For those who do not know, Dave was referring to Camping World. Never buy or get your unit serviced there. If you are going to make a drive to get your RV. Find out who is the local dealership who can perform warranty work where you live and make sure it is a not a CAMPING WORLD.
A few comments on the construction. Fiberglass units, with aluminum frames are lighter, more durable and harder to damage than than the aluminum siding on wood frame. Additionally, water can be driven between the seperate panels while driving down the highway in the rain and the moisture will stay in and rot the wood framing. The one exception to this are the Retro trailers by RIverside, they are aluminum siding on aluminum frame with solid foam insulation. The solid foam insulation used in the Aluminum framed trailers provides better insulation, structural support and soundproofing than the loose matted insulation used in most wood framed trailers. If you are only going to keep a trailer for 5 years or less the aluminum siding with wood frame structures are fine, but if you are going to keep it longer, I would go with fiberglass. I would also look at the roof construction. TPO roofs, common on the majority of the trailers, require annual maintenance, that can get expensive and are prone to tearing and leakage with age. Solid fiberglass roofs still require annual checkups of the seals for items penetrating the roofs, but are easier to maintain and are less prone to damage and will not tear. There are many more factors in choosing a trailer regarding such things as quality of flooring, wiring, suspension systems and considerations about appliances and cabinet design and construction. There are many reasons some trailers cost thousands of dollars more than others.
Nice video! I have a 2019 forest river evo 177bh...its bare bones but i made a few upgrades for my convenience....went from the standard plastic toilet to a porcelain rv toilet...had a satellite dish dome installed and wifi amplifier...also had a water softener and purification system installed....nothing too fancy but it does the job.
What a great video Dave! You hit many key points. One thing that I feel is important; RV's are not like modern cars that are for the most part trouble free and can easily be driven 200k miles with no major issues. All RV's, unlike cars that are precision built by robots, are basically hand built. Add in the use of components designed to reduce weight and to maximize profit as well as several different systems (heat, cooling, hot water, water delivery and pressure, three different power sources, 12 volt - 120 volt - propane, entertainment, leveling and slides and much more), it is important to carry tools and common spare parts and learn at least the basics of how these systems work. As has been mentioned many times, an RV is a "rolling earthquake". Things break FAR more often than with your car. Being able to diagnose and repair all but the most serious problems will save a ton of money and a lot of heartache and time. The weakest part of all dealerships, even the good ones, is the service and parts departments.
At the beginning of your video the first consideration you considered was the towing capacity of the vehicle you will be using. You should also mention the weight limit allowed by your driver’s licence. For example, I have a heavy duty 3/4 ton truck with a very large towing capacity. However, with my standard class 5 licence the maximum I can legally tow is 10,000 lbs. I am shopping for an RV now but am limited to RV’s under 10000 pounds. If I towed more than that I could be ticketed and forced to drop my load wherever I may be. Worst, if I had an accident the insurance company could deny my insurance claim if I tow more weight than my licence allows. A lot of RV dealers know this but don’t mention it to their customers because they want to sell a bigger more expensive rv.
you bring up very valid point. This all varies from state to state. To be completely honest I am not certain of restrictions in my state. Will look into this deeper, thanks!
Thank you for this video. I am just beginning my search for an RV and this video is the FIRST to compare siding(s). I have seen a lot of videos and no one mentions this and the potential costs associated with repairing it. Thank you again, Rodger R
rodger rosenberg thanks a bunch I appreciate it. Most dealerships are low on inventory this time of year(July), so there are deals to be made if you find something in stock. If nothing is in stock of your needs, the last of August first September most dealership’s inventories should be back up to speed. Best of luck in your search
Check the yellow sticker (usually in the driver's door) on tow vehicle. Payload numbers are just as important as tow capacity. Trailer tounge weight counts towards this and a lot of people overlooked this.
Dave this was an excellent learning video. I had friends who bought a class c a couple of yrs ago and they did research and drove to a dealership south of Dallas and bought there. We have a lot of dealerships all around and they just didn’t work with them. So yes, super good advice to shop around. I asked them awhile back if they were still happy and had any regrets. Lol they said, no not at all, still thrilled with their unit. Thanks for sharing👍🇺🇸🚐
Great video as always , job well done. Got back to reality couple of days ago and am getting caught up. I have no idea why UA-cam deleted you from my favorites, you were easy to find hope it doesn't happen again. No problems whats so ever had lot of fun can't wait till we finally meet. Thank-you so much for all the encouragement you gave me while I was camping I sure did need it. Happy Camping
I may not show up in your favorites due to your channel name??? I know at one time your ch name was Harley Charlie, and at one time it was Charlie Rides, I think,,,,anyway, glad you found me again, glad your trip was good!
Excellent and informative. You know your stuff - the slide-out limitations are extremely important and you nailed it. I think slide-outs are often overlooked by buyers. Nicely done Dave.
Yes this helps, gives insights you may not pick up if you didn’t have facts pointed out to you especially the “ show you how everything works. “Air Stream always mentions that in the videos they up out. You can stay and spend the night before you leave too. Are you charged for spending the night in your new RV ?
I want to buy an RV so bad and have been doing a ton of research. The more research I do though the more I don’t know if they are worth the money. It just doesn’t seem like they build them with good craftsmanship especially with the newer models so thank you for this video!
