First Timer - Where to purchase

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   Hi All, 
Looking to purchase my first TT, we are seriously thinking of the RPOD 179.  So, the hunting begins. I'm pretty particular so plan to purchase new because, frankly, I'm a sucker for the the latest bells and whistles.

Of course, the local dealers have their vested interest in buying local but it seems the best deals (on paper of course) seem to be online and from 200 to 1000 miles away.  And it's hard to get apples to apples comparisons.

So, I'd like to hear the pros and cons on buying local or long distance and any horror/success stories of each.  What should I look out for?  What questions should I ask?

Thanks for the help.
J(eff)

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jeffp1105 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2015 Location: 80301 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Topic: First Timer - Where to purchase Posted: 20 Sep 2015 at 1:21am
	Hi All, Looking to purchase my first TT, we are seriously thinking of the RPOD 179. So, the hunting begins. I'm pretty particular so plan to purchase new because, frankly, I'm a sucker for the the latest bells and whistles. Of course, the local dealers have their vested interest in buying local but it seems the best deals (on paper of course) seem to be online and from 200 to 1000 miles away. And it's hard to get apples to apples comparisons. So, I'd like to hear the pros and cons on buying local or long distance and any horror/success stories of each. What should I look out for? What questions should I ask? Thanks for the help. J(eff)
	Considering an RPOD

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 20 Sep 2015 at 10:58am
	Howdy from San Antonio! Well, I bought out of town and got a great price and good follow-up service. The big draw back of not buying from one of your "local" dealers is...most of them don't want to or out right will not provide warranty service. A lot of folks take great exception to this and are surprised when they find this out after the out of town selling dealer tells them "you can get warranty service at any "Forest River" Dealership and that's just not entirely true. So, if you are the kind of owner that will take exception to every little detail and expect the dealer to make it right, then maybe buying local is probably the way to go. Even if it costs a little more. If you don't sweat the small stuff and have no problem taking care of it yourself, then you may be a candidate for buying out of town. Now, on to the more serious issues: I had a couple of issues, fridge door, and table legs, and I contacted my out of town dealer's warranty department and they immediately sent me new parts at no cost. I was completely satisfied with that response. I find it a lot less time intensive to just remove and replace something rather than go through all of the gyrations of trying to get an appointment, travel, drop it off, wait, wait, and wait some more only to drive back, pick up the unit and drag it back to storage. Now, for more serious issues. The kind that take $$$ to fix while under warranty. Some owners have had luck getting other dealerships to help them with warranty issues. The common denominator seams to be dealership size. It seams as if Camping World is willing to take on anything, but the smaller mom and pop with limited resources tend to not recognize you as "their" customer. So, the bottom line is...what is your tolerance? The campers are far from perfect when they come off the line and the industry tends to rely on their dealerships to make things right. If loose screws, dirty light covers, trim that needs to be re-glued, sticky doors and windows, blinds out of adjustment, wiring issues, and drawers that won't stay closed are more than you are willing to take on then buy local. If not, and you are willing to go out of your way to get service for a serious warranty issue then buy where ever you want. I tried, but my local dealership could not come close enough to a price that would prevent me from going out of town. If you do buy out of town, ask your dealer to go over the unit with a fine tooth comb. Ask them to make sure ALL of the systems are working properly before you arrive. Good luck Sir!
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

jeffp1105 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2015 Location: 80301 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 20 Sep 2015 at 1:31pm
	Hi Cliff, Thanks very much for your full story. It is a big help. I am definitely the DIY type and the idea of towing a trailer to a dealer to repair a crooked cabinet door, or tighten some nuts or bolts is not how I want to spend a Saturday. And I'd much rather have a dealer (distance or local) simply ship me a replacement part and let me swap it out, if it's reasonable to do. In fact, I don't even have the trailer yet and have a list of mods ready to go. Driving my wife crazy. But, what scares me is the idea that the slide might fail or a structural problem happens and the two local dealers won't support me. Of course, that is probably not an r-pod specific problem. Followup question: If the big internet RV discounters don't have the exact options I want or are out of stock, would I still get a great deal on a special order or is it like buying a care....take what we have or we have not incentive to deal? Thanks again, Jeff
	Considering an RPOD

