Things are happening... - RV-Dreams Community Forum

BoAndRach · RV-Dreams Family Member

Things are happening...

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've been very happy with our DRV but we've never been wild about the Fullhouse. It has nothing to do with the quality, just the layout. So if you like the layout, I wouldn't think there would be any major quality issues.
They have been building it for a few years now(actually, just looked at your link, and it is quite different from their first venture into toyhaulers) and DRV does listen to feedback from customers and make improvements as they go.

As to the price, when we bought our first trailer we weren't in a rush, so we lowballed it and our offer was not accepted. 2 weeks later the dealer finally agreed to OUR price.
I guess it depends on how much of a hurry you are in.

Sue

BoAndRach · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for your feedback, Sue. I appreciate your thoughts and I'm thrilled to hear you've been happy with your DRV.

I am trying to get to the bottom of exactly how long DRV has been in the toy hauler business. I thought they introduced (reintroduced?) the Full House about a year ago but I have also seen a few references (and very different floor plans) of Full Houses as far back as a few years ago. At any rate, there seem to be very few of them. I have a call into DRV so hopefully they can shed some light.

With respect to timing, we aren't in a rush at all. In fact, we were planning to purchase closer to October. We put the hold on the LX450 yesterday because there are so few of them and by all accounts it will take a few months to get anything we order from the factory. Thought we might consider making a move a bit earlier, if possible.

Regarding the negotiation, I was asking more about what the typical discount one can/should expect to negotiate. I have heard anywhere from 20 to 30% below MSRP, but I figured we'd have to work for it. I was surprised that the first number they offered was 32% below MSRP, so I thought maybe I was misinformed!

Thanks!
Rachael

HighwayRanger · RV-Dreams Family Member

32% off MSRP is a huge discount. 25-28% is a more common selling price. So, if this one meets your needs, I'd snatch it up at that price.

Roy

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are interested in a Full House as well and have been talking to Kansas RV center for several weeks about options and ordering. 32% is a great price off! From all the research I've done, ever since the Spring RV-Dreams Rally in April, I've been looking at the Fullhouse. It's built on the same frame construction as the large DRV's, has all the amenities of a Mobile Suite, plus you can upgrade to Elite items. What the factory told me was that most anything available on the most Elited Elite, is available..... EXCEPT for paint schemes. The graphics are the only thing that can not be changed due to the rear door and several other items. But there are 2 full body paints available.
As far as how long they've been building them, My understanding is that they introduced a Full House at the big shows in 2014. It was a garage that could hold a golfcart at best, or maybe a motorcycle but that was it. In late 2014 early2015, they introduced the real garage models with the 3 current floor plans available. The JX450 model is basically the 38RSSA model with the garage. From the sliding doors forward it's a standard 5th wheel kitchen, living area, bath and bedroom. From my understanding, there is a 12-16 week lead time on having one built to order.
We're talking to our banker about trading to the Fullhouse!

BoAndRach · RV-Dreams Family Member

Roy and Alie & Jim, thanks for the feedback. I was afraid you were going to say that! (I think I secretly wanted you to say, "no, no silly girl, 30% off MSRP is where you start negotiating from." LOL).

I read an entry here yesterday where someone was talking about being a planner. I, too, am a planner and buying an RV this month was NOT in the plan. (Not because it's not do-able, but because I didn't plan it that way. Ha!) Is this one of those serendipitous times where I just need to be flexible and roll with it, or do I stick to the plan? I guess we've got a week to decide.

File this under the category of first world problems...

As always, I really appreciate your advice and perspective. I continue to learn so much from everyone here.

BoAndRach · RV-Dreams Family Member

By the way, Alie & Jim, congratulations on your upcoming move/switch. Exciting times! I hope you love your new RV. By the way, I showed my husband your current set-up. We both think it's super cool!

mds1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Not sure if it is any gauge of what to expect, in terms of purchase price. However, at the last local RV show I walked around comparing MSRP on luxury models to what the dealer was asking at the show. Generally, the advertised price was 20% below MSRP. That got me thinking 20% would most likely be the price to start negotiations. I could be wrong about that. Also the rigs at the show were lacking construction methods, such as duel pane windows, better rated tires and other items the untrained person might miss. I went to this show to see the DRV rear living room models. The toy hauler was there and was the only one I spent any time looking at - wow - it was nice and livable.

