Any experience with Arkansas (or surrounding area) Thor dealers?

[tnedator]

I know there is a lot of talk about the importance of buying from and having a relationship with reputable, reliable dealers. But, knowing who fits that bill is tough.

In Little Rock, there seems to be:

Camping World
River City
Mayflower RV

Spiraling out from there, I'm seeing:

Camping world in Memphis
Reliable Imports in Springfield
Byerly near St. Louis (4.5+ hours from me).

Any experience with any of these?

[Mo_Mike]

Originally Posted by tnedator

I know there is a lot of talk about the importance of buying from and having a relationship with reputable, reliable dealers. But, knowing who fits that bill is tough.

In Little Rock, there seems to be:

Camping World
River City
Mayflower RV

Spiraling out from there, I'm seeing:

Camping world in Memphis
Reliable Imports in Springfield
Byerly near St. Louis (4.5+ hours from me).

Any experience with any of these?

We bought our 2016 VEGAS new last year from Reliable Imports..

We have purchased numerous vehicles from them over the years, and the purchasing and PDI was a good experience. They actually found numerous items on the PDI and repaired them on the spot.

One bad note, I had to start walking out of the closing when the finance manager would not take not for an answer on the extended warranty. I refused to deal with her after that and made the sales manager finish the closing...

I would buy another coach from them in the future...

[vmyoung61]

I wouldn't buy from Camping World, if they were the last dealer in the state. Once they make the sale, good luck getting service.

Mayflower has been really good to us when it comes to service. Even though we didn't buy from them.

We just purchased our Palazzo from Reliable RV in Springfield, MO. No complaints, so far.

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by vmyoung61

I wouldn't buy from Camping World, if they were the last dealer in the state. Once they make the sale, good luck getting service.

Mayflower has been really good to us when it comes to service. Even though we didn't buy from them.

We just purchased our Palazzo from Reliable RV in Springfield, MO. No complaints, so far.

Mayflower has so few reviews on Google, it's hard to get a feel, so it's good to hear a first hand account. River City reviews are frightening.

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

We bought our 2016 VEGAS new last year from Reliable Imports..

We have purchased numerous vehicles from them over the years, and the purchasing and PDI was a good experience. They actually found numerous items on the PDI and repaired them on the spot.

One bad note, I had to start walking out of the closing when the finance manager would not take not for an answer on the extended warranty. I refused to deal with her after that and made the sales manager finish the closing...

I would buy another coach from them in the future...

Looking at google/Facebook reviews, Reliable seems to have mostly really good reviews with sales (some complaints), but more of a mixed bag with service.

Basically I'm about 1:30 or a bit less from Mayflower and 3:30 from Reliable. In the general area, they seem to be the two best options that I can find (if I want to buy from the same place I get service).

[Blackjeepjk]

I live in NWA.
You asked, here's my opinion. AVOID camping world. I've had nothing but trouble with my purchase there.
MHSRV in Alvarado TX is where I bought my first one. Very good selection, straight forward, and easy to deal with.

[SuperD]

Like Blackjeep we also bought at MHSRV in Alvarado Texas. Go to their website, MHSRV.com and look at their selection. I was delt with fairly and felt everyone their was very friendly. They have full service covered spots where you can stay a couple of nights to get acquainted with your new coach, ask questions, and have anything you find fixed. MHSRV is literally the largest dealer there is! They have 160 acres of RVs and a total of 460 acres of land. I was at the dealership last week and spoke to the delivery manager, they have over 900 new coaches on order, if they don't have what you want now they'll probably be getting it soon. Very nice people to deal with!!!

[TheTraveler]

I went to GA to purchase a new Hurricane because I could get it for $9k cheaper than I could in Arkansas. Before that I had purchased a used Axis at CampingWorld in North Little Rock. I'm using their service department to complete the punch list items on my new purchase. So far they seem to be doing ok on the service side though it's been about 3 weeks and they are still not finished (had to order parts and I guess that moved me to the back of the line even though the parts have come in). On the sales side I have to agree, avoid CampingWorld if you can. It feels like you're dealing with a sleezy used car dealership. I think the only reason they are being at all responsive on working on the new Hurricane is because Thor requires them to. I wish I had a better answer for you, but I have not found any RV dealers in Arkansas that I'm comfortable with. To be fair, my experience has been limited to CW. Oh, and whatever you do, do not purchase an extended warranty from CW! They mark it up way way more than they should. If you want one you're better off going directly to the underwriter (Good Sam or whoever).

[glamperjan]

Don't go to RCD Sales in any of their locations. They were terrible. The salesman didn't know anything but I loved the rig period so I bought a Thor Chateau from them. They would not warranty any of the Chevy aspects since it was a Class C. They don't service any of the running parts. Their service was awful in trying to fix a fuel problem of the pump shutting on and off. Told me to take it to a Chevy dealer. They never did a pre-delivery inspection and they were all kinds of things wrong with it. When I pointed it out it was a long list. They would not be my recommendation for a dealer.

[tnedator]

Hey TheTraveler, thanks for the info. Good to hear that CampingWorld is doing ok on service. In reviews I've read on the Little Rock branch, some have been real positive on service, some not. I read something in a review about a woman that took over the service department (maybe a year ago) that supposedly improved it a bunch.

Glamperjan, is RCD River City RV or something else? Google reviews are nothing but a series of horror stories on River City service.

Either of you ever tried Mayflower service? They seem quite a bit smaller. Also, I guess the previous owner was killed following the big tornado that hit Mayflower (and wiped out that dealership of theirs) a few years ago. Our experience with Mayflower on the sales side, gathering information, has been mixed at best.

