There are quite a lot of factors that go into a travel trailer having the best resale value. For one, the way it is treated, maintained and prepared by an owner prior to a resale has a significant influence.
These factors while important are only about 70% of the influencing factors. The other 30% include elements that are beyond the owner’s control. Things such as the quality of construction and the elements used, the craftsmanship used by the manufacturer to assemble and engineer the travel trailer using due diligence.
The only way an owner can influence this unseen, yet essential element is by purchasing a notable brand.It is always a great idea when purchasing a travel trailer to select a brand that is well trusted, so that you actually have an idea of what to base your expectations off of.
It would be a disservice and nearly impossible to mention one travel trailer brand that offers the best resale value, as there are numerous of them that have consistently shown strong resale numbers.
This article aims to highlight them which can hopefully help you select where your next travel trailer is going to be purchased from. Let us begin!!
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What Travel Trailers Have The Best Resale Value
Airstream
Airstream is perhaps the most recognizable RV brand in the world. An Airstream is instantly recognizable thanks to its shiny silver coated exterior. When it comes to brands with a high reputation for quality and durability, Airstream is one of the first names to be mentioned.
While Airstreams might be one of the most expensive travel trailers out there, they are well worth the cost. The first Airstream was created in the 1920s with a mobile tent to be placed on top of vehicles.
One of the reasons why an Airstream travel trailer is popular and retains its value better is simply because of how iconic it looks. The design features a cleanly cut shape, making it very identifiable.
The quality surrounding an Airstream is so good that older Airstreams are still being used by RVers today. The modern ones are full of luxury. At almost $38,00 you get quite a high starting point for the base model Airstream, however, it retains its value better than a similarly sized competitor.
The company has around 9 varying models of travel trailer for customers to select from. And every model has several unique floorplans with customisability, ensuring that you can make the Airstream model that is best suited to you and your family.
Jayco
Jayco is the perfect brand for those individuals that not only love the outdoors but also taking care of it. As one of the most recognizable brands, the Bluebird has been seen on quite a number of RVs, travel trailers, and fifth wheels. It is perhaps one of the most quotidian brands out there.
Jayco believes in investing in their customers and the environment via the Jayco eco-advantage pact. As a brand, it works tirelessly on reducing its carbon footprint during manufacturing processes and the type of materials being used to make its travel trailers.
The brand is always searching for new methods to cut down energy consumption and waste. This philosophy filters down to their travel trailers are they are created to help improve fuel efficiency and handling.
As a reliable company which has been in operation for more than 50 years, Jayco has developed quite a following. Numerous families have tried Jayco and stuck to the brand for generations. This just goes to show how much quality and longevity the Jayco name is associated with.
Gulf Stream
Founded in 1971 back in Indiana, Gulf Steam is perhaps the best and most popular brand out there. It originally began making handcrafter furnishing, so it is no surprise that its travel trailers are very detailed oriented.
While the brand is typically known for its RVs, it does imbibe that same manufacturing quality into its travel trailers.
At this time, Gulf Stream produces 13 lightweight trailers in addition to destination and toy hauler trailers. What this means is there are numerous designs and floorplans to select from.
One of the popular models has to be the Ameri-Lite which comes with over 15 floorplans, meaning there is quite a large degree of customization from on Ameri-Lite travel trailer to the next. You are able to select a price range that suits you and your preferences.
There are floorplans with options for private bedrooms and others for increased storage. Given that it is so popular, it is no surprise that a Gulf Stream model can be found at just about any RV dealership
Heartland RV
This is a popular brand that is quite known for toy haulers and RVs. Its travel trailers also come with quite a number of wonderful perks as well.
With Heartland, customers feel like they are being considered and that is evident in the travel trailers having a spacious and luxurious feel even in the basic model trims. There are 9 major travel trailer models from Heartland, and one of the most popular ones is the Sundance.
You are able to customize the cabinetry, and you get high ceilings in the majority of Heartland’s travel trailers. You also have numerous lightweight trailers in addition to bigger ones ensuring that there is a Heartland travel trailer for every kind of customer.
A unique selling point of a Heartland travel trailer is that it as a company tries to create products using the greenest means. Heartland recycles as much as it can and also aims to reduce its waste. This is an attractive feature particularly for the subset seeking Eco camping.