It’s hard to make them sturdy, yet not too heavy. But if you think of it this way, they’re designed to go down a highway at 60mph, for 100,000 miles. The abuse of the 60mph winds is a heck of a beating. So, in some ways they’re junk, in other ways impressive. Good luck making a decision. I chose a van pulling a 14’ trailer. I can fit in 2 parking spaces with lots of storage in the van. If either break down, I still have a space to sleep
Great advice for all - we had a specific Salem camper in mind when we went shopping based on a distant visual of that camper but when we got to walk through them - HOLY COW - what a difference!!! We wound up spending about $10,000.00 more for the "fiberglass" version of camper in your video. Interior construction is HUGE - NIGHT and DAY difference and that is what sold me!
Great information! Thanks. You forgot to tell everyone that if they have a good friend who already has rv experience have them either go with or check it out for you if you are looking at a used rv.
Thanks Dave, I appreciate your time and your advice on this subject. It’s given me some much need points to look for in my search for a camper to meet my needs.
dave. Thanks for the awesome video. We have been watching 100's of videos because we are about to start RVing. Just retired and just learned more from your video and any other. Thanks so much. We like the 179dbk too. thanks again. maybe we will see you out there!......
Dave is absolutely right they call it the fee game. What they do is price rig very low then hit you with education fees, freight,doc fees etc Remember the dealer you are dealing with has to make a profit but it is very competitive big time. Getting a great price shouldn’t be too hard but you have to be careful and prudent in your shopping. Another thing that is a little misleading. Say there is a very very popular model that sells by the thousands like a Cherokee or cougar etc. you may see a few more complaints on these models but you may have 40,000 sold in a year or two and have 20 complaints. Then a model that is not nearly as popular you see maybe one bad review but it’s relative. All the happy folks out camping many times don’t post a review so keep that in mind. the unit with a few more complaints may still be better unit. Also as you look at reviews really read review. Sometimes it’s a bad dealership experience. Sometimes it’s the factory. Sometimes it’s misuse by the customer themselves. The internet as Dave says is an awesome tool but it’s just one tool of many to figure out the RV world. Another example is where and how you might use your RV. As Dave said correctly you might have the same exact lay out in a bunch of differently constructed RVs or at least with different trim packages etc. I’ll add this to what Dave has said. If you are going to be using an RV in very cold or extreme climates some are better than others. That solid fiberglass wall block styrofoam insulation general has higher R values and is “ tighter” than the aluminum skinned campers. Of course you can upgrade the batten insulation in those as well. We are a dealer ourself so we always ask those questions: how many folks will be camping with you? Are you planning extended use like out west to the Rockies or Grand Canyon etc or just to local area primarily, what kind of tow vehicle do you have etc. if we do our job correctly it’s not about pushing you into something, it’s about listening and trying to help you get something that really fits your family and how you intend to use your camper. Meeting Dave I like his philosophy because he enjoys the smaller rigs and is a purist in my view. He also absolutely doesn’t trash or endorse any of us dealers. He does tell the truth as he sees it and that’s always a good thing. Lastly on financing this is another thing Dave is absolutely right on. In our case we always want to compete for the finance business from a customer because as a dealer it brings us some residual income. I’m going out on a limb here and say we can give a little better deal than cash because of it, but I always tell my customers that we will rate match as well as price match on the rig. That’s the most fair way I can think of in our world. Camping should be the most fun thing you ever do with your family. That’s how my family ended up in the RV business now we are doing what we love and making a living at it. Can’t beat that. Thanks for another great video Mr Dave when folks do really shop better dealers float to the top people just have to watch out for the “ sharks” out there. I can’t tell you how many times someone comes to trade a camper they bought at one of those big corporate stores and will think they owe 12-13000 dollars or something on the rig they have then we call for the pay off and it’s 18-19000 because they added all kinds of stuff in the 11th hour. Those guys are slick and are pros. I say this not to toot our horn because no dealership is perfect but for the most part buying from a local dealer that lives in the town they are in, has children in the school etc etc ties to that community is a better situation than people big companies send in to run a branch. Campers truly are improving all the time but you still need to shop several dealers before making purchase decision.
I am learning a lot from your videos and I am still in the research phase. One thing I have learn....big box dealers do not save you money like you would think, especially considering they buy in “bulk”. CW is charging 995.00 freight + 995.00 prep, their word for teaching you about your trailer. But they do include the battery and a filled 20 lb. LP tank Who are they kidding? Thanks for your help
Thanks for another great video. I’ve been researching for some time but your video still have me somethings to consider. Appreciate your time and honesty. Thanks
Great video!!! I am new at this. Still haven't bought one yet still studying. Lol I did have a dealership try to get me for an extra 8grand for one. Asked them about it, I could drive to Wisconsin and save this money havent heard another word from them. Lol thanks again
C Most thanks!!! So you’re obviously shopping for your first RV, hence the title of video,, LOL. Feel free to let me know your check list needs/wants, I’ll keep my eyes open. Email is DavesRVChannel@yahoo.com thanks for subscribing!
