Price point for 1978 Chinook Concourse

[bbeckett]

We have owned our 1978 Chinook for 3 years. Unfortunately we have to sell it after 3 years of fun. Our granddaughters love to camp with us and we need more sleeping capacity and storage space.
We have the double couch model. The couches fold down to create a king size plus sleeping area. There is a cabover pullout for sleeping small children, but will only handle children up to 8-9 years of age. We use it as an extra storage area also.
The original purchase price was $9,500. We understood at the time of purchase that it needed some work,both mechanically, and in the coach. In the meantime we have spent more than the original purchase price in upgrades and engine work. I am aware that we can not expect to recover all of the money we have spent on maintenance and upgrades, so I am soliciting ideas regarding a fair asking price.
In the last 3 years we have replaced the toilet, installed a new coach air conditioner, replaced the oven/cooktop, installed a new propane tank, re-sealed the roof,replaced coach lighting with led fixtures and bulbs, replaced the single 12 volt coach battery with 2 - 6 volt, maint. free golf cart batteries,installed a 1000 watt, pure sine wave inverter, and replaced the foam in both couches for more comfortable sitting, and sleeping. The coach interior is in great shape. The previous owner installed bamboo flooring which is a very nice fedture.
I am soliciting advice on what to ask for a sale price. I currently have it listed on Craigslist for $18,500, but in spite of what I have invested in it, am wondering if I have priced it too high. I would be including a 1 year old Yamaha portable generator with less than 10 hours on it. The original generator was defective, and removed from the rear compartment behind the spare tire, which I now use for storage.
The interior cabinets and drawers are all original and in good shape and working order.
I have attached some photos.

[b6fischer]

Great you are enjoying camping with your grandkids! So here's my take. RV's are expensive to maintain and you have one forty years old which is more likely to need upkeep and care.

Consider your repairs as payment for the privilege of sending time with the little ones. I personally don't think your 1978 Chinook 18+ is worth more than what you paid.

[Colorider]

here's a 70's vintage chinook as reference...

https://eugene.craigslist.org/rvs/d/197 ... 80620.html


For what it's worth, I've never seen an older chinook priced over $10k. I respect what you've done, but I don't think you'll get what you want out of it. I honestly think you'd have a hard time getting anyone to bite at $12k, but it might be worth a try. Maybe your market will yield a higher premium.

Good luck

[Blue~Go]

Hello and welcome!

Very nice 18+ I like the two couch models - they remind me of a typical boat layout. And the floor and "surfboard" rug are neat. Very cool that you've had three years of memories with the fam.

That said, I tend to be in agreement with the above posts.

So why do I say it probably won't fetch $18k? Basically, because of the "vice" of a Class C, which is that the chassis ages out. Even if you have it primo, a large percentage of people won't want to be driving a 1970's Dodge, and those that do probably will expect to get it for less than, say, a 1995 Ford. I'd say the same if it were a 1970's Chevy or Ford, btw.

If it were, say, an Airstream or a molded fiberglass trailer (Scamp, Boler, etc.), then you would have very little age penalty, IMO; but that's because there is little to age out, and you can hitch it up to a brand new (or any age) pickup truck and roll on.

Age counts as you get newer too, although there is a slight break in the penalty if your "older" chassis basically matches the new one. So for Fords you can go back to 1992, LOL (I laugh because ha ha, it's sort of a plus that they basically never changed it from 1992 onward - some tweaks of course).

All of the above said, of course if someone pays $18k for it, then it IS worth $18k by definition. But my feeling is that the fact that yours is in nicer shape means you will sell it more quickly than a major project, and for a little bit more. For an actual number I'd want to be more familiar with the 18+ market, and I'm not. But if I were forced to take a stab at it, I'd say something under $10k.

Maybe keep it and tow a Scamp?

BG

PS: Obviously I have a Class C despite the "penalty." That's because it does what I want to be doing right now. I don't expect it to hold its value like a good trailer though, as it ages (good meaning something interesting like an Airstream, something timeless like a molded fiberglass trailer, etc.). Chinooks do hold their value better than other Class C's, but then they cost more too. Still, I think once the chassis gets to a certain age it either scares people off, or they are the type who don't want to pay what they'd have to pay for a more modern one.

[bbeckett]

Thanks to all for the honest replies.I understand what everyone is saying, and I agree. It was a great intro into the RV experience and worth every penny. Age scares a lot of buyers, including myself when we purchased it 3 years ago. I will cherish the memories, lower the price to a reasonable level and move on. It has been a fun ride.

[Chinnin-about]

Well, price is relative. I watch the classified's for Chinooks all the time, and the first generation Chinooks are all over the map. Here's one for 5K.



All kidding aside...

This fully restored one has been for sale for over 4 years, although I don't think it is being marketed properly. It translates to about 12.5K US dollars, and 16K Canadian.

http://www.hubcityrv.ca/default.asp?pag ... dInventory

Here is a video clip of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY86LI_vNKc&t=9s

Now, second generation Chinooks (1988-1992) go for around 8K to 14K depending on condition. Once you get into the third generation Chinooks with the raised roof in the walkway, they can range from 28K (recent sales we just witnessed) and 16K at the low end. I'm watching 2 in Southern California that are suspended at the 18k-19K price, and are not moving.

Also depends on the time of year too. Spring is usually good. Do lot's of really good photos, and maybe a video too, and market it more than just one Craigslist location. If you are on the west coast, make sure everyone from Seattle to LA can see it.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[Blue~Go]

Now, second generation Chinooks (1998-2000) go for around 8K to 14K depending on condition. Once you get into the third generation Chinooks with the raised roof in the walkway, they can range from 28K (recent sales we just witnessed) and 16K at the low end.

Just to clarify a point. I think the "raised walkway" modern Chinook roof came in right around 1992. This basically coincides with the re-designed Ford van which came in 1992, and I'd imagine they changed the mold around that time as well (hence raised roof). I'd put anything past that point as a modern Chinook. Obviously there is a continuum, but I don't think your cut-off point is accurate. I have a 1999 and it's the same body style as a 2003 (minor differences in every year of course). I looked at a 1997 before purchasing and it's in the same category too.

I paid attention because I like the flatter roof (easier for solar panels and I'm not tall), but I couldn't get one in the modern Ford body style which is what I wanted (1992-present). The newest ones can go well above $28k, obviously dependent on condition.

BG

PS: To the OP - I think that's a good attitude. You will get her sold easily, the new owner will be thrilled, and you can move on to your next adventure. A last note is that I don't know that people are always scared off by older rigs (some are of course), but sometimes it's just that they have certain things they want that aren't on them. e.g. airbags and fuel injection (I mention those two things because they were on my list of wants). Anyway, the 18+ are really neat and I'm sure at the right price you will have a lot of interest.

[Chinnin-about]

I'm sorry, I meant 1988-1992 for second generation Chinooks, with the Ford E-350 chassis and the 460 motor, and the flat roof. I've edited my post to reflect that.

Here's one for sale in Seattle for 14.5K.



https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/rvs/ ... 40851.html

In addition, the 1992 to 2000 with the new Ford body style, and the racing stripe, hokey stick exterior graphics would be third generation, before they went to the Glacier and the larger casts, which I consider modern. They most definitely exceed the 28K pricing.

[kdarling]

I saw this Chinook ad with the surfboard rug the other day, and loved the inside!

As for price, replacing appliances never seems to pay back later, but...

How many miles, and what chassis / drivetrain work has been done?