Been Priced Out of Imagine with New Increases

[jobro912]

So we found a 2020 Imagine 2600RB today that was within our price range. Problem is we're not ready to buy today. Also today Grand Design issued a 10% increase on pricing. So the Imagine line is now out of reach for us. So we also looked at Transcend Xplor 245RL and honestly really like the floorplan. Main concern is quality of construction....though I want to assume since both are GD the quality would be the same. Thoughts on the Transcend line vs the Imagine line?

Thanks.
John

 

[Ynot4me2]

So we found a 2020 Imagine 2600RB today that was within our price range. Problem is we're not ready to buy today. Also today Grand Design issued a 10% increase on pricing. So the Imagine line is now out of reach for us. So we also looked at Transcend Xplor 245RL and honestly really like the floorplan. Main concern is quality of construction....though I want to assume since both are GD the quality would be the same. Thoughts on the Transcend line vs the Imagine line?

Thanks.
John

From what I've read, so don't quote me on this, Transcend has a wood frame, aluminum siding and a little lower glamour looking finishes. That line has some attractive floor plans.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

 

[jobro912]

From what I've read, so don't quote me on this, Transcend has a wood frame, aluminum siding and a little lower glamour looking finishes. That line has some attractive floor plans.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

We definitely love the floorplan. The interior finishes are slightly different, but not greatly. The Transcend is about 700# heavier, so still within the range we are comfortable with.

Sales guy said he personally prefers the siding to the fiberglass as it's easier to clean and repair. We shall see. We're still looking at ways to make the 2600RB work. It may happen yet.

 

[WhittleBurner]

The transcend is designed as an entry level unit. what does that mean ...I have no 1st hand knowledge of all the differeces, Like mentioned the wood construction and no foam insulation.
I suggest make a chart and compare to see what other than the framing is different ..flooring appliances etc.

Good luck with your search.

 

[bertschb]

Sales guy said he personally prefers the siding to the fiberglass as it's easier to clean and repair.

Salesman...sheesh!

 

[NB Canada]

Imo GD isn’t any more “quality” than any other brand

We bought ours solely because of features and price

Just buy what you like and can afford and get out camping but be prepared as always and with any brand for some issues


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[TXkmpr]

We have had a Transcend Xplor 221RB for slightly over one year. Have used it for about six or seven trips the recent one for 3 weeks. No issues so far, we would not hesitate to purchase one again.

Since I don't have an Imagine I can't really give you a comparison. Pricing is high right now but that will most likely change when the demand subsides so you will be able to get what you want, imho.

Regards, Joe

 

[Second Chance]

I concur with what [MENTION=31814]TXkmpr[/MENTION] said about pricing. We're already starting to see more very lightly used units back on the market. Lots of folks decided during the pandemic that it was a great idea to run out and buy an RV and are now finding that that either 1) RVing is more work than they thought or, 2) they have bitten off more than they can chew financially. The run on RVs coupled with supply chain issues has driven up prices for both new and used RVs. This could be a bubble and prices may start to come back down if you are patient.

Rob

 

[JohnnyBadger]

I agree with Rob. My advice to anyone interested in buying an RV would be to be patient. Stay on the sidelines; keep your powder dry. I think there are going to be some great deals to be had over the next 12 to 18 months - in both RV’s and TV’s.

 

[goducks14]

Quality in parts vs quality installing those parts are two different things. You can have the best parts installed bad and vise versa.
I wouldn't worry about quality of construction comparing the two. GD's going to build the Transcend with the same build philosophy as they do with the rest of their models. Which is build it as fast as you can as best you can.
Imagines and Transcends are made differently so it's really hard to compare the final product for longevity. You will have less worries with the Transcend in that stick n tin TT's won't delamn but you'll lose a little on R value for insulation in the floor but everything else is pretty much the same. The Transcend is basically old school built with newer style parts.
As far as prices dropping. IMO don't count on MSRP's ever dropping. Final sales prices will drop after supply overloads demand.
Be prepared to keep it for a long time because when supply starts to exceed demand sale prices with drop and yours will be overpriced. I would venture that unless you get a killer deal now that in a year new buyers will be able to get what you buy today for much less than what you paid for it.

 

[jleonard]

There are plenty of hardly used trailers around. we shopped around in May and June because we didn't know how our insurance company was going to treat us.
We actually found 3 2021 model year 2600 RBs for sale that were used only once or twice all within "striking distance" so to speak.
We didn't search for older ones.

