Hi Diane & Marshall,
I look at this very seriously when we purchased our T-280, figuring we plan to keep it a long time.
I think the initial estimate we got was $500 - $600 / year. That was when the trailer was new, so the manufacturer’s warranty was in affect, which coverage the major appliances and equipment for 2 years. Therefore, I figured the GS CSP wouldn’t kick in until the 3rd year, after I had already paid $1000+ into it.
Since are trailers are non-motorized, a major repair would typically be replacing the refrigerator, A/C, etc. So I started to get replacement costs estimates on appliances and systems. The most expensive was the refrigerator, which was around $1,300 including installation.
Here’s the list of some of the items I estimated, it’s a few years old so the costs may be a little out dated:
Equipment - ........................................ Cost ..-.. Inst ..-.. Total
Water Pump - ................................. $171.00 - $75.00 - $246.00
Microwave - .................................... $129.00 - $0.00 - $129.00
Range / Oven - ............................... $650.00 - $94.00 - $744.00
Range Hood - .................................... $90.29 - $0.00 - $90.29
Refrigerator - ............................... $1,079.00 - $197.00 - $1,276.00
Water Heater LP&Elec w/DSI -.......... $459.00 - $237.00 - $696.00
Air Conditioner - .............................. $521.10 - $99.00 - $620.10
Furnace - ......................................... $760.07 - $217.00 - $977.07
TV Antenna - .................................... $100.00 - $119.00 - $219.00
Awning - .......................................... $730.00 - $198.00 - $928.00
Slide Awning - .................................. $260.00 - $72.00 - $332.00
Awning Center Brace & Support Leg - $120.00 - $79.00 - $199.00
So I decided to become self insured. I’ve created my own CSP, where I pay myself an annual premium and set that $ aside to cover any major repairs, if and when they do occur. This way if a major repair needs to be performed
I have the $
. If not, well I still have the $ (not someone insurance company
).
Hope this helps.
Hutch
Added 03/13/08:
However, we do have their Emergency Road Care service, which I'm very happy with. We've used it a couple of times and our kids have used it also, so it's paid for itself. Plus with all the kids away at college with their cars, it gives Mom and Dad some piece of mind
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