RVWholesalers update

[_tiredTeacher]

Our Rockwood is 8 mo. old, has 30 camping nights and 3,110 miles. In all this time, I've had to call for warranty help 3 times.
First a stab motor was ruined by water ingress. RVW contacted Forest River and a new motor was sent, post paid with return shipping pre-paid.
Second, the ol' water-soaked power jack problem a lot of us have had. Called RVW. Whole new jack arrives. FR doesn't want the old one back (cost $55 to ship).
Ok, now came the test. RVW installed two vent covers prior to delivery. One cover wasn't put on exactly straight (according to my local RV dealership where I store my trailer)so it caused a problem in November on our first cold-weather trip, binding on the vent lid. They fixed it for $44.50.
I e-mailed RVW, explained the situation. They said e-mail a copy of the invoice. I did. A check for $44.50 arrived just after New Year's.
So far, so good with these folks. They stand behind their sales, and I'd buy from them again. I liked the $3,000 savings dealing with them.

Teach

[dadmomh]

If you're thinking a nice, used 5 year old in the $20 - $30,000 range, I think you'll have money to spare....depending on what you're after. On the good side, you don't take the hit on depreciation and if there are any OEM major problems, they've likely been remedied by that time.

The downside is that you have no idea what, if any, routine maintenance has been done by the previous owner. Most dealers aren't going to offer much of a warranty, if any on a 5 year old trailer. Problem??? Maybe.

If this is something you intend to keep for several years, I would be of the opinion that new is better. Both our HTT and TT were bought new and we didn't mind taking the hit. Didn't LIKE it, but could live with it. By the time the trailer is 5 years old, the warranties on appliances, A/C, furnace, etc have most likely run out. You could have a lot of things to replace in the near future. Unless the tires have been replaced by that time, those will be first on your shopping list for $500 or so.

If you're ready to spend that amount of money, I'd shop new, specifically RV Wholesalers and RV Direct for a baseline. Both companies are good and offer excellent prices. If you choose to by locally, you have a bargaining tool. Happy shopping.

[rbtglove]

Chuck - Lance has a good reputation on the West Coast, my BIL has a Lance TT which he likes. It's important to seperate grade of materials and features from conformance and build quality. A low cost RV should still be built right even if the materials and features are not to the level more costly ones. The build quality of RVs is generally not up to auto standards due to the much smaller volume and less automation. Unfortunateally there is no good data to work with but you might look at this site - http://www.myrvguide.com/RV/manufacturers/survey/rate_your_rv_results.html
Would be nice if more people would input data to the site but it is the only data I know to compare RV manufacturers. I have bought twice from RVW and have been happy with their efforts - and the price is great, they are close to us which is nice. Never had a problem getting waranty work done - most stuff is covered by the maker of the part/appliance anyway and I've never had to take an RV back to the manufacturer. Good Luck in your search

[Chuck___]

I am looking to replace our 1992 lance 5th wheel. Because RV's loss over 50% of there value within five years I been told it is much wiser to purchase a good RV that is approximately 5 plus years old. Sure I would like to save some money. Here is my concerns.

1. I live in Salem, Oregon. Is it much better to buy locally or is this no worry making a purchase from this company.

2. Any problems getting service and repair work done after the sale and were?

Please Help!

What is a good quality travel trailer that will not nickle and dime you; or is a pain to work on every time you turn around? I thinking around the $20,000 $30,000 range for good used unit.

Sometimes I learned the hard way being too cheap can cost you big time down the road. I know; can't get something for nothing! Maybe I should save my money a little longer in hopes to avoid a piece of junk.

[atreis]

I bought my trailer from them 6 years ago, and had a very good experience. I found one issue during my initial walk-through picking up the trailer and they fixed it on the spot. No other problems. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. (It helps that they're also not very far away. 🙂 )

[Bucky_Badger]

I have heard a lot of good things about them, CW could take a lesson from them

[BillB800si]

I also used them for a price quote last year when we bought our 2014 Cougar HC 321RES Trailer. Compared them to three quotes we got from Michigan authorized dealers. Finally went with General RV in Wixom, Michigan. They beat RV Wholesalers price.
So do your research and shop around on quotes.
Glad to hear RV Wholesalers stands behind their products..

Happy trails,

[dadmomh]

Some folks have an aversion to online shopping....I'm all for gathering as much info as possible right here in my chair and then going from there. Before we bought our HTT in July '06 we covered most every dealer in West TN, western KY, northern MS and RVW beat the socks off them. In the ordering /delivery phase of the HTT, we had a salesman who wasn't quite on top of a couple of things. David Durnell is one of the owners and DH talked to him and things resolved instantly. Very reachable owners IF there is a glitch.

Indian Lake is perfect for that first night. Pretty place, nice sites, very close. IMHO, RVW has a good reputation and really works to maintain it. Our third TT, which is NOT gonna happen, would come from RVW.

[waynec1957]

I shopped RVW when I bought the TT I have now. I didn't buy my TT there (not because of them) but I bought my Equalizer hitch and a Smart Tote there. Both were substantially less money than anywhere else I looked at the time. I thought they were really nice people, seemed to be a good atmosphere.

We're shopping now but we've pretty much settled on a Jayco (which they don't sell for some reason) or we'd be talking to them now.

[_tiredTeacher]

dadmomh wrote:
Indian Lake is a stone's throw away for that first night. We found 2 minor things that first night, called them in the morning, made a quick trip back...

I stayed at Indian Lake for two nights and since I was unhitched and set up, the shop foreman, Scott, came out to the trailer. My salesman, Levi Oglesbee, dropped by for a cocktail that evening.

Teach

[dadmomh]

Both our ROO 23SS and our new Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 from RVW. Excellent service, good response time, saved a bundle of $$ over our local FR guy...he won't budge a dime on his price...a pretty drive from TN to OH and Indian Lake is a stone's throw away for that first night. For some unknown reason, when we picked up our TT in May, I made reservations for a FHU site. IMHO, those need some attention....the rest of the park is wonderful. We found 2 minor things that first night, called them in the morning, made a quick trip back by for a pix of a piece of trim and a wire had come loose on one of the outside speakers. In and out lickety split. Very reputable.

[rbtglove]

Bought two TTs from them and have had good luck with their service department. They even gave me an old awning for parts they had in their junk pile.

[mdamerell]

We bought our Sundance from them. Since they are near our home campground they also do my maintenance. We used it a lot last year near 100 nights and 1,800? miles. No real issues but anything I've ever needed or upgrades they have taken care of it.

We are happy customers.

[Grodyman]

Bought my Sabre Silhouette with them, no issues. Their prices are not as good it seems right now, other wholesalers are beating them.

Gman