Why does Newmar only provide company service in Jan, Feb and March?

[MT flyfisher]

My wife and I are seriously considering buying a new Kountry Aire, and so we stopped at the factory last month on our way home to PA after spending the summer in MT.

While there, we were told that once your unit is out of warranty, that January, February and March are the only months that a person can schedule their unit for factory service.

If we do buy the Kountry Aire, I hope I never have to take it back to the factory for service. Realistically, however, I suspect that we'll be there for service sooner or later.

Assuming what we were told is true, that's a bit of a concern, since I don't ever want to tow a trailer in Indiana (or anywhere else in the frozen north) in the middle of the winter. Actually, that's more than a "bit of a concern" and one of the biggest turn-offs I've yet to hear about Newmar's service.

Anybody have any thoughts or info on this?

John

p.s. We're planning to store our trailer in inside storage in Montana over the winter, and use it there during the summer and fall where we stay on the Yellowstone River north of Yellowstone Park. I'll be a long way from there to take the trailer to anywhere for service, and much longer to take it to a place that offers good service!

[MT flyfisher]

My wife and I are seriously considering buying a new Kountry Aire, and so we stopped at the factory last month on our way home to PA after spending the summer in MT.

While there, we were told that once your unit is out of warranty, that January, February and March are the only months that a person can schedule their unit for factory service.

If we do buy the Kountry Aire, I hope I never have to take it back to the factory for service. Realistically, however, I suspect that we'll be there for service sooner or later.

Assuming what we were told is true, that's a bit of a concern, since I don't ever want to tow a trailer in Indiana (or anywhere else in the frozen north) in the middle of the winter. Actually, that's more than a "bit of a concern" and one of the biggest turn-offs I've yet to hear about Newmar's service.

Anybody have any thoughts or info on this?

John

p.s. We're planning to store our trailer in inside storage in Montana over the winter, and use it there during the summer and fall where we stay on the Yellowstone River north of Yellowstone Park. I'll be a long way from there to take the trailer to anywhere for service, and much longer to take it to a place that offers good service!

[Lug_Nut]

Newmar's in the business of designing and producing both motor powered coaches and fifth wheel trailers. They also back them up with a full warranty of either one or two years. Some buyers prefer to have their service work done at the factory location, though there is a large dealer network also. Newmar's service is second to none, and is very busy, requiring a good lead time to secure an appointment. Due to weather in January, February and March a drop in service requests is experienced so they open up their service to off warranty repairs to keep their service people busy. In addition as an incentive to those that brave the weather they offer labour discounts.
You have to understand that Newmar is not in the business of repairing, installing accessories and just servicing of RV's, it's not Camping World. Besides, you would probably be upset if you couldn't get a warranty appointment in the better weathered months because they were busy making money on after warranty service jobs.
There are plenty of dealers only too willing to do after warranty pay jobs.

Peter

[soricobob]

I think what you should look into is, what dealer close to home can service my motorhome. If there is a Newmar dealer on your list, then buy one.
If manufacturers cannot train local technicians, in my opinion they have not done the second half of their job.

[ParTheCourse]

The dealer we purchased our trailer from took care of our warranty issues twice during our warranty period, one year. The first, after our first outing and the second a long punch list during the eleventh month. In both cases it took 3/4 weeks, because pictures, paper work etc. had to be sent to Newmar for approval. In the end all issues we taken care of without hassle and at no cost.

To indicate the lengths they went:

The wallpaper type border that surrounds the interior at elbow height was pealing off and rounded in many corners. They provided all new material to replace it. However, when attempts were made to remove the old, it tore the wall paper under it, To avoid replacing all of the wall paper and border the dealer went to a local building supply an purchased several feet of oak molding and temporarily installed it around one corner. With our approval they submitted their idea, it was approved and installed top and bottom of the existing border throughout. A very nice and unique fix.

During the first year the front end-cap became dark in color and developed some checkering, small spider web cracks, in one corner. The trailer was sent to a large, local body shop and the entire end-cap stripped, repainted and gel coated.

Hopefully you have a Newmar dealer close enough to home or your summer location so you to can enjoy a quality product from a company who stands behind it.

Good luck,

[footdoc]

On another angle, you are not required to go to a Newmar dealer for warranty work...they will usually authorize repairs by independent shops..that is what I did for Newmar and Spartan issues..I'm lucky enough to have an RV repair shop locally that can fix about anything, and better than the Newmar dealer I used to use, plus I dont have to drive 100s of miles to GIT R DUN !!

