Good time for used EarthRoamer

[68camaro]

As I have been looking at used ER's for quite some time and getting closer as retirement is right around corner, I notice ER used inventory seems much higher than in past. Currently they have 30 actively for sale, including two SX's. Also there are eight under $500K (our max) with builds prior to 2020. With all the build quality problems the auto manufacturers are having, I think a pre-covid chasis and motor has advantageous. Also most of the used ER's have less than 50k miles.

For those paying attention do you consider this a soft market and do you think it will continue with prices softening more or is there something else at play here?

Also, living on East Coast we plan to house Rig out West so we do not need to drive 2,000 miles every time we want to explore (really fish) the west. For East Coast weekend excursions our lifted Chinook still works great.

Thanks

 

[Photomike]

I don’t specifically track the Earthroamer market, but I do follow the RV market regularly—and it’s clear that prices have dropped significantly over the past couple of years. I’m not saying the market has crashed, but it has definitely come down from the peak.

The frenzy of the past few years has leveled off. Prices, especially on truck campers and vans, have dropped—some by nearly half. I don’t think these units are being undervalued; rather, prices are finally returning to something more realistic. The days of “charge anything and people will pay” are over.

I’ve also noticed a sharp decline in social media posts about camping, RVing, and overlanding. It seems reality has caught up with many of the influencers and content creators. A lot of the hype has died down, and many of the freeloaders have had to move on—either to real jobs or different platforms.

In my opinion, it’s a good time to buy. But with the current economic uncertainty, I think we’ll continue to see prices settle for a while yet.

 

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

Have you considered saving a little (or lot) of money by going with a new truck and camper. Something like a F450 dually (could convert to SRW if desired) a good tray, and a Northern Lite or Host would reduce initial cost, leaving a lot of money for new fly rods.

Make sure your passport and visa for the west are up to date, we will be checking at the borders. 😇

 

[tacollie]

There's just more of them and more options. For $500k I would order a new Truckhouse. The are nearly 7000lbs lighter and can run LT tires. MPTs suck.

 

[68camaro]

Have you considered saving a little (or lot) of money by going with a new truck and camper. Something like a F450 dually (could convert to SRW if desired) a good tray, and a Northern Lite or Host would reduce initial cost, leaving a lot of money for new fly rods.

Make sure your passport and visa for the west are up to date, we will be checking at the borders. 😇

Before buying our Chinook I looked heavy at truck/camper but we wanted pass through and love our Chinooks pass through on E-350 platform, it does come in super handy. We did look at the Provost tiger in 2017-2018 which has pass through and I actually went there with deposit check in hand, but decided to pass.

However, love the idea of more $$$ for Flyrods, I may have my eye on a couple I simply need...LOL.

MPTs suck.

Agreed, this is one of my negatives, especially since we plan do do alot of road/highway travel. One of the used ER's has Toyo tires that look like truck highway tire and was wondering the benefit. I was going to see from ER aftermarket tire options.

 

[p nut]

Sounds like you know what you want. I’d say just go for it. Do a few trips and if it doesn’t work out, resell and expect 10-20% hit. Then move onto something else.

Having said that, I’d personally go HD + slide in, but I know the pass through is really nice. But imo, not $350k nice 😂

 

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

Sounds like you know what you want. I’d say just go for it. Do a few trips and if it doesn’t work out, resell and expect 10-20% hit. Then move onto something else.

Having said that, I’d personally go HD + slide in, but I know the pass through is really nice. But imo, not $350k nice 😂

🏆

 

[SimplyAnAdventure]

$500k does open up a lot of options in the new vehicle market. I know you mentioned pre Covid builds, and I get that rationale however I don’t know if it really matters. I have two 2023 Trucks right now and both are flawless, that in theory was built at the height of the wackiness.

$500k can get you into a Supertramp Megatron, a Truckhouse, a RexRover, or the big Rossmonster. I’m sure there are others as well.

The fly rod joke is a good one but clearly you aren’t a budget shopper with a 1/2M dollar budget. If it was me I’d want new for that kind of money but that might just be a personal quirk. I think the market has greatly softened and will continue to. There are only so many people with a half million dollar budget and even a smaller percent of those who would buy used.