I have to add to this issue since we are pointing out CW here. As I said in my previous post. I just bought a camper from there last Monday. We camped over the 4th holiday. Camper was great. However this is where it gets interesting. While camping I had time to actually sit downAnd go over the contract and all the papers signed for purchase. Originally I had purchased the additional warranty gap insurance and environmental protection. I decided I did not want to keep the extra insurance for $3000 or the gap for an extra thousand. You read in the fine print you have 60 days to cancel if you do not want this. I went back to the dealer yesterday July 8. Had a meeting with the finance guy, the one we originally used. Told him I decided I did not want the additional $4000 of insurance. He instantly got an attitude with me and the wife. Went on a rampage about how much a single Repair would cost. He said things break. I said I understand that but that is the reason we bought brand new and not used. I proceeded to tell him that I would use the existing warranty on the camper appliances etc. His attitude got worse to the point he says don’t bring it back here and expect us to fix it. He said manufacture warranty doesn’t fix everything. He said they could tell you to go pound sand. With our warranty we will fix it. I proceeded to tell him $4000 extra Plus compounded interest would be a lot of money in the end. He literally printed the cancellation papers and threw them on the desk in front of us and said sign here. I proceeded to try to talk to him in a nice manner he wouldn’t say two more words to me other than we are done here. There will be a phone call today to management or higher up whatever it takes. I will say on a positive note our salesman was very excellent and professional.
@@corykroeger2231 Does the salesperson get a cut of the insurance? He was nice because he was well compensated. I imagine the finance guy was nice when u purchased.
@cliftt the sales get a commission on the sale and the finance guy gets a cut on selling the extra warranty. Sales guy was great throughout the sale and after. The finance guy not so much after canceling the extra warranty. Which was 4K extra on the cost of the TT.
Excellent advice. I STARTED looking at camping world in Texas, but found my exact needed trailer in California at a very nice local dealership. So yeah, NEWLY RETIRED ROAD TRIP!!!
Another great video. Thanks Dave! :) I'm still thinking and reading. This virus has the production lines all messed up and a lot of dealers are waiting on inventory. I'm afraid the first ones produced will be junk because of the backlog and workers rushing to crank out units. I'm learning patience, which is a good thing. Gives me time to watch more of your videos! Be well. Greg in TN
New subscriber and, yes, you've given me a lot of food for thought! I only want a TT to park at a camp site to use as my get-away! My She-Shed on wheels. Don't need the $30k dual axel TT! Thank you sooo much! Can't wait to see what other videos you have!
Hey Dave this is the first video I watched of you I enjoyed it very much you seem like an honest and open gentleman I did subscribe look forward to watching some more of your videos thanks again
I bought a Winnebago so I don't have to stay at the Holiday inn. Might be a destination camper at Toledo Bend Lake like the Mobile Scout we had for 20 years. Hope it is quality!
This was an impressive and very informative video. My wife and I are planning on purchasing one soon and have no clue. So thanks for the video and I did subscribe.
Hey Dave!!! Thanks for the opportunity to watch your video. We are on the market to purchase our first RV. We have looked at different types and decided on a 5th wheel with the gooseneck adaptor. What do you guys think about a 2005 Cougar bunk house fifth wheel RV with 1 slideout? it is listed at $8,900 and negotiated price down to $7,000 + TTL. It seems to be in good shape. Salesperson showed us different things to look for when looking at RVs. He even showed us a couple RV's that had hidden problems (those were getting repaired). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your time and consideration. -Henry from Texas
that is right at the age I would consider checking out roof with a fine tooth comb. Without seeing it in person, I cannot help with the price, as far as it being worth it or not. If at a dealership, I'd try to negotiate in the price a routine maintenance on the camper as well as the roof re-seal.
There's hundreds of people complaining about CW, most say they did there research, now that's a joke, there's thousands of videos warning people to stay way! Check out RV Show USA where they sold a 90 year old single lady that could not even drive a $90,000 motor home, sold it as new but was already damaged and refused to take it back, sold a used camper to some one out of state that they charged them for an "inspecton" only to find out it looked like the A/C had been ripped off the roof and there was a 4' hole in the roofing.
Good advise.... i tend to suggest 75% of tow capacity as many RV specs state what seems to be a lie. Example my 14 foot. 8 foot 2 inch tall 1692lb. Well yes true but not with AC unit on top, microwave, optional equipment is not included nor is the gas and battery.... my 1692 with options gas and battery was more like 2000lb then pots pans food drink clothes so on. Now we are looking at closer to 2500lb AND 9 foot 1 inch tall with the AC unit. My tow vehicle a jeep wrangler with a gear ratio of 3:73 was only rated for 2000lb but if i had opted for the 4:10 gears would be 3500lb. I got it now to build to my liking so it now has 4:11 gears with true track traction control front and back so im good. However left stock i would have well exceeded 2000lb with a trailer stating on the sticker 1692lb.
Good job i’m planning on retiring a few years and I’m single but I have a Lot of toys so I’m going to get a toy hauler and from what I can tell it’s expensive but the ATC seems to be one that will stay together.
Thanks for the intel. Still thinking about the right first choice for us ( 2 people and a dog ). We have a Dodge Caravan to pull which is rated to 3500 pounds, want to see how much I like the camping before I get a mid to large pickup. I know this is limited, and am research all aluminum trailers for less weight and total length about 15' including tongue so maybe an 8 x 12 could work. Any input on all aluminum trailers would be appreciated ? Looking at Weeroll as they seem to offer packages that make sense for beginners like me.
Your towing capacity and your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) are not the same thing. Don't google to see what you can tow. Your vehicle's weight information is on a sticker inside the driver's side door. The GVRW is important if you're buying a fifth wheel. As a rule, if you haven't gotten 25% off the MSRP you've over paid. It depends on how much it originally cost.
