Has anyone bought or researched buying out of state? We live in pricey California, and I'm seeing a lot of trailers in the midwest for a lot cheaper. One I just got a quote on here in California was 33k, same trailer in Texas is 23k! Some offer nationwide delivery (looking at LazyDays right now). I'm thinking of cons...possible wear and tear on the trip here, having to buy it sight unseen, what about warranty issues? If it's 10k less, do I worry as much about warranty service? What issues might arise? Our inventory is also **** around here right now because of Covid....nearly every time I do a search they are never in Cali. Or cost 5-10k more than anywhere else in the country. Our largest dealership in Norcal has terrible ratings, and I haven't even been able to get a return phone call from them. Just not sure what else to do, other than to wait until next year and hope Covid goes away soon!!!

If price is okay might as well buy from a local dealer. Are you buying based on dealer ratings or trailer ratings? You aren’t driving it back to Texas for warranty work, are you? What’s the “wear and tear” issue? That’s what TTs do...move down the highway. You don’t get return phone calls since they sense you are fishing. Go to the dealer and make an out the door offer.

To save $10K, I might just drive someplace and take a look at it. You may want to ask LazyDays how they handle warranty work...I have heard on the forum here from some people that their dealer has a series of other dealers who they have agreements with to do the work. Some smaller manufacturers may just reimburse you.

How often do people break down when they are parked at home? You want warranty work done where you break down not often at the local dealer.

It would be a no-brainer for me I would drive to get the trailer and have a vacation on the way back. A lot of mfg will let you use a mobil rv service for repairs unless it's a major issue which I would take to the mfg to repair. Small issues I would fix myself. Dealers can take months to repair a rv so factory warranty is useless to me as well as extended warranties.

Fourkidletts wrote:... I'm thinking of cons...possible wear and tear on the trip here,.Non-issue. It's no different than the delivery from the factory to the dealer.Many people will drive out and pick up the rig themselves.

Buying from out of state | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2020
If price is okay might as well buy from a local dealer. Are you buying based on dealer ratings or trailer ratings? You aren’t driving it back to Texas for warranty work, are you? What’s the “wear and tear” issue? That’s what TTs do...move down the highway. You don’t get return phone calls since they sense you are fishing. Go to the dealer and make an out the door offer.
Campinfan
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2020
To save $10K, I might just drive someplace and take a look at it. You may want to ask LazyDays how they handle warranty work...I have heard on the forum here from some people that their dealer has a series of other dealers who they have agreements with to do the work. Some smaller manufacturers may just reimburse you.
K_Charles
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
How often do people break down when they are parked at home? You want warranty work done where you break down not often at the local dealer.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Aug 25, 2020
It would be a no-brainer for me I would drive to get the trailer and have a vacation on the way back. A lot of mfg will let you use a mobil rv service for repairs unless it's a major issue which I would take to the mfg to repair. Small issues I would fix myself. Dealers can take months to repair a rv so factory warranty is useless to me as well as extended warranties.
deltabravo
Nomad
Aug 25, 2020
Fourkidletts wrote:
... I'm thinking of cons...possible wear and tear on the trip here,.

Non-issue. It's no different than the delivery from the factory to the dealer.

Many people will drive out and pick up the rig themselves.
Fourkidletts
Explorer
Aug 25, 2020
Thanks all. My husband is a principal of a middle school and with distance learning here, everything is chaotic for his job so no time off. Driving to someplace like Tx and back, we don't have the time and ability. It would take us a week or more, and no time for anything to break. But it sounds like I'm at least on the right track on the idea of purchasing out of the area for that much savings. Stupid California is so expensive!
Guy_Roan
Explorer
Aug 25, 2020
The biggest problem with buying out of state is if you need warrantee work done, and you try to get it done from a local dealer, you'll go to the bottom of the work - and stay there

Guy
guidry
Explorer
Aug 25, 2020
Guy Roan wrote:
The biggest problem with buying out of state is if you need warrantee work done, and you try to get it done from a local dealer, you'll go to the bottom of the work - and stay there

Guy

Not really. We went from CA to TX and bought our 5th wheel. Found it for a great price and awesome dealer. He held it a month until we made it there to look at it and without any deposit. We brought it back to CA and have had warranty work done, no problem. Dealer service centers understand work comes from anywhere and as long as the manufacturer is paying, they will repair. We had no problem with the purchase or warranty work.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Aug 25, 2020
Guy Roan wrote:
The biggest problem with buying out of state is if you need warrantee work done, and you try to get it done from a local dealer, you'll go to the bottom of the work - and stay there

Guy
Not at the dealers I have used.
delwhjr
Explorer
Aug 25, 2020
There are professional inspection services that you could hire to check out the RV before purchase and I'll bet the dealer has a delivery service that could be used. For a $10k difference it would be worth it to me.

Inspector Locator

Forum Discussion

Buying from out of state

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Buying used out of state?

Buying Advice

Buying Online

Buying advice

Buying options...