Largest dealer

[hdrider]

Other than Rolling Retreats who is the largest DRV dealer in the country?

[Porkchop]

Not for sure but I believe that RVS 4 Less is actually the largest dealer. That's using the number of units sold as the factor.

Bill

[Cummins12V98]

Curious why you are asking???

[rynosback]

Largest in what way? RR is a small dealer, as they only sell DRVs. But they are one of the most reputable DRV dealers. RV 4 Less also has a good reputation. When I was looking at buying my rig, I left several voicemails at RVs 4 Less and NEVER heard back from them. Alicia at RR is on top of everything. She lives and breathes DRV. That is why she is known as the “Queen of DRV”.

[hdrider]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Curious why you are asking???

Well, we fulltime and travel so we don't care where we buy and figure the largest volume dealer may have a little more pull to have certain things done like Rolling Retreats does.
And why not Rolling Retreats, well they don't take trades on different brands and as full-timers selling and buying even though not as fruitful money wise is not nearly as convenient and convenience IS worth something.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by hdrider

Well, we fulltime and travel so we don't care where we buy and figure the largest volume dealer may have a little more pull to have certain things done like Rolling Retreats does.
And why not Rolling Retreats, well they don't take trades on different brands and as full-timers selling and buying even though not as fruitful money wise is not nearly as convenient and convenience IS worth something.

I think RR does more custom changes then any DRV dealer. Heck the kitchen I have is called the “Alicia kitchen” at DRV. She has a great relationship with DRV on making changes. Will just a regular RV Dealer buy your used rig with out buying something from them? I would think if they sell that brand that you have that they might. As it is good to have lower price point models so incase a new one is out of a persons budget. I get that it does not really matter what dealer you buy it from as you Fulltime. I had the same mentality. But I wish I traveled a little further to buy mine through RR. I lived in MD and picked up my rig in Indiana.

[Porkchop]

Any DRV dealer can make any of the changes any other DRV dealer could make. Why wouldn't they? Every dealer has a certain package with their own "pet" name on it. RV's 4 less has "Butch's lighting package" RR has the above mentioned kitchen. But any dealer can order it. I have had 6 DRV's and purchased them all at different dealers. Price is what sells. If you are a savvy buyer the dealer means squat. We are getting our next one this spring. Have sent out feelers to several. Left several off the list because I found out they lied last time about the MSRP. If you inflate it bad and then come off it an industry standard percentage, you are a crook, but not a smart one. Easy to figure out when there is $25,000 dif on the same build sheet. Don't matter what kind of a rep you may have.

Bill

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Porkchop

Any DRV dealer can make any of the changes any other DRV dealer could make. Why wouldn't they? Every dealer has a certain package with their own "pet" name on it. RV's 4 less has "Butch's lighting package" RR has the above mentioned kitchen. But any dealer can order it. I have had 6 DRV's and purchased them all at different dealers. Price is what sells. If you are a savvy buyer the dealer means squat. We are getting our next one this spring. Have sent out feelers to several. Left several off the list because I found out they lied last time about the MSRP. If you inflate it bad and then come off it an industry standard percentage, you are a crook, but not a smart one. Easy to figure out when there is $25,000 dif on the same build sheet. Don't matter what kind of a rep you may have.

Bill

They can say the MSRP is 5,000,000,000. All that matters is what there going to sell it for. I agree that every dealer can order customs. But there probably only a few dealers that are aware of most of the customs or make a new one up for the buyer.
What floor plan are you thinking of getting?

[Porkchop]

Yea, but when they are the SAME build sheet with that much difference and the sellers mentality is that 31% off is a deal, that's BS> I think it's up to an experienced buyer to inform the dealer what they want. I know exactly what we want in every category. I guess that someone unfamiliar with DRV would not though, so experience in sales would be a factor there. As far as PDI and service goes-that's the owner's deal anywhere.

Anyway unless something happens to change our minds it will be a Santa FE. Not many in stock anywhere so it may have to be an ordered one at a higher price. Not very good deals when you special order anything.

Bill

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Porkchop

Yea, but when they are the SAME build sheet with that much difference and the sellers mentality is that 31% off is a deal, that's BS> I think it's up to an experienced buyer to inform the dealer what they want. I know exactly what we want in every category. I guess that someone unfamiliar with DRV would not though, so experience in sales would be a factor there. As far as PDI and service goes-that's the owner's deal anywhere.

