Finding a dealer with a model you want

[Pineapple_Kid]

I am interested in buying a new Fifth wheel, I have several models I would like to look at before I get serious.

Is their an easy way to find out what dealers have them and where these models are at so I can actually see them ?

I am about ready to go on my Cross country trip and back and I could stop and have a look at these models almost anywhere in the USA then when I get back to California I could order the one I choose to buy
to pick up from a dealer close to Santa Cruz, California that sold that companies trailers.

I am not positive what I want so I don't want to list Makes and models here now.

( 9 more days on the rock ( Kauai ) then mainland time )

Aloha Leon

[Jerry_and_Glori]

On rvtrader.com you can plug in Make,Model&Year and check for the hole U.S for any unit that you think you like.

[mileshuff]

I used google to search for model number of trailer I wanted and the city name. Tried numerous different cities within the distance I was willing to travel. The searches found dealerships that had that model listed. I then looked at each dealers website to confirm and then called for more info. I eventually found the trailer I was looking for about 300 miles from home. Did all negotiating over the phone and emails. Made a nice weekend vacation trip to pick it up.

[AUWing]

Google can be your friend. Enter the model number and look for dealers within driving range.

[ependydad]

jamway wrote:
I just e-mailed the company that made our trailer and asked where a trailer model we wanted was near us. It took a few days and they sent me an e-mail with a dealer about 100 miles from us.

I had luck with this, as well.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

laknox wrote:

2hams wrote:
You can also try the dealer locator on most manufacturers web sites. Then check the dealer website to see what they have in stock.

Agree with Langley that RV shows are a good way to see a lot of brands. You can search the net to find shows.

The problem with this, and a pet peeve of mine, is that they will only show dealers within about 200-250 miles. No dealers for that brand, nothing shows up. NOW you have to start playing around with different towns and/or zip codes to find dealers. The mfrs refuse to make it easy to comparison shop, then push "buy local". How can we buy local when we can't find what we want locally? Can we also talk about obsolete dealer lists?

Lyle

If you know what you want - and are willing to order - you can find lots of dealers (and "deals") across the USA.

The internet *is* your friend.

Plenty of "local" dealers that were close to me in CA, but I bought in Montana.
Everything to do with price - nothing to do with CA sales tax.
Would do it again in a heartbeat.

If you wish to buy something from dealer stock - the mfgr listing might help (if it was regularly updated) but that means you are now in the "negotiating pool" of potential buyers...:(

YMMV

~

[laknox]

2hams wrote:
You can also try the dealer locator on most manufacturers web sites. Then check the dealer website to see what they have in stock.

Agree with Langley that RV shows are a good way to see a lot of brands. You can search the net to find shows.

The problem with this, and a pet peeve of mine, is that they will only show dealers within about 200-250 miles. No dealers for that brand, nothing shows up. NOW you have to start playing around with different towns and/or zip codes to find dealers. The mfrs refuse to make it easy to comparison shop, then push "buy local". How can we buy local when we can't find what we want locally? Can we also talk about obsolete dealer lists?

Lyle

[ol_Bombero-JC]

You need to have at least a basic idea of the brand/s you want.
Sounds like you do, so start visiting dealers where you will be traveling.

The "problem" is - the model/s (of any brand) you might want to see are always *For Sale* on a dealer lot.

Depending on demand -and dealer's inventory- the one/s you want to see, may be there one day gone the next.

Also, a dealer may not carry the brand you would like to see.

IMO - besides visiting dealers, Google: "RV shows" - and try to attend as many as you can during your mainland travels.


~

[RollandB]

Back in the late 90's when the VW New Beetle was a hot ticket and many dealers selling them above MSRP I know of many who would send an email to the dealerships with all the dealerships emails showing for their initial email. It worked well to get a better price when the dealers saw who they were competing with.

[jamway]

I just e-mailed the company that made our trailer and asked where a trailer model we wanted was near us. It took a few days and they sent me an e-mail with a dealer about 100 miles from us.

[2hams]

You can also try the dealer locator on most manufacturers web sites. Then check the dealer website to see what they have in stock.

Agree with Langley that RV shows are a good way to see a lot of brands. You can search the net to find shows.

[Lantley]

While tracking units down at dealers is one way to see them, it is very hit or miss. Attending a large RV show such as Hershey, PA or Tampa is a better way. I'm not familiar with the other big RV shows around the country ,but I'm sure there are other large shows you could attend.

[mwool]

I have also used Bing for similar things.

[Campinfan]

I recently bought a new fiver. I put the type of rig I wanted into Bing and it showed some dealers that had it. I then went to their websites and then called them.