always enjoyed your channel. Thanks

Thank you for this video. Once my wife and I ready to buy, I'll reference this video and other's you and Sue have. I want you to know I'm glad you bought used. The amount of information your channel has given your followers is priceless. Buying new may have been economically better for you, but buying used made us richer!

Excellent review Mark! Every diesel Class A Rver should watch this one. I don’t even want to calculate my costs. I don’t want to know. But my 43,000 miles since 2020 can’t be valued. We did everything and went everywhere, still going. Starting a 6 week fall trip Sept. 4th. Already paid for out 2024 winter trip to Florida, 130 days Jan- Mid April.

Excellent analysis, Mark. Prior to watching your video, I had contemplated, but never got around to, doing a comparison such as this. An important cost that would be equal to a new or used rig is the value in the experiences you've had vs. not having a rig at all and attempting the same - the differences would be astronomical So many people advise against buying new and even buying a relative antique pre-DEF unit, that it is hard to put aside the noise from those camps. But yeah, someday when it comes time to pack back into a sticks and bricks is the forgotten part of the equation: will a new or used rig better set you up to go back to that lifestyle? GREAT WORK! BRAVO to the OJIM channel - I don't think I've seen this comparison on any other channel!

Excellent break down video! Thx

I like to thank you for all the videos I was in the Air Force 1966 to1973 station Travis Air Force Base, California had orders go to Alaska purchase open Road 1 ton truck, and here we go got almost to white horse Canadian mounted police pulled us over and told us that our orders got canceled so we decided to go back to Travis Air Force Base so take a lot of videos for me my wife died four years ago. We had good memories in our open road. Backs and a lot of gravel roads and a lot of damage RVs coming back to the US big trucks got too close to them. Thank you again I wish both of you well Kentucky,

A lot of information thanks. It helps a lot

Thank you for this video. I don't own an RV - Yet, but I watch a lot of RV videos. This one is very educational and "eye opening" in regards to actual pricing. I have been tossing around the idea of used or new and this is very helpfull. Regards to you and Sue on your travels.

Great info to know for folks who have yet to purchase a rig (like me). Lot of details you shared to help the next person. Thanks for sharing...........

Thanks for sharing your experience with the rv information

Mark, Great analysis . I have heard Brett say the same thing, but your breakdown was very good. Say hi ti Sue and we are looking forward to catching up with y'all in a few months

Mark and Sue, your best video ever. Thanks for your honesty and wisdom. Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity in your future travels.

❤❤i cried watching your mom’s reaction to your pregnancy, and Trent’s family as well. Congratulations! m I’m a grandma in salt lake and in Washington DC! We watch your shows every week and look forward to seeing your family and home grow.

Marc this was a very good analysis. For someone like me that has your dream as well. I have been trying to analyze which would be better new or used.

As always detailed and thoughtful. Thank you for passing on your experience.

that was a lot of detailed work....thanks so much

Once again, kudos to a most informative session. Your attention to detail and just plain down home manner of presenting the info is appreciated. Until your next video...be well.

Great job on the video. It was amazing that your final list of what you would do again matched exactly what we did just a couple of years ago except the 4369. We ended up going smaller since we were newbies with a 4081. Again great job on all of your video's. We really enjoy watching them.

Mark, great video and cost analysis.

I want to thank you for the informative and thoughtful comparison of New vs Used. As we prepare to enter the lifestyle it has been helpful. There is one other consideration that warrants discussion. In looking at the financial aspects of beginning you have to consider the big “what if?”. What if we buy a new coach then don’t like the lifestyle or can’t continue for some other reason after a short period of time, you will sustain a huge loss if buy new. For you, you can compare retrospectively because you have been doing it now for 5+ years. But what if……? I think we are going to look for 1 to 2 year old coach when the time comes.

Thanks Mark for going through your analysis. You’ve confirmed to me what I’d been tossing back and forth about purchasing our retirement rig. I’d pretty much landed on getting a new one with warranty, but you’re analysis helped greatly. Thank you so much and love the videos you and Sue put out.

Great Video thanks so much. I always look forward to seeing each of your videos.

Myles has been a great coach for you two. He’s safely transported and housed you comfortably for thousands of miles and several years. That’s worth something. We bought a new 2018 Tiffin Allegro RED in 2017 because we couldn’t find a used one. Many of the used Tiffins on the market back then were purchased sight unseen by cash buyers. We were newbie’s back then, and hesitant to purchase sight unseen, so we ordered a new coach. We had an Air Force 1 supplemental braking system installed along with a Blue Ox baseplate and lighting kit in our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. There were many issues addressed under warranty during our first year of ownership, including one serious problem with one of our large hydraulic slides. Before our warranty expired we purchased an extended exclusionary warranty, good for three more years. When we bought, we were not yet retired, and used the coach only on weekends or vacations we took a few times a year. We stored our motorhome in an RV storage facility near our home. We were not full timers, as are you and Sue. We have since retired, sold our home in Tampa and built a lakefront home in Mount Olive Shores North, with an RV garage to house our Tiffin. We are not full timers and enjoy having a home base to return to after a few months (three to five) traveling. Regardless whether you buy used or new, these rigs depreciate. It’s an expensive lifestyle, as you well know, but worth every penny to us.

