Where to purchase everything in Texas

[Mik68]

Hi there, We will be landing in Dallas Texas in end of March 2014 & will be purchasing a tow vehicle Probably 2nd hand 2011 or 2012 Dodge Ram Megacab, Turbo diesel. And a Fifth wheeler ( I know this will depend on which brand) but in general who has had a really good experience & have been fully supported by a dealer in & around Texas, it doesn't have to be in Dallas, I am willing to travel a little. We will also need to fully set up this rig from pots & pans (probably Walmart ey?) to tow hitch & what ever else is needed, if anything? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[patperry2766]

Sounds like a plan. If there's any more local information that I can assist you with, just drop me a line.

[Mik68]

Thanks for the info Patperry, I am slowly getting through all the links. Especially handy is the vehicleprebuyinspection site. This is something I was hoping was around. I plan to get a local address through Escapees. But thanks for the offer. I also have an Aussie cousin working in Houston at the moment as a back up. Cheers! Mik

[patperry2766]

This should cover most of the major retailers in the DFW area. There is also http://www.rvtrader.com/ that would cover alot of the used market as well. YOu could/should contact one of the inspection services or maybe strike a deal with a independent repain man/facility to see if they offer inspection services.

There is a Camping World in Burleson TX and Denton TX, but I think Amazon has better prices. Since you dont have a local address, you could always contact a place that has storage units to see if they would rent you a space and allow shipments to be made to their facility. If their unable to do that, and if you're willing to rent a storage unit in the town where I live (Saginaw TX) I would let you have the items shipped to my address and I would put them in the storage unit. Something to think about as a way to save money.


United RV

RV Max

Fun Town RV

Holiday World

Explore USA

McClain's RV

Nichols RV

Vogt RV

Kennedale Campers

Vehicle Inspection Services:

http://www.vehicleprebuyinspectionservice.com/

Blue Moon RV

[Kirk]

We have some really good friends who are from Australia and they purchased their motorhome from Motorhome Specialists south of Dallas. Another dealer with an excellent reputation for helping international visitors who wish to purchase an RV to travel in is PPL Motorhomes in Houston, TX.

[Mik68]

cherrykiss3 wrote:
There is also Shady Pines RV in Texarkana TX which is 2 1/2 hours east of Dallas. They will work with you over the phone. That is how I bought my 5er from them. Paula is the person you need to talk too.

I should be in Texarkana in March when you plan on coming over here. If you need help with anything let me know and I will do what I can to help you.

Cherry

That is very kind of you Cherry thank you. We will look them up & see what they have on offer.

[cherrykiss3]

There is also Shady Pines RV in Texarkana TX which is 2 1/2 hours east of Dallas. They will work with you over the phone. That is how I bought my 5er from them. Paula is the person you need to talk too.

I should be in Texarkana in March when you plan on coming over here. If you need help with anything let me know and I will do what I can to help you.

Cherry

[Mik68]

sayoung wrote:
Howdy,welcome to Texas.
A really good dealer is Hayes RV in Longview,Tx.Thats a little over 2 hrs drive east of DFW/MetroPlex on I20.we dont think in miles here in Tx,time is the understood measure.its further from the east side of Tx to El Paso than El Paso to LA
Look at RVtrader on line and you might find a complete rig ,fithwheel & truck combo,.Sam's Club,Costco,Walmart, you can pickup ALL the required items.

Thanks for that. We have looked around for a full set up but haven't found the right one yet.

[Mik68]

road2002runner wrote:
OK - sorry - you have taken every thing I said exactly opposit that it was ment.

I truly wish you no bad luck and hope you have a terrific time.

Over and out.

bbt

Thanks, yeah I got home late last night & read it negatively. I didn't know how else to take it actually. As daunting as it is & sounds we are looking forward to all the challenges & hurdles we will encounter. Its all part of the experience & adventure. I will be concerned if it runs too smoothly,;) but hope it does.

[Mik68]

sdetweil wrote:
Mik,

do you have anyone here that can help gather the essentials before you arrive? (pots, pans, silverware, sheets, ...) Don't know if that is useful. my DW would like to be actively involved in their selection.
just thinking of how to reduce the big startup workload.

I'm in awe of your plan. In the 90's, when I worked for IBM, I had a chance at a 2 yr assignment in Sydney, but prior marriage kid school impact of 1/2 yr off schedule deterred me. Looking back it would have been a heck of an experience for all.

Sam

I forgot to mention that I did have 3 wonderful (work!) trips to your country, but never made it to Perth. My wife was able to join me on one.

My wife is the same, she is really excited and looking forward to this process as is the other lady we are going away with. Woman love shopping. 🙂
At least you got to Aus, I hope you had a great time. You know its never too late to come again, being your health & finances are all good of course.
I have been to the US twice before myself, 1st time I was 21yo. i bought a VW combi & travelled around with a mate for 5 months. 2nd time with the wife. we cycle toured the West coast & across the top over an 8 month period. What can I say I love touring your country, now its time to show the kids.

[sayoung]

Howdy,welcome to Texas.
A really good dealer is Hayes RV in Longview,Tx.Thats a little over 2 hrs drive east of DFW/MetroPlex on I20.we dont think in miles here in Tx,time is the understood measure.its further from the east side of Tx to El Paso than El Paso to LA
Look at RVtrader on line and you might find a complete rig ,fithwheel & truck combo,.Sam's Club,Costco,Walmart, you can pickup ALL the required items.

