Purchasing used 2015 Jay flight Baja bh184

[Sdcamper77]

Hello! I'm new here. We are purchasing our first TT later this week from a private seller here in Southern California. It's a 2015 Jay flight Baja bh184. It has only been used once. Has 500 miles. We're purchasing it for $12k. Wanted to know if one, that was a good deal and two, if anyone has any advice to offer a first time trailer owner. We'll be towing it with either our Honda Pilot or Odessey.
Thanks in a advance!

[need-a-vacation]

Sd,

Welcome!!!

Have you shopped around comparing prices to the $12k one? What about pricing a brand new one to compare? I ask because not knowing what new prices may be in your area, it's hard to compare. While it's not always the rule, it seems on average a new unit can be bought for about 30% off the suggested retail price. Now this does vary, and the further you're from the factory the better chance the dealer will add the delivery charge to the price vs including it.

For comparison, we live in Mid Michigan, which isn't to far from one of the plants. Our just over msrp $34k tt was just under $24k (wdh included, ~$700 or so)) plus tax, title, license. When we were shopping I looked for an ~2-3yr old model, and some private sellers were advertising for anywhere from about $19k-$25k for 5yrs old and newer!!! While I didn't call on any, it didn't make sense for us to try to get a 2yr old trailer down in price that was around the same price as a brand new rig.

As for your tow vehicle (tv), I am not familiar with them so make sure you check all the ratings for the vehicle. You will have a max tow rating, but also a max tv mounted receiver hitch rating for the max tongue weight (tw). The tw is measured by how much the coupler weighs as if you or a scale under it where you hook up to the tv.

You also will have a max payload rating. The payload is the max weight the vehicle can "carry". This includes: all occupants, any cargo (coolers, firewood, etc), the wdh (weight distribution hitch), AND the tt tw. Look for a yellow sticker in the drivers door jamb (if newer than '06 or so) that states: All occupants and cargo notnto exceed XXXXlbs.

If the price and all the weights look like a good match, then make sure you check the tt out as best you can!!! Look for signs of water leaks (roof, walls, etc), make sure everything works as it should, and check the tires!!!! On average, a trailer tires life is only 3-5yrs. They may look ok, but the tires dry out due to less use quicker than a car, including the spare. And keep the tires covered when not in use to help keep the sun off them.

Good luck and keep us posted on your adventure!!!

[Sundancer330]

At 12k for a 2015 model I think you are paying to much. That MSRP for that trailer when new was $15,500, this was for a loaded model, take off the usual 30% and it should have sold for about $11,500. If it was me I would offer $9500 or walk away as its not worth any more than that. As mentioned above look at new models, it looks like the BH184 has been discontinued but there is a similar model 174BH. The 2017 174BH has about the same specs and the price is about the same as the 2015 BH184, you could have a 2017 model for $11,500. With a new model you get a 2 year warranty, this buyer may say it only has been used once but now the warranty is up and you are stuck with anything that breaks.

[oldmanAZ]

Hello to you! Welcome to the forum and happy trailer shopping.

[Sdcamper77]

You are so very helpful! I cannot thank you enough! I really appreciate the advice. Going to look into new units today. The 30% off msrp is HUGE to know. Thanks again - so much!

[Sdcamper77]

You are fantastic! Thank you for breaking the numbers down for me. You really helped me make my decision. We are going to look into new units this week and forget the $12k one because they are firm. Thank you, thank you! You all are so great!

[Sundancer330]

Also figure out what your vehicles will tow, don't let a dealer tell you your fine, they love to sell. I see you have a Honda Pilot or Odyssey for towing, you can run out of available tow capacity and payload real fast which makes towing an unsafe adventure but with a little homework you will know exactly which trailer will work. If you can supply the year and model (LX,SX, etc) I can give you a hand with the numbers.

[marbles]

Check rvtrader.com for similar units. Found one like yours in Bakersfield for $9,500. At that price and distance, it might be worth the drive.

[Sdcamper77]

We have a 2009 Honda Pilot Touring and a 2015 Honda Odessey EX.
You're so kind to check that out for me!

[need-a-vacation]

Sd,

If the price is firm, they probably paid top dollar, possibly added the extended warranty, plus other stuff and still owe ~$12k after tow years or so.... And paid the minimum monthly payment on as long of a loan as they could get. Downside to that is they have now decided to sell the rig and will probably have a hard time doing so due to what they owe.

Also check the online rv stores. Can't recall the exact websites of them at the moment, maybe some other members came help!!! RV One maybe and ???.

[Sdcamper77]

Yes, I've been in touch with the seller. He has a few cash buyers interested. I told him to contact me if it doesn't sell. Bakersfield is about four and a half hours away from here and I would hate to make the drive only to be disappointed.

[Sdcamper77]

Thank you! I did contact the Jayco and they redirected me to a dealership about an hour north of here. I'm waiting to hear back from them on a quote on a newer trailer. You all are so helpful. Thank you so much!

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Sdcamper77

We have a 2009 Honda Pilot Touring and a 2015 Honda Odessey EX.

It looks like the 2009 Honda Pilot has a tow capacity of 3500 - 4500lbs. The 2015 Odessey EX appears to be 3500lbs. If you are still looking at the Baja units take note of the GVWR for those models. I think both the 174BH and the 184BH Baja's have a higher GVWR of 3750 whereas the standard models are 3500. Jayco doesn't list that in the specs on their web site - they just show the 3500 for the standard model. Look at the yellow sticker on the drivers side of each trailer you look at in person for the GVWR of that particular model. The 3750 GVWR for the Baja edition would put you over the tow capacity of the Odessey.

Also, I believe that Honda does not recommend the use of a weight distribution hitch with any of their vehicles, including the Ridgeline pickup. You may want to look into that further. I do know that I've seen some folks post that they are using one anyway.

Good luck on your continued research and finding a unit that works for you.

[Sundancer330]

Looking at the specs for those two vehicles the Odyssey would be real close to max capacity across the board, its rated 3500# max tow, Tongue weight 350#. The Pilot is a bit better but you are still close to maxing out, 4500# max tow, Tongue weight 350# and Payload 1500#. The 174bh-184bh both weigh about 3000# empty and a tongue weight of 280# which may be on the light side. The payload on the Pilot is listed at 1500#, it sounds like a lot but this is usually where people go over real fast, to figure out this number start with the hitch weight of 350 which is max then everything that is going in the Pilot, People, Dogs, Food, etc., etc. When you go to a dealer have them use a scale to determine the actual tongue weight of the trailer, then if you don't add much to the trailer which would add to the tongue weight you will be ok.

[Sdcamper77]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad I found this forum. You all are so helpful!

[Sdcamper77]

Thank you!! I so appreciate all the time you've taken to help me out! You people are great!

[Sdcamper77]

Okay, so it seems we've decided to go ahead and buy a brand new TT. That way we have the two year warranty. We live in San Diego and it seems I'll be able to get a 2018 Jay Flight 174BH for $13k.
Just wanted to see what you all though that about the price? I was able to negotiate down to this price from almost $15k.