Canadian trucks?

[sagerat]

I’ve been looking at late model used 1/2 tons lately and it seems like 90% of them are from Canada. What’s the deal? Any good reasons to avoid them?

[huntnphool]

@jackelope

 I ended up ordering mine because it seemed all the ones at the dealerships at the time were initially intended to go to Canada. I didn't want one with headlights that turned on automatically with the key and no way to turn them off....(mandated in Canada)

[Boss .300 winmag]

Here’s couple threads, search equipment section for more.

My daughter and son-in-law bought a vehicle that was Canadian, so far so good.

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,221147.0/all.html

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,210443.msg2801329.html#msg2801329

[sagerat]

Thanks guys

[RockChuck]

I have an older Canadian truck for about 5 years now and has been grea except The km speedometer... they make kits to change them but I’m cheap. Also have noticed I’m saying  “eh”a lot lately???

[HighCountryHunter88]

last year i was looking at 1/2 tons too, i looked at maybe 8 from Canada and 2 from here locally. every one was less than a year old and 15k or less miles and every Canadian truck has rust on the under carriage and the locals didnt. ended up buying a local truck after shopping around.

[Stein]

Like anything, there are good and bad.  I had a Suburban from Canada and it was great, just some paperwork and it was worth the effort.  There are a few things to look out for though:

1.  Warranty - I don't know for sure but have seen that they do not transfer over the border.
2.  Dishonesty - There are a bunch of trucks from the Alberta oil fields that are run like rented mules, cleaned up and for sale.  They often have rust and excessive wear hidden with new paint, underbody coatings and the like.  Not too difficult to find, check Carfax and see if they spent time when new in Alberta or have obvious new paint/coatings.  I wouldn't touch anything with new paint, coatings, or was from Alberta.
3.  Financing - I used cash and you have to jump through hoops at the border.  US assumes you are running drugs, Canada didn't seem to care.  Bank financing may be tricky, I don't know.
4.  Paperwork - You need some type of factory letter stating the vehicle complies with US regulations.  For any dealer they can likely handle this for you but private sellers will likely require you to handle it.
5.  Hassle - It takes basically a day to run up there, check it out and come back.  Plus, you end up stopping at Timmy's for some Timbits which is bad for your health.   
6.  Exchange rate - This is a huge factor that can either make it a great deal or not.

Overall, it can be a good deal but with the above it would have to be a really good deal for me to mess with it.

[jackelope]

Like anything, there are good and bad.  I had a Suburban from Canada and it was great, just some paperwork and it was worth the effort.  There are a few things to look out for though:

1.  Warranty - I don't know for sure but have seen that they do not transfer over the border.
2.  Dishonesty - There are a bunch of trucks from the Alberta oil fields that are run like rented mules, cleaned up and for sale.  They often have rust and excessive wear hidden with new paint, underbody coatings and the like.  Not too difficult to find, check Carfax and see if they spent time when new in Alberta or have obvious new paint/coatings.  I wouldn't touch anything with new paint, coatings, or was from Alberta.
3.  Financing - I used cash and you have to jump through hoops at the border.  US assumes you are running drugs, Canada didn't seem to care.  Bank financing may be tricky, I don't know.
4.  Paperwork - You need some type of factory letter stating the vehicle complies with US regulations.  For any dealer they can likely handle this for you but private sellers will likely require you to handle it.
5.  Hassle - It takes basically a day to run up there, check it out and come back.  Plus, you end up stopping at Timmy's for some Timbits which is bad for your health.   
6.  Exchange rate - This is a huge factor that can either make it a great deal or not.

Overall, it can be a good deal but with the above it would have to be a really good deal for me to mess with it.

I was assuming he was talking about buying a truck locally that was imported from Canada and sold as used. Super common currently. For the most part, none of your concerns apply to that scenario.

[jackelope]

I have an older Canadian truck for about 5 years now and has been grea except The km speedometer... they make kits to change them but I’m cheap. Also have noticed I’m saying  “eh”a lot lately???

If you purchased the truck in the USA from a dealer, the odometer thing should have been changed out before you bought it.

[RockChuck]

I have an older Canadian truck for about 5 years now and has been grea except The km speedometer... they make kits to change them but I’m cheap. Also have noticed I’m saying  “eh”a lot lately???

If you purchased the truck in the USA from a dealer, the odometer thing should have been changed out before you bought it.

Good to know  but mine was a private sale so I’m stuck looking at the small inner mph 

[Stein]

I have an older Canadian truck for about 5 years now and has been grea except The km speedometer... they make kits to change them but I’m cheap. Also have noticed I’m saying  “eh”a lot lately???

If you purchased the truck in the USA from a dealer, the odometer thing should have been changed out before you bought it.

Good to know  but mine was a private sale so I’m stuck looking at the small inner mph 

If it is mechanical, you can get a new overlay from a scrap yard.  I think we got ours from Spaulding in Spokane.  If it is digital, shouldn't be an issue to change it.

[RockChuck]

I have an older Canadian truck for about 5 years now and has been grea except The km speedometer... they make kits to change them but I’m cheap. Also have noticed I’m saying  “eh”a lot lately???

If you purchased the truck in the USA from a dealer, the odometer thing should have been changed out before you bought it.

Good to know  but mine was a private sale so I’m stuck looking at the small inner mph 

If it is mechanical, you can get a new overlay from a scrap yard.  I think we got ours from Spaulding in Spokane.  If it is digital, shouldn't be an issue to change it.

Mine is mechanical and I know you can change them I’m just to cheap lol! It Doesn’t bother me much as I don’t drive it to much anyway

[sagerat]

[quote author=jackelope link=topic=235147.msg3139452#msg3139452 date=1546619512

I was assuming he was talking about buying a truck locally that was imported from Canada and sold as used. Super common currently. For the most part, none of your concerns apply to that scenario.
[/quote]

Yes, tons of used trucks at local dealers from Canada