Community Forums

mutchler11 · 02-04-2012, 08:00 PM

I am thinking of buying a new Tiffin 34TGA in the next year or so. I was trying to get a sense for what kinds of warranty work is "typical" on a Tiffin motorhome. I will be moving to SC and the closest dealer will be 5 hours away. How many times should I expect to have to go to the dealer for warranty work? For example, are there usual little things that can be dealt with in "batch mode" where I might have to be at a dealer once or twice in the first year? Being a long distance from a dealer makes me a bit nervous in buying a new motorhome.
Should I be worried about this? Any thoughts/guidance you have would be appreciated.
Bob

refncpa · 02-04-2012, 08:16 PM

I purchased a bus in 2011 and the dealership is 365 miles from our home. So far, I have made 3 trips nah have 1 more planned to fix the remaining issues. Only one major problem, a bad valve for the jacks. Tiffin has been great in encouraging the dealership to make it right.

Be very critical in evaluating the dealership, that is the solution to any problem. However, I did send a fax regarding dealer issues to Mr. Tiffin ANC it was corrected by HWH and the dealership rapidly. Tiffin was our third motor home (alpine and HR were the others) and by far the fewest issues.

Good luck with your acquisition.

WeatherTodd · 02-04-2012, 08:27 PM

instead of driving the 5hrs to a dealer... might as well drive the 8.5hrs to Red Bay and get the issues addressed first hand by Tiffin.

Fred and Bonnie · 02-04-2012, 09:40 PM

I would never buy a new unit, if I have to drive several hundred miles for warranty service. Probalby means I will not purchase another A Class unit..

fred

SarahW · 02-04-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutchler11

I am thinking of buying a new Tiffin 34TGA in the next year or so. I was trying to get a sense for what kinds of warranty work is "typical" on a Tiffin motorhome. I will be moving to SC and the closest dealer will be 5 hours away. How many times should I expect to have to go to the dealer for warranty work? For example, are there usual little things that can be dealt with in "batch mode" where I might have to be at a dealer once or twice in the first year? Being a long distance from a dealer makes me a bit nervous in buying a new motorhome.
Should I be worried about this? Any thoughts/guidance you have would be appreciated.
Bob

Howdy and welcome to the forum. There really is no "typical" warranty work...seems like each unit is different. Some have very few issues and some would give you nightmares.

What many people do is take a few trips in their new motorhome and try to use all the systems, check out everything, and go over it with a fine-tooth comb inside and out.

Once you have your list of "issues", schedule a service appointment with the dealership and review all of the work you want done. Depending on the severity of any problems (whether they must order parts, etc.) you might have to leave the motorhome with them for an extended time--maybe a few weeks. If the issues are relatively simple fixes, you usually can "camp" in your motorhome at the dealership while they make the repairs for you.

Many people live a distance from a dealer but that doesn't deter them from buying. A motorhome is a huge investment, so it's natural to have a few concerns about the purchase. Good luck to you.

paz · 02-05-2012, 04:48 AM

SarahW hit the nail on the head - each unit is different.

That being said, I have heard from more than one Tiffin dealer that Tiffin motorhomes have in general fewer items on their punch lists when they first arrive from the factory and when they come back in for service.

Tiffin will frequently authorize a non-Tiffin dealer to do repair work on their motorhomes in the event your selling dealer is far away. They will also provide technical assistance and parts (if necessary) if it is a simple repair and you're willing to do it yourself.

jzick · 02-05-2012, 06:57 AM

Since motorhomes, as opposed to automobiles for example, are essentially each a "one of a kind" custom built item each unit will be different. We purchased a new Tiffin in 2007. We had two warranty issues. The magnetic sensor for the steps was installed wrong and the steps extended when they shouldn't and were damabed and the inverter/charger was defective. Tiffin authorized a mobile repair service for the steps and the dealer replaced the charger. The only other issue we have had, common to many, was fogged dual pane windows. These were replaced at three years (Tiffin shared the cost). Good luck with your purchase.

smack2020 · 02-05-2012, 07:37 AM

I bought a new 32 foot bounder in 2007. My first Moho. I really felt like the dealer was just trying to wear me down during the first year. They would keep my Moho for over two weeks and every time I went to pick it up, they either did not get the parts or broke something trying to do the small repairs. Their favorite answer to everything was " just bring it back, we'll fix it". They did not care that I lived 45 minutes away, I know that is not far, but still a pain. My Moho probably spent close to 2.5 months at the dealer the first year. I sure hated making this big loan payments while my Moho sat in the shop.

Looking back, I probably should have just done several of the repairs myself.

But, yes, you can wait until you have several items to be repaired then bring your RV in to the shop.

We plan on trading up to a DP next year to go full timing. I would rather find a Moho 1-3 years old, however my wife insists on a certain floor plan that has not been out long. So if can't find one used, we may have to buy new. I am also tossing around getting used and remodeling to change it to the floor plan we like.

Good luck and happy RVing.