After finding a decent deal on internet...I'm looking at driving 750 miles(one way) to pick up the new camper...either that or they deliver it for $1500. Although my time is valuable and the thought of driving 1500 miles doesn't sound like much fun...this will be a new type of camper to us and I think I would like the dealer to go over the ins/outs with me. Saving an extra $900 would just be a bonus. Have very many of you decided to drive long distance for your new camper or just have them deliver?

After finding a decent deal on internet...I'm looking at driving 750 miles(one way) to pick up the new camper...either that or they deliver it for $1500. Although my time is valuable and the thought of driving 1500 miles doesn't sound like much fun...this will be a new type of camper to us and I think I would like the dealer to go over the ins/outs with me. Saving an extra $900 would just be a bonus. Have very many of you decided to drive long distance for your new camper or just have them deliver? I would never buy an RV sight unseen. There may very well be things you want fixed prior to taking delivery. If they deliver the trailer using a delivery service and there are some things you want fixed, you are on your own 750 miles from the dealer.

I agree with above poster. May be a few things that need fixing at the dealership. I think a good PDI is necessary. Good luck with your new rig.

I would go get it and make a vacation out of the trip.

sandhills wrote:Have very many of you decided to drive long distance for your new camper or just have them deliver?I drove to pick up mine. That way I can camp nearby for a day or two (shakedown) and if there are any problems the selling dealer is right close by. Not all problems show up in the PDI. For that reason I will not have delivered any RV I buy from an out of town dealer, especially one that far away. My time is valuable also but it is better invested this way than running after service people when something goes wrong.

Can you drive 1500 miles for $900. I don't think your saving anything. I would have bought local for $900 more. Now if your making a vacation out of it then maybe. This is going to take 3 days of your life for a couple of buck.

Long drive for new TT!! | Good Sam Community

Speedogomer
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
If the unit you're buying is from a major manufacturer, anda local dealership refuses to do warranty work... Call that company and ccomplain . There's nothing a company hates more than bad business from one of their representatives. They're trying to keep you in their family of RV's, a company like Keystone or Forest River would come down hard on one of their dealers refusing service to their customer.

I don't doubt it happens often, but I've talked to my local dealers, and they've told me that have no problem whatsoever getting me in for service. I'm traveling 120 miles one way this week to get my new TT.
Unyalli
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
I bought my first two rigs from RV Wholesalers a 1250 mile round trip for me. Loved it. Got to spend time with the new rig on the way back and essentially got paid to do it. My current rig was bought 800 miles away from a regular dealer not a wholesaler for $10,000 less. I tried to give my local dealer the business but he would not budge. Local dealer has replaced the stupid cougar touch panel with out argument.

-Jeff
TheGrinch
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
bucky wrote:
Sometimes a man just needs a road trip adventure. :)

While I agree with Bucky to a point, an investment this large is not one I want to make into an adventure.
When I was looking to step up from our '08 Roo 23SS, I checked internet dealers as well as dealers within 90 miles of home. I found a dealer north of Hagerstown, MD who gave me a great price. When I talked to the internet dealers, I told them they would have to make it worth my while to drive the 6+ hrs to their location. Best price? Same price as the dealer north of Hagerstown. Plus, I had already dealt with them on some service for the Roo, so their reputation as far as I was concerned was good.
IMHO, spend the extra $$$ and stay close to home. Build the relationship with the local dealer. It may pay dividends in the long run.
Larry
bucky
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2014
Sometimes a man just needs a road trip adventure. :)
Lantley
Nomad
Mar 16, 2014
gmw photos wrote:
I decided before I bought this camper that I would deal with whatever issues it might have by myself. I would rather fix it myself, in my own driveway or shop, knowing it it will be done right. If the factory can't get it right when they build it, and the dealer can't seem to take the time to make sure it's right before it's delivered, I'm not holding out a great deal of hope they will get it right when given yet another chance. Local or not.
Let's face it, these travel trailers are in fact rather crude and simple devices. Which makes it possible, even fun to work on ourselves. As I often say about this whole RV experience: some assembly required.
It's good to have a pair of pliers, some chewing gum and balin' war.....we can fix it..... :)

