Buying A New RV in US?

From a 2009 RV.net Thread on the same subject:
Topic: Canadian Standards (CSA) Versus US Standards?
Posted By: Matt & Carol on 11/09/09 08:19am

Shippers of recreational vehicle products into Alberta, Canada, now have the option of affixing either a CSA Z240 or the RVIA NFPA 1192 standard seal, according to a news release from the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).

Alberta is the first Canadian province to change its Traffic Safety Act and motor vehicle regulations to recognize both CSA Z240 and NFPA 1192.

For many years, RVIA has been lobbying its Canadian counterparts to accept RVIA’s seal standards.

“To that end, we appreciate the efforts of Eleonore Hamm, Canada RVDA’s executive vice president, and those of Dan Merkowsky, executive vice president of RVDA Alberta, for their assistance in lobbying for these changes,” RVIA stated. “It is our understanding that the provinces of British Columbia and Prince Edward Island are also close to adopting the above policy of honoring either the CSA Z240 seal or the RVIA Seal.

More and more provinces are accepting either standard.

BTW:
We bought our 2014 HL Landmark last year from a Canadian dealer after we showed him the US quote we were closing to going with out of Indiana and told him what we were willing to pay Canadian based on the US quote.
He agreed quickly and we were quite happy to support a Canadian dealer that understood reasonable business practices.

Folks, you need to stop flaming back and forth between members or I will simply stop editing and close this thread.

The Manitoba Law on Imported US RV's

From Page 10 of that Official document from the governments website;

"If you plan to import a vehicle from the United States, you need to know if it qualifies for importation under Transport Canada’s Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program. The program ensures that qualified vehicles imported from the United States are brought into compliance with basic Canadian Safety Standards and properly inspected. These units still require compliance to the CSA Z240 construction codes, which is a Standards inspection conducted by Inspectors at the Office of the Fire Commissioner."


Seems pretty clear.

moisheh wrote:
You do not need that CSA sticker. Insurance companies do not require it.. Many provinces now accept the RVIA sticker as equal to CSA. Ontario is one of those that accept the RVIA! Dealers will tell you all kinds of stories to discourage you buying in the US! As for the exchange rate: If you buy from a Canadian dealer or a US dealer you will still pay the exchange. But the Canadian dealer will want more $$. Greed!

Even the RVIA's own website clearly states they HOPE to have the standards harmonized by the 2017 revisions to the US and Canadian standards.

icanon: It is like some people expect answers as if it is some sort of right! Good manners would be to say thanks!

Moisheh

Vwsportbug with all the replies you've gotten, you should at least say thanks!!!

Your welcome.

Hate it when people ask questions and don't even bother the reply to their thread.
Just wasted my time...

You do not need that CSA sticker. Insurance companies do not require it.. Many provinces now accept the RVIA sticker as equal to CSA. Ontario is one of those that accept the RVIA! Dealers will tell you all kinds of stories to discourage you buying in the US! As for the exchange rate: If you buy from a Canadian dealer or a US dealer you will still pay the exchange. But the Canadian dealer will want more $$. Greed!

vwsportbug wrote:
Anyone know what's involved in buying a new RV (5th Wheel) in the US and importing it into Canada?

Thanks!

Just be aware that CSA Z240 certification is required by Provincial law in every Province and territory. The Federal government, CBSA, RIV (which is a private enterprise BTW) and Transport Canada are ONLY concerned with Federal requirements. They won't even mention it, let alone require it.

Not to say it may be an issue, but you may have issues with getting insurance coverage, getting warranty or any kind of service work done at a dealer (many just flat out refuse to touch a non-compliant unit since it's technically, in Ontario, illegal to work on them) or selling it in the future.

If you're buying new just order it as Canadian compliant, it's cheap protection.

In Toronto, you are not far from most of the large U.S. RV manufacturers, who are nearly all clustered within 30 miles around Elkhart, Indiana. Almost to a company, they have an option to build a trailer to CSA standards. But, since you have to drive to the U.S. to pick it up anyway, why not also get one with the lowest possible transportation charge added to the price (which every dealer does and which is always based on distance from the factory)?

So, if CSA is important to you, just special-order a 5th wheel from a low-cost dealer as close as possible to Elkhart. As just one on-line example that I know of--RV Wholesalers is just over the Indiana line in Ohio. And I am sure some forum members know of many others.

myredracer wrote:
With the $ exchange rate the way it is, how viable is it? That's a 25% hit plus tax on top of that amount.

Agreed. Also be sure to factor in realistic costs for travel to pick it up.