My wife and I intend to go fulltime in four years. Our financial plan is setup that way and does not include purchasing our rig before then. However, we came up with the plan so we can change it. Seems like a person could just crunch the numbers to include buying the rig now or later and see if it works in the financial plan.

For us, if we bought our rig now it would sit unused because I work to much to enjoy it. That might change in two years - or four - or whenever.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Rachael,

Jo and I have a 2010 Mobile Suites, and I've tried to keep up with a lot of their stuff over the years. From what I was in information I have on my computer, 2012 was the first year for the toy hauler. I looked at their information on it and wasn't impressed with the early models. Since we don't have a need for a toy hauler, I've not kept up with them with regards to brochures. I do have the 2012 one though. That year, there was a sliding back wall between the living area and the garage, but there was no door in that wall from the living area to the garage. I can see both an advantage to that and a disadvantage. If one wanted to set up beds in the garage area, there was no quick access to the living area from the garage. On the other hand, without a door there, one would be less likely to get gasoline fumes from the garage into the living area.

While I agree with the others that 32% is a pretty good offer, I'd take the time to call around to different dealers, even those far from you. I don't recall where you said you lived, but I'd check both RV's for Less in Tennessee and Rolling Retreats in Oklahoma. Both have good reputations, and I personally know Alicia and Slade in Elk City, OK at Rolling Retreats. They are a true mom and pop dealership with themselves being the primary employees. They do have one helper in the office and occasionally one in the shop. Alicia and Slade were also approached by Forks RV, makers of the Continental Coach line, and were asked to be the exclusive dealership for Forks RV. If nothing else, that speaks to them having a good reputation.

As for ordering, I'd look things over and see what can be offered to you and order your coach through one of the dealers. They will do a lot for you, including a good PDI on the unit when it eventually arrives. By ordering, you can get more of what you might want. Oh, and Alicia at Rolling Retreats has designed a special kitchen arrangement, so you might see what she has and whether it would work in your chosen floor plan.

Terry

BoAndRach · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, for a few days we were one step closer to buying a Full House, but we released the hold earlier this week, deciding to stick with our plan to wait until later this year to buy. After speaking a bit more with DRV, we decided we will likely order to get exactly what we want. The one we put the hold on was close, but there are a few additional features we'd like to have. If we're making the investment, we might as well get exactly what we want!

BTW, if anyone is interested, according to DRV they first introduced the Full House in 2012, but only built a total of three (and as mentioned above, different floor plans than they offer today). I guess your sentiments above were common :) They re-released the Full House last September with three new floor plans and have built 25 since then. Lead time is 12-15 weeks. (Not sure if that's common for DRVs in general, or just this one.)

Terry, we are in north Texas so not too far from Rolling Retreats. Definitely sounds like a trip that way may be in order. Thanks for the info.

Mark, we are planning to head out this year or next. Just depends when everything falls into place. Keep us posted on your progress! I always love hearing stories as folks make the transition.

Jim & Alie, any word on your Full House yet? I can't wait to hear about it.

As always, thank you all for your great advice and thoughts.

-- Edited by BoAndRach on Saturday 1st of August 2015 08:43:11 PM

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

BoAndRach, we're holding on ours right now. PM sent

D and M · RV-Dreams Family Member

BoandRach,

We bought one of the first Mobile Suites Estates and I had the same concern you have related to a new model. DRV does make a good product but all RVs have a "break in" period where you find minor and some major items that need to be fixed. In our case we spent the first week at the dealer playing with things and getting them fixed. The end result was that we still had to come back six times over the next year and a half until we got all the "warranty" item fixed.....I think that's just how it goes with RVs.

Dave

Gary Marcondes · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi all,

Just wanted to chime in on this one. We bought our 2015 DRV 38PS3 in April this year. After pulling it back from our dealer in Hershey PA to Massachusetts we moved into it in June. Since then, we have created a list of about 20 items ( most minor and a couple major ) that needed repair. We contacted a local RV mobile repair guy who listed and estimated the cost to repair all these items. We sent this to the DRV factory warrantee person and he and our repair guy discussed the issues. Shortly after that we were given the go ahead to have all the issues corrected under warrantee and will now schedule the time to do it. I have to say that DRV was very cooperative and helpful during this process and we are very thankful for that. kudos to them.

So to my point, it's like buying a house. There's always issues but if you have a good dealer and factory rep, these things can be corrected.

Gary