Older "new" units on dealer lots

txmike

Advanced Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
41
Location
Richmond TX
We are looking to upgrade to a 2023 Rockwood 2891bhs. We have one on hold at a local dealer, they got it in around June/ July 2023. We just found another semi local dealer that dropped their price on the exact same unit by over $7k. They got it on the lot around February ish.

We are in the Texas gulf coast area.

Is there any opinion or reasons we should avoid the unit that has been sitting at the dealer almost 10 months? It will have the same warranty/manufacturers support etc.

We are going to put eyes on the older unit tomorrow..
Thanks
 
Older unit , still new

Is the cheaper unit really new? Does the hold on the more expensive unit, come with cancellation clause? Would you me bold enough to confront the 'newer unit dealer, with your discovery, and ask for a match? Maybe there's upgrades to the newer unit you haven't considered, otherwise why would you throw $7k out the window?
 
Oddly enough, it's the sa.e dealer, just different location 2hr away. The build sheets are identical. Difference is age on the lot and their deal with manufacturer.

We're looking at the cheaper one tomorrow, just curious if we should be looking at a "gotcha" for having sat there all most of the year. (Still has same warrenty,just don't like problems)
 
I would not shy away from one that had sat on a lot. The things You will have to look at are the batteries and tires ages. Both could be going on two years old. Other than that your warrantee will start when purchased, everything is still new and unused, and $7000 less. $800 of that savings will buy a set of Goodyear tires! DR
 
I'd pay particular attention to any signs of water intrusion. I can't imagine any dealer paying much attention once they are plopped down on the lot and opened up.
 
I would not be at all concerned with a new unit that has sat 10 months...... that's pretty normal. Two years maybe.

:signhavefun:
 
Definitely worth a look at. Most likely there are some changes to the newer model as they usually do this around April or May. I would not hesitate to purchase if all goes well with the PDI. Later RJD
 
We are looking to upgrade to a 2023 Rockwood 2891bhs. We have one on hold at a local dealer, they got it in around June/ July 2023. We just found another semi local dealer that dropped their price on the exact same unit by over $7k. They got it on the lot around February ish.

We are in the Texas gulf coast area.

Is there any opinion or reasons we should avoid the unit that has been sitting at the dealer almost 10 months? It will have the same warranty/manufacturers support etc.

We are going to put eyes on the older unit tomorrow..
Thanks

I would approach the sells person you are currently dealing with and be upfront. It the other dealer is owned by same parent company, the dealer you are currently dealing with should have no issue with getting the cheaper unit for you and should honestly completely understand you wanting to save the money. If they don't cooperate then I would be concerned with future service from the dealer anyway and get my money back and go buy the cheaper model if you like it once you put eyes on it.
 
Oddly enough, it's the sa.e dealer, just different location 2hr away. The build sheets are identical. Difference is age on the lot and their deal with manufacturer.

We're looking at the cheaper one tomorrow, just curious if we should be looking at a "gotcha" for having sat there all most of the year. (Still has same warrenty,just don't like problems)

The only “gotcha” that comes to my mind (because it’s been discussed for years) is that if/when it comes to needing service or warranty work done, your closest dealer may say “you didn’t buy it here”.

That could mean your local dealer may not service you at all, or you’ll go to the bottom of his list that he is working from.

Just something to consider, but I understand your $7000 interest on the other unit farther away.
 
I have read in the past that one concern about units sitting on the lot for a long time with the slides extended can have issues with the seals and possible water intrusion. I would definitely be checking that area out carefully.
 
I have read in the past that one concern about units sitting on the lot for a long time with the slides extended can have issues with the seals and possible water intrusion. I would definitely be checking that area out carefully.

It really depends on the dealer. I've been to quite a few lots where the slides are all in and you have to get a salesperson with a jump pack to open them up so you can walk around and look inside.
 
I'd have no reservations at all.
We bought a Cedar Creek last year that was a February unit and got it in August.
Make sure you do a proper PDI/Customer orientation on either.