Another great and informative video. Thank you!

I have been binge watching your videos. After years of watching RV KZfaqrs, your channel just popped up in my RV search. What great content and I really enjoy the voice-over parts that explain things in such detail. Why your channel does have not hundreds of thousands or even a million subscribers... I have no clue. Each video does provide great value in content and entertaining to watch. I appreciate the hard work and time put into your channel. 👍

8:10 we swapped out our 4 year old AGMs with Bluetooth BMS equipped Lithium phosphate batteries and its a world of difference., and the price if you shop sales is not that much more than high end AGMs, definitely worth the increased price over time

Awesome job Mark! Some very good advice was shared. It's funny every one of your bullets is the same that I share as well. Thanks for helping us figure all this out. I will be well informed when it is time to buy. A good topic I think would be good to discuss would be extended warranties, the good and bad, and what to look out for when looking for extended Plans! Again great job! Enjoy your time off. Walt

What brand of tire covers do you have? Do you have a solid shade for the outside of the windshield? My rig will be in PHX this winter and I’m think it will Be a good purchase. BTW- trip to AK you will love!

One of if not the best video I've seen on the trip wizard. Looking at yours and several others I haven't found one that explains how to import the trip into my GPS. I noticed you have the same Garmin we have any info would be greatly appreciated. Safe travels to you!

Great video! I've been using the app for about a year and after watching your video I have a much better understanding. Now to work planning a cross country trip!

Very informative.Thanks!

Great video! Lots of great info

Thanks much Mark. I've been back and forth on the new used thing. Lots to consider in the video. I hope to get something done this fall - so the video was very timely!

Great video explaining your experience and thoughts from today. Thank you for taking the time to compile the data. My only comment from all your data is it is very tough to get 30% off MSRP and new RV prices jumped far to quickly, driven by greed.

I hear the roads to Alaska are much better and folks say it's a great trip. I look at it as one long out and back which I'm not a fan of. Looking forward to seeing the updates when you go.

I agree with Jim Martinson below here. You really nailed all the points, and you bought at the right time. You could sell your coach for close to what you paid for it...The point about how we go into a new phase of life not knowing if it going to be agreeable to us, does the romance of this life meet up to the reality? All things considered is the coaches are extremely expensive compared to the "golden years" , even with a30% discount ( these days on a Billy Bobs Motor Coach) and Newmar isn't that deep yet....You have taken care of your coach so well that it will be one of your strongest selling points...I always like what you said in the beginning, we will do this until circumstances dictate otherwise. And you started out young enough on that life curve... We really appreciate all that you do, keep up the good work...Alaska is cool but I would be nervous too, good thing you are not going in a 2024 DutchStar....

Thank you mark so much for this advice and analysis. Great video mark! Glad you did this video! It helped me out. I’m glad you are good doing the math! I wouldn’t be good at doing that part of rving! Lol! Hope you have a great night and week and see you next week!

thank you for this!! you answered many of my questions that i have been thinking about. Great video and wishing you guys all the best.

Hi! This Lourdes, It was such a nice surprise to run into you at the meet and greet today at the RV show. I'm the full-time RVer that is solo now. Love your channel❤

Excellent Vlog!

As always, very informative.

Mark, would you please do a video on how you use the engine brake on your coach. Thanks

😅 wow, I thought for a minute there that you and Sue were giving it up and going into an assisted living home!

Get you some Battleborn price is a little high but I have mine for 3 yrs and the are so light they weight like 37 pounds and if you watch them only charge up to 80-90 percent and don’t discharge no les than 20 percent and they will be that last batteries you ever buy. Hope that helps nice looking rig .

What a great analysis Mark between buying new or used. Great insight! Enjoy the rest of the time in WI and hope to see ya on the road in 2024!

Great information!!! We appreciate all the time and effort you put in to make this comparison. We have been back and forth with new and used on a Ventana 4369 - I appreciate this information. Thank you again and safe travels!

Hello Mark and Sue, we own a 2019 Ventana 4369 purchased new. I think you are right on with your costs and evaluation. It's not really a loss it's no different than when you were young and had to rent an apartment or house. That's why I have always said we are just renting this Condo on wheels. It's not a financial investment but an investment in retirement and life.

Well done Mark. I really thought this was going to go a totally different direction. Me and my wife are in a similar situation where I plan to retire in a year or so and we plan to get a Diesel pusher and travel all over the place but not full time. I was figuring used was a way better option but when you figure in repairs and tires and then the value after 5 or 6 years it makes sense. Now I can do quite a bit on my own as far as maintenance but sometimes things happen on the road and you don't have that option. You can also put some value in having the new safety features and conveniences plus if you maintain it like a NASA engineer and keep records it may add value at the end. Thanks for making the effort and the video.

