Best day of the year to buy a pop up is December 18th.
People will chew their arms off to get rid of them and have some xmas cash. I've camped for 30 years in a tent but I did sell RVs for awhile. You can find one cheap in the off season. Make a low ball offer in November and walk away. Call back in December and offer them 5% less.
Best day to sell around here is between April 1 and April 20.
Remember that a lot of people actually have big loans on these, so ask them as that may limit their ability to negotiate.
For many campers you can add an ac unit. You generally can tow yaks on top the pop=ups.
Here is the annual cost breakdown --
1. alternative use of capital = 500 (5K invested at 10%)
2. Depreciation = 500
3. Taxes/insurance = 150 (don't forget to check you auto insurance to make sure it covers and in Missouri you pay extra for lisc plates)
4. Extra for electric camping site vs. primitive = 400 (based on 20 nights annual camping)
5. Extra gas 100
6. repairs and maintenance reserve (tires, ac, etc..) 150
7. Storage (if you need it) 400
So your annual costs will be in the area of 1,800 to $2,200.
You can beat some of these down by buying right and selling right.
So let's just guestimate annual costs of $1,500.
So around here we could tent camp for 50 days all inclusive.( food, booze, site rent, etc.)
Or rent a river front cabin at a very cool location for 2 weeks.
So yeah we never did the pop up. Most of my customers used them less than 7 days per year at an average total cost of $225 per night.
We also like to "real camp" most of the time -- which means not in a parking campground. We do end up in some busy spots but try to avoid them and often camp right on the gravel bars or grass next to the lake or even mountain top.
Their kinda like boats -- seem like a good fun idea but pretty quickly own you and your choice of activities. (as in you feel bad if you end up only using it 5 nights per year the second year)
I must admit the pull of the comfort and convenience over tent camping is very appealing.
So just know going in about the hidden costs and negotiate like bastard on the purchase price while holding your ground on the selling price.