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The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Buying in Canada vs USA

Janet
User ID: 7273713 May 17th 11:48 AM
We live in Buffalo and, when camping in Niagara Falls, Canada, we got to see some travel trailers mfg'd in Canada. They seemed to be extremely well sealed - we were told it's due to the colder weather in Canada. We're starting to look for either a 5th wheel or travel trailer to replace our 1976 Wilderness.

I'm wondering if anyone has looked into buying a unit in Canada and bringing it back into the States. How is the construction different and how do the prices compare? I know there is a big RV lot next to the QEW on the way to Toronto -don't know the name - and was thinking of stopping there on our next trip up.

Any info or feedback would be much appreciated.

Doug
User ID: 1370014 May 19th 1:49 PM
I know the majority of trailers on Canadian sales lots are imported from the US. There are a few Canadian manufacturers, but whether they are built "better" to withstand the winters is debatable.

Good luck with your search.

John D
User ID: 8367503 May 19th 10:50 PM
I'm not sure about the difference in quality of construction but at a recent FMCA gathering it was brought to my attention at a seminar on fire safety that the Canadian units are wired to a higher standard than the units made here in the states. Seems that our neighbors to the north have certain construction requirements that are higher than the US of A. Certainly wouldn't hurt to take a look at the Canadian rigs.

Dick
User ID: 9356783 May 27th 3:18 PM
Most of the Canadian rigs are sold in the USA. At this years Tampa RV show there were many Canadian RVs. Yes Canada and USA do have different standards. USA has UL, Canada has CSA. Make sure your RV is manufactured to suit the standards where you are going to use it. I toured an RV plant in USA and they had to make changes for units to be sold in Canada.

Ron Smith
User ID: 8290473 Jul 3rd 8:59 PM
Janet,
The name of the RV dealer next to the QEW is Outdoor Travel and they can be reached at: 905-548-8585 Sales or http://www.rvvacations.com/

Ron

Gerry
User ID: 0004344 Aug 22nd 9:33 PM
The Bonair and Gypsy were Canadian makes that are both unfortunately no longer made. They were excellent quality and were truly light weight, unlike some we have seen recently. (I do not consider 3100 lbs to be light in a 16-19 foot trailer).

You could still find some Bonair units as new as 2003.

On our way to our seasonal site we pass a General manufacturing plant in Hensall, Ontario. Both General and Glendale have plants in SW Ontario. There is a new manufacturer of trailers which look very promising in Red Deer, Alberta. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name. One was a 16 ft with a dinette slideout, believe it or not.

Steve
User ID: 9921013 Dec 7th 9:32 PM
Look at the Award made in Dunnville Ont
I have a 95 727 awardrv.com

willy
User ID: 0492334 Dec 5th 5:17 PM
friends of ours bought a new 39 ft cardinal in goshen for $40,000 where in canada it is over $65,000.

Winston
User ID: 2776644 Dec 6th 9:47 AM
We have a 1998 Golden Falcon Tour Edition 25 Foot with a single sofa slide. We are very pleased with the workmanship & quality that has gone into this camper. It tows very nicely with a 1/2 ton.

Going to Yuma in January for a couple of months.
We reside in Shoal Lake Manitoba Canada.

Ken
User ID: 9488873 May 7th 12:50 AM
I have a 723 Award and love the unit.
I have heard some who complain of not having large enough screws holding the pannels together on the outside. I checked mine and found the factory used every other hole that they had drilled. Off to the hrdware store I went. I stripped off the plastic on the outside aluminum runners and put stainless screws in the unused holes.
Other than that like any other trailer Ive owned. A yearly check and repack of putty under outside lites,check for window leaks will keep you from rotting your floor as is a common thing with any RV

John
User ID: 9781133 May 16th 10:53 AM
The best made units I have seen are made by Triple E. www.triplerv.com. They are made in Manitoba. I have one of their motorhomes for the last 5 years and still love the coach. They are better insulated and the wood cabinets are real wood - not chipboard. Have a look at their site.

