Inspecting a New Coach Before Purchase

[DLane]

I am purchasing a new 07 leftover Newmar DP coach from an out of state dealer and will be visiting the dealer soon for the first time to inspect the coach before giving him a deposit(to this point I have only seen pictures).

I want to inspect as much as I can think of including the roof, roof seals, tire weight rating compared to GAWRs etc.

I would appreciate any advice you have on the things I should check and any things I should request the dealer do before delivery. The dealer is supposed to change the oil and filters including the Genset oil and filters and including the fuel filters as well. Is there a good way to check for myself that this work was done?

[DLane]

I am purchasing a new 07 leftover Newmar DP coach from an out of state dealer and will be visiting the dealer soon for the first time to inspect the coach before giving him a deposit(to this point I have only seen pictures).

I want to inspect as much as I can think of including the roof, roof seals, tire weight rating compared to GAWRs etc.

I would appreciate any advice you have on the things I should check and any things I should request the dealer do before delivery. The dealer is supposed to change the oil and filters including the Genset oil and filters and including the fuel filters as well. Is there a good way to check for myself that this work was done?

[utarv]

check out the forum on rv.net the url is http://www.rv.net/forum. In the class A section the moderator (Johnny T) has put together some info. You can also do a search on PDI's and get a wealth of info.

Best of luck and Congrats!

[MonacoMama]

DLane..
Better yet... You don't need to leave iRV2. You have your choice of 2 links here on iRV2!!

Good luck getting settled in before you head south!
Also- don't forget to ask for some "Newmar Owners karma"..it is free!


MM

[GaryKD]

Hi DLane,
In the situation you described, I'd focus on:
1. Tires - Look at them carefully. Tread wear and side walls.
2. Batteries - If they are flooded, see if there is water in all the cells. Take a hydrometer with you and check each cell. Dealers are bad when it comes to maintaining batteries.
3. Check all the appliances and make sure they work on all the power sources the appliance is supose to work from.
4. Paint - Look for dings, dents and any checkered or spider patterns. Dimppled waves are a sign of delamination. Most paint problems can be seen by looking at the coach from a severe angle. Almost like looking down the side of the coach.
5. Worn/Dirty - The coach may have been used in shows or as a demo. Check the mileage and look for signs of wear.
6. Accessories - Have the sales rep show you all the stuff that comes withe the coach.
6b. chairs
6c. table leaf
6d. window awning pull rod
6e. coach manuals
6f. touch up paint vials
are some examples

Good luck and welcome to the Newmar family.

[soricobob]

If you have an overnight: turn off the heat, and return the next day. It's the only way to smell if it has been smoked in. If it has, and you object to the smell, walk, as the smell is there to stay.

[Spikester]

Hi Dlane, Congrats on your find, hope your visit to dealership works out to your advantage.

Couple of things that I might add to what others have posted;
1. Ask if the coach has been shown at RV shows, if so, it means that some lighting has been in use continually for many many hours. Make sure you have fresh light bulbs installed in those fixtures that have had heavy use. 12V light bulbs are expensive.
2. Depending on your chassis there maybe a bunch of additional (besides the filter/Engine oil changes,) 1 year and mileage related routine chassis maintenance/inspections required (lube, front wheel bearing lube, rear axle lube, transmission filter change, and etc.) that should be done at the dealer expense before it leaves the dealership.
3. Make sure all applicable recalls that are applicable have been completed.
4. Make sure the windshield wipers operate effectively, especially at highway speeds.
5. Check around your slide out mechanism rails (with slides extended) where they penetrate the interior of stowage bays to ensure they have some sort of gasket to seal the penetration. My drivers side front slide (rear slide rail) penetration was unsealed leaving approx 4" surrounding the entire mechanism, this allows outside air and a penetration for potential critter intrusion into the main stowage area (which is inside the primary insulation boundary), therefore the interior of the coach. Better the dealership fab a gasket than you. Find this is common on the Ventana product line, not sure about other model line.
6. I would ask them to make sure your coaches video system is ready to support the shift to digital broadcasting in Feb. Not sure the 07 models were digital ready.
7. As Gary has said, batteries and tires are really important, they deteriorate over time. Check the manufacture date of the coach and the tires, if it is an early 07 model, it could have been built anytime after Mar/Apr 06 making tires and batteries 2.5+ years old, chassis could be left over 05. If that is the case lean on dealership for new tires and house batteries at a min.

As for making sure dealership has done what it said it was going to do, ask to get copies of the invoices. You should have them anyway for your maintenance records since you will be having other work done by some other dealership. Pull dipsticks, crawl underneath to see if filters are bright and shiny etc. If you have the invoices to show dealer accomplished work (whether he did or not) you should not have any warranty questions because on accomplishment of routine maintenance, you have proof of accomplishment.

Hope this helps.

Spike

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

In reading your other post I understand that you will not be using the motorhome until February other than driving it home.
I would suggest staying near the dealership for a few days to check out all systems. ensure that heaters work on all systems(LP, 110, and generator) including bay heat. Drive shaft lube is very important, check air filter gauge, check all exterior lights, when checking batteries ensure that there is no corrosion visible- if there is evidence have dealer remove, wirebrush, and repaint, check water flow- water pump and city water (ask for a new water filter). If you have access to the VIN and Newmar S/N call now to Cummins, Allison, and Newmar regarding recalls as they will have records indicating completion. Check tires inside and outside edges for non uniform wear, check cable release for generator to ensure ease of operation.
IMHO the use of chains is not recommended as damage to wheel wells etc if they come loose could be extensive...get off the road and park.
Welcome to iRV2 and the Newmar family and be sure to join the Newmar Kountry Klub

Ronnie