Where to buy OEM parts?

[az350x]

Been dealing with Surveyor (Forest River) for a week waiting on price quote for multiple parts and trying to set up a wholesale account with them. After leaving two voice messages (no one there EVER answers the phone), I finally got a gal on the phone last Tuesday and gave her the list of items I need, along with my phone and email contact info. Haven't been able to reach them since.

Is this an RV industry thing (crappy, nonexistent support), or a Forest River thing, or is it just the particular department I'm trying to deal with that sucks?

What gives?

Any other way to get wholesale pricing on factory parts? I'm a legitimate business with wholesale accounts in other parts of the transportation industry...

[Gdetrailer]

az350x wrote:
Several of the parts I need are make/model specific- compartment keys, manuals (not appliance, but the trailer itself, etc.).

I did get an email from them this morning, saying she hadn't forgotten about me and my info would be along shortly.

Patience has never been one of my strong suits.

First, trailer manual is worthless, don't waste any time or money on one.. The manufactures write really generic manuals which tend to cover various models.

The manuals you REALLY want ARE the appliance ones, those contain all the info you really need..

The rest of your trailer is not hard to figure out like the fresh water system, holding tanks, lighting and even the 120V electrical stuff..

Trailer manuals don't show much detail, no electrical, plumbing or such info.. just an overview of some of the "features" and not much real info.

Second.. Compartment keys/locks.. if locked drill them out (they are cheap pot metal so drilling them shouldn't be hard to do)to open then once compartment is open remove the lock and take to your local Home depot or Lowes and match up the cylinder length to what they have in stock and call it good.

If not locked just remove as above go to Home Depot or Lowes..

There is no need to use "RV" locks, for the most part as long as you can find a lock which fits the diameter and length with perhaps a little modification (if if lucky no mod) Cabinet locks sold at your home centers will work perfectly fine (that is what I used when rebuilding my used TT)..

Replacing the entire lock set is better than trying to get new keys since the manufacturer would have had to recorded the key numbers with your VIN number when the unit was built (and I would doubt they did that).

If you REALLY "want" direct replacement locks the simply buy them at a local RV dealer, they SHOULD have them in stock or will order them for you..

[az350x]

AirForceAngler wrote:
Compartment keys are VERY generic. I had to buy a new lock cylinder for one of my storeage compartments and it was the same key as the one I already had for the other compartments. There might be 3 different combinations total for these. You may be able to download the owner manual from the manufacturers website if the unit isn't too old but even these can be fairly generic.

The unit is a used '13, but the keys in question aren't the typical "CH751" compartment keys. These front compartments have some not-labeled latch setup on them, with the cylinders built-in to the latch handle. It doesn't make sense to me to spend $70+ per side for either a replacement latch OR a locksmith when I should be able to go to Forest River and get a couple of keys using the VIN and code off the locks for a fraction of that.

Ugh. Hopefully my email is coming soon from Forest River- at least I heard from them today saying they'd have my info soon...

[AirForceAngler]

Compartment keys are VERY generic. I had to buy a new lock cylinder for one of my storeage compartments and it was the same key as the one I already had for the other compartments. There might be 3 different combinations total for these. You may be able to download the owner manual from the manufacturers website if the unit isn't too old but even these can be fairly generic.

[az350x]

Several of the parts I need are make/model specific- compartment keys, manuals (not appliance, but the trailer itself, etc.).

I did get an email from them this morning, saying she hadn't forgotten about me and my info would be along shortly.

Patience has never been one of my strong suits.

[nomad297]

When I need parts specific to my Skyline, I call Skyline to verify part numbers and stock availability, then I call my dealer and give them the same information. My dealer then orders the parts from Skyline and either has them shipped to my home or to their store.

The last thing I needed were some fender skirts because I damaged both sides with tire blowout shrapnel. Skyline asked for my VIN and nothing more, then they gave me all of the information I needed for my dealer. I had the parts within a week.

Bruce

[Gdetrailer]

rav wrote:
what parts are you looking for?

Not sure it really matters.. I am guessing that the OP is looking to cut out the dealer (middleman) in order to get lower cost parts for their own RV.. In a nutshell personal use and not reselling..

Many manufacturers tend to look for high volume parts sales which typically rules out individuals or even small companies which are just buying one or two parts.. It is done this way since replacement parts is not their main focus or goal in life. They are wanting sell whole and complete RVs, selling one or two parts to someone is often very costly and they tend to shy away from that..

If the OP REALLY wants to get into the RV parts scene you need to start buying up NOS when a RV manufacturer discontinues a model and they simply want to dispose of any leftover parts which take up space and ties up inventory money..

RV manufacturers unlike auto or other vehicle manufacturing do not retain proprietary parts to discontinued models for very long (good chance of one or two year warranty period after the last model sells). They tend to auction or sell off whole "LOTS" of leftovers to surplus buyers (in other words you won't be picking and choosing what you buy). I would think that for one to break into this you are going to invest a substantial amount of money into it..

But keep in mind there ARE already established businesses doing this and that you will be going against.. My recommendation if you "need" a couple of parts, go to your local dealer and they will order what you need. If the price is the sticking point then consider one of the RV surplus parts outlets..

Here is one example that I have bought from (call them if the part is not listed on the website, they have warehouses full of parts)..

RV PARTS NATION (formerly RV Surplus and Salvage)

[rav]

what parts are you looking for?

[Gdetrailer]

az350x wrote:

Any other way to get wholesale pricing on factory parts? I'm a legitimate business with wholesale accounts in other parts of the transportation industry...

Become a DEALER of that "brand" and sell their trailers, it would be THE ONLY way you are going to get "wholesale" pricing..

I am not really sure as to what you are attempting to do but really in the RV industry nearly everything is custom designed and built for each model and that even changes from year to year..

There are a few "common" items which are not built or made for that brand such as Fridges, water heaters, furnace, A/C, toilet, converter that are made by other manufacturers and are pretty much interchangeable.

Stuff like tubs/shower, molded sinks, cabinets, doors, windows, siding (style and colors), slide parts, paneling, ceiling, graphics (decals) are all proprietary to that brand and are not available anywhere else.

Basically in a nutshell unless you are willing to commit to selling RVs you are not going anywhere.

[whiteeye42]

i would say that they don't want to deal with you because your not an RV repair shop just someone that needs parts at dealer price now if you were to start a rv repair and told them that then i would think they would deal with you but just for a one time buy = no go as far as they are concerned because not worth they time to set it up