Camper Bob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913	Posted: 20 Sep 2015 at 2:21pm
	We ordered ours with certain mods from the factory. No problem and the dealer has a little more incentive to deal as they do not have to pay "flooring" or interest on the money to purchase it while it sits on their lot. Safe Travels.
	Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder

codycountry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Jan 2014 Location: Wyo Online Status: Offline Posts: 168	Posted: 20 Sep 2015 at 3:31pm
	One note-- if you purchase one there in Colorado, for some odd reason you will be buying an "Eastern or east coast" made version. Most folks out west want the "Hood River" model made in Oregon, which has several obviously desirable features, unless perhaps the new 2016 models have eliminated the Hood River makeover. You might want to check. I suggest you opt for two batteries up front. That heavy weight helps settle down the towing sway, and provides for days of use without plugging in. Make sure you drop the hitch of the trailer a tiny bit from level to get the weight down forward, they tow better that way. I would travel a long way to save several thousand dollars if I was buying one again. I did travel 650 miles to Post Falls, Idaho get mine and it was certainly well worth the trip. I saved $5K over the limited dealer choices I had locally. You are going to have to travel if you want a Hood River edition. Problem is, the rpod's are really popular and the dealers don't have to make great deals. A friend went to buy one in Boise this spring, and while they were looking the dealer sold three of them, including the one they were going to buy, the one they were standing in negotiating the final price. They then ordered one and a few weeks later it came in. Winter is the time to buy out west. Have fun, you'll love an rpod!

JohnBG Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Apr 2015 Location: Deltona, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 190	Posted: 22 Sep 2015 at 2:31pm
	If this is your first camper, consider purchasing a used one. Let someone else take the depreciation hit and if for some reason you don't like camping, you can get your money back. The missus and I were looking at new 177's and 179's, but we found a used 171 in great shape for a great price we could pay ca$h for. No payments is a good thing...
	2010 R-Pod RP-171 2010 Honda Ridgeline TV

pnwcamper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Sep 2015 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 38	Posted: 03 Oct 2015 at 10:33am
	Hello R-Pod'ers, I hope to join many of you as a R-Pod owner very soon. I have a Tent Camper now and looking forward to an R-Pod. I am going to be looking at a used 2014 177 Hood River version, the write up and photos look great but seeing in person will tell the story. The seller is asking $12,500.00, seems like a pretty nice deal if the unit is in good shape. Any thoughts on the price? Thanks

codycountry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Jan 2014 Location: Wyo Online Status: Offline Posts: 168	Posted: 03 Oct 2015 at 5:17pm
	If it's in good shape that is a very good price. Go for it. Someone else will grab it if you don't! Check out some used prices on the internet.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 04 Oct 2015 at 9:39pm
	Welcome. In addition to cody's suggestion, get a quote from Couch's on a new one to get a feel on the new cost for comparison.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Kobwo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Sep 2015 Location: Nation of Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 05 Oct 2015 at 12:51am
	Hello, I'm in Hamilton Ohio right now and will be picking up our new 180 in the morning. We drove here from Texas today and it was quite the drive. But, I couldn't come anywhere close to Couch's on the price close to me. I will post more about our experience tomorrow in the dealer review. They used it to make their walk through video and it looks great. Ordered it with dual propane bottles and dual batts. Thought was that I won't run out of propane and freeze the wife out and it never hurts to have a bit more juice. Good luck with your search and if you take a look on Couch's site you'll see the price.
	Shawn, Mohyon, and Chewy 2016 Rpod 180 On Order : 2015 Silverado-Texas Edition