You are correct. Since the video is geared for the first time buyer, I felt GVWR gets intimidating, there is lots to keep up with and learn. That is why I say 80% of tow capacity, should be safe and easy for a newbie to understand
Great video very informative. We have got our vehicle now and it can haul 5000lb. What's the next step as to checking trailers out? I've gone to many sites and found several. How can I tell if it's the right one without getting price gouged??
franceska counts search 300-400 mile radius once you zero in on the model you want. Use prices within 300-400 miles as your leverage. Website of every manufacturer has a tool that will show you where dealerships are that sell those models. Price check, again use prices as leverage.
I am hoping to get your opinion on 2 deals I'm considering? 2020 Entegra Odyssey 31f. Dealer 1: Not local. Offer ~$74k with autojacks and waiving fees. Dealer 2: Local. Offer $77k, installing the autojacks, and installing 340 watts of solar. I'm leaning towards the local dealer but could I do even better or is the non local deal the best? THANK YOU! :)
great question. I am not familiar with that brand. I would first see if their website has list of dealers across the U.S. Contact each dealer and tell them exactly what you are doing. Tell them you do not mind traveling, that is why you are buying the camper, to travel. I would also tell the local dealer exact same thing, cut and paste exact same email to all of them. Make it very clear you do not mind traveling. Because they will likely think, they need to shoot as low as possible to outbid competitors. Also insist quoted price must be out the door, no extra fees. Also let them know if its cash or credit. Many dealers have programs where they get kickbacks from doing credit, which is also a bonus to them, another carrot for them to ensure they get the deal.
I've watched a lot of how to buy RVs videos. But I do think this one is the best one I've seen.
Thank you so much Fred!! I really appreciate it!
It looks unanimous --the most effective, down-to-earth information about buying an RV. You did a fanamatastic job on this video, Dave.
thanks a million Michael!
For those who do not know, Dave was referring to Camping World. Never buy or get your unit serviced there. If you are going to make a drive to get your RV. Find out who is the local dealership who can perform warranty work where you live and make sure it is a not a CAMPING WORLD.
you took the words right out of my mouth,,LOL
I am here to educate new RVers Big Dave.
Thank you for this. Information
Do not go to Camping World for anything they will screw you every chance they get
Good to know. I was going to go there today to check out travel trailers
A few comments on the construction. Fiberglass units, with aluminum frames are lighter, more durable and harder to damage than than the aluminum siding on wood frame. Additionally, water can be driven between the seperate panels while driving down the highway in the rain and the moisture will stay in and rot the wood framing. The one exception to this are the Retro trailers by RIverside, they are aluminum siding on aluminum frame with solid foam insulation. The solid foam insulation used in the Aluminum framed trailers provides better insulation, structural support and soundproofing than the loose matted insulation used in most wood framed trailers. If you are only going to keep a trailer for 5 years or less the aluminum siding with wood frame structures are fine, but if you are going to keep it longer, I would go with fiberglass. I would also look at the roof construction. TPO roofs, common on the majority of the trailers, require annual maintenance, that can get expensive and are prone to tearing and leakage with age. Solid fiberglass roofs still require annual checkups of the seals for items penetrating the roofs, but are easier to maintain and are less prone to damage and will not tear. There are many more factors in choosing a trailer regarding such things as quality of flooring, wiring, suspension systems and considerations about appliances and cabinet design and construction. There are many reasons some trailers cost thousands of dollars more than others.
very true, many reasons prices are different even with same floorplan. Great info!
Recreation by Design is by far the best quality travel trailer I have ever owned. 6 years and a few cosmetic issues.
As someone looking to purchase my first trailer this info was invaluable, thanks!
Nice video! I have a 2019 forest river evo 177bh...its bare bones but i made a few upgrades for my convenience....went from the standard plastic toilet to a porcelain rv toilet...had a satellite dish dome installed and wifi amplifier...also had a water softener and purification system installed....nothing too fancy but it does the job.
What a great video Dave!
You hit many key points.
One thing that I feel is important; RV's are not like modern cars that are for the most part trouble free and can easily be driven 200k miles with no major issues. All RV's, unlike cars that are precision built by robots, are basically hand built. Add in the use of components designed to reduce weight and to maximize profit as well as several different systems (heat, cooling, hot water, water delivery and pressure, three different power sources, 12 volt - 120 volt - propane, entertainment, leveling and slides and much more), it is important to carry tools and common spare parts and learn at least the basics of how these systems work.
As has been mentioned many times, an RV is a "rolling earthquake". Things break FAR more often than with your car. Being able to diagnose and repair all but the most serious problems will save a ton of money and a lot of heartache and time. The weakest part of all dealerships, even the good ones, is the service and parts departments.
not all dealerships want to do warranty work on an RV bought at another dealership. So when you travel, it can be a headache
@@davesrvchannel4717 very true and you are also at their mercy. Great video Dave had lot of good info for the newbeeies
So, there is no Toyota of the RV world ?? brakes, tires, battery for 170K miles ?? dang
At the beginning of your video the first consideration you considered was the towing capacity of the vehicle you will be using. You should also mention the weight limit allowed by your driver’s licence. For example, I have a heavy duty 3/4 ton truck with a very large towing capacity. However, with my standard class 5 licence the maximum I can legally tow is 10,000 lbs. I am shopping for an RV now but am limited to RV’s under 10000 pounds. If I towed more than that I could be ticketed and forced to drop my load wherever I may be. Worst, if I had an accident the insurance company could deny my insurance claim if I tow more weight than my licence allows. A lot of RV dealers know this but don’t mention it to their customers because they want to sell a bigger more expensive rv.
you bring up very valid point. This all varies from state to state. To be completely honest I am not certain of restrictions in my state. Will look into this deeper, thanks!