Starcraft RV
Starcraft travel trailer is popular for their comfort and convenience. This is evident in the range of floorplans available, with some providing sleeping compartments for over 6 adults.
Starcraft products are solidly built and known to be durable. The travel trailers are created using TuffShell vacuum bonded lamination.
A typical travel trailer from Starcraft will have fiberglass sidewalls, metal backers, and welded aluminium frames. This makes sure that the travel trailer is better suited to all types of experiences and weather systems when you take it on adventures.
Starcraft ensures its travel trailers have a heated, insulated, and enclosed underbelly. When it comes to warranty, you get two different warranties from a manufacturer and structural warranty lasting 3 and 1 year respectively.
The roof has been created using Magnum Roofing which ensures the roofing system will last quite a while. This feature ensures that the roofing of its travel trailers are 50% stronger compared to those of competitors.
Coachmen
When it comes to recreational vehicles, Coachmen is a hugely popular brand. Since its entrance into the RV industry back in 1964. it has created numerous travel trailers and other RVs in general.
As a trusted brand, Coachmen concentrates on its customers and this is evident in its principle and tag line of remaining dedicated to enriching the lives of customers.
To this end, they do this be providing a vast array of travel trailers for customers to select from. There are 12 varying models to select from and all with numerous divergent floorplans.
The Coachmen brand is so renowned for excellence that 3 of its models have been awarded best in the show: Apex Ultra-Lite, Northern Spirit/Spirit, and the Catalina Legacy Edition.
Every customer is welcome at Coachmen with its vast array of lightweight and bigger travel trailers. This ensures just about every lifestyle and customer is catered for.
Grand Design
This RV brand is one that values its relationship with customers over every other thing. it has a business model of doing the right thing and that is evident given its popularity amongst RVers.
When Grand Design says it is customer-focused, it means it as it ensures customer satisfaction becomes the top priority. This is a travel trailer company that ensures you get superior value and more features for your buck.
Additionally, included in every purchase of a travel trailer is a structural warranty valid for 3 years. This is something very few travel trailer brands are doing, safe for Starcraft and Jayco.
Another great feature about this brand is the fact that the take your satisfaction so seriously that the travel trailer is first sent to a PDI before it is sent to a dealer.
PDI is an acronym for Pre-Deliver Inspection. The products are inspected in the house to ensure that they clear a stringent checklist of over 200 items before they finally get the clearance to ship to dealers.
This lets customers know that a high price has been placed on quality and for this reason customers have responded by getting a travel trailer from Grand Design.
Grand Design should be seen as a luxury brand, as you get high quality detailing, however, this quality comes at a cost as a travel trailer from this brand might cost more than others. Thankfully, this also translates to above-average resale value.
KZ-RV
KZ-RV is owned by Thor, a company that can count quite a number of the most popular RV companies as its subsidiary. KZ-RV is no different.
This brand produces a travel trailer that offers a long time, ample living space for those individuals that want to spend more than just a bit of time camping.
This, however, does not mean those RVers that want something a bit more short-term have to look elsewhere. Every product created by KZ-RV has more space in the interior compared to quite a lot of competitors.
There are numerous layouts available for prospective customers to select from including lounging, sleeping areas, kitchens, full shower restrooms, and of course, a dinette.
For those customers interested in having full kitchens, KZ-RV offers options with microwaves, stoves, pantries, and refrigerators. You also get numerous bed options with sizes going als large as queen size.
A travel trailer from KZ-RV has an excellent interior and exterior entertainment system, ensuring that camping is always an exciting time with this brand.
What makes this brand of travel trailers unique is that you do not require any fanciful towing hitch to tow this travel trailer, and that could save quite a lot of hassle.
If you require more space, KZ-RV offers travel trailers that have low profiles ensuring you have more height and roof storage.
Conclusion
Selecting just one travel trailer that has the best resale value would be a major disservice to anyone looking for answers. The list above contains brands that have consistently created gorgeous and functional travel trailers filled with quality and craftsmanship.
This attention to detail has ensured that the travel trailer models offer some of the best resale value figures out there. That being said, these brands only account for a portion of the factors that influence resale value. You have to ensure that you maintain your travel trailer as well.