What you should know before you buy a Big Rig DP Motorhome!

[DGBPokes]

Originally Posted by edgray

I find it hard to believe that the "newmar service line", whatever that is, would say that. They certainly have other dealers that can and do provide excellent work on Newmar coaches. NIRVC and Coachlight are two examples that come to mind. As for your chassis work, I can't comment on the quality of FCCC's Oasis network because of no experience with them, but not sure why you apparently think they should assume some responsibility for what Newmar builds on top of their product.

I have used Coachlight before, they are good folks. We were t their campground last week. They were telling folks 2-3 weeks backlog

[Roadfrog]

While it's never a good thing for an RV'er to have a rough experience, you can almost always tell in the first sentence or two of their post, that they have an agenda/rant. I hope things go better for you OP, but I'm sorry, I don't for one moment believe what you say the rep stated on the phone.

Good Luck though.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by docj

With 113k miles and 18 years on our MH we are long past QA/QC issues. But not all repair issues are limited to things that should have been caught during production. Things do break and wear out. For example, our recent hydraulic hose leak was the result of a hose having rubbed itself against a mounting bracket for 18 years, the result of which was to cut a hole into the hose. I guess it could be considered something that could have been noticed during production, but most likely, the hose mounting probably seemed totally fine.

My post was primarily directed at getting people to appreciate the fact that things will fail regardless of how much QA/QC the manufacturer applies. Of course, there are some RVers who put very little mileage on their MH's and they may be relatively immune to this issue. But for those of us who drive ~10-15k miles a year, it's important to understand that unscheduled repairs may be needed at least once per year.

Thanks for the additional info, Joel, and I'm certainly in agreement that our big, complex toys will break, wear out and otherwise develop some "personality" as we use them. My class C has over 122k on it, although I'm responsible for only 2000 or so of that. It's got front brake rotors coming up.

My thoughts were more to the new wave of "consumerist" RV buyers with new car-type dealers and warranty service as their comparison. There's an ocean of difference between that and buying a new RV, and the days are numbered for "it's always been like this" as RV buyers experience disappointment with their purchases. This will not have a pleasant ending for some manufacturers.

Enjoy safe travels and new friends!

-Solo

[docj]

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

My thoughts were more to the new wave of "consumerist" RV buyers with new car-type dealers and warranty service as their comparison. There's an ocean of difference between that and buying a new RV, and the days are numbered for "it's always been like this" as RV buyers experience disappointment with their purchases. This will not have a pleasant ending for some manufacturers.

I totally agree but if buyer demand forces increased QA/QC on manufacturers that will come with a cost. Today, manufacturers sell "sizzle" because buyers wants the most "bling" they can get for their money. You can either dial down the bling and include more quality or you can increase the price. You can't get a quality RV at no additional cost IMO.

[Oldman5145]

Originally Posted by docj

We have been full-timers for nearly 8 years in a 40' DP manufactured by a now-defunct company (Beaver). Therefore, we should be the poster children for not being able to get service assistance. But, to the contrary, we have always managed to get needed repairs done throughout the US without extreme difficulty.

IMHO if you are looking to find shops with big signs saying "We will repair your DP motorhome" then you will be sorely disappointed. But, if you understand that many (most?) heavy truck repair shops will work on your rig along with either CAT or Cummins facilities (as the case may be) then there is a relatively large network of people who can provide assistance. You may have to ask around and/or do some Google searches, but help is usually available if you look for it.

Most recently we blew a hydraulic hose just outside of Cortez CO which is pretty much the middle of nowhere. Not only did I find a competent mobile mechanic who fixed the problem, I had also come up with the names of others in Farmington who could have provided assistance if he hadn't been able to resolve the issue. Sure, you may be inconvenienced by not having an RV facility with hookups at which to wait for service and you might even have to stay for a night or two in a hotel, but for us help has always been available when we needed it.

I think it all boils down to attitude. If you are buying a MH and expect to always be able to take it to an "approved" service facility, then you probably shouldn't buy it or shouldn't take it far from home. OTOH, if you take the attitude that you'll do what it takes to find a service facility if you need one, then you'll be OK.