Thank you for this video. I am just beginning my search for an RV and this video is the FIRST to compare siding(s). I have seen a lot of videos and no one mentions this and the potential costs associated with repairing it.
Thank you again,
Rodger R
rodger rosenberg thanks a bunch I appreciate it. Most dealerships are low on inventory this time of year(July), so there are deals to be made if you find something in stock. If nothing is in stock of your needs, the last of August first September most dealership’s inventories should be back up to speed. Best of luck in your search
rodger rosenberg I agree. Does one type eliminate the need for sealant maintenance around windows?
Check the yellow sticker (usually in the driver's door) on tow vehicle. Payload numbers are just as important as tow capacity. Trailer tounge weight counts towards this and a lot of people overlooked this.
great tip Jason!
What a wonderful video. You covered a lot of topics & great ideas. Thank you so much. Keep up the good work.
Dave this was an excellent learning video. I had friends who bought a class c a couple of yrs ago and they did research and drove to a dealership south of Dallas and bought there. We have a lot of dealerships all around and they just didn’t work with them. So yes, super good advice to shop around. I asked them awhile back if they were still happy and had any regrets. Lol they said, no not at all, still thrilled with their unit. Thanks for sharing👍🇺🇸🚐
Thanks! Also thanks for sharing the story
Great video as always , job well done. Got back to reality couple of days ago and am getting caught up. I have no idea why UA-cam deleted you from my favorites, you were easy to find hope it doesn't happen again. No problems whats so ever had lot of fun can't wait till we finally meet. Thank-you so much for all the encouragement you gave me while I was camping I sure did need it. Happy Camping
I may not show up in your favorites due to your channel name??? I know at one time your ch name was Harley Charlie, and at one time it was Charlie Rides, I think,,,,anyway, glad you found me again, glad your trip was good!
Educating yourself is a mighty fine thing. Lot's of great info here. 😊👍
thanks Susan!
Excellent and informative. You know your stuff - the slide-out limitations are extremely important and you nailed it. I think slide-outs are often overlooked by buyers. Nicely done Dave.
Thank you for the 80% towing capacity information. I knew it wouldn't be wise to tow AT capacity, but wasn't sure how far under to go.
Yes this helps, gives insights you may not pick up if you didn’t have facts pointed out to you especially the “ show you how everything works. “Air Stream always mentions that in the videos they up out. You can stay and spend the night before you leave too. Are you charged for spending the night in your new RV ?
This is one of your best videos yet I truly enjoyed it thumbs up 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 🎉🥳💥 thank you😎
Thanks a bunch!!!!
I want to buy an RV so bad and have been doing a ton of research. The more research I do though the more I don’t know if they are worth the money. It just doesn’t seem like they build them with good craftsmanship especially with the newer models so thank you for this video!
It’s hard to make them sturdy, yet not too heavy. But if you think of it this way, they’re designed to go down a highway at 60mph, for 100,000 miles. The abuse of the 60mph winds is a heck of a beating. So, in some ways they’re junk, in other ways impressive.
Good luck making a decision. I chose a van pulling a 14’ trailer. I can fit in 2 parking spaces with lots of storage in the van. If either break down, I still have a space to sleep
Great advice for all - we had a specific Salem camper in mind when we went shopping based on a distant visual of that camper but when we got to walk through them - HOLY COW - what a difference!!! We wound up spending about $10,000.00 more for the "fiberglass" version of camper in your video. Interior construction is HUGE - NIGHT and DAY difference and that is what sold me!
Ron Dowty thanks Ron!! Yes there’s lots to know and look for
I love your videos. Getting ready for my first rv. Single dad going full time rv. You are helping me a lot. Thank you, God bless.
Philip Marcotti thanks a bunch!! Made my day. New videos coming soon. Best of luck on your new journey
Very good video, Dave. I will be rewatching it many times before we finally take the plunge in a couple of years. Thank you! Take care.
Thanks Jeanne! Hopefully you'll get to take that plunge sooner
Great information! Thanks. You forgot to tell everyone that if they have a good friend who already has rv experience have them either go with or check it out for you if you are looking at a used rv.
and take someone with a good nose to sniff out mold
@@davesrvchannel4717 seems like a lot of people have really benefited from this video. Thanks for your help on the personal front.
Thanks Dave, I appreciate your time and your advice on this subject. It’s given me some much need points to look for in my search for a camper to meet my needs.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for such a great comment
dave. Thanks for the awesome video. We have been watching 100's of videos because we are about to start RVing. Just retired and just learned more from your video and any other. Thanks so much. We like the 179dbk too. thanks again. maybe we will see you out there!......
Linda Levine thanks for watching and your positive comments, I really appreciate it a bunch!! I hope to see y’all out on the road as well!!!
Dave is absolutely right they call it the fee game. What they do is price rig very low then hit you with education fees, freight,doc fees etc
Remember the dealer you are dealing with has to make a profit but it is very competitive big time. Getting a great price shouldn’t be too hard but you have to be careful and prudent in your shopping.
