Which ExploreUSA location? They have three in the DFW area - Mesquite, Fort Worth and Denton, and one close - Canton.
We have been to every TT, 5th wheel and MH dealer within 100 miles of the DFW area over the past few years.
Visits to all four ExploreUSA stores have been pleasant - not a lot of pressure like some other locations. I frankly don't remember much about Funtown.
We purchased our Flagstaff Classic Superlite TT from ExploreUSA Mesquite in November. That store is just a few hundred yards from the Dallas / Mesquite city limits so is sometimes called Dallas.
The ExploreUSA in Mesquite staff has been pleasant. The deal was done quickly. Their sales model is they give you a price (which was substantially less than the 'Sale Price' quoted on the internet) and that is the price - we paid 29.4% less than the MSRP sticker.
The PDI was thorough, though I found the tech's knowledge hadn't completely caught up with the latest changes from the factory.
One thing I like about ExploreUSA vs almost every other RV dealer in the DFW area is they don't have a retail RV supply store - and thus are not trying to upsell you several hundred dollars of extras.
Since we already had a TT, the only 'new' items I had to purchase were related with going from 30Amp to 50Amp electricity.
After taking delivery on Nov 13, we went out for five days that weekend. We discovered one issue - the furnace would not light/ heat. Since I had tested the operation during the PDI, including turning off the propane supply, to run it on electric, and turning it back on to run on propane - I knew something had broken.
Setup an appointment and took the TT in for service the next week. Since it was a Suburban warranty issue and not a Forest River issue, I expected it to take a couple weeks for Suburban to authorize repair and ship the part in.
I was happily surprised that ExploreUSA was able to replace the sail switch and get the TT back to me within a week.
I haven't heard anything bad about Funtown, nor good. I know some people who say they would not buy from ExploreUSA. The same people buy from a dealer I simply refuse to deal with. That dealer has a great stock and product line - but walking in the front door and not buying is 'why are you wasting my time' experience.
Everyone has their likes and dislikes.
Re the specific model you want.
I find after watching the Flagstaff/Forest River product line for a few years - that certain models tend to arrive in groups. Then not be available for a few months.
My perception - which might be wrong - is that the factory builds in batches. This week they build model 8528TWBS / 8286WS and another model next week. So it takes a few weeks to work through model line.
ExploreUSA has moved a bit away from that level of fifth wheel - adding DRV and Redwood to their lineup, always had Heartland, now Hill Country RV as their low end. Three years ago most of their fifth wheels were Forest River - now it is their mid-level product line.
Funtown has a larger inventory and likely most of their product line is Forest River.
A bit rambling and non-specific answer I know.
I'm very happy with my experience with ExploreUSA and would not hesitate to do a deal like you are discussing - however, I also know my experience is my experience.
Unlike a lot of people, I won't say my experience is the 100% way to go. Mine might be unique, though I doubt it. With RV's a person sounds dumb saying 'my way is the only way to go'. The market and options are too wide, and too quickly changing for it to be true most of the time.
If you want more specific details - send me a PM.
