Part 1: Cha-cha-cha-changes

Okay, I’m really not trying to confuse everyone!  Some may wonder, “What’s with all of the recent posts?” My time has been spent elsewhere, except for writing notes, I’ve not had time to actually sit down and finalize several posts.

Discernment Time

As we approached our one-year milepost in Pullman back in May of this year, we were already having conversations about whether we saw ourselves full-time RVing. We absolutely LOVED our full-time travels, yet we were leaning more towards not resuming them. Our discussion points included:

• The size of both the truck and trailer.
• The expense of a large diesel truck, which as our only vehicle, basically was used around town or on a few jaunts.
• The potential of camping several weeks to a couple of months instead of full-time does sound fun since we have a home base.
• A large truck and trailer make it difficult to quickly load and go.
• A smaller vehicle that could tow up to 5,000 pounds might be the route to go. There are lighter and smaller travel trailers that might fit the bill.

On our July 21-22 round-trip to Portland, Oregon to get our IKEA furniture, we created more of a viable strategy based on late summer and the traditional camping season approaching its end.

There has been a very strong demand for RVs since the pandemic began in spring of 2020. Pre-owned supply of RVs is in high demand. How could we step into the pre-owned market as sellers? We were quickly approaching August and it was time to have regular servicing of the trailer. Plus, some surface rust had formed on the trailer tongue that was visually distracting.

The strategy unfolded. Our 2018 Nash 26N was built by Northwood Manufacturing in LeGrande, Oregon. We knew that their products have a strong market in the Pacific Northwest and that their products tend to hold their value. Using Northwood’s website, I searched for Northwood dealers near us. (We had purchased the Nash at D&D RV Center in Helena, Montana, but due to the distance, it was too far to consider). Travelland RV in Lewiston, Idaho is about 45 minutes from Pullman. I scheduled regular service with them, which included packing the wheel bearings and a thorough inspection of all the trailer systems, appliances, chassis, roof, seams, and axles. The thought was perhaps being a Northwood dealer, they may be interested in purchasing our Nash. RV dealers, like auto dealers, have busy service departments, so an appointment was three weeks away.

The Trailer’s Tongue Project “Went Without a Hitch”

In the meantime, we began researching how to clean up the surface rust and apply a rust protector on the tongue. Fortunately, a dear friend works for Rusto-leum and had given us some suggestions. With YouTube, Steve found a good process for tackling the tongue project that didn’t require a Hazmat outfit or extraordinary expense. We supported Pullman Building Supply by purchasing all of the needed sprays, a mouse-pad sander, and various supplies. Keeping an eye on the air quality and high temperature forecasts, we arranged with son Jeremy and daughter-in-love Michelle to pull the trailer onto their driveway for three days. While Steve worked on the tongue project, I tackled some easy projects inside the trailer and finished removing shelf liners.

In the end, the tongue looked like new and provided such a nice first appearance. It’s a bit like the curb-appeal that realtor’s highlight when selling a home. As Steve’s runner, on one of my trips to Pullman Building Supply, I picked up two For Sale signs. My plan included taping them on the inside back window and one side window. We thought even in RV storage, someone might see the For Sale signs and give us a call.

Here was the process for addressing the surface rust.

Nash Servicing Day Arrives

On August 17, we pulled the trailer to Travelland RV in Lewiston. As we were getting it checked in for service to be done on the 18th, a staff member mentioned that he noticed it was For Sale. He suggested that we request to meet with the Sales Manager when we returned for the trailer. You betcha! The For Sale sign strategy worked!

We’d been following pre-owned RV sales over the summer. Using NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) website, we established the value range of our Nash. (This is similar to what one does when valuing a truck or car). When we returned on Thursday, August 19, to get the trailer, we met with the Sales Manager. He was very enthusiastic about a Nash trailer and the great condition. He admitted that there was a demand for Nash and yet he had no supply. Then, when we mentioned that we needed to sell the trailer before we could sell the truck, he really perked up. He was out the door in a minute to also check out the truck. We were to look for a text or call the next morning as he would put together a quote for the trailer and also for the trailer and truck as a duo.

Off to Pullman we went. We tucked Tranquility the Trailer back into its spot in RV storage, looked at each other, and wondered if this would be the last time to have it in Pullman. I drove it to Pullman as potentially my last time to tow it.

It’s Decision Time

By 10am on Friday, Steve received the text that we’d been promised. We sat down and reviewed the NADA, our notes from other Nash sales, etc. The decision was pretty easy to make, although we’d appreciate a bit more for the trailer. Steve called the Sales Manager and negotiated on a higher sales price on the Nash. We opted to not sell the truck to Travelland RV. We were good to go. Off to RV storage we went. With Steve behind the driver’s wheel this time, we took our 2018 Nash 26N back to Lewiston.

Bittersweet Day

It was a bittersweet drive as Steve towed Tranquility the Trailer to Lewiston. We reminisced and will continue doing so because it’s been an extraordinary adventure! Indeed we are thankful for the 29 states through which Tranquility traveled with us and the 33,000 miles that it provided an abode-on-wheels.

Stay tuned for Part 2, which includes more Cha-cha-cha-changes!

Are we still sane at the Speed of Sanity?

Diane & Steve