Would you buy a RV without local dealer support?

Yes, under most circumstances its not going to break sitting in the driveway

I did. And I wouldn't do it again.

It has been many years, but we bought a Dutchman 5th wheel from a dealer 250 miles away because the local dealer was priced too high and wouldn't budge.

Terrible experience. The trailer was a POS, and the only thing worse than the quality of the trailer was the quality of the dealer. When we needed work, we were put at the end of the line. Which is terrible when the season is short, and you need something like a axle/shackle repaired, or delamination repaired.

I am now of the opinion that when buying new, the dealer is at least as important as the manufacture. You will have problems the first year, and if you want the warranty to mean something, you need the dealer.

Only way I would do it again would be at a HUGE discount, and not count at all on the warranty.

midnightsadie wrote:
all great advice, you really don,t need a dealer most mobile techs are way smarter than the $1.98 mech in the dealers shop. mobil tech #1 comes to you, know matter where you are.#2 faster service#3 cheaper#$ more knowledge than a guy at a dealers shop. etc.

#4 A lot of moblie techs will want you to pay up front even if the manufacturer authorizes the repair. They will not wait on the manufacturer to pay them.

#5 If the mobile tech charges a service fee or mileage/travel charge which most do, thats on you.

#6 Mobile techs usually charge more than the reduced amount manufacturers pay for warranty labor, thats on you also.

#7 Few mobile techs in New England / the Northeast. The season is only 5-6 months long and most like to eat which requires income and don't like to collect unemployment insurance all winter.

#8 Not always as good or as easy as it sounds on RV boards.

No, I would not. My experience has been that I needed my dealers help getting the factory to step up and do the right thing.

I've bought four truck campers and three 5th wheel trailers over the years always from local dealers. However I have 7-8 rv dealers within 50-75 miles of where we live.

The only real dealer support you can expect is a thank you as you hand over your check. After that, there's no real support from a dealer. Take a look at all the dealer complaints on this forum and you will understand that you should get the best deal you can then let your wallet get you support from whoever can fix what needs to be fixed. Good luck

Fantastic everyone thank you!!!!tr

all great advice, you really don,t need a dealer most mobile techs are way smarter than the $1.98 mech in the dealers shop. mobil tech #1 comes to you, know matter where you are.#2 faster service#3 cheaper#$ more knowledge than a guy at a dealers shop. etc.

I did. Wouldn’t be close to the dealer on a trip anyway.

If the problem is drivetrain, It's a Ford. For appliances, it's on who made them, and for the box you do have a dealer in Upstate NY.
I would also suggest to reach out to HR and any owners you could to see how they were with allowing non dealers to make warranty repairs. They may have a couple of independents they work with in your area.