To me things are more inflated than they have ever been and I expect a little future pain (as is always the cycle) to help us get back to normal. Tbh if that doesn’t happen how will anyone ever buy a starter house?

On a happier note you are clearly my idol, I built my rig around fly fishing as well but I’m still at the point in my life where I’m working a lot more than I am fishing!

If I was in your position I’d pick something up, print out the WNTI species list and not stop until I had caught them all.

 

[gator70]

There are a few youtube channels with used Earthroamers. Try to seeks some used buying tips from the experience you get from these used buyers.

Beware of the marketing videos, avoid them.

 

[jkam]

I think the world is on the brink of financial collapse.
One we have never experienced before.
The expensive things will likely be the first to go.

That said, I've been thinking the financial collapse would have already happened and it hasn't. Yet.
So, if the can gets kicked down the road more, anyone's guess is as good when it comes to pricing and availability of the things we desire.

 

[68camaro]

$500k can get you into a Supertramp Megatron, a Truckhouse, a RexRover, or the big Rossmonster. I’m sure there are others as well.

On a happier note you are clearly my idol, I built my rig around fly fishing as well but I’m still at the point in my life where I’m working a lot more than I am fishing!

If I was in your position I’d pick something up, print out the WNTI species list and not stop until I had caught them all.

Fly Fishing is my passion and my Chinook is built for mild off-road to get to the off-beaten spots. I have explored the east quite a bit and looking forward to when I get to explore all the great fishing opportunities West of the Mississippi once I exit professional world, should be next year.

I have looked at the Truckhouse etc. but to be honest, the ER is a proven reliable (as much as it can) platform that ticks all the boxes, even if I have to get used especially under 50k miles. Plus you know what you are getting and how they hold up, they seem to have the wrinkles ironed out. However, I did consider the Storyteller GXV at one point.

WNTI Species List seems like the perfect next rabbit hole to explore

 

[68camaro]

I think the world is on the brink of financial collapse.
One we have never experienced before.
The expensive things will likely be the first to go.

That said, I've been thinking the financial collapse would have already happened and it hasn't. Yet.
So, if the can gets kicked down the road more, anyone's guess is as good when it comes to pricing and availability of the things we desire.

I agree world is a mess but the rich seem to hold their toys longer and more stubbornly. The US is too invested into risk assets and RE to let the house of cards collapse. So as in 2008, when the economy craters the dollar printing presses will work overtime to flood the economy making people feel richer even if dollar is less valuable. Most people don't understand the connection so act against their own best interests. I think asset prices wlll drop, but again as in 2008, it will be short-lived before printing party lifts all boats...or overland vehicles in our case.

 

[jkam]

I agree world is a mess but the rich seem to hold their toys longer and more stubbornly. The US is too invested into risk assets and RE to let the house of cards collapse. So as in 2008, when the economy craters the dollar printing presses will work overtime to flood the economy making people feel richer even if dollar is less valuable. Most people don't understand the connection so act against their own best interests. I think asset prices wlll drop, but again as in 2008, it will be short-lived before printing party lifts all boats...or overland vehicles in our case.

There will be no bail out the next go round.

More likely, a bail in, where your bank seizes your bank account. It's in the small print of when you signed up for the account.
Usually on a Friday afternoon.
When the bank reopens on Monday, you have either gained a few zeroes in your account or more likely lost a few.
Depending on what the federal government has done to butcher the value of the dollar.

 

[SimplyAnAdventure]

I think the world is on the brink of financial collapse.
One we have never experienced before.
The expensive things will likely be the first to go.

That said, I've been thinking the financial collapse would have already happened and it hasn't. Yet.
So, if the can gets kicked down the road more, anyone's guess is as good when it comes to pricing and availability of the things we desire.

I have thought the same thing for years and yet here I am, largest portfolio I’ve ever had. I doubt the bubble will not last, they never do, but we’re still charging forward. I guess the real problem we’ve seen with the over printing of money the past couple decades is the dollar has lost incredible value. I make 4 times more than my father ever made and he had a home in CT, a stay at home wife, two kids, and I kid you not five cars. I’ll tell you right now my salary doesn’t go that far.

 

[tacollie]

@68camaro maybe dm @MattScott he has a lot of experience with used Earthroamers.