Trading in a Canadian RV to US RV dealer

I traded my Canadian bought and registered 5er on a new 5er in Florida. Worked perfectly without a hitch (well, there was a HITCH but you know what I mean), Saved a LOT of money too :)

Seems to me that most of the issues you experienced are due to your own fault.

Tequila wrote:


I bought my RV in the US, no trade in. A big mistake. You may think you're saving money but you are probably not. Here is what happened to me.If you are smart you will pay attention.

1) Bought RV, an aggressive salesman worked on me for 4 hours.

2) Drove down to pick up later (Costs there with fuel were more than expected). Trading in was too complex so I had to take old RV home first. I got $4k more than they were willing to give me on trade anyway. And this was whose problem?

3) Arrived and they informed me I had to pay state sales tax (in addition to Canadian taxes)which they did not mention when I bought it. Unless I took delivery in Nevada, 400 miles away. They never mentioned it when I signed. I assumed because i was taking it to Canada there would be none. Trouble was their transport guy was on holidays, I was not allowed to move it myself, so I had to stay for a week in a Motel (more expense) until he came back. That's called "due diligence". You should have known that when you agreed to buy, rather than "assume" anything.

4) Took delivery found they had not done a PDI (But charged). 3 items broken, too far to go back, I went home via manufacturer instead which was easier. They were only a short detour. A PDI is done WITH the purchaser. Why did you not do this during the week that you say you had to wait for the transport driver?

5) Dealer did not have title despite the fact they had a month to get it. I managed to get it across the border, but had to put storage insurance (more expense) on it for weeks until it arrived by mail and i was able to license it. I had to cancel a planned trip in it. See #3, same answer.

6) Had to pay for temporary license to get it to Canada. See #3. Same answer.

7) They botched the installation of a solar panel & slide awning (installed it so it was rubbing, now it is tearing), now I am 1000 mile away. See #4, same answer.

8) They installed a grab handle crooked. Also too far to drive back, I manage dot fill the hole and re-drill so its not visible. See #4, same answer.

9) The local dealer is not so anxious to help me since I did not buy from him, but he is better about it than may be expected. I hope he is reading this.

It could be a problem if is is a truck camper that is in BC. They are not registered here, but are in lots of parts in the US they are. Also you are in BC, you do not have the tile to your RV, ICBC does. That can also cause issues.

I bought my RV in the US, no trade in. A big mistake. You may think you're saving money but you are probably not. Here is what happened to me.If you are smart you will pay attention.

1) Bought RV, an aggressive salesman worked on me for 4 hours.

2) Drove down to pick up later (Costs there with fuel were more than expected). Trading in was too complex so I had to take old RV home first. I got $4k more than they were willing to give me on trade anyway.

3) Arrived and they informed me I had to pay state sales tax (in addition to Canadian taxes)which they did not mention when I bought it. Unless I took delivery in Nevada, 400 miles away. They never mentioned it when I signed. I assumed because i was taking it to Canada there would be none. Trouble was their transport guy was on holidays, I was not allowed to move it myself, so I had to stay for a week in a Motel (more expense) until he came back.

4) Took delivery found they had not done a PDI (But charged). 3 items broken, too far to go back, I went home via manufacturer instead which was easier. They were only a short detour.

5) Dealer did not have title despite the fact they had a month to get it. I managed to get it across the border, but had to put storage insurance (more expense) on it for weeks until it arrived by mail and i was able to license it. I had to cancel a planned trip in it.

6) Had to pay for temporary license to get it to Canada.

7) They botched the installation of a solar panel & slide awning (installed it so it was rubbing, now it is tearing), now I am 1000 mile away

8) They installed a grab handle crooked. Also too far to drive back, I manage dot fill the hole and re-drill so its not visible.

9) The local dealer is not so anxious to help me since I did not buy from him, but he is better about it than may be expected. I hope he is reading this.

All in all I broke even if I am lucky and went through a lot of headaches. I cannot fix the awning myself, fortunately I will be driving past that dealer in the Fall and with a lot of hassles they have agreed to fix it. It would have been so much easier to deal with locally.

Don't ask who I bought it off, I have just got them to agree to warranty the awning & I do not want to jeopardize that by trashing them online. However dealers know they are not as accountable when you can't simply show up on their doorstep.

My advice, buy in Canada. My dad always said, "Its the cheapskate who ends up paying the most". He was right, I should have listened to him. So should you.

BTW one bit of satisfaction, they had to pay about $800 to process my Canadian check on an American bank. They tried to charge that back to me. I refused, told them if they sold so many units to happy Canadians with no hassles as the salesman informed me in his sales pitch, then they should have known.

Go to Vancouver, but not further to buy.

It can be done but be aware that you will have to pay full GST and PST on the full price of the new vehicle. If it is a motorhome there are some hurdles in order to "sell" your old unit. Some dealers in snowbird areas know all the ins and outs.

gailbercar wrote:
Our RV wheel is registered in Canada, has anyone traded in their RV for a newer one while wintering in the USA when a deal became available?? Just wondering the process?

Are you talking motorhome or trailer/fiver.
Huge difference in the legislative hurdles to clear.