Community Forums

THenman · 09-06-2016, 10:26 PM

Wife and I made deposit on a new 2016 Tradition 45A today and are taking delivery next week. This will be our first motor home.

Any advice on things to look for, pay special attention to, etc. at delivery?

Thanks!

Tom

Tha_Rooster · 09-07-2016, 05:18 AM

Congrats, start big or go home.

GlennLever · 09-07-2016, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THenman

Wife and I made deposit on a new 2016 Tradition 45A today and are taking delivery next week. This will be our first motor home.

Any advice on things to look for, pay special attention to, etc. at delivery?

Thanks!

Tom

Do not leave the Dealership until you have been shown how to use your Motor Home.

This should include checking the fluids in your engine, running the Motor Home on shore power, being explained how to dump both the black and gray water tanks, make sure you have a hose to connect to the dump fixture and the dump port in the ground, run the internal 12 volt water pump, have them explain how to hook up to city water, run the furnaces, check the level in the batteries, run the jacks / leveling system, in the driver’s seat go over all the controls (put you hand on each one and operate it) , run the dash A/C, run the ceiling A/C units, make sure you water comes out of the faucets (check that you make hot water), run the micro wave, stove, oven, check all the lights, work the toilet, Shower, review the charging, solar, monitoring system, run the washer dryer.

There may be more and I’m sure someone will check in with something else.

The big thing is do NOT let them rush you out, the time to ask questions is before you leave, once you leave getting answers gets much harder.

If you do a good job here I’m sure you will find faults and get the promise that they will fix the problems in writing.

If you spend an hour you have not done it right, four hours is more like it.

waterboy10 · 09-07-2016, 06:48 AM

Take a driving course. There are even on-line courses you can view. They are very helpful. Above all slow down and plan ahead. For sure try to stay at the selling dealer at least overnight and practice the various functions on the coach. Take notes. Have fun and try and relax. Take a few days at a nearby campground then return to the dealer for a refresher course if needed.

z3406 · 09-07-2016, 06:52 AM

Here is a copy of a pretty good PDI checklist.
Absolutely, positively do not let your anticipation get the better of you. DO not sign on the bottom line until you are completely happy with everything on the coach. Things that can be fixed in a couple of hours before delivery usually take a couple of weeks after delivery. If the dealership can't get it ready to your satisfaction, that is cause to terminate the deal. Make sure you drive it and are comfortable with it prior to taking delivery, there is a huge difference in driving a 45 ft coach and a pickup or car. I wish you the best and good luck. One reason I buy Fleetwood products is the availability of the factory service centers, if practical distance wise they are a great resource.
Typically once you drive it off the lot the alignment of the chassis is your responsibility. During the test drive make sure the steering wheel is straight and that the coach doesn't pull. There is a placard in the coach concerning tire pressure verify that the tires are inflated to the pressures on the placard.

biggcrisp · 09-07-2016, 07:13 AM

Congratulations!

Take a lot of time and get comfortable with the operating systems. Camp overnight if possible.

Post delivery you will most likely have better service from REV Group, Inc. than your dealer. I would also highly recommend calling REV Group, Inc. first, before trying to work with your dealer.

There will be things that go wrong after leaving the dealership. Spend time double checking connections, fittings, fasteners and the like. Get to know as much as possible about your coach before leaving on a long trip, such as how to retract a slide in an emergency (it's actually easier than you might now think).

Enjoy!

THenman · 09-07-2016, 07:24 AM

Thanks folks!
We have driven the coach and told dealer we want to drive it a bit more with him to get comfortable with it. We are staying the night there also. Plus one big advantage we have is living about one hour from Decatur. Coach has over 3k miles on it as dealer has had it at a few shows.

And yeah, we figured it was better to try and get a coach we would love and use to start rather than one that had too many compromises. The one draw back at first will be no toad. I want to be comfortable with the coach before adding a tow car.

Tom

wayno347 · 09-07-2016, 08:20 AM

Find a good lemon law attorney should issues with your coach get out of hand. Had many chassis issues with my '16 Bounder and the chassis manufacturer had to compensate me for months of aggravation, despair and frustrations.
Hope the same never visits your electric doorsteps...

gvenlet · 09-08-2016, 06:01 AM

Have them go through EVERYTHING! Every button, every switch, every plug, every light, every drawer, run out the slides a couple times, leveling jacks. If they will pressurize the water system have them do that too. Air conditioners, aqua hot. Yyou will undoubtly have it back to your dealer or the service center at some point. When you have an issue with something start a list. You bought a great coach. Congratulations!

tropical36 · 09-08-2016, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gvenlet

Have them go through EVERYTHING! Every button, every switch, every plug, every light, every drawer, run out the slides a couple times, leveling jacks. If they will pressurize the water system have them do that too. Air conditioners, aqua hot. Yyou will undoubtly have it back to your dealer or the service center at some point. When you have an issue with something start a list. You bought a great coach. Congratulations!

Your coach looks a lot like ours (certainly not exact, however) and if so, was wondering what issues you may have had?

Cat320 · 09-08-2016, 04:35 PM

Take lots of notes and use the camera on your phone. There's no way you can remember everything they'll tell you when you go through the buying procedure. Be sure you have all the manuals. Join the AC Association and groups that will answer lots of your question.

brian-nicola · 09-08-2016, 05:04 PM

Hi Tom,
Congrats on the new coach! Most people go big or go home and you did both! You will never know there is a toad behind you, it will track perfectly. Enjoy the new ride and you were correct in buying your last coach first.

Cat320 · 09-09-2016, 12:27 PM

Another thought...when we bought our first MH we spent two nights at the dealer's CG. With our current coach we increased it to three nights...still didn't learn everything.

THenman · 09-09-2016, 04:53 PM

Thanks again everyone.

Sounds like no special things with the model to look out for which is good. We may be a bit short on getting things covered that we need to learn so we will have to check on what we can do there.

And yes we hope to love it enough that we are not trading soon.

I am just hoping we adjust to driving it quickly! (May look into lessons there!)

Tom