Tariffs on Canadian built RV’s

[cwall59]

I’ve got a Bigfoot travel trailer on order since November with a March completion time frame . Anyone know if and how tariffs might affect such an order ? I see the tariff has been delayed a month so maybe it will get worked out . May have some serious decisions if I get hit with an additional 25% .

[jerrybob]

I would call the White House....ask to speak to Donald.....tell him your concerns then cancel your order and consider booking a trip to the new Riviera in Gaza. Realistically......who knows what is in store....good luck.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by cwall59

I’ve got a Bigfoot travel trailer on order since November with a March completion time frame . Anyone know if and how tariffs might affect such an order ? I see the tariff has been delayed a month so maybe it will get worked out . May have some serious decisions if I get hit with an additional 25% .

This is the third thread on the subject in as many days. All you'll get here is speculation and political finger-pointing. No one really knows exactly how this is going to play out.

As I have said before, your best bet is to stay in close contact with your dealer, who can work with the manufacturer to figure this out. You may have to be flexible with your delivery date.

Here's my feeble wish for a good outcome and a timely delivery of your new Bigfoot!

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

This is the third thread on the subject in as many days. All you'll get here is speculation and political finger-pointing. No one really knows exactly how this is going to play out.

As I have said before, your best bet is to stay in close contact with your dealer, who can work with the manufacturer to figure this out. You may have to be flexible with your delivery date.

Here's my feeble wish for a good outcome and a timely delivery of your new Bigfoot!

Thanks , didn’t know if anyone is in same situation and has any information yet.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by cwall59

Thanks , didn’t know if anyone is in same situation and has any information yet.

The first post came from another BF buyer in TX named Glen. He also has a March delivery scheduled. His thread got closed, but you could reach out to him by private message and trade notes.
https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...fs-103165.html

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by cwall59

I’ve got a Bigfoot travel trailer on order since November with a March completion time frame . Anyone know if and how tariffs might affect such an order ? I see the tariff has been delayed a month so maybe it will get worked out . May have some serious decisions if I get hit with an additional 25% .

I would think it highly unlikely that you would be able to get Bigfoot to change your March delivery date to accommodate the tentative 30 day window that has opened for tariff activation.
I suggested to another buyer in the same situation as you that you could attempt to work with Bigfoot by paying for and taking ownership of your trailer during this 30 day window and prior to Bigfoot completing construction. Then pick it up in March.
All they can say is NO.

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by Bill in Pittsburgh

I would think it highly unlikely that you would be able to get Bigfoot to change your March delivery date to accommodate the tentative 30 day window that has opened for tariff activation.
I suggested to another buyer in the same situation as you that you could attempt to work with Bigfoot by paying for and taking ownership of your trailer during this 30 day window and prior to Bigfoot completing construction. Then pick it up in March.
All they can say is NO.

Thanks , I’m waiting on info from dealer . I had thought about paying up front but didn’t know if that would bypass any tariff’s if they do happen.

[cwall59]

I’m not trying to start a political debate. I’m just looking to see if anyone has any helpful information yet . I’m sure I’m not the only one that has an order pending. So far my dealer hasn’t responded to my question and it maybe due to lack of information.

[ShelbyM]

It's pretty clear even the instigators have no idea how this tariff business will play out. I'd be surprised if a manufacturer would be interested in trying to guess. If I was a buyer I'd sit tight, try to keep my annoyance under control and be willing to walk away if the price is too high at time of purchase.

[ChrisC]

Originally Posted by cwall59

I’m not trying to start a political debate. I’m just looking to see if anyone has any helpful information yet . I’m sure I’m not the only one that has an order pending. So far my dealer hasn’t responded to my question and it maybe due to lack of information.

I'm in the very same situation. Drove to Canada about a month ago and went to 2 Bigfoot dealerships, looking at ordering a 25 footer with twin beds. There's no way I'm paying a 25% tariff, just not happening!

After a months time, they still have not given me a quote yet, so this tariff BS is causing a lot of hassle for both the buyer & sellers IMO.

I don't want to take the chance on any tariffs whatsoever! I'm hoping I can prepay for the trailer before its been built, have the title sent to me in the STATES and register it before any tariffs hit.

Although I'm not crazy about prepaying, because of obvious reasons, I figure anything that's not right will be fixed by the dealer, and if not, any repairs or alterations will be far cheaper than a 25% tariff, which in my case will be around $25,000 US dollars.

If it's registered and insured before the tariffs take place, that should prove ownership! But, I'm no expert, just trying to save some coin.

On the other hand, if tariffs are applied, there's a chance that the discrepancy between the 2 currencies may equal things out, but I'd rather not take that chance.

Its a real bummer, because I went to the big Hershey RV show in PENN this fall and didn't see anything even close to a Bigfoot's quality of build, super disappointing.

Just a thought, because we are in the same boat, but a little sweet talking never hurts, and a dealer can sell you a trailer for whatever he wants on paper, if you catch my drift!

