I have been lurking around this forum for a few years, with more viewing as I get closer to my goal, which is, of course a TC.I am really interested in the Wolf Creek 850. I live on the MD-PA border so the closest dealer is in New Hampshire (7+hrs drive).Is the only way to buy a truck camper from a dealer? Or can you get a better deal factory direct?Just asking.TCdream

Hi firstTCDreamin, the wolf creek 850 is a very good choice,especially for a first TC. It took me 4 TC's to find that out. Most all TC mfg sell through dealers so there is no choice to go direct and that includes the wolf creek. Of course the closer the dealer is to the manufacturer the better deal you probably can get, but also look out for those states that don't charge sales tax. I live in Ca, and bought mine in OR and saved a lot of bucks :)

Hi! Welcome aboard! Generally.. you can't go factory direct. SOME, and by that, I mean, very few, will, though, like Host. but they're here on the west coast.Don't be afraid of new-used, like a year or 2 old. Just like cars... let somebody else take that 'drive off the lot' depreciation hit. Truck Campers (TC's) tend to be pretty reliable when new-used as long as they don't have leaks.

I live in PA also. If and when I ever buy again it will be from an Oregon dealer. I realize some may not be able to do the distance, but I crunched the numbers and with what you can save in the initial cost of the TC, the no sales tax, and the minimal if any shipping charge, I can justify the drive, and still come out way ahead. You cannot buy factory direct from Northwood. If you dont want to go that far than I would recommend heading for NH. Atleast you can still save on the sales tax. Keystone RV which is down there by you is suppose to be a Northwood dealer, if thats what you want to call them. I tried working with them back in 2010 on an AF TC and I wont go back. As far as any inventory on their lot, dont hold your breath.

I also live in PA (just outside Hershey) and purchased my camper through TCW in NH. I worked with directly with Northstar and picked up the camper in Iowa. Since I purchased the camper in NH and took delivery in Iowa I avoided paying sales tax and shipping. FWIW, in PA you would still owe a 6% Use Tax. The state is being very aggressive on enforcement and if you get caught the penalty can be as much as 25% of the purchase price. I weighed the risks and decided to pay the tax. PA Use TAX Fact SheetIf you want to see a Northstar Arrow U let me know. I am just up the road.

Freight on the 840 I just bought is $2500.00. I don't think I can afford to drive from PA to Origan and back for that kind of money? 2700 miles x 2 x .50c per mile (fuel/maint/wear) = $2700 Plus its 75 hours driving round trip. That's 10 days of driving and I work full time.I did have to drive up to TCW to have my wife see it to agree we would fit, and so she could pick out the interior color. Now we go back in a couple weeks to pick it up. I think it was 5 hours drive one way. (Ps: the 99 Restaurant was great, but we were not impressed with the motel 6)When I go back, we plan to spend the night in the new Wolf Creek in TCW's onsite camp spots before coming home the following day.

First TC | Good Sam Community

TomP40
Explorer
Mar 07, 2015
Dave Pete,
I will look at both in person, including the offer of my "neighbor".

And Thanks for all the responses. I probably won't pull the trigger till next year at this time, so I have plenty of time for 'road trips' to check them out.

Tom
RICKIM
Explorer III
Mar 06, 2015
Not to get off topic or hijack but,

If you'll have to pay sales tax in PA, why would you pay it in NY?

Your not going to pay tax twice.....

Am I missing something?

Rick
towpro
Explorer
Mar 06, 2015
RICKIM wrote:
How much of a drive is it for you to get to East End Campers on Long Island?
I could be wrong but I think it's a shorter distance than NH from your area?
East End is the same owner as TCW.

BTW, welcome to the forum!

Rick

No sales tax in NH, Long island is somewhere between 6% and 8%.
its worth the trip :).
dadwolf2
Explorer
Mar 06, 2015
IMO, it's almost ALWAYS cheaper to buy from a dealer than factory direct because the factory cannot undercut their own dealerships. If the factory started doing it, the dealers would cry foul.
RICKIM
Explorer III
Mar 06, 2015
How much of a drive is it for you to get to East End Campers on Long Island?
I could be wrong but I think it's a shorter distance than NH from your area?
East End is the same owner as TCW.

BTW, welcome to the forum!

Rick
trailgranny50
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015
Congrats and enjoy whenever and however you get your new "baby".
kerry4951
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015
towpro wrote:
Freight on the 840 I just bought is $2500.00. I don't think I can afford to drive from PA to Origan and back for that kind of money? 2700 miles x 2 x .50c per mile (fuel/maint/wear) = $2700 Plus its 75 hours driving round trip. That's 10 days of driving and I work full time.

I did have to drive up to TCW to have my wife see it to agree we would fit, and so she could pick out the interior color. Now we go back in a couple weeks to pick it up. I think it was 5 hours drive one way.

(Ps: the 99 Restaurant was great, but we were not impressed with the motel 6)
When I go back, we plan to spend the night in the new Wolf Creek in

TCW's onsite camp spots before coming home the following day.

Like I said, making that kind of trip will not work for everyone. But you also have to figure in more than just the shipping cost. There is also no sales tax in Oregon and the price you pay for that camper will be thousands less than what you will pay in the east. I did the math and I can tell you that the savings is more than considerable. For me I would make a vacation trip out of it and since we go out west every few years anyway the trip cost could be justified.
towpro
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015
Dave, I think the 840 is the new floor plan.

inmydrams, Truck Camper warehouse sells both lines.
There website is pretty up to date, but they have more inventory than the website shows. They also have an RVtraider webiste that is pretty up to date.
http://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/detail/Truck-Camper-Warehouse-2990856
I recommend calling to see if they have what you want to see.
and I bet if you worked it out with them, and you have the time they could outfit you in one trip.
Dave_Pete
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2015
inmydreams: I might interject, because of your interest in the Wolfcreek and someone's mention of a Northstar.

I chose quite a different route, that of restoring a vintage camper. But I was looking very hard at a new and researched very hard for the best for me. I wanted small as possible and no slides. I concluded either a Northstar or Wolfcreek.

I hope you'll take the offer to view the Northstar up the road. I also hope you'll see a Wolfcreek up close and personal before your final choice and purchase. I also agree fully with the used unit purchase idea to save money, but if memory serves me, the 850 is the new floor plan and if so, it was HIGHLY desirable to me over the 840, so you may not find a used one.

Don't be overly concerned with the step-up nature of the bathroom. As it turns out, that's how I'm dealing with the compromise of a bathroom in a small (shorter) camper.

Good luck!
towpro
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015
Freight on the 840 I just bought is $2500.00. I don't think I can afford to drive from PA to Origan and back for that kind of money? 2700 miles x 2 x .50c per mile (fuel/maint/wear) = $2700 Plus its 75 hours driving round trip. That's 10 days of driving and I work full time.

I did have to drive up to TCW to have my wife see it to agree we would fit, and so she could pick out the interior color. Now we go back in a couple weeks to pick it up. I think it was 5 hours drive one way.

(Ps: the 99 Restaurant was great, but we were not impressed with the motel 6)
When I go back, we plan to spend the night in the new Wolf Creek in TCW's onsite camp spots before coming home the following day.

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