[Fulltimer]

ParTheCourse,
Thats a good idea. I'll have to try that myself.

[MT flyfisher]

First of all, thanks to all of you for your replies -- many more already than my first couple posts here last month!

I was alreay aware that Newmar may let you take your RV to a non-Newmar dealer for repairs, and that's a big plus as far as I'm concerned.

However, contrary to the assurances each of you provided in your responses, I'm still more than a bit concerned about the Jan-Mar availability of factory service. I wouldn't mind the prospect of a relatively long wait in order to schedule factory service, and wouldn't mind if it were even available in the spring or fall, but mid-winter really is a turn-off to me.

Also, the comment about Newmar having a large dealer network doesn't help me much since, as I stated, we're planning on keeping our trailer (as much as possible) in Montana.

The closest Newmar dealer to us that handles Kountry Aires is Stalkups in Casper, WY, which we've visited, and that's about 500 miles distance. I believe Stalkups only took on the Newmar line a year or so ago, and have (or at least had recently) 2 unsold Kountry Aires in their inventory that they've been trying unsuccessfully to unload on Ebay in the past several weeks, so I have some serious doubts about them remaining a Newmar dealer for long.

Then, there's Bretz RV in Missoula, 250 miles distance, and while they're a Newmar dealer that doesn't sell Kountry Aires, I wouldn't EVER take anything there for service. I made that mistake once with our former travel trailer, an Airsream, and after a horrendous experience with their customer service the only thing I'd ever go there for again is the cheap propane that they sell in the summer, trying to lure unsuspecting potential customers off the interstate as they're passing by.

John

[rebelsbeach]

John, I regret there's no easy solution regarding a nearby Newmar dealer to where you live, but don't see that as being Newmar's fault...

In regard to the January through March reduced rate for non-warranty items, as Peter has posted we need to remember that Newmar is in the business of building and selling RV's.
With respect to their warranty service it's indeed year round, but as a rule it's slower in the three winter months....
In order that they can both accomodate "some" non-warranty customers AND give their people something to do in the winter months, they've allocated these months for non-warranty items.

[JavaJelly]

I like the winter service at Newmar. You get lots of attention. But, for me it is either home in Buffalo or Nappanee so it's like a trip south. Also, all you nancy boys won't come up and crowd the place when it is below 50.

In speaking w/Jonah (service manager over non-highline) last March, he said that they are considering expanding non-warranty work months as the last 3 year warranty units are now out of warranty.

I'm not sure where that stands now.

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">In speaking w/Jonah (service manager over non-highline) last March, he said that they are considering expanding non-warranty work months as the last 3 year warranty units are now out of warranty. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree that the 3 year warranty work was/is taking up the majority of the shop time.

Hopefully Newmar can expand the non-warranty work months.

[MT flyfisher]

Rebelsbeach -

Actually, my wife and I live in New Holland, PA, which is smack dab in the middle of Pennsylvania Dutch (Amish) country. We just spend the summer and fall in our RV in Montana.

There is a Newmar dealer just 2 miles down the road from us, but (fortunately) they don't sell Kountry Aires there.

I say "fortunately" because they are actually a (shall we say) "branch" of the Shady Maple grocery store and smorgasbord, selling the lower end Newmar travel trailers on one end of the grocery store's parking lot!

And, even though I live nearby and shop for groceries there regularly, it took some real scouting around the back side of the grocery store to find their service shop!!!

I don't think I'd want to take an RV there for service. In fact, I couldn't even drive my truck in to the "service" shop (hidden behind the grocery store) a couple weeks ago when I tried, and ended up having to walk a rather long way around to get there.

Coincidentally, Shady Maple is also owned and operated by Mennonites, and for those who haven't been to either their grocery store or smorgasbord, I'd heartily recommend it. I don't know if there are bigger or better ones anywhere in the country. (Just don't plan on getting your Newmar serviced while you shop and/or eat there).

John

p.s. Any one know of any Newmar dealers in the Northeast that offer really good service?

[leavitt]

Hi John, Unfortunatly there don't seem to be any "good" dealer service dep'ts in Alberta\Montana area.We also were advised not to go to Brentz & were told by factory that the one in Sheridan was black marked (whatever that means!) We are activly looking for a non Newmar service centre to complete some warranty work & after warranty service. Good luck. Colleen.

["007"]

John your profile doesn't say where you live in NE but Martysusrv has just this year become a Newmar dealer and has a good shop and Arlington RV in R.I. has been around for some time.