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Planocat · 05-12-2012, 07:25 AM

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

ga traveler · 05-12-2012, 07:42 AM

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.

Wayne M · 05-12-2012, 07:51 AM

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.

challenger37 · 05-12-2012, 08:19 AM

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.

Pairajays · 05-12-2012, 08:21 AM

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

Afubar · 05-12-2012, 08:37 AM

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.

Geezer80 · 05-12-2012, 08:46 AM

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.

jzick · 05-12-2012, 08:59 AM

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.

njs42 · 05-12-2012, 10:48 AM

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.

catonine · 05-12-2012, 11:39 AM

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.

TXiceman · 05-12-2012, 12:13 PM

I leave a copy of the records, but I black out any account numbers and such on receipts.

Ken

joes2901 · 05-12-2012, 12:32 PM

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.

Melmoses · 05-12-2012, 12:40 PM

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.

Barbara S. · 05-12-2012, 01:05 PM

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.