Forum Discussion

Pineapple_Kid's avatar
Pineapple_Kid
Explorer
May 12, 2014

Finding a dealer with a model you want

I am interested in buying a new Fifth wheel, I have several models I would like to look at before I get serious.

Is their an easy way to find out what dealers have them and where these models are at so I can actually see them ?

I am about ready to go on my Cross country trip and back and I could stop and have a look at these models almost anywhere in the USA then when I get back to California I could order the one I choose to buy
to pick up from a dealer close to Santa Cruz, California that sold that companies trailers.

I am not positive what I want so I don't want to list Makes and models here now.

( 9 more days on the rock ( Kauai ) then mainland time )

Aloha Leon
  • Campinfan's avatar
    Campinfan
    Explorer III
    May 12, 2014
    I recently bought a new fiver. I put the type of rig I wanted into Bing and it showed some dealers that had it. I then went to their websites and then called them.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    May 12, 2014
    While tracking units down at dealers is one way to see them, it is very hit or miss. Attending a large RV show such as Hershey, PA or Tampa is a better way. I'm not familiar with the other big RV shows around the country ,but I'm sure there are other large shows you could attend.
  • 2hams's avatar
    2hams
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    You can also try the dealer locator on most manufacturers web sites. Then check the dealer website to see what they have in stock.

    Agree with Langley that RV shows are a good way to see a lot of brands. You can search the net to find shows.
  • jamway's avatar
    jamway
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    I just e-mailed the company that made our trailer and asked where a trailer model we wanted was near us. It took a few days and they sent me an e-mail with a dealer about 100 miles from us.
  • RollandB's avatar
    RollandB
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    Back in the late 90's when the VW New Beetle was a hot ticket and many dealers selling them above MSRP I know of many who would send an email to the dealerships with all the dealerships emails showing for their initial email. It worked well to get a better price when the dealers saw who they were competing with.
  • ol_Bombero-JC's avatar
    ol_Bombero-JC
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    You need to have at least a basic idea of the brand/s you want.
    Sounds like you do, so start visiting dealers where you will be traveling.

    The "problem" is - the model/s (of any brand) you might want to see are always *For Sale* on a dealer lot.

    Depending on demand -and dealer's inventory- the one/s you want to see, may be there one day gone the next.

    Also, a dealer may not carry the brand you would like to see.

    IMO - besides visiting dealers, Google: "RV shows" - and try to attend as many as you can during your mainland travels.


    ~
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    May 12, 2014
    2hams wrote:
    You can also try the dealer locator on most manufacturers web sites. Then check the dealer website to see what they have in stock.

    Agree with Langley that RV shows are a good way to see a lot of brands. You can search the net to find shows.


    The problem with this, and a pet peeve of mine, is that they will only show dealers within about 200-250 miles. No dealers for that brand, nothing shows up. NOW you have to start playing around with different towns and/or zip codes to find dealers. The mfrs refuse to make it easy to comparison shop, then push "buy local". How can we buy local when we can't find what we want locally? Can we also talk about obsolete dealer lists?

    Lyle
  • ol_Bombero-JC's avatar
    ol_Bombero-JC
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    laknox wrote:
    2hams wrote:
    You can also try the dealer locator on most manufacturers web sites. Then check the dealer website to see what they have in stock.

    Agree with Langley that RV shows are a good way to see a lot of brands. You can search the net to find shows.


    The problem with this, and a pet peeve of mine, is that they will only show dealers within about 200-250 miles. No dealers for that brand, nothing shows up. NOW you have to start playing around with different towns and/or zip codes to find dealers. The mfrs refuse to make it easy to comparison shop, then push "buy local". How can we buy local when we can't find what we want locally? Can we also talk about obsolete dealer lists?

    Lyle


    If you know what you want - and are willing to order - you can find lots of dealers (and "deals") across the USA.

    The internet *is* your friend.

    Plenty of "local" dealers that were close to me in CA, but I bought in Montana.
    Everything to do with price - nothing to do with CA sales tax.
    Would do it again in a heartbeat.

    If you wish to buy something from dealer stock - the mfgr listing might help (if it was regularly updated) but that means you are now in the "negotiating pool" of potential buyers...:(

    YMMV

    ~
  • ependydad's avatar
    ependydad
    Explorer
    May 12, 2014
    jamway wrote:
    I just e-mailed the company that made our trailer and asked where a trailer model we wanted was near us. It took a few days and they sent me an e-mail with a dealer about 100 miles from us.


    I had luck with this, as well.

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