Buying a Class B in the US

[bariutt]

I live in Ontario. I would like to purchase a used Class B RV. I particularly like the Pleasure-way Excels.

I have heard that you cannot purchase a unit from the US and import it back to Canada because the units sold in the US have different emission standards. Does anyone on this forum have any experience with this?

[markopolo]

I've never done it but I did look into it when I was looking for a Bigfoot Class C.

# 1 - the vehicle has to be on Transport Canada’s List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States.

Here's the link for the list of admissible Class B's:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safevehi ... ion5_2.htm

[markopolo]

Here's another important link:
Transport Canada - Vehicle Importation from the United States
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safe ... ex-445.htm

[markopolo]

Old topic but the link came up in a Google search today.

Vehicle Import Compatibility (Admissibility) list for vehicles purchased in the United States - Section 5.2 - Motorhomes Class B

http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafe...Section5_2.htm

According to the current list (Aug/12/2015 Edition) you would not be able to import a Great West Van or Roadtrek to Canada if newer than 2012.

Current (2015) Winnebago, Airstream, Leisure Travel & Pleasure-Way are on the list

I ran into this issue when looking into purchasing a Bigfoot Class C from an individual in the US. He wanting to sell it and the price looked OK to me but I wouldn't have been permitted to import it The good news was that I found out before making the purchase.

[mikes47]

Thanks for posting that, Marco. I have to confess to some (a lot?) of chauvinism related to vehicle movement across the planet. I figure USA has the most stringent standards and that if its good enough for the good ol' USA, it's good enough for everybody else. You have enlightened me. Thanks.

[tbirdman]

Believe or not, Canadian requirements are stricter. Buying new in teh US for the Canadian market you will find an option for a Canadian chassis which is more expensive. For a Travato it is $4K.

[markopolo]

With RV's it can be that the manufacturer just opts to not submit the required paperwork. That can either be cost cutting by the manufacturer or an attempt to protect Canadian dealers.

Either way it doesn't the help person in the US trying to sell their rig when there's a ready & willing Canadian buyer ........................

[Davydd]

Is more "stringent" (either way) the right reason? Could it not just be "different" standards?

[Fastpaddler1]

I looked at buying in the US but with the recent exchange rates, it isn't a deal anymore. Any lower price in the US is eaten up by the poor exchange we get here in Canada notwithstanding that some models are not admissible anyway.

[tbirdman]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Is more "stringent" (either way) the right reason? Could it not just be "different" standards?

What I read is that it is more stringent not different.

[Boxster1971]

There is more than the safety or emissions standards involved. If you bring one countries vehicle to another country you will also have problems with the new vehicle warranty. It's all tracked by the VIN.