We bought a fifth wheel from Reed's Trailer Sales and we had a very mixed experience.
My husband and I were in the market for a trailer to live in with our little one as the California housing market isn't allowing us to purchase a traditional home. We found a fifth wheel that we were interested in and talked to a sales associate about checking it out. After putting down a $1,000 deposit, they held the trailer for us until the weekend when we could drive the 2 hours to the dealership to inspect it. They didn't have it hooked up to power or water, so we couldn't test anything to make sure it worked, and it was clear that the trailer hadn't been very thoroughly cleaned after the prior owner sold it.
The employees didn't have a lot of details or knowledge about the trailer, but being naive about the whole process and in a hurry to purchase as our apartment lease was ending, my husband and I purchased the trailer.
A week and half later, at our walkthrough, we noticed how dirty the trailer still was, including the FULL black and gray water tanks! Ew! How long had it been sitting with someone else's waste in it?! We also noticed new stains on the floor from when we initially viewed it. We took the trailer home despite the issues in hopes that we could clean it up and resolve some of our concerns. Unfortunately, the stains are permanent AND the trailer is too long for most parks to accommodate it. :(
A few days after picking it up, and before we even stayed a single night in it, we inquired about exchanging the trailer for a smaller model on the lot that cost $100 more than the one we purchased. We offered to drive the trailer back (in better condition than we bought it as it was now noticeably cleaner) and still unused, and pay the difference as well as any applicable taxes and fees. However, we were told by Mr. Dan Reed, himself, that it would cost us an additional $11,000 because of registration fees AND depreciation on the trailer...what?! How could a used trailer depreciate after it was driven from the dealership to our driveway and after it was in MUCH cleaner condition than when it was sold to us?! He also claimed that the hefty price to exchange trailers was because the salesmen were already paid...which is anyone's guess as to how that applies?
We feel like we were misled and a bit taken advantage of. As a young family trying to manage living in these difficult times and in this expensive state, we were hoping that Reed's Trailer Sales would have been a bit more understanding and accommodating.
Since then, we've had to very thoroughly clean the mildew-filled washing machine, scrub the stainless steel oven handles which are somehow stained, and flush the black water tank 3 times during the single weekend that we've been able to use it.
We've been able to make a couple improvements and overall, we feel this trailer is good value and a good investment, but we wish things could have turned out a bit differently. read more