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05-15-2015, 03:58 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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newbie needing advice for Windjammer TT purchase!
Hi everyone! Newbie to the forum here. I'd like to know your thoughts on our upcoming trailer purchase. DH and I have decided on a Windjammer 3006WK, Diamond package. Unfortunately, there aren't any of this model within a 10 hour drive of where we live (New Mexico boonies). We found a Forest River dealer within a 3 hour drive, but they don't have the model we want in stock currently. We are driving up there on Sunday to talk with them about getting the trailer we want.
I'm feeling a little lost here as to what the best route for us is. If the dealer doesn't have the TT in stock, and they order, is the price automatically more expensive than it would be if the trailer was on the lot? I don't want to have one made from scratch. Don't want to wait that long and I really don't care too much about the color, inside or out. We don't want anything that's not standard with the diamond package. We're also hoping to be on the road within a month, so waiting months for a TT won't work for us.
Another option is to buy, sight unseen, from a dealer far away, online. Is this done? I've seen a few on RV trader that are perfect for us, but are very far away (MI, IA, VA, etc.) One dealer told us RV shipping is roughly $1.80 a mile. This option seems risky to me, but I'm pretty clueless on the whole RV buying operation.
So, I guess what I'm asking, and I know it's a lot, is in your opinion is it generally better to order through a "local" dealer or buy one on a lot and have it shipped?
I feel like I know nothing and am a little worried about this whole process.
thanks for the help,
K
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05-15-2015, 04:30 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Watauga, Texas
Posts: 697
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Local or distant dealer
Oh boy, that is a good question! It is nice to actually see and feel the trailer you are going to get BEFORE you commit to buy it. I bought a 2014 Windjammer 3001w last year, but we were at a dealer about 30 miles away and standing in it when we made the decision. I research things to death before I spend that kind of money, and I had contacted several distant dealers for pricing with delivery. There was only a few hundred $ difference from our local guy and what the internet guys quoted (including delivery), so we went local. Love the Windjammer, BTW.
Something else you might consider is will the local dealer do warranty service on the trailer if you bought it from a distant dealer. They aren't like the auto dealerships that will service that model no matter where you bought it. I would ask the distant dealers for names of local dealerships that will service the trailer if you buy from them. . .then call that place and check. You will get more forum opinions, and those that have purchased from distant dealers will share their experiences. I see your dilemma in that you can't actually see and touch the trailer you want, but don't want to wait forever for it to be delivered also. I don't think anyone can tell you what to do as this is something you will need to research and decide, but listen to some of the stories and advice to help you keep your eyes open for problems.
BTW - Is this your first TT or just looking for new?
__________________
D_B Travelers - 39 nights in 2018, 58 nights in 2017. [U]1st love: 2014 TT WJ3001w, now 2016 40' FW SOB, 2015 GMC 3500HD CC DRW Duramax, TST 507rv TPMS.
"Happiness? A good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle."
George Burns (1896 – 1996)
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05-15-2015, 04:37 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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Thanks, DB travelers. You've been a huge help. My husband has been in one, but I haven't. He fell in love with it, and I have seen enough pics and videos to know that the 3006wk is the one for me, but OH how I hate being in the middle of nowhere (we're Air Force, so this isn't permanent). This is our second trailer. Our current one is smaller and older. We bought it through a private person and never dealt with any of this.
Thanks also for the heads up on the warranty issue. Good to know! I think I'll start emailing away to different dealers and see what the "localish" dealers have to say, and after reading up on here, hopefully we'll be in a position to make a decision.
Appreciate the help!!!
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05-15-2015, 05:04 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,556
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Since prices are so much higher out West, we bought our HTT from a Chicago dealer and went there to get it and made the return into a camping trip.
FR found local dealers that did the warranty work.
We saved $4000, even after trip costs.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-15-2015, 05:10 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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They're THAT much higher in the west, bikendan? I really can't compare since I haven't seen ANY that we want west of TX! Did you just rent a truck to haul it back? I wish we had time to do a long trip like that. We can swing Texas (10-15 hrs depending on the dealer) if we have to to save a ton of $$$.
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05-15-2015, 05:14 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,556
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No we drove our own truck there.
It was also new and needed miles on it before we could tow anyway.
You can't rent a truck for towing with a WDH.
You can often pick it up in Iowa, from some online dealers.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-15-2015, 05:19 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
No we drove our own truck there.
It was also new and needed miles on it before we could tow anyway.
You can't rent a truck for towing with a WDH.
You can often pick it up in Iowa, from some online dealers.
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Wow. That's a haul! WA state to CHI! My husband did contact a dealer in CA who told us we'd be better off buying in Indiana rather that buying in CA and hauling back to NM! Way more $$ That was nice of him. We're from CA and were thinking about making a road trip out there to shop. Scratched that off the list!
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05-15-2015, 05:29 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,556
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We did live in California when we bought it.
Our 3 local dealers basically dared us to drive there to save money.
They know that most will pay thousands more to not have to do that.
But not us.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-16-2015, 12:14 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Brighton
Posts: 27
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Bought my windjammer 39029W from camping world in olive branch MS. The unit was located in Alabama they went and picked it up brought it back for me. I new the model and what I wanted so it worked out well for me. Don
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05-16-2015, 12:17 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 216
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Let me start out by saying Rockwood Windjammers are very well built solid trailers. The 2016 models have flush mount LED lights in the ceiling. The A.C. roof vents are directional with variable air flow.
