Going to buy an Open Range

[crochetdiva]

So we know which Open Range we are getting. We have already named it Squeaky. However the brick wall I have run right into is how to not get taken advantage of by the RV dealership. What questions do I need to ask? Neither my husband or I have ever bought an RV before.

[retispcsi]

The first thing is to make sure your tow veh. If you have one can safely handle the weight. Not just the tow weight but the pin weight. Also the weight listed on the rig is "dry" which basically means empty. When you load it up it will may more. Sales folks many times will tell you that your TW is ok. Most of them don't even rv. They were selling washing machines last week. Then go to the web page or OR and build your trailer and you will have a base line for MSRP. Shop it around. You will be surprised at the price differences. The part about other dealers not wanting to service you unit if you did not buy from them is true sometimes. Sometimes the dealer you buy from you don't want them to touch it. Ask OR what is their policy about mobile repair services. As full timers that who we use. I have ordered my last two fivers to my specs and have shopped the price around the country. Although I am only 90 miles right now from my purchase dealer, I won't use them for service. Remember you are buying a rv because you want to. It is not a need based purchase. Approach the deal with you in charge. If a dealer does not meet you needs walk. There are a lot of them out there. Good luck.

[PenMan]

Dog Folks wrote:

dfm wrote:
"" OR is now owned by Jayco and things are changing....and not all for the better. """



What facts do you base this statement on????

I'm guessing he has no facts, just a dislike for Jayco.

I agree. We spent a lot of time deciding on our new trailer and ended up with the Open Range in our sig. Our second choice (a close second) was a Jayco. Both are great trailers.

[Dog_Folks]

dfm wrote:
"" OR is now owned by Jayco and things are changing....and not all for the better. """



What facts do you base this statement on????

I'm guessing he has no facts, just a dislike for Jayco.

[Robin1953]

laknox wrote:
MSRP is a number that the dealer usually pulls out of his nether regions. I've seen "MSRP"s for virtually identical units several thousand $$ apart, and that's what they are "dealing" on. A general rule of thumb seems to be that you should be able to get about 30% off the MSRP on almost any unit. Don't be afraid to shop around at out-of-town or out-of-state dealers and see if your local dealer will price-match or come close enough to keep you from going out of state/town. Lyle

You can go to the OR website and construct an OR with the desired options and get a MRSP right from their web site. Jayco is another manufacturer that does this. If you are buying a 2015 off the lot you can get the MSRP from the OR site by picking the Model/options that are on the unit you are looking at. If you are buying used try NADA site for a rough idea. HTH.

[laknox]

crochetdiva wrote:
So we know which Open Range we are getting. We have already named it Squeaky. However the brick wall I have run right into is how to not get taken advantage of by the RV dealership. What questions do I need to ask? Neither my husband or I have ever bought an RV before.

First, do not believe what the salesman tells you about "towing capacity" of your truck. With a fifth wheel, it's not about how much you can tow, it's how much you can CARRY. Never forget that your truck is carrying as much as 25% of the total weight of the FW in its bed. You also have to remember that the truck is also carrying =you=, fuel, the hitch and any "stuff" you want in the truck. All that has to be figured into the payload of your truck. Rule of thumb is to choose the FW first, then buy the truck to match it. If you find that the truck you need is simply too big, then lower your sights on the FW to something smaller.

Don't get bamboozled into buying extended warranties, upholstery treatments, exterior treatments and other add-ons. Most are just a waste of money.

MSRP is a number that the dealer usually pulls out of his nether regions. I've seen "MSRP"s for virtually identical units several thousand $$ apart, and that's what they are "dealing" on. A general rule of thumb seems to be that you should be able to get about 30% off the MSRP on almost any unit. Don't be afraid to shop around at out-of-town or out-of-state dealers and see if your local dealer will price-match or come close enough to keep you from going out of state/town.

In general, if you do buy out-of-town, your local dealer(s) will likely put you at the bottom of their service list if/when you need service. The real a-hole dealers won't even service your rig at all, simply because you didn't buy from them. Most manufactures (I don't know about OR, so you might want to ask them directly) seem to be willing to work with certified local independent service providers if the local dealer won't work with them.

If the dealer wants to install your hitch, shop the price around a bit, as you can usually find you can have it done much cheaper at a dedicated hitch shop.

NEVER be afraid to ask questions here, even if you think they're trivial. The only dumb questions are the ones that don't get asked. You can bet that someone here has experienced exactly what you're asking about at some point in time. 🙂

Lyle

[guidry]

I recently (after Jayco/heartland) had contact with OR and they were extremely helpful with my tires issue! I can't say enough about OR/Jayco, very pleased.

[goducks10]

dfm wrote:
"" OR is now owned by Jayco and things are changing....and not all for the better. """



What facts do you base this statement on????

I was wondering the same thing.

[dfm]

"" OR is now owned by Jayco and things are changing....and not all for the better. """



What facts do you base this statement on????

[guidry]

A good way to not get taken is to contact Genuine RV in Nacogdoches Texas. Great people with listed lowest prices. We were impressed with how easy they were to deal with and how honest they were. They held my OR for 3 months til I could travel to look at it and refused to accept my offer for a deposit. I asked about additional equipment they suggested waiting to see if I really needed it. I didn't and was happy they wouldn't recommend wasting my money. I'm not affiliated with them, just impressed with a great company. Your research should include their website and phone calls. Good luck!

[Dog_Folks]

spadoctor wrote:
FYI in case you didn't know...OR is now owned by Jayco and things are changing....and not all for the better.

Jayco claims they are going to let OR "stand alone." We shall see.

[Dog_Folks]

I am getting ready to purchase an Open Range myself. If you have questions about the unit, don't hesitate to ask Open Range directly.

They answered my questions promptly, completely, and with professionalism.

Excellent factory support EFORE the sale.

Open Range Contact

[spadoctor]

FYI in case you didn't know...OR is now owned by Jayco and things are changing....and not all for the better.

[amandasgramma]

Congrats on the decision. We bought a 2010 337RLS in Oct. It had only been used 2 weeks in the 4 yrs.....and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!!! I agree with Mrbunzo....go to the forum and see what they have to say. 🙂 As for not getting "taken" by a dealer. As with buying ANYTHING, find out MSRP.....and go from there. Do a Google Search for Open RANGE RV for sale....Craigslist, RVtrader had some when we were looking.....you'll see prices all over the place.....It'll give YOU an idea what to expect in pricing.

[mrbunzo]

I would suggest that you go to openrangeowners.com" with your questions.

It's a non-affiliated with the manufacturer site; with nice people that will be fairly objective and open with the good and not so good points of the units you'r looking at.

Hope that helps, and remember; If it works as expected, nobody says a word.