I've had a trailer listed for sale on Exped Portal for a year or so. Barely a nibble! I think it's a fantastic trailer. I've put it through its paces as an overland rig in some iconic PNW spots, and I've also used it as a family rig. It has surpassed expectations and operates as smoothly as it did when I bought it 3 years ago. We've got another kid on the way and are ready to size up, but this dang trailer won't sell! I'm wondering if others in the community might weigh in with some thoughts about why this might be and how I might alter my ad to highlight the trailer's capability and versatility better than I have.
The trailer is a 2019 MOAB Fort XL (w/ Summit Package). It's built by a small company in Arizona, Bivouac Camping Trailers. The owner started this company after building his own trailer and being dissatisfied with what was on the market over a decade ago. His career has been spent in aerospace engineering and my interactions with him about some customizations have been pleasant and very helpful. Even though I didn't buy the trailer from BVC direct (I purchased it here on Exped from an armed services member who was reassigned overseas and reluctantly had to let the trailer go), the owner and staff have been awesome in responding to my questions about parts and maintenance as I've learned the trailer inside and out.
The trailer is compact, rugged, lightweight, easily towable, has a very nice RTT installed, has ample cargo room, 18 gallons of on-board water, an instant hot water heater, a no frills but do-it-all slide out galley kitchen, plenty of battery power (plus solar) to keep itself juiced for over a week (or longer, I've never pushed it longer myself though), 20lbs of propane, plus some extra cargo capacity that I added (and that can be easily removed if it's not useful or to taste). And of course there's more. I've linked the ad at the bottom in case you're inclined. We pack everything we need for a week of comfort and fun in the outdoors into this trailer and it acts as a dependable companion and on-the-go home for our family, no questions asked.
I originally listed it for $18,500 and thought that was a steal. Put a new one of these together through BVC today and it's over $30k. Recently we were camping with my in-laws and a bunch of their friends on the Oregon coast. These folks have a range of rigs, from fancy tents and custom vans to rugged teardrops and the like. We did a camp-wide rig tour for fun and I told a handful of them we wanted to move into something larger but were having trouble selling. When they inquired about the price and I said it was sitting currently for sale with no nibbles at $15,500, they were flabbergasted. They watched how well the trailer served our family as a basecamp and have seen photos of us packed out in the Steens and on the Alvord Playa. I'm flabbergasted too. I know market conditions aren't great, interest rates are high, the overland marketplace is saturated with COVID-era purchases, etc etc. But I buy and sell A LOT of gear, little bits and bobs as well as spendy things, and this is the only item I've had listed for sale that just won't move.
So what gives? What am I missing? Would like to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance. - Andy
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