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)

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!  

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

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!

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...

Yea, I'd love to hear about the whole process and what's included versus added on the cost Couch's quotes.  They do have amazing prices, so I can't help wondering if there's a catch.

Best of luck, safe travels tomorrow.