I turned to this forum for advice and expertise and it occurred to me that a consolidated "lessons learned" thread might help all of us in our current rigs and in our next purchase. My experience is limited and I am sure there are many others who could provide us more insight. My lessons are based on my approach to negotiating and experience and may not be of any help to others but, free advice is sometime worth what you paid for it
With enough posts maybe we will see a trend we can use...
On buying...
If you have a trade the numbers presented to a potential buy is called a " trade difference". This number is important but my lesson was to make the dealer break down the numbers for trade in and discount on new RV so I could more effectively negotiate. What I found was they would hold the new RV price a bit higher and give me less on trade in. Once I had those numbers I was able to shop the two prices out and I found other dealers could beat the original price and trade in. On the exact same floor plan a d options. I saved an additional 15k doing this.
If you REALLY have decided which RV you want, tell the dealer you want to review ALL of the manuals prior to signing the purchase agreement. It is a 3 - 4 hour effort at minimum! Here is why, there are many systems that require maintenance on a regular interval. For example, the Onan generator requires it's first oil and filter change at 50 hours. If you didn't read the manual you probably wouldn't have know to ask for the first oil change as part of the " we owe" list of thing the dealer agrees to provide on condition of the sale. ( my rig at purchase had 43 hrs on the gen) Going forward, I will always ask for an alignment ( alignments are not covered under any warrantee ) as a condition of sale on the we owe as well as full gas tank, DEF tank, and at least one DEF bottle to keep in the belly. I would also ask the dealer to commit to any software updates that may have become available since the build of the coach. You may have seen my thread on the antiquated GPS maps on the Clarion system that both Fleetwood and Clarion said was state of the art when the coach was built. (2009 maps That didn't have my 2007 home in them on a 2011 40G)
The PDI overview you get from the dealer about your new RV is rapid, high level and too much info to retain the day you spend $200+K. This is another good reason to read the manuals prior to purchase. The pre-work will make the PDI overview a review for you, and you will know when they are BSing you, and when to ask questions.
On service...
EVERY TIME you bring your unit in for service, walk the exterior and interior with the service advisor and have them note any scratches, blemishes, damages, etc... I have failed to that with my old RV and I seemed to find new damage after leaving the service center. Without the documentation, I was powerless to make them fix it. If you don't want them using your toilet, TELL THEM and secure the lid with plastic wrap. ( my aversion to them using my toilet was a result of them peeing on the seat and floor ).
I also insist they keep the batteries charged so the refrigerator stays cold. If they plug it in great if not, they must run the generator for 30 min a day while it is in the shop. They have failed on this twice and all of my ice was melted onto the floor of the RV. The Auto Gen feature only works if every time they start the RV they remember to press "Auto Gen" when they exit....I try to set expectations with the service advisor anyway.
I am sure there are many other of you who have lessons, what are they? Maybe we can find a standard we all can use....
Thanks.
so check pressures too! Not doing so cost me $400.
Dinah, Keith & 2 furballs 
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