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

[FredPond]

We want to Share what we have learned the hard way:
Two manufactures that combine to make your coach take virtually NO responsibility for each other product!!!
Most importantly “Almost No One in this country is qualified to work on you coach or Chassis”!
Our experience talking to and working with Newmar Service and FCCC that there are very few places with competent service people.
Getting Coach Service: Newmar factory Service is excellent but it takes 5 to 6 to get an appointment The only other choice for quality service per the Newmar Service Line is the Dealer in Ft Myer, FL or the one in Tucson AZ.
Freightliner Service for your custom Chassis: Only Freightliner “Oasis Service Centers” “450 Freightliner-branded service locations throughout North America, including more than 90 Oasis Network dealerships” see https://www.fcccrv.com/parts-and-service/

[edgray]

Originally Posted by FredPond

We want to Share what we have learned the hard way:
Two manufactures that combine to make your coach take virtually NO responsibility for each other product!!!
Most importantly “Almost No One in this country is qualified to work on you coach or Chassis”!
Our experience talking to and working with Newmar Service and FCCC that there are very few places with competent service people.
Getting Coach Service: Newmar factory Service is excellent but it takes 5 to 6 to get an appointment The only other choice for quality service per the Newmar Service Line is the Dealer in Ft Myer, FL or the one in Tucson AZ.
Freightliner Service for your custom Chassis: Only Freightliner “Oasis Service Centers” “450 Freightliner-branded service locations throughout North America, including more than 90 Oasis Network dealerships” see https://www.fcccrv.com/parts-and-service/

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.

[twojayhawks]

Sounds like you are having a rough go of it. Your sig says MO (Missouri) have you tried Transwest in Belton for Newmar service? They are excellent!

[boyland]

Wow provide about 0 details of the issues you experience. Send out a huge warning basically to not purchase.

I cannot say i am impressed.

I would add there are many entities:
1. Coach builder like newmar, winnie thor
2. Chassis it rides on like freightliner ford spartan etc..
3. Engine cummins, cat, ih, ford, chevy, detriot
4. transmission mostly allison or ford
5. slide and jacks usually hwh

I have found each require someone that works on the area of their product.

I would suggest a local diesel shop for the engine and transmission

Chassis i would suggest you start figuring out how to handle some things yourself, most repair companies i find somewhat inferior. But many can send you local places that they have had good experience with.

Chassis i really only have experience with Freightliner, ford and chevy. I found the truck dealers to be the best and honestly Freighliner is amazing at finding the exact parts i need

If there is something particular like jack i find a company that works on those to be great.

Motorhomes require constant maintenance to perform well the roads are terrible and i am amazed more stuff is not broken in ours as we roll

[beenthere]

I use the bus shop here. they have a fleet of school buses and a fleet of out of town diesel coaches.. they do all the work and are certified for freightliner and Cummins and many other brands ect. I have very good luck with them and they have more pits for under chassis work than any other local shops for OTR trucks ect.. jeff

[jimmy braden]

Originally Posted by FredPond

Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Pond, MO
Posts: 17

You should come here more often. The forum is a great resource. Might have alleviated some of your frustration.. and less your $$

[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.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by docj

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.

Attitude? Or expectations?

I ask because the experienced folks here and on other RV forums feel the fact that most RVs leave the factory with zip, zero, nada for QC is the norm and it's up to them and the dealer to fix is dumbfouding to those who are new to this world.

The "new RVers" look at the market and see brands and dealers that have some passing appearance to auto makers and dealers. Appearances are deceiving but the customer expectation is there.

If demand continues to outstrip supply there is little penalty to make RVs that would be ridiculed if they were automobiles, but at some point the buying public tolerance for warranties that don't exist beyond the dealer's lot, substandard materials, engineering and workmanship that makes 1972 Detroit look like the pinicle of perfection will turn to either RV rejection or invite state legislatures and Congress to create statutes and regulations that are certain to chaff at manufacturers.... OR... the manufacturers could step up and require training for dealers and service centers (and their individual technicians), expedite work dispatch so RV owners can receive warranty service in a timely manner, regardless of any prior business relationship between dealer and buyer, and up the delivery QC to more than "it made it to the dealer" without rattling apart.

Time will tell.

[FOSJ]

Check out 'rvservicereviews.com'. No matter where you are you can search by location for assistance and re views made by actual customers. You're correct about many dealerships having few immediate appointments. However there are generally tech support personnel for most rv components available by phone to try and get you through an emergency situation. Hang in there. I hope this helps.

[Tha_Rooster]

What should you know? Don’t think it’s going to be perfect.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

Attitude? Or expectations?

I ask because the experienced folks here and on other RV forums feel the fact that most RVs leave the factory with zip, zero, nada for QC is the norm and it's up to them and the dealer to fix is dumbfouding to those who are new to this world.

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.

[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.

[rvadventure]

Originally Posted by FredPond

We want to Share what we have learned the hard way:
Two manufactures that combine to make your coach take virtually NO responsibility for each other product!!!
Most importantly “Almost No One in this country is qualified to work on you coach or Chassis”!
Our experience talking to and working with Newmar Service and FCCC that there are very few places with competent service people.
Getting Coach Service: Newmar factory Service is excellent but it takes 5 to 6 to get an appointment The only other choice for quality service per the Newmar Service Line is the Dealer in Ft Myer, FL or the one in Tucson AZ.
Freightliner Service for your custom Chassis: Only Freightliner “Oasis Service Centers” “450 Freightliner-branded service locations throughout North America, including more than 90 Oasis Network dealerships” see https://www.fcccrv.com/parts-and-service/

The signature says it all! It is definitely a lot of money to buy these high end RVs. I wouldn’t give up on it yet. I have had 2 DPs and all of my help and info came from this site. I feel comfortable that no matter what repairs I needed, I can get them done in a reasonable manner. I definitely had to fix some things myself, and actually enjoy Doing it, like servicing the Aqua hot. I just had my Intellitec smart controller go out, and after reviewing some threads on this site, I have the control board on its way. But over a couple of years I’ve come up with a great big rig diesel shop, a strong RV repair shop, and a really good RV renovation company, that are all reliable and do outstanding work. The small business owners are out there you just have to ask for the help! Regards

[Crasher]

Sounds like the OP picked a lousy dealer. The dealer is the key to a good purchase and follow up process. Too bad, as there good ones out there. I don't have a Newmar but I have an excellent "Honest" family owned dealer that can do 98% of what the factory can. My dealer, the manufacturer and our motorhomes have made the last 15 years enjoyable. Each trip is a new trouble free memory in the making. I'm sure there are Newmar owners out there with the same.