If one unit arrived in June and the other in February, that is only 4 months difference.
All the talk about slide seals and water intrusion is speculation. Just because a slide is out for several months does not mean there are going to be issues. Look at all the folks that are seasonal/permanent and/or winter somewhere for 4-6 months.

If the same parent company owns both these dealerships, they should have no problems letting you choose which one YOU want.
 
I'd have no reservations at all.
We bought a Cedar Creek last year that was a February unit and got it in August.
Make sure you do a proper PDI/Customer orientation on either.

If one unit arrived in June and the other in February, that is only 4 months difference.
All the talk about slide seals and water intrusion is speculation. Just because a slide is out for several months does not mean there are going to be issues. Look at all the folks that are seasonal/permanent and/or winter somewhere for 4-6 months.

If the same parent company owns both these dealerships, they should have no problems letting you choose which one YOU want.

It is speculation to be sure. It’s also based on at least isolated incidents where that very thing has occurred. I have an old fifth wheel sitting at deer camp with the slide extended for coming up 3 years. Doesn’t appear to be leaking yet. And it’s a 2005 year model.
 
It is speculation to be sure. It’s also based on at least isolated incidents where that very thing has occurred. I have an old fifth wheel sitting at deer camp with the slide extended for coming up 3 years. Doesn’t appear to be leaking yet. And it’s a 2005 year model.

And I didn't mean to say one shouldn't look for issues. Sorry if it came across that way. With the way today's R/Vs are built, any of them can have issues of multiple sorts and why I suggested a proper PDI/customer orientation. :trink39:
 
And I didn't mean to say one shouldn't look for issues. Sorry if it came across that way. With the way today's R/Vs are built, any of them can have issues of multiple sorts and why I suggested a proper PDI/customer orientation. :trink39:

Agreed. Truth is, I don’t believe the designers use materials that are intended for long time continuous use. Hence the caution about seals possibly drying out with extended exposure to the elements.
 
OP should try to determine exact time of build without trusting the saleman. Pior to 2020 the model change was in March. I'm sitting in a 2020 fifth wheel built in March 2019. There was a rumor that the industry was going to push model change back to July of the prior year, but I don't know if it happened. My VIN has a date on it which may just be when the order and VIN number was created. However, as we ordered we know that the unit was built shorly after that date.
 
2 things: We have a 2022 2891BH that's been great for us. No issues at all, wouldn't hesitate buying another 1 tomorrow. Great layout, good quality, tows well.

Is the older / cheaper unit a 2022 or a 2023 model? I recently noticed this on our warranty paperwork ::
<<PRIOR MODEL YEAR REMEDY -
If at the time of purchase by the first retail purchaser, the RV is not the current or prior model year, the Limited Warranty ends ninety (90) days after the date of purchase of the RV. The ninety (90) day warranty is subject to the same terms, conditions, and limitations of the Limited Warranty, excluding the applicable Limited Warranty Period. ANY ACTION FOR BREACH OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR REVOCATION OF ACCEPTANCE OR ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE ANY PORTION OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY MUST BE COMMENCED WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS OF THE EXPIRATION OF THE NINETY (90) DAY WARRANTY PERIOD.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.>>
 
So we looked at it today. Date on the vin sticker says Sept. 2022. So it's older than we thought.( the newer unit says March 2023 on the sticker.) No idea when built or delivered (yet). But it is a '23 body style .

We love the layout and storage options and it appears to be in good shape. Seals, tires, batteries, etc. Thanks for all the comments.
 
I would approach the sells person you are currently dealing with and be upfront. It the other dealer is owned by same parent company, the dealer you are currently dealing with should have no issue with getting the cheaper unit for you and should honestly completely understand you wanting to save the money. If they don't cooperate then I would be concerned with future service from the dealer anyway and get my money back and go buy the cheaper model if you like it once you put eyes on it.

2x
 
Manufacturer date

Get the manufacturer date on both. If the dealer is closer, you can probably get better service from the dealer you bought it from.
Enjoy!
 

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