Our team travels frequently trying out restaurants and visiting shops for our regular readers. But we do love taking short breaks too and this is where our love for solid RVs comes into play.
Anyway, we recently had to search for the best RV for our growing team, so we figured this was the perfect time to do a review of RV dealers in the city! So, we’ll take you on the journey with us to see which dealers managed to meet our expectations and current needs.
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The Cost of Buying an RV in Calgary
Prices vary and change over time, of course. Still, the table below shows the average cost of purchasing an RV from a Calgary RV dealership:
How We Chose the Best RV Dealers in Calgary
First, here are the criteria we used to evaluate Calgary RV dealers:
1. Allan Dale RVs & Trailers
| RV selections | 5/5 |
| Staff knowledge | 5/5 |
| Additional services | 4/5 |
| Reputation | 5/5 |
Allan Dale is North America’s largest trailer, RV, and diesel pusher store, so we naturally had high expectations. Thanks to their business scale, most people go to them first when seeking RVs and related services.
We like that they’re not pushy in selling their products – we even found them knowledgeable and competent in assisting our purchase. In general, they’ve provided us with good sales, parts, repairs, and professional advice.
As for additional services, they even rent utility and cargo trailers and other RVs. This is something we find valuable for those who are just checking them out – no obligation to purchase and a good opportunity to see their selection.
Speaking of selection, we were blown away by the variety of RVs they have including motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, and toy haulers among many others. The units are also available brand new or used, but this depends on stock.
As serious fans of ultimate convenience, we also appreciate the easy payment options and flexible financing options they offer. Additionally, they have an online inventory, virtual tours, and private showings.
When it comes to prices, we can’t say much since their cash pricing is pretty fair with tolerable markups (a different story, of course, if you do financing). On top of that, buyers can enjoy their seasonal deals and specials on certain units.
With all that said, we recommend requesting a fine print of everything you’re paying since some people told us that they sometimes bury some charges in there. Didn’t see it ourselves, but we’re simply flagging this issue for now so we can seek out any improvements in the future.
Pros
- Service drop-off available
- Virtual tours offered
- Does private showings
- Wide range of RV types
- Used and brand new RVs available
- Provides RV rentals
- Deals and specials available
- Easy payment options
- Flexible financing options
Cons
- Minor complaint regarding hidden charges
Positive experience, goes above and beyond
We highly recommend this dealership. Their customer service goes above and beyond which is very hard to find in todays world. Everyone from sales, parts and service worked together to make our experience a very positive one. – Linda Underschultz
Kept me in the loop
The service guys at Allan Dale were so great in helping me get some stuff ordered and installed for my camper trailer. Kept me in the loop the whole time and on a whole great service! Shawn who sold me the unit years ago even recognizes my voice without even looking, makes a guy feel so welcome! Thanks for everything. – Chi Wan
2. Arrkann Trailer & RV Centre
| RV selections | 4/5 |
| Staff knowledge | 5/5 |
| Additional services | 5/5 |
| Reputation | 4/5 |
ArrKann Trailer & RV Centre is an award-winning dealership established in 1976. On normal days, experience can easily win us over, but we’re focusing on a range of RV types for now, which they also do quite well.
Walking through their shop, we saw some of the most recent trailers from many famous RV brands. Obviously, these come at a higher cost, but if you’re looking for something more affordable, it’s best to check out their used RV inventory.
Trades are also welcome here, by the way, making it easy for previous RV owners to dispose of their old units. It’s a good option if you don’t have room for two RVs or simply want to get a better unit for less than the retail cost.
As for their staff, we had a seamless experience since everyone was guiding us every step of the way. We might not have bagged an RV we liked, but we appreciated the advice while browsing through each unit and its features.
What’s even better is that you can still seek their assistance for post-purchase products and services. Well, you can think of ArrKann as a one-stop shop for RV-related items, so future maintenance, repair, and replacement become relatively easy.
Unfortunately, we’re still not completely sold on that part because we’ve heard a few complaints about them not returning inquiries. Might be a slow process, especially for returning customers.
It’s a good thing they’re open almost every day (except Sunday), so you can personally visit them if you have any concerns. Though it may be inconvenient, it can still be worth the shot if you need thorough inspections.
Pros
- Award-winning RV dealership
- Offers the latest brand of RVs
- Also sells used RVs
- Knowledgeable and helpful staff
- Solid after-sales services and products
- Offers factory warranty repairs
- Financing available
- Offers seasonal clearance sales
Cons
- Minor complaints about not returning calls
- Limited financing options
Very informative, really efficient
The ArrKann Calgary team was fantastic. Super friendly and helpful. Michelle was really efficient and helpful as well really friendly and easy to work Will. Gordon was fantastic during the walk-through. He was persistent with making sure we had everything taken care of and even stopped his lunch to come out and make sure the lights we’re working properly when we left. Very informative with all things RV. Would recommend ArrKann to other RV’ers for sure – Norm Volk
Easy to talk to
Our family recently bought a trailer from ArrKann and it was a positive experience beginning to end. Neil was our salesman and not only was he knowledgable, he was very friendly and easy to talk to. Michelle, was a pleasure to work and Rick (our demo guy) went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable knowing everything about our unit! We would highly recommend ArrKann to friends & family – Shelby Rae
3. CanaDream
| RV selections | 4/5 |
| Staff knowledge | 4/5 |
| Additional services | 4/5 |
| Reputation | 5/5 |
CanaDream offers a good range of RV types for any family or small group of friends. Though we find them more competent as an RV rental service, we can’t turn away from their good sale prices and commendable service.
Speaking of, the prices of the RVs fall just within the median range in the city. Of course, there are other things you need to consider, but the transparent and upfront costs are just good additions for peace of mind.
