Hi all, first time poster. We are new to RV-ing and beginning our search for a small TT. We went to the RV show in Louisville this past January and saw a Freedom Express 192RBS that we liked. So we're looking along those lines. I've been doing a ton of research since then (I'm now in info-overload!!), and I also like some of the Western-states brands (most particularly Nash and Outdoors RV) because of their true 4-season features and heavy duty construction.How impractical is it to decide on, say, a Nash when we don't have a dealer anywhere hereabouts? Is this an insurmountable problem with warranty work (which hopefully we won't have...), etc.? I wouldn't mind to take a trip out there to pick it up, but what if the unit we select has "issues"? Anyone work through that?BTW, our TV is a diesel truck that usually pulls our horse trailer.Thanks for any info, and I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.

It's not an insurmountable in my opinion. It might require a bit more legwork for warranty work, but generally I believe most manufacturers will allow mobile RV technicians to perform warranty work with pre-approval.I'd recommend calling any manufacturer you plan to buy from and ask them what their warranty will cover in your scenario. I'm guessing most of them will be willing to work with you to find satisfactory warranty service in your AO.

Here's a couple suggestions. Call the manufacturer and ask for a list of certified repair shops where their warranties are honored. Or call the available dealerships in your area and see if they are set up to do warranty work for a third party vendor. Then ONLY YOU will be able to determine the risks and costs if you find yourself in that situation later...how far you may need to drive. FYI, most dealers will do repairs for bands they do not sell, as long as you pay the bill or insurance will.

Buy the best trailer and don't put much value in the warranty. If you can't do the repairs, a mobile tech is usually the best anyway. The mobile guy has to know what he is doing to survive as an independent business.

Fromwhst I have read recently Northwood is willing to work with any service shop should you need warrenty repairs. BTW Northwood has an excellent reputation for decent quality products.Thunder RV in Lagrande,OR is the closest dealer to the factory, good inventory and decent prices.

RV's are pretty much the same under the skin so any tech will be able to fix any RV. Finding a good tech or service center, now that's another matter. You might even try fixing minor things yourself as RV's aren't rocket science. I fixed lots of things on my Voltage that many would have taken back to the dealer to fix. I've learned alot about my Voltage in the process and have found it's not really complicated. If you are handy around your house, you should be able to handle an RV.

Buying TT outside of dealer region | Good Sam Community

rosspulliam
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
It's not an insurmountable in my opinion. It might require a bit more legwork for warranty work, but generally I believe most manufacturers will allow mobile RV technicians to perform warranty work with pre-approval.

I'd recommend calling any manufacturer you plan to buy from and ask them what their warranty will cover in your scenario. I'm guessing most of them will be willing to work with you to find satisfactory warranty service in your AO.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
Here's a couple suggestions. Call the manufacturer and ask for a list of certified repair shops where their warranties are honored. Or call the available dealerships in your area and see if they are set up to do warranty work for a third party vendor. Then ONLY YOU will be able to determine the risks and costs if you find yourself in that situation later...how far you may need to drive. FYI, most dealers will do repairs for bands they do not sell, as long as you pay the bill or insurance will.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
Buy the best trailer and don't put much value in the warranty. If you can't do the repairs, a mobile tech is usually the best anyway. The mobile guy has to know what he is doing to survive as an independent business.
donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 25, 2015
Fromwhst I have read recently Northwood is willing to work with any service shop should you need warrenty repairs. BTW Northwood has an excellent reputation for decent quality products.
Thunder RV in Lagrande,OR is the closest dealer to the factory, good inventory and decent prices.
azdryheat
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
RV's are pretty much the same under the skin so any tech will be able to fix any RV. Finding a good tech or service center, now that's another matter. You might even try fixing minor things yourself as RV's aren't rocket science. I fixed lots of things on my Voltage that many would have taken back to the dealer to fix. I've learned alot about my Voltage in the process and have found it's not really complicated. If you are handy around your house, you should be able to handle an RV.
hohenwald48
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
I do all my repairs myself so the trailer warranty doesn't do me a lot of good anyway. I've found that most repairs can be accomplished by me in my drive a lot faster and easier than hooking up, dragging it to a dealer, waiting a week and then having to go pick it up.

I have had no problems getting warranty repair parts from the trailer manufacturer or from 3rd party suppliers who provided components to the manufacturer. I've also had good luck getting technical support from manufacturer, supplier and the internet.

So, for me I wouldn't give it a second thought. For those who are less able to do their own work it might be an issue.
Ginger40324
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
Thank you all for your very helpful advice. We have a farm, so we are forever fixing things. An RV doesn't seem like it could be too complicated. A quick search suggests that the closest/safest non-dealer repair site is likely Elkhart, Indiana, so barring disaster, we'll probably be doing most of the repairs ourselves.

This is great to know, I'm really looking forward to a drive out west someday! But then we're also planning to go to the Indy RV expo, so maybe we'll find something closer to home. DH would probably appreciate that. :)
SoundGuy
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
Ginger40324 wrote:
Hi all, first time poster. We are new to RV-ing and beginning our search for a small TT. We went to the RV show in Louisville this past January and saw a Freedom Express 192RBS that we liked. So we're looking along those lines.

BTW, our TV is a diesel truck that usually pulls our horse trailer.

We downsized a couple of years ago to a Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS ... pics are in my gallery if you're interested. It tows fine behind our 1/2 ton Avalanche but since you have a diesel truck capable of pulling a horse trailer I'd wonder if you wouldn't want to go with just a bit longer trailer that affords more interior space, an example in the Coachmen lineup being the Coachmen Apex 239RBS. It's essentially the same floor plan as the 192RBS but the longer length allows the fridge to be located along the street side of the trailer, which in turn means the manufacturer could provide a much larger bathroom with a full size neo angle shower. The end of the kitchen galley is also designed to be used as a breakfast bar, handier than sitting on the sofa as we do when eating inside rather than outside.
Heap64
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015
Three years ago we were doing our research to purchase our first travel trailer. We settled on an Arctic Fox and ordered one sight unseen from Thunder RV just up the road from the factory. Our purchase went very well and I was assured if needed Northwood would approve a local dealer to repair anything. We saved a lot of money by purchasing close to the factory to save freight. We stayed the first night on their lot and another week seeing the Oregon coast. We knew if needed we could always swing by to have anything small fixed. But everything was great and we have had no issues with our trailer. It was a great way to get to see some of the West Coast. We are from Illinois so it was a long drive, but someday we will probably step up to the 5th wheel and will gladly do it again.
Ginger40324
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
SoundGuy, thanks for the recommendation. We'll hope to see one at the RV show this winter and check it out.

Heap64, that sounds like the perfect scenario. I was really hoping someone would chime in with such an experience. Thank you.