Anyway unless something happens to change our minds it will be a Santa FE. Not many in stock anywhere so it may have to be an ordered one at a higher price. Not very good deals when you special order anything.

Bill

Why not? The dealer does not have to floor plan (pay interest) on the cost. They get it from the factory and then you get it. I mean if you have a build sheet, then you can fax it to what ever dealer you want and ask for a quote excluding Tax & tags, as that is not negotiable. Then you pick your dealer and ask for a signed buyers order. That legally holds them to that price.

[Porkchop]

Because he KNOWS someone wants it vs guessing somebody wants it. BIL sold cars for years.

Bill

[Cummins12V98]

Simply put in writing what you want and give it to three different dealers and take the best price if you don't care who you buy from.

Personally I had a GREAT experience with Alicia and Slade. Got a good price on the trade and the highly customized factory ordered unit.

She offers the Commercial LP 6500 220V gen now after I did the research and they did the install for me. DRV would not allow CUMMINS to do the install no way no how!

Bottom line they made what I wanted happen. They also installed the CheapHeat for me. So I can run the CheapHeat 220V, clothes Washer 220V, clothes Dryer 220V while away from shore power.

[Porthole]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

DRV would not allow CUMMINS to do the install no way no how!

Bottom line they made what I wanted happen. They also installed the CheapHeat for me. So I can run the CheapHeat 220V, clothes Washer 220V, clothes Dryer 220V while away from shore power.

DRV made all the arrangements for Cummins to install my generator during the build. DRV did all the prep then pulled it over to Elkhart for the genny.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by Porthole

DRV made all the arrangements for Cummins to install my generator during the build. DRV did all the prep then pulled it over to Elkhart for the genny.

That's how it should have been! ONLY difference was the internals of the Commercial version of the standard 6500. I offered to pay CUMMINS directly and sign a waiver but no way!

So Slade took on the install at a very similar price CUMMINS would have charged.

Actually I believe CUMMINS did the install of the prep on my 16.

[Porthole]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

That's how it should have been! ONLY difference was the internals of the Commercial version of the standard 6500. I offered to pay CUMMINS directly and sign a waiver but no way!

So Slade took on the install at a very similar price CUMMINS would have charged.

Actually I believe CUMMINS did the install of the prep on my 16.

I'm guessing the diesel gen threw them for a loop. Although there was no delay or issue with building the fire box which is a bit bigger and re-engineering the inverter and battery installation, which got relocated due to the gen enclosure size.

My install also required the side wall being redesigned, I have two doors on the right side to access the basement. A propane compartment door was framed in on the right side for the two additional batteries and inverter.

Now the inverter which should have been a simple add on wasn't. I was told it was not an option and couldn't be ordered. Chad Heiser gave me the info needed and I supplied it to DRV - result - "yes we can do a 3,000 watt hybrid inverter".

[jr_nicholson]

Motorhome Specialist in Alvarado, Texas. These guys are huge and sell a lot of DRV's

[Cummins12V98]

Porthole, the standard 6500 LP gen is exactly the same size as what i have the ONLY difference is that mine has two legs so it has 220V and the standard is one leg 110V. So ZERO modifications.

Not sure if you understood that or not. That is why I was so frustrated DRW would not have CUMMINS do it and me pay the difference. I even had approval for me to simply pay them to do the Gen install and pay for it while they were doing the prep. GRRRRR

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Porkchop

Because he KNOWS someone wants it vs guessing somebody wants it. BIL sold cars for years.

Bill

I sold cars for 5 years.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by rynosback

I sold cars for 5 years.

THAT explains it!!!

[Porthole]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Porthole, the standard 6500 LP gen is exactly the same size as what i have the ONLY difference is that mine has two legs so it has 220V and the standard is one leg 110V. So ZERO modifications.

Not sure if you understood that or not. That is why I was so frustrated DRW would not have CUMMINS do it and me pay the difference. I even had approval for me to simply pay them to do the Gen install and pay for it while they were doing the prep. GRRRRR

I understand completely. The diesel is just a bit bigger and no issues at all with all the prep work. Even the wiring is the same. Only difference is the actual fuel supply, which Cummins didn't install anyway because I have a sliding tray.
Now I'm sure DRV doesn't have a pallet of diesel inverter gennys laying around so that might have figured into the equation for me.

It's all a matter of talking o the right person with the right info needed to proceed. Hence my inverter comment.