Community Forums

drive805 · 09-12-2016, 03:16 PM

owned coach for over 10 years now , a few unexpected parts replaced suspension valve( hurricane valve) stopped working, hose for jacks blew , throttle cable stuck needed replacement, electrical plugs GFI both went out, roof cap popped 3x, the big thing... cracked frame cost $4k to repair. A few others ,Floor rotted in front of fridge, water heater leaked, pocket door rail broke....
There are a few things i forgot im sure those are a few i can think of , have a second set of eyes to inspect coach before purchase and go in reluctant at what you see.

CampDaven · 09-12-2016, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I agree but not when a valve breaks! Had an engine oil analysis done before we bought the rig and 2,500 miles later the valve broke. No test will catch that kind of failure.

This exemplifies the worst case.

Coma · 09-12-2016, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampDaven

This exemplifies the worst case.

Agreed.

What I had in mind was; I am currently monitoring my coolant for slightly elevated copper content. This could be the indication of one of the coolers beginning to corrode. However, if I hadn't done a coolant analysis and run it till something broke, it could be a engine rebuild and a tranny reman. This elevated copper could also be the brass in the thermostat corroding. Point is worst case I fix an oil cooler or tranny cooler rather than wait till it breaks.

twogypsies · 09-12-2016, 09:13 PM

Hate to brag but in 8 years of our Newmar ownership we had no surprise repairs - just regular maintenance. It was an excellent motorhome for us!

Ray,IN · 09-12-2016, 09:20 PM

This is exactly why we purchase an extended service contract, to preclude huge DP related repairs/replacements.

johnhicks · 09-12-2016, 09:44 PM

Unexpected repairs? Well I guess an exhaust manifold and a reman Allison might be unexpected. She's only 23 years old, whod'a thunk?

adamfolger · 09-13-2016, 12:38 AM

I'll say it again...If you can afford to pay out of pocket for major DP power train repairs, pick a DP of your choosing and happy trails.

If you cant afford to pay 4,000 - 30,000 out of pocket, then buy a repair warranty and sleep well at night ( so you can stop worrying about it ). Even if you buy an insurance policy, you will still have many DIY repairs because the most affordable policy will have a $1,000 deductible and most coach repairs will be less than that. Engine repairs are really the only thing to policies cover. You are better off doing the coach repairs your self and not filing a claim, UNLESS you let several small items build up and then file one claim for all the repairs.

Get the DP of choice...buy the insurance and happy trails.

ahicks · 09-13-2016, 07:53 AM

Just my experience, but I don't think some of the major repairs being presented here are "typical" of the DP experience. Rather, they are more typical of what CAN happen.

Are people as shy about diesel pickups with less than 100k miles on them for instance?

Point being, we're talking about something mechanical. On occasion, they break something right out of the blue - just like your daily driver, or even your bicycle might. Does that happen frequently enough to worry about?

Myself, I believe the advantages the DP's offer far out weight the potential for mechanical disasters. It should be plainly seen by anyone observant going down the road, I'm not the only one that thinks this way.

mel s · 09-13-2016, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coma

Agreed.
What I had in mind was; I am currently monitoring my coolant for slightly elevated copper content. This could be the indication of one of the coolers beginning to corrode. However, if I hadn't done a coolant analysis and run it till something broke, it could be a engine rebuild and a tranny reman. This elevated copper could also be the brass in the thermostat corroding. Point is worst case I fix an oil cooler or tranny cooler rather than wait till it breaks.

Coma
How does monitoring your coolant prove that that a slightly elevated copper content in your coolant is caused by thermostat brass corroding, (or an oil cooler or a tranny cooler)?

Methinks "worst case" is that the "slightly elevated copper content" in your coolant is an indication that your engine is failing.

Mel
'96 Safari

Gordon Dewald · 09-13-2016, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamfolger

I'll say it again...If you can afford to pay out of pocket for major DP power train repairs, pick a DP of your choosing and happy trails.

If you cant afford to pay 4,000 - 30,000 out of pocket, then buy a repair warranty and sleep well at night ( so you can stop worrying about it ). Even if you buy an insurance policy, you will still have many DIY repairs because the most affordable policy will have a $1,000 deductible and most coach repairs will be less than that. Engine repairs are really the only thing to policies cover. You are better off doing the coach repairs your self and not filing a claim, UNLESS you let several small items build up and then file one claim for all the repairs.

Get the DP of choice...buy the insurance and happy trails.

Father in Law was an actuary for a large insurance company. His comment was that most people are insurance poor - that is they are way over-insured.

We do not buy extended warranties for that reason.

JBDISCOVERY · 09-13-2016, 09:21 AM

I agree with the statements regarding "Unexpected repair items". We purchased our 1999 Fleetwood Discovery 11 years ago. Logged over 115,000 miles touring the USA.
We invested in a Good Sam repair policy for such Unexpected rtepairs. Good move both for the money spent, but most important peace of mind.
We spend about $2,100 per year over 13 years for oil, filters, shocks, tires, air drier parts, step motors, roof sealer, new a/c units, etc.
Just like a boat.
Enjoy our coach.
JimB

YC1 · 09-13-2016, 11:17 AM

DPF filter on our 08 ISL 400 last year. 5K that extended warranty refused to pay for. The tow was covered by Coach Net

cooldude · 09-13-2016, 01:07 PM

We are considering trading our gas rig for a DP.
This is a great article thanks everyone!

Wobster · 09-13-2016, 06:26 PM

We have had 2 big unexpected expenses (not including Windshields)
1. Absorption type refrigerator (side by side) died. Due to many issues in buying, having to take it out the front window as it did not fit through the door) and replacing it was close to $4,000.
2. Water Pump Failure. We had a lot of preventative maintenance done at the time as it is a rear radiator and the engines are harder to get to, so we had thermostats replaced, hoses replaced, serpentine belt replaced etc. Total cost was just shy of $4000 but for the actual water pump purchase and R&R it was closer to $1400. Again this would likely have been much less expensive in a side radiator rig where the engine is much more accessible.