Another thing that is a little misleading. Say there is a very very popular model that sells by the thousands like a Cherokee or cougar etc. you may see a few more complaints on these models but you may have 40,000 sold in a year or two and have 20 complaints. Then a model that is not nearly as popular you see maybe one bad review but it’s relative. All the happy folks out camping many times don’t post a review so keep that in mind.
the unit with a few more complaints may still be better unit. Also as you look at reviews really read review. Sometimes it’s a bad dealership experience. Sometimes it’s the factory. Sometimes it’s misuse by the customer themselves. The internet as Dave says is an awesome tool but it’s just one tool of many to figure out the RV world. Another example is where and how you might use your RV. As Dave said correctly you might have the same exact lay out in a bunch of differently constructed RVs or at least with different trim packages etc. I’ll add this to what Dave has said. If you are going to be using an RV in very cold or extreme climates some are better than others. That solid fiberglass wall block styrofoam insulation general has higher R values and is “ tighter” than the aluminum skinned campers. Of course you can upgrade the batten insulation in those as well. We are a dealer ourself so we always ask those questions: how many folks will be camping with you? Are you planning extended use like out west to the Rockies or Grand Canyon etc or just to local area primarily, what kind of tow vehicle do you have etc. if we do our job correctly it’s not about pushing you into something, it’s about listening and trying to help you get something that really fits your family and how you intend to use your camper. Meeting Dave I like his philosophy because he enjoys the smaller rigs and is a purist in my view. He also absolutely doesn’t trash or endorse any of us dealers. He does tell the truth as he sees it and that’s always a good thing.
Lastly on financing this is another thing Dave is absolutely right on. In our case we always want to compete for the finance business from a customer because as a dealer it brings us some residual income. I’m going out on a limb here and say we can give a little better deal than cash because of it, but I always tell my customers that we will rate match as well as price match on the rig. That’s the most fair way I can think of in our world. Camping should be the most fun thing you ever do with your family. That’s how my family ended up in the RV business now we are doing what we love and making a living at it. Can’t beat that. Thanks for another great video Mr Dave when folks do really shop better dealers float to the top people just have to watch out for the “ sharks” out there. I can’t tell you how many times someone comes to trade a camper they bought at one of those big corporate stores and will think they owe 12-13000 dollars or something on the rig they have then we call for the pay off and it’s 18-19000 because they added all kinds of stuff in the 11th hour. Those guys are slick and are pros. I say this not to toot our horn because no dealership is perfect but for the most part buying from a local dealer that lives in the town they are in, has children in the school etc etc ties to that community is a better situation than people big companies send in to run a branch. Campers truly are improving all the time but you still need to shop several dealers before making purchase decision.
I am learning a lot from your videos and I am still in the research phase. One thing I have learn....big box dealers do not save you money like you would think, especially considering they buy in “bulk”. CW is charging 995.00 freight + 995.00 prep, their word for teaching you about your trailer. But they do include the battery and a filled 20 lb. LP tank
Who are they kidding?
Thanks for your help
Yes, shop small business owned for best results!
Thanks for another great video. I’ve been researching for some time but your video still have me somethings to consider. Appreciate your time and honesty. Thanks
thank you Sandra, feel free to ask any questions I may be able to help you with
Great video!!! I am new at this. Still haven't bought one yet still studying. Lol I did have a dealership try to get me for an extra 8grand for one. Asked them about it, I could drive to Wisconsin and save this money havent heard another word from them. Lol thanks again
Which did u choose?
@@cliftt still haven't chose I really want a toy hauler 5th wheel
Very informative video, gives a person a lot to think about. Thanks for putting it together.
Dave, you gave some OUTSTANDING information!
On Insurance: Slide in camper vs. Travel trailer?
thanks Cajun, I am hoping to do a video on RV insurance. I am waiting to get the green light now from the company I use
Thank you for all the insight! I can't wait to start my rv buying search for the first time in the spring!
Thanks so much for this video brother! I have been in a fog looking at travel trailers and I have learned so much from you.
Thanks, I appreciate that!
Pure honesty... just have to love this. Thank you sir!
I appreciate that! thanks
Dave, you were so informative. I appreciate all that you mentioned. You gave me things to think about. I’m now subscribed!!
C Most thanks!!! So you’re obviously shopping for your first RV, hence the title of video,, LOL. Feel free to let me know your check list needs/wants, I’ll keep my eyes open. Email is DavesRVChannel@yahoo.com thanks for subscribing!
Thank-you. Looking for simplicity don't need all home comforts of home.
Great video! I'm sure you have helped a bunch of buyers!! Keep up the good work.
thanks for the encouragement!!!!!
Great information,
I really appreciate the knowledge you have shared.
I learned so much.
Thank you
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for your kind words
I have to add to this issue since we are pointing out CW here. As I said in my previous post. I just bought a camper from there last Monday. We camped over the 4th holiday. Camper was great. However this is where it gets interesting. While camping I had time to actually sit downAnd go over the contract and all the papers signed for purchase. Originally I had purchased the additional warranty gap insurance and environmental protection. I decided I did not want to keep the extra insurance for $3000 or the gap for an extra thousand. You read in the fine print you have 60 days to cancel if you do not want this. I went back to the dealer yesterday July 8. Had a meeting with the finance guy, the one we originally used. Told him I decided I did not want the additional $4000 of insurance. He instantly got an attitude with me and the wife. Went on a rampage about how much a single Repair would cost. He said things break. I said I understand that but that is the reason we bought brand new and not used. I proceeded to tell him that I would use the existing warranty on the camper appliances etc. His attitude got worse to the point he says don’t bring it back here and expect us to fix it. He said manufacture warranty doesn’t fix everything. He said they could tell you to go pound sand. With our warranty we will fix it. I proceeded to tell him $4000 extra Plus compounded interest would be a lot of money in the end. He literally printed the cancellation papers and threw them on the desk in front of us and said sign here. I proceeded to try to talk to him in a nice manner he wouldn’t say two more words to me other than we are done here. There will be a phone call today to management or higher up whatever it takes. I will say on a positive note our salesman was very excellent and professional.
