How far would you drive for new TT?

I drove from Charlotte to just north of Atlanta (about 4 hours one way) to save $9000. The local Wildwood dealer started at MSRP and then added "extra" charges from there (like a document preparation fee among others). I suggested to him that other dealers were selling the exact same unit for much less. His response - Well, they'll nickel and dime you to death, you'll pay for a spare tire, battery, propane, etc, etc. Also, the guy just oozed "shady used car salesman." So I walked out and he didn't even really seem to care.

Found the exact same model via an Internet search just outside Atlanta. One phone call and I immediately knew this dealership would be the exact opposite experience. Salesperson was awesome, very knowledgable, not at all pushy, offered me a price $9000 below MSRP, no fees at all, and yes, it included a spare tire, battery, and propane! So yes, very, very worth it! Frankly I wouldn't have bought from the first guy if he had matched the price.

West TN to Lakeview, OH on 2 trailers. Saved over $4000, after travel costs, on the first and even more on the second. Around 600 miles (??) each way. Simple....figure how many miles, whatever mileage you get GOING only - you'll be happy with 10 mpg on the return trip, I always estimate on the high side for the per gallon price. What'll food cost you will you have and do you have motel? Add it all up and there is what it'll cost you. Strongly suggest you find a nearby campground for the first night to give everything a good look. If you find anything amiss, you're still closeby and can get it fixed before you head home. Turn it into a little vacation with a really big souvenir. That's assuming you have the time. If you don't have the time, it just may not work for you.

There is a post somewhere on here recently from a driver who hauls trailers, etc and he gave the current info on what they're paid, fuel and so on. It was actually more than I'd have thought for delivery. If one dealer tells you he's paying $X for delivery and the guy down the street is paying a bunch more, somebody isn't quite accurate. Suggest you try to find his post to get numbers so you can come close to what delivery should be.

Also strongly suggest you do not have the trailer delivered to you. The driver delivers only....no PDI, no questions answered, no demo...just delivery.

Agree with randallb on the T & L. RVW charged us something like $15 for a 30 day temp Ohio tag to get home on. Then when we registered here in TN we paid the taxes and license fee.

If the deal will save a considerable amount over the costs of making the trip, then I will be on the road.

I drove from Arizona to Indiana for our first TT (Sunset Trail) to save $10,000 over what the dealer out here wanted and we got the features and interior colors that we wanted. Last year we drove from Arizona to Utah to pick up a new TT (Outdoors Rv) and saved about the same on this trailer. When it money in my pocket,whats not to like, plus you get to see some beautiful country along the way

It is a simple math problem. What is the hourly value of your time multiplied by the round trip hours + fuel costs + room and board. If you can save more than the total of the math problem then the out of state purchase is a no brainer. Remember that the out of state dealer might not be quoting you tax and license while your in state dealer most likely is quoting T&L. Make sure because this can be a big chunk of the purchase price depending on your state.
Randy

korbe wrote:
I'd drive where ever I needed to if the price made the trip financially worth it. And make the return trip a campin' trip. Perfect

That's exactly what we have done in the past and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Some people are debating about traveling several hundred miles. Our combined purchase/camping trip was 2100 miles away! Of course, I had just retired so time wasn't an issue.

My situation was a little different. Living in Alaska we have limited choices for new RV's and TT. The local dealer wanted the sky and the moon for the TT we wanted. So with the help of the internet we found what we wanted in the Seattle area for $15500 LESS than buying local. I like to buy local as much as possible but thats a huge chunk of change. It cost about $4000 to barge up here and a 250 mile round trip to go pick it up at the dock. Well worth it IMHO.

Save time and money. I had our TT delivered from Indiana to Texas for less than $850. Do a search for transport bidding sites. Post your rv, and the bids will pour in. Then you start negociating, checking credentials and insurance. In two days I had the TT in my driveway in San Antonio safe and sound.

From near Moose Jaw Saskatchewan to Fargo ND. Back when Canadian money was worth a little more that the American dinero. :B Around a 1200 mile round trip, but saved a whack of cash.

[COLOR=]Here is a link to what I didto bring my present TT home.
Long distance TT purchase