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Dutch_John's avatar
Dutch_John
Explorer
Feb 18, 2015

Where to buy a used RV in/around Toronto?

Hi,

We are currently preparing our next year's trip to eastern canada. We (2 adults + 2 young kids) are planning to travel around by RV from roughly March to August 2016. As renting a RV for such a long period is very expensive, we were thinking of buying a RV (class B campervan or small class C motorhome).

When searching on internet I found several rental companies who sell ex-rental RVs, e.g. Cruise Canada. At first I thought this would be a good option as these vehicles are relatively young compared to some RVs I found elsewhere online, but when searching for reviews of rentals at Cruise Canada I found many horror stories on breakdowns/problems during rentals due to improper servicing of the vehicles. Would, due to poor treatment of rental vehicles by both the rental company and renters, buying a privately owned RV a better idea? Or are there rental companies which are known for servicing their vehicles properly?

The privately owned RVs on offer seem to be much older than the ex-rental RVs. In Europe a 10 year old car is very old. On canadian internet sales sites RVs of 20 to 30 years old are no exception. I guess getting spare parts for these might be problematic.

We plan to stay in Toronto for a couple of weeks in February before travelling around and would use this time to buy a RV. Is there a large used RV salescenter (rental company independent) with a good selection anywhere in/near to Toronto?
Or are internet resources better? What sites are best to look for used RVs? I found www.autotrader.co, www.kijiji.ca, toronto.craigslist.ca. Are there better sites?

Is there anything else to take into consideration when buying a RV? We have family living in Toronto who could help us with any formalities, like insurance.

All tips and help is highly appreciated!

PS: should anyone know a RV which has two forward facing seats (suitable for child car seats) directly behind the two front seats please let me know!
  • Hi,

    I can't help with a dealer, but the dinettes in most RV's are equipped with seat belts which would allow a child car seat to be used.
  • You might want to look at Roadtrek Class B's. They do have floorplans with 4 seats to accommodate your child car seats.

    Sorry I cannot offer advice of where to purchase but 2 things come to mind. What do you plan to do with whatever you purchase after your trip. Also, you mention travel from March to August. Do you realize that March is still winter in Canada and campgrounds will not be open. In March Canadians are still going south in search of warm weather. South would be to the United States, usually to Florida or perhaps South Carolina. I'm thinking your family in Toronto could help you plan your route.

    Hopefully others on this forum in the Toronto area can give you some leads or know of a suitable unit that might be for sale.
  • pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    I can't help with a dealer, but the dinettes in most RV's are equipped with seat belts which would allow a child car seat to be used.



    ????? Is this new??? Can't say I've seen dinette seat belts.

    Our car seats connect to the seat frame ..... not the seat belt. There is an attachment point between the seat cushion and the seat back.... sort of a round rod about 1/4 inch in diameter.
  • Hi,

    In Canada I believe it is the law that the dinette seats must have seat belts. Both my 1987 and 2004 unit have them.

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