Cory Kroeger thanks for updates. Keep them coming. Can you imagine how much stuff would have to break to deem $4,000 in repairs? Wow!!!
Cory Kroeger all about commission...not customer satisfaction. Just pay them for the sale not for add on services fueled by dishonesty
Ken Matthews exactly what I did when I cancelled it. Salesmen deserved his commission. Not the finance guys. Thanks
@@corykroeger2231 Does the salesperson get a cut of the insurance? He was nice because he was well compensated. I imagine the finance guy was nice when u purchased.
@cliftt the sales get a commission on the sale and the finance guy gets a cut on selling the extra warranty. Sales guy was great throughout the sale and after. The finance guy not so much after canceling the extra warranty. Which was 4K extra on the cost of the TT.
Excellent advice. I STARTED looking at camping world in Texas, but found my exact needed trailer in California at a very nice local dealership. So yeah, NEWLY RETIRED ROAD TRIP!!!
Any place but Camping World is a great place to start. Enjoy your new purchase, have fun, and happy trails
Yes, this is one of the best vids for beginners. I personally, found this vid to be very informative.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks a ton!
Another great video. Thanks Dave! :) I'm still thinking and reading. This virus has the production lines all messed up and a lot of dealers are waiting on inventory. I'm afraid the first ones produced will be junk because of the backlog and workers rushing to crank out units. I'm learning patience, which is a good thing. Gives me time to watch more of your videos! Be well. Greg in TN
If you’ve ever seen the videos from various companies building campers, it is kinda scary. Yet amazing these things hold up at all
@@davesrvchannel4717 I live in a double-wide, so I have some idea. Probably similar, but worse. :)
Man, this video is very good, best I seen about the RVs
thanks
Domingo Garcia thanks!! I really appreciate that!
Great advice! Thank you
Excellent information. Have a great day.
thanks, you too!!!!!
Excellent advice! Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
New subscriber and, yes, you've given me a lot of food for thought! I only want a TT to park at a camp site to use as my get-away! My She-Shed on wheels. Don't need the $30k dual axel TT! Thank you sooo much! Can't wait to see what other videos you have!
Thanks for joining and your kind words. Good luck on your search!
Thank You for all the info, haven't bought yet, that's why you are so important!! Go BUCKS!
Gooood deal Dave! Definitely things to look at and consider. 🖒
Great info Dave 👍 Thanks and God bless ✌️
you too Reb!!
Thank you so much again very helpful information👍👍👍👍👍👍 still looking for my RV..... thank you again for the great videos
thanks Gary!
Thank you for the great advice. very helpful .
Hey Dave this is the first video I watched of you I enjoyed it very much you seem like an honest and open gentleman I did subscribe look forward to watching some more of your videos thanks again
Welcome aboard! Thanks for such kind words!
Dave consider doing a buying guide series. Thanks for the video.
great idea!
I bought a Winnebago so I don't have to stay at the Holiday inn. Might be a destination camper at Toledo Bend Lake like the Mobile Scout we had for 20 years. Hope it is quality!
This was an impressive and very informative video. My wife and I are planning on purchasing one soon and have no clue. So thanks for the video and I did subscribe.
Thanks for great comment. Best wishes on your new journey. Thanks for subscribing!
Hey Dave!!! Thanks for the opportunity to watch your video. We are on the market to purchase our first RV. We have looked at different types and decided on a 5th wheel with the gooseneck adaptor. What do you guys think about a 2005 Cougar bunk house fifth wheel RV with 1 slideout? it is listed at $8,900 and negotiated price down to $7,000 + TTL. It seems to be in good shape. Salesperson showed us different things to look for when looking at RVs. He even showed us a couple RV's that had hidden problems (those were getting repaired). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your time and consideration. -Henry from Texas
that is right at the age I would consider checking out roof with a fine tooth comb. Without seeing it in person, I cannot help with the price, as far as it being worth it or not. If at a dealership, I'd try to negotiate in the price a routine maintenance on the camper as well as the roof re-seal.
Yet another fine vid DAVE! You go crazy 😜 spending all that You Tube $$$ in 1 place? 😂
A trip to waffle house every 3 or 4 videos. 😀😀😀😀
I spend most of the money on gas to do the videos,,LOL
You are a rare person Dave..... honesty is VERY hard to come by nowadays! GBU
thanks my friend!
Thank you for your advice. We are planning on purchasing our first RV in about 2 months. This will help us a great deal.
There's hundreds of people complaining about CW, most say they did there research, now that's a joke, there's thousands of videos warning people to stay way! Check out RV Show USA where they sold a 90 year old single lady that could not even drive a $90,000 motor home, sold it as new but was already damaged and refused to take it back, sold a used camper to some one out of state that they charged them for an "inspecton" only to find out it looked like the A/C had been ripped off the roof and there was a 4' hole in the roofing.
