How far were you willing to travel to buy your rv?

[alvinmb]

We have started looking at upgrading to a fifth wheel, some of the models we like do not seem to be available locally. Found plenty in the midwest and in the southern states. I am in California, that is quite a drive, just wondering if someone has done it and was it worth the time and effort to travel?

[AlaskaErik]

I drove from Green Valley, AZ to Clinton, MO to get my trailer. About 1350 miles one way. I saved about $3k, but I also got one with 14" tires and the new, bigger black holding tank. I'm retired, so I didn't mind the drive. I had a new truck and was looking forward to a road trip.

[NMWildcat]

We've traveled long distance for our last three RVs. We just turn it into a vacation and after expenses it was still cheaper than delivery, plus we saved a lot. For our current unit we saved about 20k by traveling, compared to the price for ordering it local (it was a rip-off price). On the previous units it was about 4-5k.
Only you can decide if it's worth it to you.

[bikendan]

Back in 2006, we drove from Napa to Chicago and back to get our new HTT. 4000 miles roundtrip. Got a great PDI/walkthrough from a family owned dealership.
Saved 40% off of MSRP. Local NorCal dealers wouldn't even come within $2000 of the Chicago dealer's price. They actually dared us to make the drive.
FR found us numerous local dealers willing to do the warranty work.
West Coast dealers know most won't make the drive, therefore aren't willing to deal.

[quicky06]

Live in St. Louis. Went to wanna Rv just south of Elkhart.

Best price local was $27k. Paid 19.5k at wanna.

Did have issues with local Dealers Refusing to do warranty work to it. We had a trip planned to Indianapolis so 2 months prior I grabbed my dog and drove it up there and dropped it off thinking that it would take them a month like
Every other dealer to work on it. I fixed small things my self,
They even shipped me some parts. When needed at no cost to me this was and end of warranty punch list that I didn’t want to deal with such as a slide seal issue and other things. Well it only took them 3 days thankfully they didn’t mind it sitting until we made our trip. Even turned off my batteries.

Looking back I would do it again. Two trips for $7k is well worth it for me even if the second one was in freezing fog.

If you don’t have the time the delivery fee was like $900.

[Webefine]

We drove from Pittsburgh, Pa. to the Oregon coast to buy our Host triple slide truck camper.

[eye95]

I looked all over the country for my R-Pod 178. We saved thousands by being willing to travel about 30 miles to Jeff Couch between Cincy and Dayton.

Darn the bad luck.

[nomad297]

The worst part about traveling a long distance to purchase an RV is sometimes having to travel that same distance again when you want warranty work performed on it.

If I was going to think about buying from a dealer far away, I would first research to be certain there was somebody local to me that could do any warranty work, whether they are a dealer, independent repair facility or a mobile repair company would be fine with me, just as long as they would be authorized by the manufacturer to perform warranty repairs.

Bruce

[The Evil Twin]

Wow, and I thought my measly 800 miles one way was a long distance. Lol.

[Daycruiser]

Well the first thing you need to do is move out of CA. In any case if the savings is worth it to you then do like others and I did and turn it into a vacation or road trip. Don't sweat the warranty work aspect, stay away from RV dealers for warranty work. Almost all the manufacturers now will work with private shops and mobile techs to do warranty work because even they know how badly dealers suck at repairs especially warranty work where they make next to nothing on the work, and you won't wait for weeks/months to get your RV back.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by nomad297

The worst part about traveling a long distance to purchase an RV is sometimes having to travel that same distance again when you want warranty work performed on it.

If I was going to think about buying from a dealer far away, I would first research to be certain there was somebody local to me that could do any warranty work, whether they are a dealer, independent repair facility or a mobile repair company would be fine with me, just as long as they would be authorized by the manufacturer to perform warranty repairs.

Bruce

We use dealers to purchase an RV at the best out-the-door price, then plan on never seeing them again. We have used independent, service only RV shops across the country many times for warranty and extended warranty work. You just have to ensure warranty authorization is pre-approved. We have never had a problem obtaining that.
You will receive much faster, and usually better, service at an independent than a dealer, and they don't care where you bought it. That's why we avoid dealers like the plague.

[pgandw]

We looked at buying our A-frame in Michigan (we live in Colorado). We figured round trip expenses were $1500 (assuming camping on the return), plus 3 days vacation time burned. Planning assumed doing the PDI and repairs on Friday (Saturday is worst time for PDI and repairs).

Doing it as a vacation was tempting but minimizing PTO used took a lot of the fun out of the idea.

Found a Denver dealer (60 miles) we trusted who came within $800 out the door. Didn't have to deal with Colorado DMV and getting the title done. Took the Denver deal. No regrets.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[locogk]

We went from Ga to Mississippi

[G Hollingsworth]

One thing to consider is having warranty work done. If you buy from a none local dealer you may fall to the bottom of the list to get warranty work done. That can be a real problem. With a new rig you will have issues.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by G Hollingsworth

One thing to consider is having warranty work done. If you buy from a none local dealer you may fall to the bottom of the list to get warranty work done. That can be a real problem. With a new rig you will have issues.

See post #11

[dave961]

Saved $10,000 by going 1,300 miles - from Clearwater FL to Walcott IA
I bought no extra warrantees because they are basically worthless.

[Forest Ray River]

I live in the Seattle area and just recently bought/ordered my “custom” Rockwood 22’ TT from a dealer in Ohio and had it delivered out here a couple of weeks ago by a private ‘transport’ company for $2,600. That saved me about $8K I figured. No way could I have gotten what I wanted out here at an ‘affordable’ price. Yes, everyone says:BUY LOCAL, but being retired and watching my $$ (and the current economy), it made sense to me.

[Skip12]

I would try to do both a virtual PDI and then a proper PDI once I got there. I would plan on asking them to fix a few things while I waited for a few days and I would be fully prepared to walk away if things weren't to my liking. If I wasn't convinced I could walk away after driving that far, I probably wouldn't do it. If I was sure I could, I'd happily drive to get the best price. In my experience, once the dealer has your money, they're not much help, regardless purchasing it from them or not. I know that's not always the case, but has been for the 3 I've purchased.

[JJaxon]

I drove 500 miles to buy my latest 5th wheel. Towed my trade there, deal was made before I left home. I informed the dealer I will do a thorough inspection when I arrive, so have it inside. This was feb 2020. Brand new unit, they cooked the roof to melt snow and over cooked it, blistered. Had I not went up and looked, they would not have told me til after the papers were signed, if at all. I found other things too. All got fixed and I am happy I didnt have to pay for any of them. Frustrating, but now satisfied. LOOK before you sign.

[Relder]

We traveled from Anaheim, Ca to Shipshewana, In to purchase our TT. Priced our unit here in CA and saved approx 10k. Would do it again in a heartbeat.