east vs west (standard vs hood river) 172

I live in Colorado.  My local dealer wants 20K to order a 172 HRE.  but I see listings in Missouri for a 2019 172 for $13,999, and a 2018 HRE in Wyoming for $15,500.  What causes these huge price differences? Is anyone in the loop on the real differences between east and west production?...  I have been doing some digging and it seems the new east version has the same two steps, 15" wheels, maybe different tires?... not sure about the lift/ground clearance... please let me know if you know the real differences.  I'm guessing the Indiana plant might produce more and have an advantage in terms of volume lowering cost?... thanks in advance.

+1 that is my understanding also.

I think I've heard that the Indiana versions all have axle risers now -- I'm not sure.  If that's the case, the larger tires give the HREs about another 1/2 inch of ground clearance.  Depending on how you feel about how much added protection the diamond plating offers, as far as I understand, the differences are just cosmetic.

TT

I picked up my 2017.5 RP-172  in april 2017. It was the first run blue pod, with the blue roof. I "believe" everything after that was lifted, and came with 15 inch tires. I think if you check on the tire sizes, you'll know if its "lifted" 14 inch tires, not, 15 inch tires is lifted. As i said, I "think" that is all true. 

However, don't count on a dealer servicing an R-Pod purchased elsewhere. If the dealer will do it, it will be at the back of the line behind locally purchased ones. This is not like auto dealers where any Ford dealer or Chevy dealer will service autos purchased elsewhere. There are enough posts in this forum about Forest River recommending to "buy local" and enough posts about local dealers being unwilling to service R-Pods purchased at places like Couch to take it for granted that your local dealer would be willing to service one you purchased elsewhere. Check first.