There is a sucker born every minute. P. T. Barnum.
Earthroamer sell off?
- Thread starter carleton
- Start date
That may not be a sign of tough times. I would guess a lot of the pre-owned units that Earthroamer sells are trade ins where the owner bought a new one to replace their previous ER . And looking at the model numbers of the used units, it looks like ER made close to 300 of the LTS version, and have already made close to 100 of the LTi version. And the used LTi models are selling (or at least listed) for 3/4 of a million dollars. Seems like times are pretty sweet; at least in ER-land.
Photomike
White Turtle Adventures & Photography
In my opinion, I don't observe individuals who own Earthroamers selling them to upgrade to a new model. Instead, it seems to me that those who own Earthroamers have concluded that lifestyle and moved on to different experiences, such as acquiring a condominium at a resort or a cabin. Maybe even buyin a plane or a boat.
In the RV / Overlander market, many individuals become exhausted with the nomadic living style. Investing a significant amount of money in a vehicle used only once or twice a year doesn't seem like a wise decision after a few years of ownership.
It's noteworthy that Earthroamer is strategic in maintaining the value of their vehicles by reselling them, thereby keeping the market demand and price high.
In the RV / Overlander market, many individuals become exhausted with the nomadic living style. Investing a significant amount of money in a vehicle used only once or twice a year doesn't seem like a wise decision after a few years of ownership.
It's noteworthy that Earthroamer is strategic in maintaining the value of their vehicles by reselling them, thereby keeping the market demand and price high.
vintageracer
To Infinity and Beyond!
With 18 Earthroamers now for sale on their site alone I'd say the "High Market Demand" Photomike spoke of is long gone!
I met a guy at an early OvEx, ahh, maybe 10 or 11 years ago now who fit that mould for sure. He was selling an F-550 based mega-camper from one of the big upfitters, for 70k less than he paid for it. Keep in mind, this is before the "over land" explosion and massive inflation. Rough numbers, if I recall, were in the mid 300s, when new, and he was asking 270k. The truck had 7k miles on the clock. I asked why he was selling and why the mileage was so low.Yeah, the price difference between RVTrader & Preroamed I think tells a story. Ordinarily we all would consider dealer pricing to be the more expensive option for used....and with it you get a certain amount of reassurance (IE, the ER has gone through the vehicle & double checked everything). But there seems to be a certain "pride" of ownership for these private party prices.
...also people don't appear to actually drive these things
"My wife and I visited Yellowstone, Glacier NP and the Grand Tetons and now we don't need the truck any more so we are selling it."
This guy does not work hard enough for his money, obviously. He basically took a $70,000 vacation. For that money, you could hire a limo to take you to all of those places, rent kayaks, mountain bikes and any other gear you want, go heli-skiing or take helicopter tours, hire a private guide or chef and have LOTS of money left over. The idea of buying this truck to drive to three national parks that you could visit in a 30 year old Toyota Camry, is simply absurd and ridiculous, at best.
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
I’ll chime in with my reason…
Built my rig by hand to do long extended trips in comfort and had a job where I could take a couple months off a year.
Right before build was finished, I had to switch careers and now have the standard 3 weeks off a year and working 5 days a week.
So for ME, I simply don’t hear the time to use it anymore other than an occasional long weekend.
The market has totally crapped out so I haven’t posted it for sale yet, but if the market comes back a little, mine will be for sale in a heartbeat
So my reasoning is life changes. If I was back at old job, I would 100% keep it and use as planned
But…. Life
Built my rig by hand to do long extended trips in comfort and had a job where I could take a couple months off a year.
Right before build was finished, I had to switch careers and now have the standard 3 weeks off a year and working 5 days a week.
So for ME, I simply don’t hear the time to use it anymore other than an occasional long weekend.
The market has totally crapped out so I haven’t posted it for sale yet, but if the market comes back a little, mine will be for sale in a heartbeat
So my reasoning is life changes. If I was back at old job, I would 100% keep it and use as planned
But…. Life
Photomike
White Turtle Adventures & Photography
I understand, my use / life changed when I got sick. But for those reasons I can see selling or resizing.
I don't utilize my van nearly as often as I initially anticipated, but it still serves its purpose for camping when I do get out and various other tasks. Today, I'll be using it to attend my grandson's birthday party, as they live about a half-hour away. My health condition necessitates having a space where I can rest, have a drink and cool off, and take my medication when needed.
The individual who purchased a large unit only to sell it at a $70,000 loss is indicative of the RV / expedition market's collapse. Many people with more money than sense have in the last 4 or 5 years made hasty purchases. This has now shifted from the RV / Expedition to something new. Around here it is real estate. Money is still around but people seem to change as the herd changes.
Again for me it is a good thing, less competition for camping spots!!
So, what's different now verses the last 40 years. There was a much larger uptic from covid and now a larger down tic. Otherwise, same old down turn in RV sales, just like 2007-8. Seems like a 6-7 year cycle of RV feast/famine. Same old huge depreciation the first 5 seconds you leave the sales lot. An RV is not an investment.
In my case I traded to a new Earth Cruiser and still have the old Earth Cruiser for sale. Them being out of business in the USofA makes very little difference to me. I fix and maintain everything myself, I wouldn't buy anything otherwise. All components are covered by other Mfg's. Damage to the house can be fixed by a boat mfg. I'll use the new EC for the next 10 years until I can't drive anymore.
In my case I traded to a new Earth Cruiser and still have the old Earth Cruiser for sale. Them being out of business in the USofA makes very little difference to me. I fix and maintain everything myself, I wouldn't buy anything otherwise. All components are covered by other Mfg's. Damage to the house can be fixed by a boat mfg. I'll use the new EC for the next 10 years until I can't drive anymore.
eatSleepWoof
Do it for the 'gram
Likely for the same reason many $3-6 million dollar houses in my neck of the woods have been for sale for well over a year, and are still going nowhere: delusional, "I know what I've got" sellers, which will be chasing the market downwards and never cashing out.
And, most of the people who could afford to buy a $750,000+ RV can probably afford to hold it for awhile. Now, the van lifers that are paying $1,500 per month for 20 years may be in a different situation.
When I see big rigs on this and other sites sit for months and months, even after price drops, it really makes me want to get something smaller, cheaper, and probably much easier to unload when my adventures are over. I simply can't afford to plunk down hundreds of thousands and lose half on resale. Those who can, more power to them.
eatSleepWoof
Do it for the 'gram
Yup.
But the sheer number of these stupidly expensive vehicles for sale also tells me another thing: the people that have that much money to throw around on toys are typically well informed/educated, they see the (economic/financial) writing on the wall & are liquidating toys while the market is still relatively stable.