The wife and I have decided on the Coachmen Freedom Express 246 RKS. We are going with a drop date of spring 2016. I searched here for guidance on buying it. I would prefer to order it cuz I really do not want to get in with the haggling on the same model in dealer stock. I am not smart enough to engage with sales people and the dealer here that handles that manufacturer has a reputation for high pressure.For those of you that have ordered what was your experience? Is the price point the same as buying off the lot? Advise please.

Spring 2016?? Really??You're asking if a price point is relevant for something that you won't even receive for another year. Check back in later and see what the prices are then. I don't personally believe waiting that long for a TT is worthwhile.

Agree with majorgator above. It's good to do your research as you are doing, but it's way too soon to know much about price. Also, as it goes in the RV industry, the model you are looking at now might not even exist a year from now. We ordered our last 2 trailers...dealer tried to sell up what he had on the lot...simple - be prepared to walk. If you do walk, he will call you back.The only down side of ordering is you have to wait up to 8 weeks for your unit to come in.

Don't you have to order through a dealer anyway? I guess I don't understand your question. Besides, if pricing isn't established on the '16s yet (I don't know) how are you going to know what the price is? If the price doesn't matter then just go buy the unit you want at the price the dealer has it at and don't haggle.

If you wait till next year it will be 17 your buying the 16 s are already out

Do your research. Prices don't change that much from year to year. What does change is the extras they add on. What do you want i.e. need? Set a limit. Just be prepared to walk. Doubt hi pressure sales people hold your keys anymore. If you think they might take an extra set of keys. When I walked out years ago I had an extra set of keys. I told him if his set wasn't in the mail within a couple of days I would file a police report. He had them in my hands within a few minutes. Just don't walk in accepting their BS. If they come on strong that means you must come on just as strong. When they apply extreme pressure I start talking sailor talk. I SPLAINE it to them in their language. Don't just sit there and take their BS if you feel pressured. That is what they do for a living. Once you come on stronger they will back off. No better deal? Walk for the door. I have had them actually block my exit before coming down in price. Once they actually stood in front of my vehicle at the side walk. My attitude was get out of my F@#$@&# way or I'll dial 911. Got my best deal from that dealer. He actually called me an AH and some other names before coming down in price. For me it is a game and I enjoy it. It is your money. Play the game. if the price isn't right walk.

avoiding the silver tongue devils | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

cougarfan
Explorer
Jun 10, 2015
I can't give you any advice about negotiating with the dealer but I love my FE 246RKS.

It has the Azdel walls and the fit and finish on my 2014 is really good. There have been a few minor issues but I just fixed them myself. I have more storage than I can fill up even for extended trips. The weight is light for the length of the trailer and with the spread axle design, the tongue weight isn't as high as other rear kitchens I looked at.

We've had 4 days of 90+ degree heat here in Oregon and when I went to check on the trailer, I opened the door and didn't get a blast of hot air like I used to with my last trailer. It is parked in a storage lot in full sun so I think the Azdel really does add additional insulation.

I like the Catalina line as well but the Azdel sold me on the Freedom Express.

Good luck!
Laura
rbpru
Explorer II
Jun 09, 2015
Know what you want.
Know what the max you wish to pay is.
Tell the salesman the price must include all, taxes, fees, preps etc.
Tell them you brought one check and any difference comes out of their pocket.
Never, never, buy it the day you find it. Sleep on it.
If they tell you it may be gone quickly. Remember they will make more and you now know what you want.
A TT purchase is not a race.
taken
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2015
Doesn't always work, but certainly worth a try! My dealer wouldn't come within 9k of my out of town quote. On a previous rig, they came close enough to make the deal happen. It all depends on the dealer.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 08, 2015
Step 1: Get a quote from rvwholesalers.com and rvdirect.com. This will be your lowest price.

Step 2: Get your dealer to match it, or get close in the ballpark. Very simple and that's what I did with our new Windjammer.
spoon059
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2015
Like others have said, RV shows do NOT offer great prices. They are counting on instant gratification people who need to have a new trailer and don't care if they are getting a good price.

Go to RVwholesalers or RVDirect and get a quote for EXACTLY the trailer that you want. I used RVDirect as my pricing guide. I know that they are making a profit and I am getting a decent deal.

Once you know what price you want, reach out via EMAIL to your local dealership(s) and tell them EXACTLY what you want and request a quote from them. This is how I buy cars, this is how I bought my new camper too. I had a local dealer offer me a price $400 higher than RVDirect, and it saved me 800 miles roundtrip driving. When I went in to put a down payment, they took off another $100 when my wife mentioned it was $400 higher than a better quote.

I don't like pushy salesmen. I won't deal with them. With my method of buying, I never deal with salespeople or finance people until I know the exact price. It makes for a stress free purchase.
taken
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2015
APT wrote:
Few people nationally beat the so called wholesaler dealers where most of the sales are sold orders. Even show prices seem laughable when I visit. I'd get a quote from RV Wholesalers, RV Direct, etc and compare vs. any local dealer.

I agree with this 100%. We custom ordered ours and still got 36% off at Couch's RV Nation in OH. Zero pressure and we took our time selecting options etc. Never once got an email or phone call with the "what do we have to do to get you in this RV today..." nonsense. However, when I did have questions, and I had about a million, the guy I was dealing with (Brannon) would answer my email within 5 minutes. This was even at night or on the weekend when they were closed. Can't recommend them highly enough.
magila
Explorer
Jun 08, 2015
I have been looking at Catalina's too. The 2016 models are already out at many dealers. There are great prices to be found just by googling. Unfortunately the dealer 2 miles from me isn't one of them lol. I ordered my last TT over the phone from a dealer I found online. No haggling, great price, delivered to my door.
PeteK-Hou
Explorer
Jun 08, 2015
nephi007 wrote:
Ok thanks for the "get tough" advice. I know about the 30 to 35 percent off MSRP stuff We like the RKS floor plan so it doesn't have to be a Coachmen. It's just that this dealer is 15 minutes away from us and I like that. I am waiting for the RV show in February 2016 to see if I can snag a deal on an RKS

Don't get fooled into thinking that the show prices are a good deal, they aren't. We went to the show in Houston, found the TT we liked. When we went to the dealer, we didn't mention the show price, I was saving that. But before I could say anything, their first offer was $1000 less than their 'low show price'.
APT
Explorer
Jun 08, 2015
Few people nationally beat the so called wholesaler dealers where most of the sales are sold orders. Even show prices seem laughable when I visit. I'd get a quote from RV Wholesalers, RV Direct, etc and compare vs. any local dealer.
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Jun 08, 2015
If you buy from a dealer, you will likely have the "negotiating" regardless of whether they have it on the lot or have to order it.

Find one you like at a price you are willing to pay and enjoy it. Don't get wrapped up in the what if issues.

Wishing you the best!