Community Forums

jergeod · 11-17-2013, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKJohn

Here is a link to a pre-purchase checklist.

RV Inspection Checklist

Whether you buy new or used you should be this thorough before taking delivery of a new unit, or pay for a used unit. Do not assume that an new RV will be free of problems. Assume that every system has been installed improperly at the factory and the dealer does not care if the RV works or not. You may find an RV that has been built with care and a dealer that provides good customer service but you won't know if you don't look.

If buying a used unit I would negotiate a price and get written agreement with the seller. The agreement should stipulate all defects known to the seller. Then take your time and go over every item on the checklist, if everything looks OK then I would pay to have a pre-purchase inspection done by a professional that does not know the seller and has never seen the RV before. DO NOT get an inspection done by someone that has worked on the RV in the past. After completing the inspection you can re-negotiate the price based on any defects found. If the seller balks at this process do not walk away from the deal, RUN!

I would also buy a service agreement to cover everything on the (used) RV. You don't have to buy a service agreement from a dealer. There are many of them out there that deal directly with the owner. The good thing about a service agreement is you don't have to go back to the dealer or factory authorized service center. You can hire, and fire anyone you want. In my opinion, the reason the dealers have such poor customer service is that they have a steady supply of customers with RV's under factory warranty. They can't be fired so they don't care.

Good luck.

Would there be a list of GOOD service agreement companies out there some place?

deandec · 11-17-2013, 11:32 AM

This outfit used to sell rigs to folks on the east coast although they are located in California. Then they were one of the biggest Monaco dealers. They had very good reviews.

DeMartini R.V. Sales, Recreational vehicles (RVs), Holiday* Rambler** Motorhomes, Monaco Motorhomes, Monaco Coach Corporation, Endeavor, Scepter,** Imperial, Dynasty,* Windsor, Camelot, Navigator, Vacationer, Admiral,** Ambassador, trailers, campers,

Today, the same owners are involved so I assume the quality of service is similar. They have a fairly extensive inventor of used rigs and lots of pictures.

Many folks find their best deals far away from home. A $1,000 plane fare may be warranted to get the right rig at the best price.

SteveL1948 · 11-17-2013, 12:16 PM

You will get many many different opinions on this topic so you will need to really decide on the way you feel about the business and the salesman when you are searching for you RV. I for one had good experience at CW of Myrtle Beach, not so good at CW of Statesville, and good at Tom Johnson's of Marion, and am now looking at CW of Spartanburg so will see how that goes! I will say that even in the bad experiences I have had a lot of it had to do with the salesman or the service tech I was dealing with in the area. JMHO here.

bluegrassrv · 11-18-2013, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauke

Found just what we want at Rex and Sons on the Internet except it's new and way too expensive! Since it's a red dot I guess there is no negotiation!

If you really like the one at Rex & Sons, call them. I bet they will negotiate even if it is a red dot price. I usually talk to Dave, that's who I bought my TT from.

