Anyone purchased from RV dealers in Dallas?

To make it short,,, Explore USA is the dealer to go to. Great bunch of guys and gals.

Jim M

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:

Mik68 wrote:
the flagstaff 8528TBWS 'fully loaded' diamond package
Rockwood 8286WS which has the platinum package

That is a popular floor plan for families wanting to move up to 5th wheels. They tend to move off the lot quickly.

Re: The packages - a major difference is the visual - the Diamond is the Taupe color, the Platinum is white. Some folks don't want white, some don't like taupe color. That would be a deal breaker to some folks.

The Diamond has a few extra items with the shielded awning covers being a really nice addition.

My trailer has the Diamond package.

The price difference between the Diamond and Platinum package is the price difference between the two rigs. Both quotes are right at the same price before the package addition.

The ExploreUSA rig has a second AC already installed in the bedroom. I cannot tell from the Funtown if it also has a second AC. I would assume so. You really need two ACs if you are going to be near Texas in the summer time.

In 2006 when we moved into our house on March 30, the temp hit 93 on April 3, 97 on April 19. That was an unusual year. But something to remember that it can happen.

Edit - One additional thing. An area where the PDI tech wasn't up to current standards was the lights in my trailer. I asked if they were LED because there was nothing in the literature or manufacturer web site.

He said - no - halogen.

I later pulled a couple covers, then checked in detail - every light in the trailer is LED.

Another item was the flapper for the range hood vent. Forest River has apparently gone to a new type with an integrated clip closure - rather than the one with the two moveable tabs that have been around for generations.

The Rockwood at Funtown doesn't have the 2nd aircon which doesn't faze me although I do like the taupe colour at ExploreUSA which does have 2nd aircon.
It is going to be 110f tomorrow here in Perth. We won't be in Texas for long, in fact we will be in N.Y. By end of May after going through Florida & up the east coast.

Dayle1 wrote:

Mik68 wrote:
Thank you all for your feedback, all positive which is great, I have two choices.
Yes, it's the ExploreUSA dealer in Mesquite. They have given me a price as you suggested of $33,990 roughly 29.4% lower than the MSRP for the flagstaff 8528TBWS 'fully loaded' diamond package, sound about right? And Funtown have offered me there Rockwood 8286WS for $32,895, which has the platinum package.
You know what they say about having choices, its harder to make a decision.

You have not stated what tow vehicle you will be using. If it is a short bed truck, then if you special order, Forest River offers the Sidewinder(Reese Revolution) pinbox as an option, then you don't need a slider hitch, also easier backing the trailer. Do the dealer units have this option?

I haven't purchased that yet either Dayle1, but anticipate that we will end up with a short bed as we are seriously looking at getting the dodge megacab or Chev extra cab so didn't want to big a truck with the added long bed.

Mik68 wrote:
the flagstaff 8528TBWS 'fully loaded' diamond package
Rockwood 8286WS which has the platinum package

That is a popular floor plan for families wanting to move up to 5th wheels. They tend to move off the lot quickly.

Re: The packages - a major difference is the visual - the Diamond is the Taupe color, the Platinum is white. Some folks don't want white, some don't like taupe color. That would be a deal breaker to some folks.

The Diamond has a few extra items with the shielded awning covers being a really nice addition.

My trailer has the Diamond package.

The price difference between the Diamond and Platinum package is the price difference between the two rigs. Both quotes are right at the same price before the package addition.

The ExploreUSA rig has a second AC already installed in the bedroom. I cannot tell from the Funtown if it also has a second AC. I would assume so. You really need two ACs if you are going to be near Texas in the summer time.

In 2006 when we moved into our house on March 30, the temp hit 93 on April 3, 97 on April 19. That was an unusual year. But something to remember that it can happen.

Edit - One additional thing. An area where the PDI tech wasn't up to current standards was the lights in my trailer. I asked if they were LED because there was nothing in the literature or manufacturer web site.

He said - no - halogen.

I later pulled a couple covers, then checked in detail - every light in the trailer is LED.

Another item was the flapper for the range hood vent. Forest River has apparently gone to a new type with an integrated clip closure - rather than the one with the two moveable tabs that have been around for generations.

I purchased a Bighorn 5th wheel from ExploreUSA in Mesquite Oct. 2012 and it was a pleasant experience. Salesman was able to answer all guestions about the RV that my wife and I had. No high pressure sales and the PDI was thorough.

Mik68 wrote:
Thank you all for your feedback, all positive which is great, I have two choices.
Yes, it's the ExploreUSA dealer in Mesquite. They have given me a price as you suggested of $33,990 roughly 29.4% lower than the MSRP for the flagstaff 8528TBWS 'fully loaded' diamond package, sound about right? And Funtown have offered me there Rockwood 8286WS for $32,895, which has the platinum package.
You know what they say about having choices, its harder to make a decision.

You have not stated what tow vehicle you will be using. If it is a short bed truck, then if you special order, Forest River offers the Sidewinder(Reese Revolution) pinbox as an option, then you don't need a slider hitch, also easier backing the trailer. Do the dealer units have this option?

Dayle1 wrote:
They are right, delivery on a new order can take 2 months, especially in the Spring time. So, if you wanted one to be on the dealer's lot by mid March, you would have to order it now anyway. Either way, you need to commit now or be willing to just buy whatever is available when you arrive. But what I would negotiate is how much of a commitment is needed to hold the unit. You should not have to pay 100% up front. If that is what they expect, then ask them to just order a new one from the factory, which should only require about $1000 USD as a down payment. I ordered my unit about this time three years ago and picked it up the 1st week of March. Weather is worse this year and there can be delays getting parts, building the unit and even delivery from Indiana to Texas. Good luck.

This is a great suggestion, once I make my decision I will see if they will go for this.

Thank you all for your feedback, all positive which is great, I have two choices.
Yes, it's the ExploreUSA dealer in Mesquite. They have given me a price as you suggested of $33,990 roughly 29.4% lower than the MSRP for the flagstaff 8528TBWS 'fully loaded' diamond package, sound about right? And Funtown have offered me there Rockwood 8286WS for $32,895, which has the platinum package.
You know what they say about having choices, its harder to make a decision.

They are right, delivery on a new order can take 2 months, especially in the Spring time. So, if you wanted one to be on the dealer's lot by mid March, you would have to order it now anyway. Either way, you need to commit now or be willing to just buy whatever is available when you arrive. But what I would negotiate is how much of a commitment is needed to hold the unit. You should not have to pay 100% up front. If that is what they expect, then ask them to just order a new one from the factory, which should only require about $1000 USD as a down payment. I ordered my unit about this time three years ago and picked it up the 1st week of March. Weather is worse this year and there can be delays getting parts, building the unit and even delivery from Indiana to Texas. Good luck.

We purchased in Canton Explore USA - they did great. Bought it over the phone and I'll be darned if it didn't show when they said it would, and great interaction between the salesman and the factory on the order, the options, and the delivery. Service did a great job delivering it and so far they have jumped through hoops getting anything resolved.

We chose them strictly based on price, the rest was a nice surprise.