For a 25% increase in the cost of the trailer, they should include free campsites in Canada for life, and I'm only halfway kidding. Think outside the box as they say, and there's usually a way to get acceptable results.

Good Luck

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

I'm in the very same situation. Drove to Canada about a month ago and went to 2 Bigfoot dealerships, looking at ordering a 25 footer with twin beds. There's no way I'm paying a 25% tariff, just not happening!

After a months time, they still have not given me a quote yet, so this tariff BS is causing a lot of hassle for both the buyer & sellers IMO.

I don't want to take the chance on any tariffs whatsoever! I'm hoping I can prepay for the trailer before its been built, have the title sent to me in the STATES and register it before any tariffs hit.

Although I'm not crazy about prepaying, because of obvious reasons, I figure anything that's not right will be fixed by the dealer, and if not, any repairs or alterations will be far cheaper than a 25% tariff, which in my case will be around $25,000 US dollars.

If it's registered and insured before the tariffs take place, that should prove ownership! But, I'm no expert, just trying to save some coin.

On the other hand, if tariffs are applied, there's a chance that the discrepancy between the 2 currencies may equal things out, but I'd rather not take that chance.

Its a real bummer, because I went to the big Hershey RV show in PENN this fall and didn't see anything even close to a Bigfoot's quality of build, super disappointing.

Just a thought, because we are in the same boat, but a little sweet talking never hurts, and a dealer can sell you a trailer for whatever he wants on paper, if you catch my drift!

For a 25% increase in the cost of the trailer, they should include free campsites in Canada for life, and I'm only halfway kidding. Think outside the box as they say, and there's usually a way to get acceptable results.

Good Luck

Just got word from my dealer that they have been discussing it with Bigfoot. So what they have come up with so far is splitting tariffs. Bigfoot- 1/3 , Dealer 1/3 , customer 1/3 . Hopefully the whole tariff thing goes away and no one has to pay any tariff. Of course this would apply to a US dealer I’m guessing. Paying a 1/3 of 25% is better but still not great . I’m hoping tariff’s if they do happen get postponed even longer , my build is supposed to be ready in March.

[jerrybob]

Not trying to be political here but.....if I was in your situation I would not be willing to pay anything extra and cancel my order. In addition.....I would send a letter to your state senators and representatives and the white house indicating your dilemma and the stated impact from your dealer. These politicians have no idea how their decisions are affecting various Americans around the country. They probably don't care but...at the least....people need to start telling them. I would also send any letters written to local newspapers or social media platforms to inform people how you are being affected. Good luck.

[Stevenracquel]

Another March build coming from Trailer World. Fingers crossed that everything gets sorted out before ours is finished. We ordered a 25B25FB so the option to buy a used one is limited and new ones on dealer lots are nonexistent.

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by Stevenracquel

Another March build coming from Trailer World. Fingers crossed that everything gets sorted out before ours is finished. We ordered a 25B25FB so the option to buy a used one is limited and new ones on dealer lots are nonexistent.

Yep , hopefully we get them without the tariffs. We have a March due date but I’m not sure what that really means for actual delivery date .

[Dean Vorhees]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

I'm in the very same situation. Drove to Canada about a month ago and went to 2 Bigfoot dealerships, looking at ordering a 25 footer with twin beds. There's no way I'm paying a 25% tariff, just not happening!

After a months time, they still have not given me a quote yet, so this tariff BS is causing a lot of hassle for both the buyer & sellers IMO.

I don't want to take the chance on any tariffs whatsoever! I'm hoping I can prepay for the trailer before its been built, have the title sent to me in the STATES and register it before any tariffs hit.

Although I'm not crazy about prepaying, because of obvious reasons, I figure anything that's not right will be fixed by the dealer, and if not, any repairs or alterations will be far cheaper than a 25% tariff, which in my case will be around $25,000 US dollars.

If it's registered and insured before the tariffs take place, that should prove ownership! But, I'm no expert, just trying to save some coin.

On the other hand, if tariffs are applied, there's a chance that the discrepancy between the 2 currencies may equal things out, but I'd rather not take that chance.

Its a real bummer, because I went to the big Hershey RV show in PENN this fall and didn't see anything even close to a Bigfoot's quality of build, super disappointing.

Just a thought, because we are in the same boat, but a little sweet talking never hurts, and a dealer can sell you a trailer for whatever he wants on paper, if you catch my drift!

For a 25% increase in the cost of the trailer, they should include free campsites in Canada for life, and I'm only halfway kidding. Think outside the box as they say, and there's usually a way to get acceptable results.

Good Luck

Ok, you drove to Canada and are trying to buy one from a Canadian dealer. How do you propose bringing it back across the boarder without custom collecting a tariff from you?

Also the pricing is not likely to cancel out the tariff because the Canada price is 35% more than the US price.