Docj you are correct! We all want things to be trouble free, but that just does not happen. Things will break and wear out. Most of the time "I" fix it. My dealer installed a replacement head light on my coach. It was installed 90 degrees off. The bulb had a up directional arrow for aiming the low beam. I left dealer heading to Pigeon Forge, when it got dark my drivers side low beam illuminated the right shoulder of the road very well. Everything from the left corner of the coach was dark! I fixed it in the RV Park. Mistakes and problems will occur and life goes on. These RV's have a lot of parts built by many companies, no one will be an expert on them all. I do have to remind myself of this!

[David D71]

Hmm, I suggest sit down and relax for a minute. A Diesel pusher is a Very complicated piece of equipment. Take the time to sit down and learn a little about the systems that make up the whole unit. Then it will be much easier to find help if you have a problem. There are “local RV repair shops” all over the place where I live, but as said in a previous post, they don’t have big RV repair signs outside. Just about any RV sales will have a service center, but they will not work on chassis stuff. That stuff can be handled by Big truck shops.

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by iluvuk

Sounds like OP had a very bad experience or two. That is unfortunate. Sorry to hear that. Come on this forum and ask questions and we will help you figure a lot of things out so you don't even have to go to the service center.

Posted in the Spartan sub forum as well, wondering about going to a Tiffin bus that would hopefully have a better, more reliable dealer network.

Sounds like it's been mostly freightliner issues (8 visits to FL in four states) and he's gone to a number of MO, freightliner dealers with little success and most of them only have one MH tech.

I know Coachlight in Carthage, MO uses an outfit OK, Cabin Diesel I believe, for both their Freightliner and Spartan work.

[FredPond]

Well lots of good responses.
Lots of people defending their buying decisions and brands.

However when you spend over $400K you do not want excuses but results.
I have gotten mostly excuses.
World is full of excuses but few solid results. Buyer beware!

I read a lot of excuses why one should expect all kinds of problems.

But at this point with depreciation and service, towing, repairs etc. I have lost over $ 275K plus.
So you think I should be happy?
Buyer beware! It's you money.

Had a 5th wheel...wish I had it back.

[David D71]

How about some details. Alot of people commenting, but have bery little information to make a good discussion over. If it was $400k, I suspect it was a brand new coach.

[iluvuk]

Originally Posted by FredPond

Well lots of good responses.
Lots of people defending their buying decisions and brands.

However when you spend over $400K you do not want excuses but results.
I have gotten mostly excuses.
World is full of excuses but few solid results. Buyer beware!

I read a lot of excuses why one should expect all kinds of problems.

But at this point with depreciation and service, towing, repairs etc. I have lost over $ 275K plus.
So you think I should be happy?
Buyer beware! It's you money.

Had a 5th wheel...wish I had it back.

Sorry you are so unhappy. That can be very frustrating. I don't fully understand what problems you have had and why they can't be fixed. In my experience most things can be fixed.

Spending that much money and having problems must be a real slap in the face. Sorry!

I have had no need for service or repairs (beyond my own) on my new unit from Thor. However, I have friends that have had their Freightliner chassis serviced at our Salt Lake Oasis service center and they were very pleased.

I know you mentioned oasis centers. I hope you will give them a try (maybe another one). Good luck. Hope we can help. Ask us some specific questions about the problems??

[Dav L]

Looking at the OPs other posts. Sounds like the saga started when water got into the power steering fluid somehow. Multiple flushes and the owner is upset. Who knows how it got into the system...during service, while out on the road, when it was parked...who knows.

Get it fixed and move on to enjoy the RV investment.

I think the engine hood should have some type of locking device on it. Too many jerks around that might want to mess with expensive stuff. And I don't buy that it causes more damage than it's worth.

I think he also posted in the slide transmission case breakage thread. Didn't read any of the posts if he had multiple failures as some have had. That one still seems like the jury is still out on what the root cause / responsibility is from reading other's posts on the subject.

[cjthedad]

Hey I have owned British cars my whole life, relatively speaking the DP motorhome is no trouble at all.

[Jake21]

Originally Posted by cjthedad

Hey I have owned British cars my whole life, relatively speaking the DP motorhome is no trouble at all.

LOL. and Jaguar has an all electric car. Kinda an Oxymoron.

[Roadfrog]

Originally Posted by cjthedad

Hey I have owned British cars my whole life, relatively speaking the DP motorhome is no trouble at all.

HAHA. As the previous owner of a 1974 Triumph TR6 back in the 80's, I agree.

"LUCAS Electrical....Prince Of Darkness".

"3 position Lucas light switch: Dim, flicker and Off.