I agree with your theory for the most part, but there are sometimes major issues that require factory service.
When it comes to delamination or major leaks on a newer unit I believe you can reach a point where the unit needs to be shipped back to the factory in order to be fix properly.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
I decided before I bought this camper that I would deal with whatever issues it might have by myself. I would rather fix it myself, in my own driveway or shop, knowing it it will be done right. If the factory can't get it right when they build it, and the dealer can't seem to take the time to make sure it's right before it's delivered, I'm not holding out a great deal of hope they will get it right when given yet another chance. Local or not.
Let's face it, these travel trailers are in fact rather crude and simple devices. Which makes it possible, even fun to work on ourselves. As I often say about this whole RV experience: some assembly required.
It's good to have a pair of pliers, some chewing gum and balin' war.....we can fix it..... :)
Go_Dogs
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
Huntindog wrote:
Go Dogs wrote:
I have learned the hard way to only buy from a dealer that I am willing to make multiple return trips to. I have bought 3 different brands of RVs, and ALWAYS found multiple problems on the PDI. The last TT had broken components that had to be ordered/installed later.
Also, the closest RV service center has stopped inspecting units that they haven't sold. It pays to have a very good/familiar relationship with a local dealer.
If your finhging so many items that need fixing on the PDIs,,, it means that the dealer isn't doing much prepping until you arrive.
That is IMO POOR service.

I believe most of the problems originated from the factory-the dealer's don't have time to make a silk purse from a sow's ear. I would much rather work out these problems with a local dealer. Lot's of problems aren't apparent until you get home, or get to the campground. Imagine a nice 1500 mile trip back to the dealer that you bought it from?
Huntindog
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Go Dogs wrote:
I have learned the hard way to only buy from a dealer that I am willing to make multiple return trips to. I have bought 3 different brands of RVs, and ALWAYS found multiple problems on the PDI. The last TT had broken components that had to be ordered/installed later.
Also, the closest RV service center has stopped inspecting units that they haven't sold. It pays to have a very good/familiar relationship with a local dealer.
If your finhging so many items that need fixing on the PDIs,,, it means that the dealer isn't doing much prepping until you arrive.
That is IMO POOR service.
RamRider
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Sounds like a great adventure. Have a good trip and enjoy the trip back to Nebraska

GBR!
wmoses
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Lantley wrote:
While I imagine there maybe some spite involved the local dealer can research, when and where the RV was purchased, as well as where the owner resides.

You better believe there is spite involved. Spite and small-mindedness.

The fact of the matter is they would have an actual flesh and blood customer in their service shop who is willing to spend money at their establishment to get their trailer fixed, and for the same cost as the customer who bought the trailer from them. Money is money. As a matter of fact, if they did a good job in the service department and the customer is super pleased, guess what? When time comes for that customer to buy a new trailer he will most likely come back to the local dealership, even if the price is only slightly better at the remote dealership, all extra costs factored in. Why? Because he knows that he will get good service.

Taking car dealerships as an example - they don't have this backward attitude and as a result they actually get repeat business based on their service department's performance. It is the service department that causes the repeat business. My Audi is a good example. I bought this old car at a Hyundai dealership down the road from the Audi dealership but I keep going back to the Audi dealership for service even though I know their prices are a joke. Why? The they fix it right and the service is superb. They fall over themselves to treat me like a king. Even give me a brand new service loaner many models higher than my A4 when needed. And they never asked where I bought the car.

So, for me any dealership that brings this cr*ppy philosophy to me will lose my business forever, no matter if they have the perfect floorplan. Principle is principle. On the other hand, treat me right in the service department and I am your repeat customer.

BTW - sorry if I am somewhat intense on this but truth be told when it comes to this hobby of ours, this is one of the aspects I despise.