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05-12-2012, 07:25 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 107
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Trading - Do you leave/take records?
My brother just traded his motorhome for another pre-owned unit. His new unit has absolutely no history of previous repairs or maintenance. Only that the dealer assures him all systems will be working upon delivery. Dealer says to take all records (anything with your name/address on it) from the coach. Dealer claims potential/new owners will drive you nuts with phone calls over every little question or detail. Claims the newbies to RVing are the worst in terms of calls over any little thing. That would most likely be the type of buyer for my 1997 model and therein lies my dilemma.
I am in the process of selling mine and have every record and history of what has been done since it was purchased new in 1997. My intention was to leave the records, the good bad and ugly, with the coach for the new owner. Now I'm beginning to wonder. I know when I buy something used, I want to know as much of the history as possible just as a baseline of what maintenance or repairs have been done. But, I also would never make multiple calls to the previous owner.......Apparently unlike many.
Perhaps the dealer has it right and I've just been lucky over the years. Or, perhaps he just doesn't want you to know the history of the unit he's trying to sell.
What are your feelings/experiences about leaving vs destroying records when you trade-in or sell your unit? I would like opinions on the matter.
Planocat
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05-12-2012, 07:42 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mcdonough, Ga.
Posts: 5,932
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I have always left records with my old units with no problems. I think it is the right thing to do. If you are really worried, just cutout the customer name and address portion of the bill. Or majic marker it.
__________________
1998 Pace Arrow 35 ft. F53 Ford V10 2014 Honda CRV toad
32 years mechanic at Delta Air Lines 15 year motorhome service manager. 3 popups....2 travel trailers....5 motorhomes....loved them all.
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05-12-2012, 07:51 AM
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#3
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RV Mutant #14
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 17,217
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I leave history and manuals with the vehicle when I sell or trade. There are methods that one can use to block phone calls if they get out of hand.
Think of how the individual would feel if you were in his place. Most of the time with one phone call all the questions can be answered, and then sometimes it may only be one, nagging in their mind, question because they have the answers in front of them with the records.
Besides, there are other methods of finding out who previous owners were.
__________________
Wayne MSGT USMC (Ret) & Earlene (CinCHouse) RVM14 (ARS: KE5QG)
Lexi - Goldendoodle
2015 Winnebago Tour 42QD - 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve
It is what it is, and then it is what you make of it.
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05-12-2012, 08:19 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Colorado Springs Co.
Posts: 19
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As a newbie, I would have loved to had records on MH but didn't I don't think I would have called previous owners but it be nice to know what had been done. We have started our own Maintenance Records. If or when we sell/trade her they will go with MH. Dealer did the same to us about making everything right and in working order Have (2006 Challenger 372 on Workhorse), found out they didn't even get brake recall done so one week after we get MH in the shop it went.
__________________
Carol & Joe
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05-12-2012, 08:21 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 466
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I don't keep records and I don't expect to get previous owners records when I buy a used RV. I have been an RV owner for many years but do not claim to be an expert RV evaluator. I don't think it is really difficult to evaluate the condition of a used RV. The drive train is the most difficult thing to be concerned about. If I have doubts, I get expert help. If the used MH I am getting has over 50K or so miles I have all the drive train fluids changed.
What assurance do you have that the maintenance records would be complete. If i trade my RV for a new one, I certainly wouldn't tell the dealer about the problems I am having with the trade in. Also, imagine buying an older coach, say a mid to late 1990 model, what a nightmare it would be to review the records.
If you are not confident and unfamiliar with RVs then have a "professional" do the evaluation for you.
Jim E
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05-12-2012, 08:37 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Anywhere I want to be.
Posts: 913
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When I sold my MX -5 Is was told the dealer would not give records to new owner. When I bought my MH I was given the previous owners name and phone number. Who knows? Two different States involed.
__________________
1996 Newmar Mountain Aire. 3760 CA
2006 to 2015 Boxer named Cash (aka Cassius Clay)
2016 - Boxer named Chevy
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05-12-2012, 08:46 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 335
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I would love to have the records when I bought mine. It might have saved me alot of money. Was the rear end lube changed...ever? How about the transmission service? Or the air dryer? How about oil change history? Just to name a few. All of these would make the decision to buy or not somewhat informed, and would have told me what needed to be done rather than re-doing it for no reason.
My vote is: If you have them, you should provide them.
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05-12-2012, 08:59 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,193
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I keep our maintenance, fuel use, trip data, and any other information I want to remember (and just plain related anecdotes) in an Excel spreadsheet. Were we to trade/sell this would be easily transferable to new owner without compromising personal information. More importantly, all the stuff is easy for me to find. At my age I sometimes have trouble remembering what I had for lunch. Imagine how hard it is to remember when the last motorhome oil change was.
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05-12-2012, 10:48 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Federal Way, Wa.
Posts: 2,901
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I make it known that I have them.
If the new owner wants them or just to see them he/she can have them if not then they are mine. Easy deal.
__________________
I do all my own stunts
03 Dolphin LX 6355, Workhorse W22, 8.1 vortec, 04 CR-V, Blue Ox, Brake Pro----Norm, Barb and
Doc(He's a PhD)
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05-12-2012, 11:39 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 442
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I leave all records of repairs, additions, routine Maint. etc, with the motorhome. I do take time to redact all phone numbers, address, and any other info that could be used to identify me. While a few calls from a new owner would be ok, to many would definitely be a PITA.
__________________
John- 2011 Fleetwood Southwind 32V
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05-12-2012, 12:13 PM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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I leave a copy of the records, but I black out any account numbers and such on receipts.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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05-12-2012, 12:32 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 757
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I left all the maintenance records, and manuals I received when I traded in my 2005 Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser MB Edition. I also included all the Sprinter spares I carried with me, spare head light bulbs, serpentine belt, turbo hose, dip sitcks, engine oil, fuel and oil filters, snap on window covers etc. I wanted the new owner to enjoy as much as I did. What the dealer did with the 2 cu. ft. of info I left behind I don't know.
__________________
2012 Bay Star 2901, 2 ACs, 5.5KW Onan, 765W solar & Outback FM-60, 800 AH Lifeline AGMs & Magnum MS2812 + AGS + BMK, Koni FSDs, Safe-T-Plus, Super Steer Rear Track Bar, MCD Duo shades w/powered cockpit, remodeled galley, Sumo springs and 2008 Tacoma 4x4 toad.
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05-12-2012, 12:40 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Montgomery, AL
Posts: 1,199
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I left mine with the coach after blacking out all identification as to name, address, etc. I did not include any credit card receipts, just invoice copies showing what work was done. Of course, I left the manuals that came with the coach also. The dealer called to ask if the new owner could call me and I agreed, gave my office number. They called one time and that was to thank me for the records and tell me they appreciated knowing the dates of service. Maybe I lucked out but I would do the same again.
__________________
Mel (Melanie) and Harry
2009 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
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05-12-2012, 01:05 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,716
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Since I bought my motorhome new I got all the manuals in a nice pouch. I have added most of the repair invoices to that pouch. I do not put the oil changes in there because that is a frequent occurance and if anyone has a question I guess they could take it to my repair shop who has all the records. I am not thinking of selling my motorhome (because I can't afford another one) but if I do, all the records will go with it. That is only fair to the new owner.
__________________
Barbara Spade
Jaymie (Sheltie/Pom) and Luke (Sheltie/mix)
35' Sea View (Class A) MH & Honda CR-V toad.
Good Sam Charter Life member/FMCA/SI/Escapees/Thousand Trails
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