 

[goducks14]

There are plenty of hardly used trailers around. we shopped around in May and June because we didn't know how our insurance company was going to treat us.
We actually found 3 2021 model year 2600 RBs for sale that were used only once or twice all within "striking distance" so to speak.
We didn't search for older ones.

How much were they?

 

[jobro912]

And...

Thanks for your wisdom and replies. We are definitely in no hurry so definitely have time to see how things playout; especially in the resale market. We have decided to pursue the Transcend Line. We really like what we're seeing, and can add a few things to it that we wouldn't otherwise. We're down to two models in the running. 245RL, and 260RB with the 260 ahead by a nose. Whichever one we go with we're going to order. Dealership orders everything with theater seats, and we prefer the trifold for extra sleeping space if needed.

Again, I appreciate all of your suggestions and help.

 

[Steveinmi]

How long do you intend to keep this TT? Over 10 years the price increase will amount to what? Extra $300/year. If the compromise is worth it go with the cheaper model. I have a 2600RB and love everything about it. I don’t think I’d be as happy if I compromised and wished I hadn’t. I’m completely happy with the unit and I don’t regret the higher price. Your decision is yours of course. I also believe there will be a lot of late model used units for sale in next year or so. If u can wait it may be worth it.

 

[jobro912]

How long do you intend to keep this TT? Over 10 years the price increase will amount to what? Extra $300/year. If the compromise is worth it go with the cheaper model. I have a 2600RB and love everything about it. I don’t think I’d be as happy if I compromised and wished I hadn’t. I’m completely happy with the unit and I don’t regret the higher price. Your decision is yours of course. I also believe there will be a lot of late model used units for sale in next year or so. If u can wait it may be worth it.

I’m definitely weighing the pros and cons. They do still have a 2021 available at the lower price. But definitely see and agree with your point .

 

[callagp7552]

We got our 2910bh from dealer stock last fall and at the time I wished it had the trifold as I wanted the extra sleeping room. Couldn't be happier with the theater seats now. Could be because we've camped in cooler weather and we have the bunks but heated seats are very nice. They don't recline fully but are comfortable and I've slept in them already. On the outside chance you haven't sat in both I suggest doing so before deciding.

 

[Malco1]

So we found a 2020 Imagine 2600RB today that was within our price range. Problem is we're not ready to buy today. Also today Grand Design issued a 10% increase on pricing. So the Imagine line is now out of reach for us. So we also looked at Transcend Xplor 245RL and honestly really like the floorplan. Main concern is quality of construction....though I want to assume since both are GD the quality would be the same. Thoughts on the Transcend line vs the Imagine line?

Thanks.
John

That is like saying in the old days that a Chevy is the same as a Cadillac, after all they are both made by GM.

 

[jleonard]

How much were they?

The prices varied likely based on what they had added to the rig such as WD hitch, extra battery, etc.
But they were all close to what they paid I'm guessing. From 28 K to 31 K.

One of those, the one we actually looked at, was only slept in one night. It was parked in their driveway.
They had a very bad experience towing it from the dealer (only about 1 1/2 hour away) because their truck wasn't big enough. So they bought a bigger truck then decided that since they had a bigger truck they would get a 5th wheel. They only owned the trailer for 2 months.

 

[tim-o-w4yn]

I may be selling my 19 2670MK soon, moving to Class C. It is great shape never been in any salt. My email is [email protected] if interested. I am in NC.
Tim

 

[dpisano]

I agree with Rob. My advice to anyone interested in buying an RV would be to be patient. Stay on the sidelines; keep your powder dry. I think there are going to be some great deals to be had over the next 12 to 18 months - in both RV’s and TV’s.

Couldn't agree more. I can personally attest, that over 20 people at work who went out and purchased RVs during the pandemic are already complaning, as we return to the offices slowly and start to partake in water cooler talk. At least 75% of them have now realized:

1. Camping, whlie glamping seems dreamy while sitting at the RV dealer, is way more cumbersome, involves more work than expected, and is far more costly than they imagined from a maintenance perspective.

2. Set-up is cumbersome.

3. they can't reserve spots last minute and just go.

4. They ran out and spent $90K on credit for their new fifth wheel and were forced to upgrade the truck, and are now paying thousands a month in payments for something they used 10 nights last year. Starting to rethink the logic of taking out a long- term loan on something they use that little.

5. RVing will always tend to be a bad ROI, it needs to be a hobby you can afford and love, can't consider ROI.


There will be thousands of RVs up for sale in the next 12-24 months, driving price down.