Order New or Buy off Lot

[JohnEM38]

Getting ready to buy a new Bighorn fifth wheel. My question is do I order one or buy off the lot? If I order, what options are must haves for snowbirds?

[Ford_Man]

You definitely want the optional G Rated Tires that are an option on the Big Horn.

[hitchup]

After buying 2 off the lot, we now prefer to order ours. Then we are only paying for the options we need and get everything factory installed for the warranty.

Even still, production changes are always made during the time it takes to order one and receive it, so sometimes, we're surprised by the results. Usually pleasantly, because there are some nicer upgrades over the models we've toured on a dealer's lot.

[aarond76]

Any travel trailer on a dealers lot this time a year is likely it was recently at an RV show. How many hundreds of times were people up and down the steps though-out an RV show, and compare that to how many trips you would take with it to equal than much wear and strain on the steps, floor, etc... If I had the time I would prefer to order. Also, anything currently on the dealer lot was probably towed there from Indianna on heavily salted roads. Do you intend to travel in winter weather? Why take the corrosion to the underside. Order now and it will not make it to the dealer until all the winter salt is washed away from the roads.

[Hunter11]

We just ordered a new Heartland Landmark so we could get all the options we wanted for full time living. (Dual pane windows, upgraded suspension and tires, disc brakes, W/D, residential fridge, etc.) If you are going to be living in it full time why not order it the way you want it.

[simsfmly]

No dealer was ever "motivated" to discount an RV that's ordered vs. one that's either on his lot, or at one of their other locations.

Compile your list of must haves (also look at full timers for advice), then take it to a dealer and see what they have available. You'll want to prioritize on what are the deal breakers and don't be afraid to shop around.

For us, the 6 point level system and better grade of tires are the things we didn't get that we would like. The 50 amp cord reel, the ice maker, and the fireplace were all things we didn't think we'd "need", but now that we have them, can't think of doing without them.

Good luck to you, you'll love your new BigHorn!

[shadoow]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
Generally, buying off the lot gives you a better discount? And the dealer can add most amenities that you might desire?

and i heard it the other way; you could get a better deal by ordering supposedly cause a dealer has his own money in getting a trailer on his lot, paying insurance for it, paying something back to the factory as long as he has it, etc. So, he may discount a trailer on the lot to move it, but he has more discount room to deal with on a new order. We did get a trailer cheaper once by ordering new rather than buying off the dealers lot, but that doesn't mean it always works like that...

[JohnEM38]

jlud wrote:
I found I could order a 15 for the same price as a 14 of the model I just ordered...And you can spec it out the exactly how you want it and have it come that way from the factory.

If your in a hurry and are ok with whats there, go for it. If you have some time to wait but know exactly what you want, I would order.

I'm not in a hurry so I appreciate the must have's, tires, suspension, 2nd AC, etc…

What about a W/D?

[larry_barnhart]

I think the best way to get what you want (if you know for sure) is to order.

chevman

[jlud]

I found I could order a 15 for the same price as a 14 of the model I just ordered...And you can spec it out the exactly how you want it and have it come that way from the factory.

If your in a hurry and are ok with whats there, go for it. If you have some time to wait but know exactly what you want, I would order.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Generally, buying off the lot gives you a better discount? And the dealer can add most amenities that you might desire?

[rich_and_char]

2nd bedroom ac , thermopane windows , 6-point hydrolic level up system ect.

[aruba5er]

If available better tires (LT"S) Mor Ryde suspension and above all disc brakes. Everything else is just Glitz.