Community Forums

powerboatr · 05-12-2012, 01:23 PM

I leave them, but like many I remove any personal information.
I know how good it makes you feel actually seeing some records of work done before your acquired the unit.
out of 6 vehicles i traded or sold
only one person has ever contacted me about the vehicle.

gray ghost · 05-12-2012, 02:47 PM

We traded in a coach and were told to remove all personal information. We did leave all manuals that applied to the coach though. We must have missed something though because the new owner called me on my cell phone wanting to know what was wrong with the coach and why we traded it in (upgraded from a class c because we are full timing). Assured him that we hadn't had any problems. I think what he was really upset with was that the 31 foot RV he now has doesn't get better gas mileage than his old 24 footer.

**CLIFFTALL** · 05-12-2012, 04:34 PM

I sold my last MH privately so of course the buyer knew who I was but would leave everything even if I traded and furthermore I would give the dealer permission to have the new owner call me.

Ragingbull · 05-12-2012, 05:41 PM

I bought the 79 Pace Arrow and received all receipts and even though it had sat for a period of time due to illness it has saved me money. Every dime I've spent on it is documented since purchasing and if/when I sell it they will go with it along with photos.

njs42 · 05-12-2012, 07:00 PM

I was talking to a friend who is selling his 5er. He said he was taking things out so he could sell it. Why! I said, when I get ready to sell the MH everything goes and I'm taking some boxes out of my garage and put them in there as well, I have no idea whats in them. Of course the manuals and invoices etc are included.

slemnah · 05-12-2012, 07:33 PM

I would never purchase a used MH without maintenance records. When I bought my 97 imperial the dealer tried to remove them after I signed the paperwork and I told them the deal was off if they weren't returned. It is so important to know the history of a vehicle as complicated as a MH.

Wizard · 05-12-2012, 07:51 PM

I vote for leaving everything in. If whoever has my old units, I would be willing to let them know anything I know about it. I can always block calls if I need to.

CarlGeo · 05-12-2012, 08:16 PM

Dealers will almost certainly remove any data from the previous owner, like service records, parts replaced, items repaired, etc. They seem reluctant to even keep the factory owners manuals and documents with the coach. This practice is followed by all auto, truck and rv dealers, and I have seen this in action for about fifty years of dealing with various dealers. All very similar in this area.
I much prefer buying from a private party because you can see and talk with the selling party, and make a pretty accurate evaluation of their habits regarding servicing the unit. Just look around at their other vehicles and property. Is everything well maintained or everything just hap hazardly strewn about?
Just my preferences.

Korryp · 05-13-2012, 07:47 AM

Have traded in three motorhomes in 10 years and the dealer has always removed the records......I know since I have gone back to look to see how much they are asking......

Clay L · 05-13-2012, 11:17 AM

I keep a repair, modification and addition log in an Excel spread sheet. It also has dates and mileage of oil changes and lubes. It also has generator info.
A printed copy along with a copy of the file on a CD will go in the bag with all of the manuals when I sell the motor home.

Hooligan · 05-13-2012, 11:54 AM

When I traded my 1990 GeorgieBoy in 2001, left all the manuals and maintenance records. The Mh was sold twice in the following years. The last owner called me one time, he was doing a total renovation and asked if I had any recommendations or concerns about the running gear or the coach.
I agree -the records should stay with the vehicle, unless --you sell it to that guy in Nigeria........

slemnah · 05-14-2012, 06:38 PM

You would never buy a used tractor trailer without the repair history so why would you accept a vehicle as complicated as a motor home without knowing its history? I also recommend having the oil and trans fluid tested by a lab to check the condition of the components.

Planocat · 05-15-2012, 03:58 AM

Thank You to all for your postings.

I will insist that the consignment dealer leave all records in the coach and make it clear that I am available to answer any questions about the coach. When I look at all the repairs made over the years I am fearful of scaring off a new RVer. LOL On the other hand, I am a nut about preventative maintenance and making sure EVERYTHING on the coach works as it should. Someone will be getting a good entry level gas motorhome with a complete history included.

HD4Mark · 05-15-2012, 05:30 AM

Our new to us MH came with every imaginable manual from the engine & trans to the stereo in the nice accordion pouch Winnebago provides. Not much in the way of service records though. It would have been nice to know about the pricier ones like transmission fluid and filters.

When we traded the old one I made sure to include any paperwork I had but as far as oil changes I did them myself once a year and without saving every receipt could not prove it anyway. The trans did not have enough miles for service. As far as keeping some kind of records on a spread sheet, it is a nice idea for your own records but I could make one up right now and print it out so I'm not sure I would trust one of them.

When trading in I think the best bet would be to be removed from the picture. Let the new owner deal with the RV dealer. I left our old one in tip top condition but things break and I don't need some nut driving us crazy because a clamp came loose. Another reason to think about a trade in vs a private sale.