[road2002runner]

OK - sorry - you have taken every thing I said exactly opposit that it was ment.

I truly wish you no bad luck and hope you have a terrific time.

Over and out.

bbt

[sdetweil]

Mik,

do you have anyone here that can help gather the essentials before you arrive? (pots, pans, silverware, sheets, ...) Don't know if that is useful. my DW would like to be actively involved in their selection.
just thinking of how to reduce the big startup workload.

I'm in awe of your plan. In the 90's, when I worked for IBM, I had a chance at a 2 yr assignment in Sydney, but prior marriage kid school impact of 1/2 yr off schedule deterred me. Looking back it would have been a heck of an experience for all.

Sam

I forgot to mention that I did have 3 wonderful (work!) trips to your country, but never made it to Perth. My wife was able to join me on one.

[Mik68]

road2002runner wrote:


WOW - start camping 1st night off the plane - WITH 3 kids???

Well aren't you a bundle of joy! Thanks for your encouragement & support. :R How ever do you survive in this world, all doom & gloom.
As a matter of fact yes, 3 girls aged 5, 8 & 10. They're awesome. Its all part of the adventure. Kids (our kids anyway) adapt really well to what ever we throw at them.

road2002runner wrote:
I am not from Texas but have been to D-F/W a couple of times. I doubt you would find a CABIN within 50 miles of D-F/W - so it's a long cab ride, OR rent a car.

Exactly, rent a car & hit the road. We have researched campgrounds & found several campgrounds (with cabins) not too far out. Its that or a holiday home for a week to get it all happening. We found these around D/FW as well. Internet is a wonderful tool.

road2002runner wrote:
I know Perth is the largest city in Western Auz. with a population of 1.8 mill., BUT D-F/W is a huge area as well - pop. over 1.2 mill and it's a long way out of town by confusing interstate traffic - GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

You forgot to mention i will be driving on the other side of the road as well. I'll work it out, i'm a big boy. Again thanks for the encouragement.

road2002runner wrote:
Then you want to buy a truck and a fifth wheel within a short period of time!!!!. People spend YEARS researching this kind of stuff and STILL wind up with LEMONS.

We have been researching for about 12 months now so I'm getting a pretty good handle on it. And the (mostly) wonderful people on this forum are being very supportive and helpful with any questions I have.

road2002runner wrote:
For a USED T.V. (in good condition) you might pay $40,000.00 and a fifth wheel of the size you need would cost at LEST that much.

I have seen the basic brand new models for less than $40,000. At the end of the day when we buy used, like everyone, its a gamble. I will get it checked out thoroughly before handing over the $$. Thanks for your concern.

road2002runner wrote:
If it were I - (and it's not) wanting to do - what you want to do - - I would look at RENTING a nice BIG class C, or even a class A. They are available in the D-F/W area AND would include ALL you need for a very comfortable trip for you and your family - ALL INCLUDED.

Oh I get it now, you work for a hire car company. :S I did look at renting a TV & TT for 7 months, way back at the start of my research, & it would have cost as much to buy it. A class A or C would also require a vehicle to be towed behind to go exploring & sightseeing, food shopping etc. No thanks!

[road2002runner]

Mik68 wrote:

happybooker1 wrote:
You could also look at Passport America. 1/2 price for a site for 1-7 nights. Rules & restrictions apply. Last price I saw was $44/year. Could be quite a savings for you.

Watch for campgrounds that will charge extra for your 3rd kid. Doesn't matter the age. A lot of private campgrounds are for 2adults, 2 kids. Extra person $X. State parks in TX are for 8 people so no worries there!

Yep Walmart has it pretty well sewn up in the we-have-everything dept.

State parks in Texas I would recommend are: Brazos Bend, Monahans Sandhills, Inks Lake, Garner, Balmorrhea, & Davis Mountain. Lots for kids to do at each.

Thanks for this info. We are hoping to start our camping experience from 1st night off the plane & hire a cabin or similar until we have our rig.
We already have a plan for the 3rd child syndrome. We are travelling with another family who only have 1 child, so in total there will be 8 of us. So one of ours becomes one of theres for a brief moment. 😉 This is more than likely how we will travel anyway so there only child has interaction with one of ours while on the road. Taking turns of course.

WOW - start camping 1st night off the plane - WITH 3 kids???

I am not from Texas but have been to D-F/W a couple of times. I doubt you would find a CABIN within 50 miles of D-F/W - so it's a long cab ride, OR rent a car.

I know Perth is the largest city in Western Auz. with a population of 1.8 mill., BUT D-F/W is a huge area as well - pop. over 1.2 mill and it's a long way out of town by confusing interstate traffic - GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

Then you want to buy a truck and a fifth wheel within a short period of time!!!!. People spend YEARS researching this kind of stuff and STILL wind up with LEMONS.

For a USED T.V. (in good condition) you might pay $40,000.00 and a fifth wheel of the size you need would cost at LEST that much.

If it were I - (and it's not) wanting to do - what you want to do - - I would look at RENTING a nice BIG class C, or even a class A. They are available in the D-F/W area AND would include ALL you need for a very comfortable trip for you and your family - ALL INCLUDED.

bbt