Great video Dave. Thank you for sharing this information! Subbed!
Awesome, thank you!
Great Video, Thanks for all the information, this is the basic information that most of us, new on this we are looking for, thanks a lot.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video Dave!
Good advise.... i tend to suggest 75% of tow capacity as many RV specs state what seems to be a lie. Example my 14 foot. 8 foot 2 inch tall 1692lb. Well yes true but not with AC unit on top, microwave, optional equipment is not included nor is the gas and battery.... my 1692 with options gas and battery was more like 2000lb then pots pans food drink clothes so on. Now we are looking at closer to 2500lb AND 9 foot 1 inch tall with the AC unit. My tow vehicle a jeep wrangler with a gear ratio of 3:73 was only rated for 2000lb but if i had opted for the 4:10 gears would be 3500lb. I got it now to build to my liking so it now has 4:11 gears with true track traction control front and back so im good. However left stock i would have well exceeded 2000lb with a trailer stating on the sticker 1692lb.
I wish all the suvs on the road towing travel trailers would at least read your post.
Thank you!
i love your introduction, hope you are making more money on this channel!
Excellent general advice!
I love watching your videos! Thank you for all your info.
Awesome! Thanks for watching and great comment
Great video, thanks again Dave.
Great Video! Must Watch!!!
Thank you for this. I'm just starting to look at RVs and this was enlightening. I've subscribed and will be watching more. Greg in TN
Welcome aboard!
Good job i’m planning on retiring a few years and I’m single but I have a Lot of toys so I’m going to get a toy hauler and from what I can tell it’s expensive but the ATC seems to be one that will stay together.
Great job
Thanks!!
Very helpful
This man deserves more than $8 from UA-cam
Thanks!!! You just won comment of the year award. LoL. I do appreciate it!
Very useful information, thanks for your time and effort
Great video and great information!!
Thanks for the advice im looking to get my first one soon
TY
Good honest opinions! Great work man keep it up!!!
Appreciate it! Thanks
What a great video! One of the most honest ones I’ve seen! Great job and how much of the research did Muppy help with?
Muppy is not much help, but she makes everyone smile! LOL
Good info , just starting research on buying a travel trailer
Thx , so much to consider
Nice video keeep going !!
Thanks, will do!
This was a great video. Thanks
Thanks for the intel. Still thinking about the right first choice for us ( 2 people and a dog ). We have a Dodge Caravan to pull which is rated to 3500 pounds, want to see how much I like the camping before I get a mid to large pickup. I know this is limited, and am research all aluminum trailers for less weight and total length about 15' including tongue so maybe an 8 x 12 could work. Any input on all aluminum trailers would be appreciated ? Looking at Weeroll as they seem to offer packages that make sense for beginners like me.
if possible in your area, look at renting a camper for the weekend, to see what you like and dislike and how well your truck pulls
The moment it hits the curb off the lot the camper enters the "real world" value.
Your towing capacity and your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) are not the same thing. Don't google to see what you can tow. Your vehicle's weight information is on a sticker inside the driver's side door. The GVRW is important if you're buying a fifth wheel. As a rule, if you haven't gotten 25% off the MSRP you've over paid. It depends on how much it originally cost.
You are correct. Since the video is geared for the first time buyer, I felt GVWR gets intimidating, there is lots to keep up with and learn. That is why I say 80% of tow capacity, should be safe and easy for a newbie to understand
Great video brother you hit the main points
Love the accent! Sounds like home!
Dude love the way you tell it
thanks Anthony!!!!
Camping world Florida is one
Thanks for sharing a lot of tips.
Good Video
Thanks Tracy!
Thanks for a great informative video!👏👏 have you ever done one on Grand Design rv’s?
Yes I have, if you click on my channel name, then it should take you to my channel. In search put Grand Design
Thank you Handsome, lots of good information!
Great video very informative. We have got our vehicle now and it can haul 5000lb. What's the next step as to checking trailers out? I've gone to many sites and found several. How can I tell if it's the right one without getting price gouged??
franceska counts search 300-400 mile radius once you zero in on the model you want. Use prices within 300-400 miles as your leverage. Website of every manufacturer has a tool that will show you where dealerships are that sell those models. Price check, again use prices as leverage.
Great video lol I would have preferred 3-4 hrs of your knowledge thank you kindly
thanks,,, I appreciate it!!!!!
I am hoping to get your opinion on 2 deals I'm considering? 2020 Entegra Odyssey 31f. Dealer 1: Not local. Offer ~$74k with autojacks and waiving fees. Dealer 2: Local. Offer $77k, installing the autojacks, and installing 340 watts of solar. I'm leaning towards the local dealer but could I do even better or is the non local deal the best? THANK YOU! :)
great question. I am not familiar with that brand. I would first see if their website has list of dealers across the U.S. Contact each dealer and tell them exactly what you are doing. Tell them you do not mind traveling, that is why you are buying the camper, to travel. I would also tell the local dealer exact same thing, cut and paste exact same email to all of them. Make it very clear you do not mind traveling. Because they will likely think, they need to shoot as low as possible to outbid competitors. Also insist quoted price must be out the door, no extra fees. Also let them know if its cash or credit. Many dealers have programs where they get kickbacks from doing credit, which is also a bonus to them, another carrot for them to ensure they get the deal.
Question: if you buy from a dealership say 600 miles away will you have to make that trip for all maintenance / service needs?
Great job on this!
Great video