Community Forums

SarahW · 11-03-2011, 10:49 AM

We are first time RVers and have signed a contract to buy a new motorhome. We will pick it up next week, and suddenly the elation has turned to buyer's remorse.

I am wondering if we have lost our minds...haha. (I have always been one who worries in advance so I won't be caught off guard and miss a chance to obsess about something.

)

For any of you other First Timers...did you feel this terror?? At least all the posts about new MH problems has us expecting to spend months at the service department..

Someone, please talk me down!!

ajlcal · 11-03-2011, 11:01 AM

Don't worry, be happy

. You have lots of new experiences ahead of you. If this is your first RV, I can understand your apprehension. I felt the same at first too. Give it a chance and you'll see that you're entering a new world of people, places, and things to do. Good luck.

jzick · 11-03-2011, 11:16 AM

Many of us can empathize with your jitters. Remember that you will read about a lot of problems on a forum like this because posters will normally be those with problems to post about. Rarely will someone say "I took a trip and nothing broke" - how boring. Many of us buy new rvs and do not spend a lot of time getting repairs or fixes done.

There are some things to do during your delivery process that can help ensure a good start. Pay attention during the dealer orientation - recording the walk through and taking notes is very helpful. Spend as much time as needed to do your inspections before signing the paperwork. If repairs/work needs done make certain that it is documented and you get a copy. Plan to spend at least one night in the coach to make certain the systems all work. Many (most?) dealers have an area designed for these stays.

You are not alone. Forums like this one can give guidance. Believe it or not, there are service techs and dealer employees who know their business and can be helpful. There are a lot of us who spend a lot of time in our rvs and are quite satisfied. Good luck.

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 11-03-2011, 11:17 AM

I had buyers panic when in 1995 I bought a 1991 Monaco Dynasty...I had never financed anything for that amount, not even a house. After all was said and done I was comfortable and knew it was a good thing.
You can avoid a lot of new coach take backs by doing a very complete Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI). I mean hours on the lot checking everything out. Hook up to shore power, generator power, fresh water inlet/tank fill, run faucets and shower, dumping grey/black, check slides several times, awnings, understand how your entertainment system works, if you have a satellite take your home receiver and check it out, check out furnace and AC's. Check you tire mfg date, battery voltage, fluid levels, and test drive to ensure drive train working properly and front end has no shimmy, test dah air/heater, and make sure you understand instruments and controls. Test drive should be far enough that engine and xmission get up to temperature for a while.
Make a list of things needing attention and have dealer fix or agree to fix. Then go use it for a few days near the dealer and check everything out again make a list and schedule an appointment to have all done. This sounds like a lot but I'm sure there is more on a PDI checklist...TAKE YOUR TIME and don't be rushed. Newmar , if you take a factory delivery, will spend up to a week for your PDI (cost is extra, but worth the $$)

RickO · 11-03-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43'

You can avoid a lot of new coach take backs by doing a very complete Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI).

This is great advice. If they have hook ups available at the dealer, why not spend a couple of nights there learning all of the systems and finding anything wrong that they can fix on the spot. That serves the dual purpose of educating you on your new rig and avoiding numerous trips back to the dealer to get little things fixed. If they don't have hook ups you could stay at a nearby CG.

Good Luck

Rick

Always-RVing · 11-03-2011, 11:41 AM

What is the make, model and year of the new motorhome?

There is wisdom in the multitude of counselors.

It is a big step and easy to get nervous. You've made the decision for reasons only you know. Go forward and don't look back.

VSPA · 11-03-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

We are first time RVers and have signed a contract to buy a new motorhome. We will pick it up next week, and suddenly the elation has turned to buyer's remorse.

I am wondering if we have lost our minds...haha. (I have always been one who worries in advance so I won't be caught off guard and miss a chance to obsess about something.

)

For any of you other First Timers...did you feel this terror?? At least all the posts about new MH problems has us expecting to spend months at the service department..

Someone, please talk me down!!

Only once, on each of all three of the RVs we've purchased over the past 20 plus years. Got over it on first trip out on all three.

Mr_D · 11-03-2011, 11:58 AM

All of our Type A MH's have cost more than our house, and we bought a Parade of Homes house during the parade. Did we have buyers remorse?

HE!! YES!!

But we got over it and now enjoy our present one!!

RVNeophytes2 · 11-03-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

We are first time RVers and have signed a contract to buy a new motorhome...

Sarah, you've made 41 posts! I'll guess you've read five times as many

Sure, there'll be surprises. But, you've done your homework. Now, it's time to play and enjoy.

You only get to be a newbie once; in a strange way, we all kind of envy you.

My neighbor, a fellow airline pilot who also built his own aircraft, selected the Mirada as his first RV (I'm assuming you stuck with that choice), and loves it. He and the wife are always doing trips, they swear they never turn on the TV but instead stop in isolated locations and catch up on their reading.

Waggin Wagon · 11-03-2011, 12:18 PM

Yeah, I know. I'm taking delivery of a 2001 Newmar Dutch Star that was taken better care of than a baby. Meticulous care. And I'm scared to death. This has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember and now that it's here I'm scared. I'm glad I stumbled on this thread, it's got some really good tips and I'm going to follow them to the letter.
Thanks everyone!
J

TheBeachHous · 11-03-2011, 12:21 PM

My dad and I always tell people to try it before you buy it... On more than a dozen occasions we've convinced poeple to go rent one before they buy it... It might be expensive to do but its a lot less expensive than buying one and being stuck with it... A guy my dad works with did this, we saw them at the RV show here in town and they got to talking and you could tell the wife was a little less excited about an RV than the hubby... We suggested they try it and see if its for them... So they did... We got a big thank you basket from them... They were moments away from making a $160k mistake... Turns out the wife didn't just not like it... She HATED it... She likes room service and eating out not "driving a bus down the road with your bathroom in it"
Anyway, if you've gotten to th epoint where you've put money on the table I'm sure your passed the whole "is it for us" conversation, i just hope you enjoy it as much as i have my whole life, and if you have young kids, i hope they grow up to enjoy it as much as i did when i was younger... Everyone in my family has an RV so when we gather we create our own 6 rig convoy, get up in the mountains, off the grid, and enjoy!!!
Good Luck!!

jabfado · 11-03-2011, 12:29 PM

You must be my wife's Sister, lol, I am in the same boat, excuse the punn, as your husband but I am sure you and my wife will get over it, just make sure you don't watch the movie, R.V. with Robbin Williams. I think that is the name of the movie...The beauty of R.V. ing is we can stop and smell the roses anytime we want.

frankdamp · 11-03-2011, 12:51 PM

Pull up the Sticky with the Pre-Delivery Checklist, print it off and take it with you, along with a video camera and enough recording medium for at least 6 hours. Take written notes and record EVRYTHING on video.

If the dealer isn't too far away from home, you could do your initial shakedown camping in your driveway, but if driving to the dealer is a chore, stay close by for at least a couple of nights with full hookups and test everything on the rig several times until you KNOW how it works.

We bought a used rig from someone about 30 miles away and I've called them 10 times or more to understand little quirks. Unfortunately, the "Owner's Manual" that came with ours covers every rig FR makes and is so generalised, all it's good for is as a fire starter!

We've just finished our second season with it, though we only did two trips because of our older dog's terminal illness. I just winterised it, and we're looking forward to next season.