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by SuperD

Like Blackjeep we also bought at MHSRV in Alvarado Texas. Go to their website, MHSRV.com and look at their selection. I was delt with fairly and felt everyone their was very friendly. They have full service covered spots where you can stay a couple of nights to get acquainted with your new coach, ask questions, and have anything you find fixed. MHSRV is literally the largest dealer there is! They have 160 acres of RVs and a total of 460 acres of land. I was at the dealership last week and spoke to the delivery manager, they have over 900 new coaches on order, if they don't have what you want now they'll probably be getting it soon. Very nice people to deal with!!!

I do find their claim of testing every RV in a high pressure rain booth interesting. I wonder if they really do it and how much difference it makes in not getting a unit with real world leaks.

[Jerry B.]

We purchased our Thor Vegas new last May from Mayflower. They actually have two locations. One in Sherwood/ North Little Rock and the other in Fort Smith. We got ours from Sherwood. Small but very customer focused. We've only had a couple minor issues with the coach and they jumped right on it when I called. I've also had them do some after market installs on some items and everything was completed without issue. One note, prepare a solid list of questions for the PDI. Download Ed Felker's manual from this forum. He has compiled an invaluable manual specifically for the Vegas/Axis but useful with other Thor coaches as well. It will help immensely in preparing for your PDI. Good luck selecting your new coach.

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by Jerry B.

We purchased our Thor Vegas new last May from Mayflower. They actually have two locations. One in Sherwood/ North Little Rock and the other in Fort Smith. We got ours from Sherwood. Small but very customer focused. We've only had a couple minor issues with the coach and they jumped right on it when I called. I've also had them do some after market installs on some items and everything was completed without issue. One note, prepare a solid list of questions for the PDI. Download Ed Felker's manual from this forum. He has compiled an invaluable manual specifically for the Vegas/Axis but useful with other Thor coaches as well. It will help immensely in preparing for your PDI. Good luck selecting your new coach.

First, how do you like your 25.2? We are debating between the .2 and .3. Actually, driving up to Springfield to check out a .2 at CW, because they are the only place in the area that I've been able to locate a .2 to look at. We could be happy with the 25.3 we've looked at, but I'm hoping we are happy with the center space (two standard poodles, but will only be doing short trips, not long trips with them), as I would much prefer the rear bed.

We dropped by Mayflower on Sunday. They seemed very nice, but also very laid back. When I asked about PDI, it was simply, we check things over with no details given. Ideally, I would like to buy from the place I will have it serviced, so I was very curious to hear from someone that has actual experience with their (Sherwood is where I would go) service department.

Out of curiosity, did you go through some/all of Ed's PDI list, such as getting on the roof with a hose and the other suggestions? If so, how did Mayflower react to that and were they helpful?

Finally, one downside of the .2 is no ladder. Have you needed to get on the roof and if so, do you just use a long step ladder or extension ladder laid up against it?

[Mo_Mike]

We love our 25.2. Like the longer wheelbase along with the center slide. Gives you a walk around bed with a solid door to separate the bedroom from the rest of the coach.

Don't miss the rear ladder. Did get a collaspable ladder to carry "just in case".

Also like the larger shower and the couch instead of a dinette.

The rear slide works for us and allows us to park in narrower spots.

[Mo_Mike]

And yes CW in Springfield just got s 2018 25.2 AXIS in. Actually went through it as soon as it came on the lot

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

And yes CW in Springfield just got s 2018 25.2 AXIS in. Actually went through it as soon as it came on the lot

Not the colors my wife wants, but in order to see the .2 floor plan and 2018 changes we are heading their Friday. Hopefully, it will still be in the lot.

[tnedator]

P.S. If I wind up buying from someplace like reliable in Springfield or Motorhome specialists near Dallas, do you think I would have a problem getting warranty service at Mayflower? How do RV places typically treat their own customers vs people who purchased elsewhere? Will it be worse since I talked to sales guy at Mayflower, if I then buy elsewhere (still haven't been able to get a quote from Mayflower, and starting to get irritated)?

In talking to reliable and MHS RV, I think both of those will do better PDI and spend more time with us getting us used to RV in their overnight orientation lots.

Bonus question. I've never given an RV. Biggest thing I've driven has been extended Yukon sized SUVs and fifteen passenger vans. Do I need to get some lessons or something first, or just jump in, take it slow and learn on the road?

[tnedator]

Hitting the road for Springfield (3:30 hours), MO to check out the 25.2, since we haven't seen it in person. As much as I think I'm going to like the rear bed, I think we our two standard poodles, the extra space up front of the 25.3 (now that they've switched from dinette to couch) is going to push us to the 25.3.

Any coach without a living room slide is going to be tight for the us and the two poodles, so every extra inch helps and mid coach bathroom on the .2 looks to be quite a bit snugger than the 25.3 with the couch. I wish I could see a 2018 .3 with a couch, but haven't been able to locate one in 3-4 hour driving area.

[wredman]

I have not worked with then, shopped there though. But, Byerly in St Louis has a good reputation. Probably not perfect yet they have been here a long time.

[Mo_Mike]

Originally Posted by tnedator

Hitting the road for Springfield (3:30 hours), MO to check out the 25.2, since we haven't seen it in person. As much as I think I'm going to like the rear bed, I think we our two standard poodles, the extra space up front of the 25.3 (now that they've switched from dinette to couch) is going to push us to the 25.3.

Any coach without a living room slide is going to be tight for the us and the two poodles, so every extra inch helps and mid coach bathroom on the .2 looks to be quite a bit snugger than the 25.3 with the couch. I wish I could see a 2018 .3 with a couch, but haven't been able to locate one in 3-4 hour driving area.

Did you get a chance to see the 25.2? Just wondered what you thought..