Pricing can be estimated two ways. Use the MSRP (supplied by Rockwood via their dealer) and deduct 30%. That is roughly your price not including sales tax and license plates.
Another quick way to get a price is go to RV Wholesalers website and fill out their trailer quote form. Usually you will get a price within 24 hours. Here's their website The Original RVWholesalers Cyclone Toy Hauler Haulers Raptor Toy Hauler Haulers Razor Toy Hauler Haulers
Some people use RV Wholesalers price to negotiate a price with their local dealer. If you do this then remember your dealer has to pay the freight from the factory that can be a few thousand dollars (depending on the distance). So keep that in mind.
Good luck & happy trails......
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05-16-2015, 12:34 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,556
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RVW will ship to any point you want.
We almost bought from them and would've met the driver halfway, in Wyoming.
That would've cut the shipping costs in half.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-16-2015, 01:02 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: West Atlanta Metro
Posts: 1,235
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Some dealers will charge more for special orders, outside their normal stock orders. They get bigger discounts when they place quantity orders, 10/20, etc. so if you can wait until they place their stock order there wouldn't be any additional cost.
__________________
2014 Palomino Puma 25RS
2011 F-150 Super Crew XLT
Days camped in 2014 - 23 Camped 2015-47
Camped 2016-71, 2017-33, 2018-29 booked
KT4W
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05-16-2015, 04:00 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 82
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Would also like to point out that the Flagstaff V-Lite is exactly the same trailer as the Rockwood Windjammer. My suggestion is that you also check for Flagstaff dealers and see if they carry the comparable model to the Windjammer you are interested in. They are built at the same time in the same factory. We toured the factory in 2013. We own a 2013 WIKS30 V-Lite and our first long trip was from home in Houston to the Second Forest River International Rally in Goshen. Every FR owner should make a point of attending at least one International Rally. It is well worth your time and expenses. Hope to see you in Goshen in August.
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05-16-2015, 08:52 PM
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#14
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Windjammer 3029
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 13
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Windjammer 3029W
Our local dealer was ordering his regular order of Windjammers for there lot. He let us order ours and see it before we had to commit to buying it. We added almost every option and we feel we got a great deal and local dealer. McCord's RV in Vancouver, WA
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05-17-2015, 07:51 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 93
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Heythatsmybike
Just read your post Heythatsmybike. We just bought a Windjammer 3029W from FUN TOWN RV IN CLEBURNE,TEXAS. THEY HAVE A 3006 WK with DIAMOND PACKAGE IN STOCK ON THEIR WEBSITE JUST LIKE YOU WERE ASKING ABOUT LOCATING. SO, YOU MIGHT GIVE THEM A CALL 817-645-8100! I live about 50 miles from them. If I can help you, let me know. rshea.mw@gmail.com
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05-19-2015, 09:30 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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Thanks for all the replies and great advice. I meant to reply sooner, but we've been busy. We ended up getting a great 2015, diamond package about 9 hours from us for quite a bit less than the "local" 2016 (also Diamond). We're thrilled and can't wait to take her out on the road. She's just perfect for us. We looked at so many models on Sunday and nothing came close to the WJ, so we just gave up, went home, and bought one the next day. EEK!!!
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05-19-2015, 09:41 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Watauga, Texas
Posts: 697
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AWESOME! I hope you have as much fun and enjoyment with yours as my wife and I have had with ours! Keep up with the forum as it is a wonderful source of advice, wisdom, experience, and humor.
__________________
D_B Travelers - 39 nights in 2018, 58 nights in 2017. [U]1st love: 2014 TT WJ3001w, now 2016 40' FW SOB, 2015 GMC 3500HD CC DRW Duramax, TST 507rv TPMS.
"Happiness? A good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle."
George Burns (1896 – 1996)
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05-19-2015, 10:12 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 189
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Congrats on your purchase. We love our Windjammer and have enjoyed it very much. Keep a close watch on your tires because if they are Trail Express brand I would replace them within the first year. Just search the forum and you will find many serious issues and early failure of these tires. Happy Camping!
__________________
2014 Windjammer 3025W Diamond 34.5 ft 8300 lbs.
2010 F150 SC XLT 4x4 5.4L, 3.55 gears 20" rims
12 k Equalizer WDH, Firestone Airbags, HD Bilsteins
TST 507RV TPMS
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05-19-2015, 10:28 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Watauga, Texas
Posts: 697
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X2 on picking up either Goodyears or Maxxum tires. It is sad that mfgs choose such crappy original equipment tires.
__________________
D_B Travelers - 39 nights in 2018, 58 nights in 2017. [U]1st love: 2014 TT WJ3001w, now 2016 40' FW SOB, 2015 GMC 3500HD CC DRW Duramax, TST 507rv TPMS.
"Happiness? A good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle."
George Burns (1896 – 1996)
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05-20-2015, 09:26 AM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 6
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Thanks for the tire advice. Sure would be nice to have good ones from the start. That's a bummer that the issues are known and they're still on new units. Oh well. At least we know and can prepare.
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