[ChrisC]

Originally Posted by Dean Vorhees

Ok, you drove to Canada and are trying to buy one from a Canadian dealer. How do you propose bringing it back across the boarder without custom collecting a tariff from you?

Also the pricing is not likely to cancel out the tariff because the Canada price is 35% more than the US price.

With the current exchange rate difference, a 25 foot twin bed in Canada works out to be under $70,000 US! If Trump does impose the 25% tariff, most of the gains between the 2 currencies would be wiped out sadly.

For me, the Canadian dealers are far closer, and honestly they were very helpful and easy to work with. There's been some talk on the boards about Bigfoot and the dealers absorbing 2/3 of any tariffs, leaving the final 1/3 in the hands of the buyer.

For the record, when I entered Canada, I was interviewed by a man for 10 minutes, then once he was done I had to pull over and 2 ladies searched my truck for 20 minutes, before I could enter Canada!

When I crossed back into the USA, I was asked for my passport, and within a minute I was allowed into the US!!!! No search, no detailed questions, no nothing!

IMO, from my experience, it's the US border patrol that needs to step up their game, not the Canadians!

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by Dean Vorhees

Ok, you drove to Canada and are trying to buy one from a Canadian dealer. How do you propose bringing it back across the boarder without custom collecting a tariff from you?

Also the pricing is not likely to cancel out the tariff because the Canada price is 35% more than the US price.

Not certain if this would work but I would certainly try:
I'm not a lawyer but just thinking outside the box.
My thoughts are more along the lines of taking ownership now if the company will work with you providing all documentation minus the unfinished trailer. Crossing the border now with all the documentation. Then registering the title NOW in the US with all the documentation and then Registering the trailer NOW with the buyers home state DMV.
When picking up and crossing the border with previously US registered title and plate, Customs would see the vehicle as previously owned and not subject to current purchase tariffs.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

With the current exchange rate difference, a 25 foot twin bed in Canada works out to be under $70,000 US! If Trump does impose the 25% tariff, most of the gains between the 2 currencies would be wiped out sadly.

For me, the Canadian dealers are far closer, and honestly they were very helpful and easy to work with. There's been some talk on the boards about Bigfoot and the dealers absorbing 2/3 of any tariffs, leaving the final 1/3 in the hands of the buyer.

For the record, when I entered Canada, I was interviewed by a man for 10 minutes, then once he was done I had to pull over and 2 ladies searched my truck for 20 minutes, before I could enter Canada!

When I crossed back into the USA, I was asked for my passport, and within a minute I was allowed into the US!!!! No search, no detailed questions, no nothing!

IMO, from my experience, it's the US border patrol that needs to step up their game, not the Canadians!

Are you saying US dealers are marking up the price 35% and pocketing the entire exchange rate difference?

You have some hard decisions ahead. When it crosses the border, if the tariff is in effect, it will be collected. If you buy the trailer in Canada and import it yourself, you will pay 100% of the tariff. You cannot register it in any state without paperwork from US Customs.

If the tariffs do go into effect as threatened next month, will the dealer allow you to postpone your delivery? If the tariff situation isn’t resolved promptly, how long will they hold? What do you lose if you walk away?

As to security and searches, it is simply not physically possible to thoroughly search every single person and vehicle that crosses an international border. Agents are trained to profile. There may be a certain number of random searches flagged by a computer as well.

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Are you saying US dealers are marking up the price 35% and pocketing the entire exchange rate difference?

You have some hard decisions ahead. When it crosses the border, if the tariff is in effect, it will be collected. If you buy the trailer in Canada and import it yourself, you will pay 100% of the tariff. You cannot register it in any state without paperwork from YS Customs.

If the tariffs do go into effect as threatened next month, will the dealer allow you to postpone your delivery? If the tariff situation isn’t resolved promptly, how long will they hold? What do you lose if you walk away?

As to security and searches, it is simply not physically possible to thoroughly search every single person and vehicle that crosses an international border. Agents are trained to profile. There may be a certain number of random searches flagged by a computer as well.

I know if I walk away from my order I forfeit the 2500 deposit when I ordered. I’m not wanting to pay a tariff but paying 1/3 is better than the full 25% tariff. I ordered mine without a solar package and lithium batteries. The dealership was going to do that when it arrived on their lot along with swapping the a/c to a Houghton. Worse case part of what I was going to spend on the dealer add on’s would go to my third of tariff.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by cwall59

I know if I walk away from my order I forfeit the 2500 deposit when I ordered. I’m not wanting to pay a tariff but paying 1/3 is better than the full 25% tariff. I ordered mine without a solar package and lithium batteries. The dealership was going to do that when it arrived on their lot along with swapping the a/c to a Houghton. Worse case part of what I was going to spend on the dealer add on’s would go to my third of tariff.

The other individual was purchasing through a dealer in Canada, so there's a different set of factors at play. The uncertainty must be driving everyone involved crazy. Throwing that kind of money at a non-existent problem is infuriating. Here's hoping the worst case does not come to pass.