Janet User ID: 7273713	May 17th 11:48 AM We live in Buffalo and, when camping in Niagara Falls, Canada, we got to see some travel trailers mfg'd in Canada. They seemed to be extremely well sealed - we were told it's due to the colder weather in Canada. We're starting to look for either a 5th wheel or travel trailer to replace our 1976 Wilderness. I'm wondering if anyone has looked into buying a unit in Canada and bringing it back into the States. How is the construction different and how do the prices compare? I know there is a big RV lot next to the QEW on the way to Toronto -don't know the name - and was thinking of stopping there on our next trip up. Any info or feedback would be much appreciated.
Doug User ID: 1370014	May 19th 1:49 PM I know the majority of trailers on Canadian sales lots are imported from the US. There are a few Canadian manufacturers, but whether they are built "better" to withstand the winters is debatable. Good luck with your search.
John D User ID: 8367503	May 19th 10:50 PM I'm not sure about the difference in quality of construction but at a recent FMCA gathering it was brought to my attention at a seminar on fire safety that the Canadian units are wired to a higher standard than the units made here in the states. Seems that our neighbors to the north have certain construction requirements that are higher than the US of A. Certainly wouldn't hurt to take a look at the Canadian rigs.
Dick User ID: 9356783	May 27th 3:18 PM Most of the Canadian rigs are sold in the USA. At this years Tampa RV show there were many Canadian RVs. Yes Canada and USA do have different standards. USA has UL, Canada has CSA. Make sure your RV is manufactured to suit the standards where you are going to use it. I toured an RV plant in USA and they had to make changes for units to be sold in Canada.
Ron Smith User ID: 8290473	Jul 3rd 8:59 PM Janet, The name of the RV dealer next to the QEW is Outdoor Travel and they can be reached at: 905-548-8585 Sales or http://www.rvvacations.com/ Ron
Gerry User ID: 0004344	Aug 22nd 9:33 PM The Bonair and Gypsy were Canadian makes that are both unfortunately no longer made. They were excellent quality and were truly light weight, unlike some we have seen recently. (I do not consider 3100 lbs to be light in a 16-19 foot trailer). You could still find some Bonair units as new as 2003. On our way to our seasonal site we pass a General manufacturing plant in Hensall, Ontario. Both General and Glendale have plants in SW Ontario. There is a new manufacturer of trailers which look very promising in Red Deer, Alberta. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name. One was a 16 ft with a dinette slideout, believe it or not.
Steve User ID: 9921013	Dec 7th 9:32 PM Look at the Award made in Dunnville Ont I have a 95 727 awardrv.com
willy User ID: 0492334	Dec 5th 5:17 PM friends of ours bought a new 39 ft cardinal in goshen for $40,000 where in canada it is over $65,000.
Winston User ID: 2776644	Dec 6th 9:47 AM We have a 1998 Golden Falcon Tour Edition 25 Foot with a single sofa slide. We are very pleased with the workmanship & quality that has gone into this camper. It tows very nicely with a 1/2 ton. Going to Yuma in January for a couple of months. We reside in Shoal Lake Manitoba Canada.
Ken User ID: 9488873	May 7th 12:50 AM I have a 723 Award and love the unit. I have heard some who complain of not having large enough screws holding the pannels together on the outside. I checked mine and found the factory used every other hole that they had drilled. Off to the hrdware store I went. I stripped off the plastic on the outside aluminum runners and put stainless screws in the unused holes. Other than that like any other trailer Ive owned. A yearly check and repack of putty under outside lites,check for window leaks will keep you from rotting your floor as is a common thing with any RV
John User ID: 9781133	May 16th 10:53 AM The best made units I have seen are made by Triple E. www.triplerv.com. They are made in Manitoba. I have one of their motorhomes for the last 5 years and still love the coach. They are better insulated and the wood cabinets are real wood - not chipboard. Have a look at their site.