Java Memah · 11-18-2013, 03:03 AM

I only buy motorhome specific items i need FOR my rv at CW. AND then I like to just wander out back to check out the new and used rigs just to see the new luxury models or what gadgets are in rv's now.
We actually happened upon our motorhome by accident during a sunday drive. There was a car dollt chained to a tree for sale, but as i looked up the driveway, i saw my love, just sitting there quietly beckoning to me. Long story short, widow just could not part with it yet. 6 months later.... mine.
ANYWAY- sorry this might be long, but really only a few pointers.
When your out and about looking at those used rv's, maybe you can find someone who has owned one for a while to go with you.BELIEVE me they would have a pretty good idea what to look for.
If not here's a few pointers.
Get down on your hands and knees and look under neath. tiny puddle on ground? Get out. look around their driveway. see another puddle ? get out fast. that means they moved the motorhome to try to hide the leak. On grass ? Throw a piece of cardboard under it and check it after your done looking at it for any stains, signs of a leak. Climb up on roof, pitted ? get out....... gaps. not just cracked seals around vents and ac's but missing or gaps in the seals .... get out fast.
INSIDE check that whole ceiling for even the tiniest of stains. Look UP in every cabinet at that ceiling. And don't be afraid to push up on the ceiling ESPECIALLY if you see a tiny little water mark in that ceiling design or what might look like a wrinkle or bubble. If the ceiling feels hard. ok. If you feel any kind of a soft spot at all ...... Forget it. BAD leak... check and see if there appears to be any water in the ceiling light fixtures... HAH.. I've seen that, believe it or not.
Don't just look in the lower cabinets, look deep into those cabinets. A friend of mine bought a beautiful camper. While we were cleaning and loading for a trip, inside a bathroom cabinet, behind a neatly insulated pipe, I FOUND the BIGGEST MOUSE NEST I've ever seen. I was reaching back there and pulling out nesting materials (with gloves... and ew) for the longest time. It seemed endless. ! When I finally got to the end, YUP big old chewed mouse hole for us to fix ! So look carefully ! Don't want to scare you, but look for bed bugs (new models can get this too. After all. Everyone sits and tries out those couches and beds !)
Check front windshield for tiny cracks. Our tiny crack spidered got worse. Had to be replaced. Check that windshield for the smallest amount of fog around edges by rubber, or if it feels a bit raised in the corner under the rubber. This is a good indication that the window has separated under that rubber and has exposed it's layers and that can not be fixed, just gets worse till you buy a new windshield. (how do i know?) Cause when we had our windows replaced, we watched when the guy first pulled the rubber of the bad window... whoa.... BUT ......
LUCKILY I talked hubby into going the extra mile this time when insuring the motor home (thru good sam) and getting the TOTAL GLASS $0 deductible ! So it cost me nothing, AND the guy even came right to my house and replaced it right here in my driveway while we watched. So fortunately for me that i live in a small town, because the guy Good Sam sent, turned out to be an old friend from way back, and he pointed out the glass separation to us. I had no idea they were in layers like that !
ALSO , what we did was we took a mechanic friend with us to check out motor/engine.
So even with the glass replacement. We got a darn good deal. Sez our glass guy (he checked the rest of our windows, dash,(which he pushed on to hear a crunch, none... means not brittle... who knew!) ... also checked floor and other items) ........................and "good deal" so sez our mechanic too.
So do research and be vigilant in your quest. With each used motorhome you check out, you'll learn what to look for in the next one you see. Those of us who already own, do not know everything. Only what we've already experienced, or horror stories we've heard. ... and remember, NEW or USED .... NEVER believe what that person is telling you till you check it out yourself. That goes for price, leaks, little old men that only drove it on labor day weekends ... what-EVER ! You see even the tiniest thing a bit off, have it checked out.

(oh and did you know there was a blue book for motorhomes too?)

GOOD LUCK ! Let us know what you end up buying !
....... and now I'll say ..... "HAVE FUN while looking too" !

*Note Good Sam insurance is great ! Price services offered and customer service.
( i did a lot of research before i bought with well known companies and not so well known companies)
*Good Sam Roadside service (which is separate from the insurance) is a great thing to have too, in case of emergencies ! We have used the roadside service many times. Flat tires, key lock outs, broken belts .... etc. ALWAYS right there to help us.

jjm22 · 11-18-2013, 05:20 AM

Stay away from Camping World !!!!!!!!!!

Gauke · 11-18-2013, 05:26 AM

Wow - I've lamented because we don't have any RVer friends we can discuss issues with but thanks to the forum we are getting tons of great advice. Please keep it coming. I'm keeping every comment!

I doubt we will get a new coach for various reasons, cost being the obvious plus everything I've heard just steers me away at this point. I found a 2011 Coachmen Encounter on the Internet that looks very interesting but again price will certainly be a factor. Actually found what appeared to be the same coach but a 2013 in North Carolina and Ohio but the price was $11,000 different. Anybody have any ideas on that?

