Purchasing from a distant dealer

So the one 21/2 hours away is a 2015 and the one locally is a 2016? And an ordered 2016 is $3300 cheaper at the distant dealer than locally?

I'd go with the 2015 at the distant dealer. Could you camp in it closer to the distant dealer a night or two before coming home? And when it comes right down to it 2 1/2 hours away is not that far.
Jim

Save your money and go for the less expensive price. 2.5 hours sounds like 125 or so miles. Maybe 12 gal of fuel each way or $48 here in CA plus return, say $100 in fuel maybe. You can make many many trips with the money saved. I bought from a distant dealer. The first warranty call will take care of most things. After that you will decide whether to get it done at any local RV shop. I had a water leak that flooded the basement. Thought I had a major problem. I called manufacturer warranty dept and they said to bring it to my local RV repair and have them call them defining the problem. I did that and 15 minutes later the problem was fixed! It was a loose fitting letting water run down the Pex piping. I just paid the service fee out of my pocket. I called the manufacturer back and advised the problem and solution and advised that I'll just pay it. Not worth the problem of warranty.

So it's all a trade-off. And, Lifetime Warranty?? Who's backing that up? I would really be cautious about that one.

Good luck on your decision.

The closest I have purchased is 50 miles as 3 other closer dealerships never tried to compete for price. I then started buying 100 miles away to get the brand of rig I was looking for. Never had to take any back to selling dealer as I repaired anything I found wrong quicker and better than before. Mostly minor trim and a little plumbing and electrical. In most cases the dealer sent me the warranty parts and sometimes I could toss the defective and sometimes they wanted the defective sent back. Its all about keeping your money in your pocket and knowing that you may have to spend some of the savings later if you need to travel back to the dealer. Randu

When we bought our fifth wheel, the local dealer just did not seem to want to make the sale.

At the time, we lived in Sacramento CA.I found the identical unit on line, but it was located in New Hope Ark.! Long story, short, we made the deal over the phone, flew out to Ark, did the inspection, paid the bill and had the rig delivered to CA.

Saved more than enough to pay for the trip and delivery, and left money in our pockets.
We had no warrantee problems to deal with, so we lucked out andthe local dealer lost out.

We traveled from MA to OH to save over 9k off our nearest dealer who would not budge on the difference. I do all but the biggest repairs myself even when under warranty as it's just not worth it to me to hook up a 44' RV and tow it an hour to wait two weeks for a simple repair. Our dealer will actually send any warranty parts that need replaced for me to install myself. If you're willing to travel, you can easily save over 35% off the inflated MSRP on an ordered RV.

We bought 2 days away from home. As for warranty, how often do you brake down at home? I would think you would be away from home if you needed warranty. Years ago we had the mod done on the refrigerator of a previous TT, a mobile Tec did it not a dealer.

I bought from a dealer fairly close to my home. Paid a few thousand more than I could it for out of State....Then I got terrible service anyway...Never again. I'll drive a thousand miles to save a few thousand bucks if I have to. We travel a lot and it most likely won't have a problem if we're home anyway. I don't worry about warranty issues. If it's small I'll fix it. If it's major I can bring somewhere...

B.O.

Try going local. Meet him in the middle regarding price. There is much to be said for buying local. It is not all about price. IMHO

save the dollars. We bought an RV 300 miles from where we lived and then moved to Florida. We didn't have any problem finding someone to do warranty work on it.

Be aware this is not like a car warranty where any GM dealer (for instance) has to work on your gm car under warranty .A forest river dealer (for instance) that you didn't buy from can refuse to work on your forest river unit under warranty. Having said that we bought 4 hours away. No regrets.