We are in negotiations on a new to us trailer at a dealer in a colder climate than we are and its winter time. Has anyone purchased and had the dealer store until the weather is better to go get it . The trailer is roughly about 350 miles from our house . How does the transaction work? Do you have to pay the whole invoice or do they work on a deposit?

So, I believe you are telling us this dealer has had a trailer perhaps for some time. Now they have also properly winterized everything (for sure), and you are comfortable with taking the unit from a frozen environment? So, they are going to give you a 30 day warranty from their shop most likely. Will you check it out in thirty days? Will you drive it back for 700 miles to fix the stuff that isn't working? No, of course you won't.I bought mine the same way, I wanted that one, and it was February. I had a few issues, but a lot of experience, and fixed the gas on the hot water tank, and a couple of potential leaks on the roof. Tires were old and I had to replace them, but all in all, we are pretty happy with what we have. It's a super quality rig but.. they said it was winterized.. it was not. Could have been a disaster but our weather wasn't cold enough.. I would wait if I was you. Pick it up when you can check that everything works, not when it is frozen solid.

Have you seen and toured the TT in person yet? Certainly do not buy it now if you haven't looked it over with a fine tooth comb by visiting the dealer...It should have a full warranty in case you discover a problem in the Spring. Check out your local RV dealer to make sure they will perform warranty work on this one even if they don't sell that brand. Don't you have time to go check it out and buy it and bring it back now if it meets your requirements? The dead of winter with the bad storms and such is still 30 days away in Jan and Feb. And you need to see in person and have in writing that it WAS winterized.. You can tell very quickly by checking the faucets for pink AF as well as the toilet bowl. Not to mention, IMO if you buy now, buy a good TT cover and protect it at your house from the ice, snow and sleet.. The dealer certainly won't cover it! Why let him sit on it uncovered and exposed if you are definitely going to buy it? Good luck!

If you listen to any advice about having the dealer warranty the trailer till sometime next year BE SURE IT IS IN WRITING and the sales contract does not say as is where is or some term similar.Personally I would not buy it now and store it until spring. To many chances for unknown defects to pop up without any recourse to the nice man who sells you the trailer. That nice man will not help you in the spring UNLESS you have it in writing and then he will try to find a loop hole.

There is no way I would buy a RV, car, truck, etc., and leave it on the dealers lot until the weather got better or any other reason.After the purchase it is YOUR responsibility. Too many things can happen while it's sitting on the dealers lot.Just my opinion. YMMV :)

We bought our TT in January. The dealer took a small deposit and held the trailer until we picked it up in April. Since the sale wasn't finalized the warranty started when we picked it up.There were a few issues I would have taken the TT back to the dealer for, but it wasn't worth the 90-mile one way trip and I fixed them myself.

Buying from dealer and haveing them store? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

temccarthy1
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
tshirtman wrote:
Well its a done deal. The new to us rig will come home in the next two weeks pending a big snow storm. Our old rig has a new home starting this Sunday and wow what a great unit it has been. My wife is sad to loose her first trailer but she will soon be excited on the new family member. We will be gaining 5 feet in length and 2 slides.
Looking forward to the trip to pic her up.

CONGRATS on your bigger rig! Best of luck and Happy Camping1
tshirtman
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
Well its a done deal. The new to us rig will come home in the next two weeks pending a big snow storm. Our old rig has a new home starting this Sunday and wow what a great unit it has been. My wife is sad to loose her first trailer but she will soon be excited on the new family member. We will be gaining 5 feet in length and 2 slides.
Looking forward to the trip to pic her up.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
I must be missing something here :? ... the OP is buying a used trailer, as is, with no warranty but because it's winter he has the option of leaving it at the dealership until spring. What's the concern? As pretty well everywhere most dealerships here in Canada are open year 'round so although business does slow it doesn't stop, with deals such as the OP's being signed all the time. If you've found a rig you like why would you not go ahead with the deal even if it is winter? :h
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
I would wait till spring to buy. Saving money now could cost you next season when you can actually use what you bought.
tshirtman
Explorer
Dec 03, 2015
UPDATE---

Still in negotiations but the last offer from the dealer was "AS IS"
being it is a 2013 it is out of warranty and Jayco will most likely do nothing if it does not work. The dealer said they do a:
Pressure test on the water lines for leaks ,gas line for leaks and turn on all appliances and make sure they work.
Yes I will go there and get it asap as all of your advice makes perfect sense. Would it make sense to hire a independent tech in Idaho to do an inspection for me to see if there are any MAJOR ISSUES? I have 2 very good mobile RV techs here in my area that can do all of the stuff here but want to not get snake bit from afar.
thank you all for your support:)
rbpru
Explorer II
Dec 01, 2015
We picked ours up the week before Christmas. On the walk through everything worked and the unit reeked of the sweet smell of antifreeze.

Our walk through was thorough and we reviewed everything from winterizing and de-winterizing to lighting the oven and changing tires.

They spoke and we listened and took pictures, I asked questions and they explained in whatever detail was necessary. It took a couple hours which gave them time to install the WD hitch.

Once I paid for it, it was my responsibility, so I wanted it in my back yard.

If storage is a problem and it is insured; that maybe another story
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Dec 01, 2015
350 miles? a mornings drive could be back home the next day,go get it.
mbopp
Explorer
Dec 01, 2015
We bought our TT in January. The dealer took a small deposit and held the trailer until we picked it up in April. Since the sale wasn't finalized the warranty started when we picked it up.
There were a few issues I would have taken the TT back to the dealer for, but it wasn't worth the 90-mile one way trip and I fixed them myself.
gbopp
Explorer
Dec 01, 2015
There is no way I would buy a RV, car, truck, etc., and leave it on the dealers lot until the weather got better or any other reason.

After the purchase it is YOUR responsibility.

Too many things can happen while it's sitting on the dealers lot.
Just my opinion. YMMV :)
darsben
Explorer II
Dec 01, 2015
If you listen to any advice about having the dealer warranty the trailer till sometime next year BE SURE IT IS IN WRITING and the sales contract does not say as is where is or some term similar.
Personally I would not buy it now and store it until spring. To many chances for unknown defects to pop up without any recourse to the nice man who sells you the trailer. That nice man will not help you in the spring UNLESS you have it in writing and then he will try to find a loop hole.