My husband laughingly told me last night how long it would take us to drive, yes drive, to Texas to look at coaches down there and then how long to get back. He is not retired yet so don't know when he'd fit that in. Christmas perhaps? Don't think so! Plus that would mean our first trip would be from Texas to NC. Even I know that wouldn't be a very good idea.

Will do some more research this week and more looking next week (going to a Tiffin dealer plus some others) between children popping in for the holiday and watching NC State most likely lose yet another football game.

Gauke · 11-18-2013, 08:48 AM

We're hopefully going to see a 2005 Monaco Safari Simba 34 ft this week-end. Although pictures and video can be deceiving it looks very clean and I like the layout. Don't know about the "nuts and bolts" though. It's a good price and within the budget we originally set. Thoughts on this? I haven't seen any like this during my research. Not saying they aren't out there - I just haven't seen them.

robertj1979 · 11-18-2013, 08:48 PM

Never had a good experience "after the sale" at camping world. Have done business there out of convenience but could not recommend Camping World of Statesville due to several bad experiences both by sales and service departments. Will not go back and avoid them when ever possible.

Mr_D · 11-18-2013, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieG

I looked at a used CW motorhome that had a prior leak through one of the rooftop ACs before they had a chance to remove the interior roof stains. They steam cleaned it so that it looked like new and told me the leak was fixed. When I asked if they would warranty it against any future leaks, they said no and offered to sell me an extended service plan with the unit for a LOT of money. Needless to say we didn't buy it.

Most, if not all, service policies won't cover preexisting conditions nor roof leaks, both of which were on that rig. Most people don't realize that till it happens to them and they read the contract. Good thing you walked!

Ray,IN · 11-18-2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauke

Wow - I've lamented because we don't have any RVer friends we can discuss issues with but thanks to the forum we are getting tons of great advice. Please keep it coming. I'm keeping every comment!

I doubt we will get a new coach for various reasons, cost being the obvious plus everything I've heard just steers me away at this point. I found a 2011 Coachmen Encounter on the Internet that looks very interesting but again price will certainly be a factor. Actually found what appeared to be the same coach but a 2013 in North Carolina and Ohio but the price was $11,000 different. Anybody have any ideas on that?

My husband laughingly told me last night how long it would take us to drive, yes drive, to Texas to look at coaches down there and then how long to get back. He is not retired yet so don't know when he'd fit that in. Christmas perhaps? Don't think so! Plus that would mean our first trip would be from Texas to NC. Even I know that wouldn't be a very good idea.

Will do some more research this week and more looking next week (going to a Tiffin dealer plus some others) between children popping in for the holiday and watching NC State most likely lose yet another football game.

Do not let the distance turn you away. The larger TX MH dealers have a fly N drive program. Check out the MH on the internet, if you like it you fly down and inspect it in person, then buy it and drive it home. They pick you up at the airport, take you to your motel or to the dealership, as you wish. Check their website for details.

Mario-John · 11-18-2013, 09:35 PM

I bought my first motorhome at the camping world in Anthony, TX. THey were great, wouldn't let me leave till I knew how everything worked. they let me camp out for a week in their parking lot.They corrected everything on the MH before I left. I have to say, the 2 years I owned the itasca I never had a lick of trouble out of it other than normal maintenance items that I fixed myself with a small tool bag and zero mechanical skills what so ever. The service guys came out every morning asking for my list and poof, it was fixed right the first time. THey took WAY more time with me than I expected and I have nothing but parse for them there.

Gauke · 11-19-2013, 11:00 AM

Have found some interesting coaches and prices at Motor Home Specialist
5411 South I-35W, Alvarado, Texas. Know anything about them? Mercy, it's a long way from home!

UsualSuspect · 11-19-2013, 11:25 AM

There will always be good and bad dealers, and good and bad employees at every dealer or repair shop. You just need to take a PDI list with you, go through it, na matter how long it takes, make your list, sit down and go over it with them, and tell them you will sign when it is ready and the list has been checked off. I know 2 people, same dealer, one says they will never step foot on the premises again, the other has nothing but good things to say about them.