Have you been talking to Brett? I have found start battery's at the Freightliner store that were a good deal. Original equipment AGM start batteries for $89.00 each.

Excellent review 👌👌👌👌👍👍👍👍

Great job with regards to VO. Have owned 2 A’s and now Super C, and all used. I would never ever buy new. Twice the rig for 70% of the cost. He helps that I do my own work. 😅😅😅😅

Great video as always. I don't over analyze our purchase that much. We got a well maintained older unit that had a lot of money spent on upgrades and maintenance with a warranty that we used to repair some things. Nothing major but still good money. We are happy and that's all that matters. You are happy and that's all that matters. Congrats on your adventures and l look forward to future videos.

Thanks for the analysis of your situation, very detailed. Wont be long till its time to ride to the beach!

Don't worry about Alaska. We did it and are so glad we did. The roads are good and we drove through the Yukon in April. Very informative video.

As always, great video and I appreciate your perspective on things. We just got back from a 3 month trip to Alaska, you will hear a lot of different opinions on the roads and the journey. For us, it was a great trip, the roads, while challenging were manageable. The only thing I would of done differently would be to allocate more time to the trip, we were in Alaska itself for 3 weeks, could of easily of been 2 months to see & experience everything that is out there. Thanks again for the great content, safe travels.

Super analysis. Quite helpful as usual. Can’t wait to see more about your trip to Alaska.

What a great analyis! I'm very analytical so enjoyed it immensely. I guess where i do still struggle here is the emotional "what if." What if we are wrong and dont like it fulltime. What if we buy wrong. In my mind, it seems as if the less expensive buy protects against that? Definitely gives me more to think about !

We also are looking to Buy used. I don't think our budget is going to be quite as much as yours was Which kind of eliminates buying new but my question to you is, I also like the idea of having a tag axle Which I know probably limit some of the parks and places you can go in , Knowing what you know now would you still have bought a tag axle. I believe I would like the stability of the rig the weight capacity that can be carried Not mentioning the extra room. We want you to know we always enjoy your videos that are very informative and are really helping us getting ready for the life changing process of going full-time. ( thanks!!! )

You could spend thousands on a new unit to fix it as well. Warranty only covers so much.

That is wonderful the number is that you have displayed with what would be cheaper or watt would be better. I am so happy that I still have a 2007 Monaco 400 horse Cohens 3000 hours in and superior build. Thomyt

Hi Mark and Sue, Great video and production on comparing New vs. Used! You bring up some very good points on making the comparison between the two. Just wondering if you are comparing apples to apples here. Did you factor in the upgrades you have done over the years that a stock brand new Dutch star may not normally have on it? Those retrobands you have installed are not normally on a new unit as well fire protection systems. Adding those improvements to the cost of a new unit may bring the bottom line costs for each much closer together and possibly make it swing the other way to the used unit. Just throwing this out there for consideration. Thanks for doing these videos for the RV community. Safe journeys to both of you and enjoy the cool weather in Wisconsin!

WOW...never saw it broken down so clearly. Thx

Don't forget an RV inspector will not check anything on the Chassis besides tires, and many inspectors have little knowledge of Diesels or the chassis.

Great video Mark. The one thing I hadn't thought about when debating new vs used was the sale value at the end. The higher sale value offsets some of the higher depreciation that occurs in the first couple of years. This is making me rethink our purchase strategy.

Y’all don’t lack much to the 100000 subscribers mark.

We bought new in 2019. 2019 NewAre. Lost a ton when we sold in 2022. Bought a used 2022 MountainAire in 2022 and saved us $125,000.

great info

I buy my Riggs 20 years old .. drive it for 3. . Then upgrade.

Mark, are you going to offer a copy of your spreadsheet so that we may make an educated decision of a new or used class A?

Hey, you right buying new and keeping it 3 years or less and flipping it is the way to go. But I will add in you should stick with class a rig under 36ft the state patk thing and resale value. But the ford 7.3 engines are having issues so diesel is better. If you want big rig look at American Coach they have all features of Newmar but not the price. Extented warraties are a must alone with watching the OJIM channel. ❤

Fantastic data, we're 10 years from retirement but want to buy an entry level class A to have for trade at retirement (and to help us learn the ropes)

Bought a 18 year old Winnie. Only 31k on it. I will have about 3k worth of maint doing it myself. Bought the rig for 65k. We are 400k ahead of new.

My only consent about everything after 2012 is the DEF system in the new diesel engines

Interesting--but I still think it's hypothetical. I may have missed it--but did you calculate your out-of-warranty maintenance costs on the 2018? I think you'd still have some significant costs on the 3-year newer rig.

Love you guys ThomyT