To give you an idea of their customer approach, we rented one of their RVs and were pleased with the whole transaction. The unit looked exactly as pictured, with ample space, comfortable beds, and plenty of storage.
Their motorhomes are the most popular of all their RVs, thanks to the next-level comfort and convenience it offers. It’s just a bit pricey for some, so you may want to book a motorhome rental first just to get a serious feel.
As delighted as we were with the overall experience, we weren’t surprised to hear a few complaints, most of which concerned customers who had minor breakage. However, they redeemed themselves by resolving it without fuss, so we’re okay with those for now.
On a positive note, CanaDream is generous with its special offers such as giving free travel opportunities to various destinations across the country. Just a heads up – these deals have limited availability and will only be available until they’re sold out.
Pros
- Wide range of rentable RVs
- Smooth renting process
- Excellent vehicle condition
- Comfort and convenience-oriented designs
- 20% discount on parts and labor
- Seasonal hot and special deals
- Plenty of free travel opportunities (RV rentals)
Cons
- Minor breakage issues
- Limited RVs for sale
Lots of options, clean and tidy
Rented a 24′ RV from Calgary site for 2 week tour of the Rockies. Exceptionally clean and tidy RV, friendly helpful staff, lots of options and extras available at reasonable prices. Thoroughly enjoyed our experience with them and our holiday. Many thanks. Ps. Definitely recommend the windshield insurance. – Ken Paton
Knowledgeable and accommodating
We recently purchased our first motorhome from Matthew. He was absolutely fantastic, knowledgable and accommodating. Matthew went above and beyond to accommodate us while the issues were worked out. Patty was also a delight to work with. When we’re ready for our next home on wheels, we’ll be back. Thanks again! – Bill Ferrante
4. Guarantee RV
| RV selections | 4/5 |
| Staff knowledge | 3/5 |
| Additional services | 3/5 |
| Reputation | 5/5 |
Guarantee RV has been around for 30 years and their experience already tells a lot about what they offer. In general, they sell both brand-new and used RVs, so there are decent options for any type of buyer.
What we like best about them is that, unlike most of their competitors, they don’t oversell their products. We find their no-pressure sales and no-obligation consultations a good starter, especially for first-time clients.
They do, however, charge on the more expensive side. Fortunately, they have various plans with quick approvals and flexible interest rates – it’s just that it will take longer to repay, so it all depends on your budget.
Guarantee RV is also a good one-stop service shop with its fully-stocked parts department. On top of that, they have trained technicians to carry out any RV-related assistance, from the smallest tent trailer to the largest diesel pusher.
We were just heartbroken to learn that there were customers who were treated rudely when it came to customer service. In addition, a few customers complained about discovering unmentioned damages on their newly purchased used RV.
Still, with so much positive feedback coming in, we’re quite optimistic about future improvements. Plus, they’re quite easy to reach, making them very accessible during operating hours.
Pros
- Over 30 years in the industry
- Wide array of new and pre-owned RV trailers
- No-pressure sales
- No-obligation consultations
- Fast approval of financing plans
- Low monthly payments and longer payment terms
- Trained technicians to assist
- Has an online showroom
Cons
- Minor complaints about customer service
- Few complaints of damages on used RVs (repairable)
Great walkthrough, knowledgeable
Great dealership. Found me a Leisure Travel Van in record time and helped me to buy it and get it delivered. Great walkthrough and orientation of immaculate unit in warm, comfortable shop. Totally knowledgeable. Highly recommended. – Todd Kalyniuk
Pleasurable experience, top notch service
Just a quick Note on our recent consignment sale of our motorhome at Guarantee RV Center. It was a very pleasurable experience. We received top notch service with good communication from sales staff about the status of our consigned motorhome. It was on site over the winter months and we felt very secure in knowing that Guarantee RV was looking after our interests – music Flat Hanna Alberta
5. True North Custom Campers
| RV selections | 3/5 |
| Staff knowledge | 5/5 |
| Additional services | 3/5 |
| Reputation | 3/5 |
Apart from selling RVs, True North Custom Campers is also a team of professional camper van builders. Knowing this, the place is great for anyone looking for complete van customization for recreational purposes.
Though they don’t specifically focus on selling RVs, they sold themselves to us by specializing in retrofitting recreational vehicles. This does have its own advantages, one of which is that customers have command of the overall customization.
Checking their portfolio, we can say that their team can handle full conversions, simple upgrades, and anything in between. Any additional features and functions are all up to you to decide, guided by the expert team, of course.
Their ability to custom-build off-grid four-season RVs also impressed us. What this does is allow clients to travel all year round in their customized camper van, which can withstand all four seasons in the country.
True North can also accommodate those looking to own an RV, though it may be difficult to find one at this dealership because they don’t usually have any for sale. But when they have some in stock, the prices are always fair and purchasing is a breeze.
With that, their ideal clientele might be RV enthusiasts looking to upgrade while keeping in touch for new units. This also gives a more exclusive experience, and if you’re willing to wait, it may just be worthwhile.
Pros
- Specializes in retrofitting recreational vehicles
- Sells well-priced RVs
- Can handle any customization demand
- Portfolio of recent builds available on their website
- Offers free quotes and consultations
- Upfront pricing
Cons
- Limited RVs for sale
- Minor complaints regarding communication
Open to any ideas, great team
We are extremely satisfied withTNCC on our very custom, fully built out van. We did a lot of unique things like using cork on walls & ceilings, bed system & they were open to all our ideas & fine tuned some that needed it. Great team. – Allan Melville
Attention to detail, quality work
My family has worked with True North on multiple projects over the last few years and we have been nothing but thrilled with the attention to detail and the quality of their work! Can‘t recommend them enough! – Kyle Crawford
