Surplus RV places in Elkhart

Jim Blackwood · August 19, 2021, 09:18:07 AM

I've heard for decades that Elkhart Indiana is more or less the RV manufacturing center of the universe and that it is a good place to look for RV components of all types. Happily it's just a couple hours drive from me so I'm planning a trip and want to profit from your advice as I've never been there.

I'm asking you to name names and give locations where surplus items may be found at a good price. Below is a partial list of the type things I will be looking for:

Range (gas)
Oven (electric)
Sink
Refrigerator (gas/electric)
very large capacity propane bottle (100 gal)
Toilet (ceramic bowl RV type)
Bathroom sink
Water heater (gas/electric)
12v breaker panel
control center (tanks, etc)
furniture
cabinets

I don't really expect to come back with everything on that list but I'm taking a trailer just in case. It's more on the order of a shopping list. For example I do not expect to find any cabinets that I want to buy but I would like to look at some while I am there. Ditto the propane tank but you never know. Any other suggestions are most welcome.

Jim

bronson · August 19, 2021, 09:46:52 AM

Ickes rv in Montpelier ind will be on your way. They are also a surplus dealer and have little of everything. They also have trailer loads of tanks in the back.

Jim Blackwood · August 19, 2021, 10:53:26 AM

Thanks Gary, I'll look them up. Anything else spring to mind?

Jim

chessie4905 · August 19, 2021, 11:19:49 AM

I haven't been to one in years, but they know the items worth so big items, little discount. Expect to find a lot of furniture, scratch and dent, decals, electrical items like lights. Lot of oddball odds and ends.
I would hesitate to buy a refer or ac unit there. No way to know how much its been banged around. If it fails early, warranty claim may be difficult or impossible. Still, it's worth a stop. Please report back

belfert · August 19, 2021, 11:27:05 AM

A lot of the RV surplus places seem to have closed over the years for whatever reason. Way back in 2006 I went to a number of them, but I also found that a number of them on various lists had closed. It is unclear if RV Surplus Salvage is still open to the public or not.

Bontragers is a good spot, but it is quite a ways north of Elkhart in Michigan.

chessie4905 · August 19, 2021, 11:31:54 AM

they will definitely pop up when the rv market collapses in next major recession. Also check out Facebook page. May be some being parted out due to age or accident.

Dave5Cs · August 19, 2021, 12:50:49 PM

We were up there 4 years ago and everyone told us they were all closed. But Elkhart was cool.
There is a RV salvage yard I think in Missouri. And it has thousands of acres of RV's that were in Accidents, Fires etc. Lots of them. Some Buses also.

https://colawrvsalvage.com/

Tedsoldbus · August 19, 2021, 01:43:46 PM

Hey Jim,
I fear your trip may be hampered by closed stores due to Covid...again. Georgia is seeing more "breakthrough" cases and I would bet my TPMS system they are about to jerk the kids out of school again. Too many kids, at least around here, getting sick. We were going to a local rally here in 3 weeks and it just cancelled. Getting tired of driving the bus an hour up the highway just to run it, but this thing is not the sniffles. They started offering 3rd shot boosters for elderly today. We are taking Rita's Parents (90 years old) for shots on Monday.
Dammit.

bronson · August 19, 2021, 04:04:28 PM

Jim, I posted some pics last summer of my visit to ickes. Search ickes rv on this forum if my link below doesn't work
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=34872.msg400672#msg400672

somewhereinusa · August 20, 2021, 04:47:46 AM

I made this a few years ago showing all I knew at the time. Some have closed since then.
http://www.somewhereinusa.x10.mx/surplus.html

buswarrior · August 20, 2021, 08:46:28 AM

Lots of surplus indicates wasteful manufacturing decisions.

With the consolidation of the RV manufacturers, and much more capital with slimmer margins, and primarily accountants paying attention, the conditions of years ago are unsustainable.

Lots and lots of used, but new surplus is not what it used to be...

Oh well...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Jim Blackwood · August 20, 2021, 10:05:10 AM

Actually used is OK if it's not beat up or uncleanable.

Jim

TwoFeathersRD · August 20, 2021, 11:08:43 AM

As a builder. You will find the scratch and dent places have limited supplies. As a industry we are short on parts. Lots of lines were shut down because of covid and the major lack in parts coming from China where 95 percent of the products come from. Do not be surprised they don't have what you need. I was at a few of them a few weeks back. Fridges were a bust as were toilets but I found them. Only one of each. Customer had no options. I have had those items backorder for a year plus.

Dreadnought · August 20, 2021, 02:25:17 PM

Try Bontragers in White Pigeon, Michigan.

I'm stuck near Elkhart now, as I STILL wait for my bus to finally get completed. I feel like an Admiral waiting in dry dock!

Jim Blackwood · August 20, 2021, 04:17:37 PM

I sent Bontrager's an email, we'll see if they reply. I've been running searches for fridges. If I had 64" of height to work with I'd probably already have one but I'm limited to 60-7/8". Norcold seems to have made a lot of models that are 59" or so tall but I've not run across any kind of deal on one of those yet. It would seem to me that if there's an RV boneyard fridges should be a fairly common item there. Just need to find that accessible boneyard within driving distance of Cincinnati.

Jim