RV Surplus in Elkhart, IN

[wayne]

I'm thinking of taking a trip to Elkhart, IN to search for parts for my conversion. Has anyone ever made this trip? It's only 5 or so hours from me, I just wonder if the deals are worth traveling for and if so should I take a large truck (like for furniture)?

[cody]

If your heading to Elkhart, take time to go to Bontragers in White Pigeon Michigan, it's only 12 miles from Elkhart but is my favorite rv bargain center.  Yep many of us have been there and it is worth it, as far as bringing a truck? yep and a trailer, rent a storage unit, get a 53 ft van, see if a container ship will come up the creek, oops sorry. lol

[JackConrad]

Don't forget the credit card, checkbook and a big pocket ful of cash.  You will be amazed at the number of items that you just did not know you couldn't live without!   Jack

[alltech]

I made the trip from Calgary, Alberta this past summer, it was well worth my while.

There should be even more surplus there now, I saw on the news a couple nights ago that Elhart IN had the highest unemployment rate om the United States. This cannot be good for the RV industry that is located there.

Ross

[Ednj]

Yes, to what they all said.
Most everyplace is closed on the weekend.
Why not just take the bus and put all the new goodies right in it.

[jjrbus]

Disneyworld for the bus converter!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Dont plan on going and spending a few hours, budget lots of time........  I would think 2 full days.  You can buy things there that you think you might use but dont, throw them out and still save money.  Jim

[cody]

What I do when I go to Bontragers is stay for a couple of days, they have hookups accross the road and those are for their coach friends that want to donate to their retirement fund lol and I do freely and often lol.

[Damn Yankee]

5 hours is not enough. You will barely scrape the surface at either RV Surplus or Bontragers. 2-3 days or I wouldn't bother. With the recent demise of many RV factories they will be flush with new surplus.

[belfert]

I was at the RV Surplus places in Elkhart on Jan 2nd and they didn't seem all that flush with stuff from the RV manufacturers going under.  Some of them had the same junk I saw in 2005 and again in 2006.  I read somewhere last fall that a lot of the surplus from the manufacturers going under was tied up in court.  One of the surplus places also said that a number of new mom and pop type RS surplus places have opened recently presumably stocked with stuff from closed manufacturers.

Tri-state did have a bunch of windows that appeared to have been purchased at auction from Pilgrim.  I wouldn't bother making the trek all the way over to Tri-state unless you call first and they have what you want.  They are 90 miles northeast of Elkhart.  Going there would not be so bad for someone who lives east of Elkhart already.

[edroelle]

Bottom Dollar in Bronson, MI on 12, has very low prices.   Quantity does not compare to the others though.
They are open on Saturday and ?, so call to make sure they are open.

Ed Roelle
Flint, MI

[johnjem]

Do they have a web site??

[edroelle]

This site shows map
http://www.superpages.com/bp/Bronson-MI/Bottom-Dollar-Surplus-Inc-L0134517264.htm

(517) 369-9400

Ed Roelle

[niles500]

** Why not just take the bus and put all the new goodies right in it. **

Not a bad idea - why don't you plan on staying a while and put the word out that you need some of the items you bought installed - at least the installations you don't want, or feel qualified, to do - with all the idle hands out there in need of some cash you may get double the deal - cheap parts and inexpensive experienced help - FWIW