Community Forums

kap4 · 08-20-2016, 04:10 AM

I'm a newbie in the RV world. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on purchasing a new RV. More than likely a Tiffan or Newmar. My question is should I purchase the extended warranty through the dealer? I've been told it's better to purchase the extended warranty through a private company.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

nosticks · 08-20-2016, 06:17 AM

Don't purchase it at all.

wildtoad · 08-20-2016, 06:25 AM

You will have a one, two, three years of warranty coverage for the various parts of the new motor home. I know I do. I'd wait until you have some experience with your unit to determine if you have any issues that would lead you to an informed decision on IF you need a warranty. If it will help you sleep at night having one, shop around as you can get a better deal than from the new mh dealer.

RSchleder · 08-20-2016, 06:26 AM

I agree, stay away from "extended warranties" regardless of who offers them. If your concerned about after factory warranty repair costs, set the cost of an "extended warranty" aside in a separate account and draw on it to pay for any/all costs to repairs after warranty. It's my experience after buying 12 new RV's over the past 30 years that if you do as I recommend, you'll still have $$ in that account many years later when the "extended warranty" would end.

TexasTom · 08-20-2016, 07:36 AM

Yea yea, you will hear stay away from folks who don't buy them. (Or can't afford). Knowledgeable people understand it's about spreading risk and the underwriter making a profit. Do your comparison shopping and you will see a wide variation in cost because dealers make a nice commission. Personally I wound' t buy one for a period in which the mfg coverage applies. But would consider for later periods. I am thousands ahead because of extended service contracts.

2005 Newmar Kountry Star 3742

Lovin2Camp · 08-20-2016, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasTom

Yea yea, you will hear stay away from folks who don't buy them. (Or can't afford). Knowledgeable people understand it's about spreading risk and the underwriter making a profit. Do your comparison shopping and you will see a wide variation in cost because dealers make a nice commission. Personally I wound' t buy one for a period in which the mfg coverage applies. But would consider for later periods. I am thousands ahead because of extended service contracts.

2005 Newmar Kountry Star 3742

X 2!!! 😎

Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

drjnick · 08-20-2016, 08:30 AM

Do not buy from the dealer. Very expensive. Check around you will find a much better deal if you wish to purchase some peace of mind. I purchased from Wholesale Warranties and have been very satisfied with their service and it did pay for itself. Not all feel the same and it is with your level of comfort.
x3 Texas Tom

Snyderwheels · 08-24-2016, 08:52 AM

I've got a different point of view. I don't buy the extended warranties when I make a purchase but...
I bought a 10 month old Tiffin Allegro RED, my first MH. There are A LOT of systems on these coaches and I'm not a great DIY guy. I bought the extended Cornerstone warranty through the dealer (Lazydays in Tampa) and I'm glad I did. It has paid for itself after the one year Tiffin warranty expired. I had a furnace repair and a hydraulic slide repair and those costs were more than the warranty cost.
The chassis manufacturer, Freightliner, has a five year warranty and I've had occasion to use their services as well.
You are purchasing a house and moving it down the road at 60 - 65 mph. Things happen. I broke my "no extended warranty" rule and I'm glad I did.

BillJinOR · 08-24-2016, 09:03 AM

Warranty or not is a personal risk decision. The same as you would buy a health insurance policy to cover things you can't pay for. Simply ... If a 20 grand hit would bankrupt you , then seriously think about it. If it would hurt , but you'd survive, you have a choice.
You don't have to buy from the dealer and in fact have a warranty so why double up? Wait until the factory warranty expires.
This is a major dealer profit item and it's likely you will be under pressure to buy. I would suggest you don't
Wholesale warranties is a company that has had good reports on the forums at least get a quote from them when new then you'll know where you stand when you do purchase a year or two later. You'll also have a reference for how expensive the dealer offer is or isn't. I also think it will give you a better picture of the dealers motives in the big picture too.

MHexplorer · 09-08-2016, 11:08 AM

As you can see there are several points of view on this. Here is what we all have to consider. We KNOW things will break down. You may be the type of person that saves specifically for that major A/C repair bill looming in the next couple of years, then again you may be the person that does not plan well but can make payments on the future breakdown.

That is what a service contract is. Regarding the word warranty, it implies that anything on the RV would be covered, and that's not true. There are exclusions such as "pre-existing" events if you were to purchase a pre-owned RV. think rust would not be covered. Those you must plan for.

The best decision you can make is decide to become informed on how the service contracts "warranty" works and to shop around. I agree that a new unit MIGHT not need a contract due to the MFGR warranty, but even then there have been plenty of cases where the MFGR washes its hands of your unit that is giving them trouble.

Mr_D · 09-08-2016, 11:24 AM

My service policy was an IRA with just over $16,000, used it up (plus an add'l $6,000) the first month we had the Magna. Didn't even get a change to buy a service policy as the paperwork was waiting for us when we got home. Still need new tires and a fogged window repair. But then the tires and window repair wouldn't be covered by a service policy anyway. The engine repair would have been iffy as it happened 2,500 miles after we bought the rig and some have a mileage start date of purchase mileage plus 2,000 to 2,500 miles.

Mr_D · 09-08-2016, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MHexplorer

As you can see there are several points of view on this. Here is what we all have to consider. We KNOW things will break down. You may be the type of person that saves specifically for that major A/C repair bill looming in the next couple of years, then again you may be the person that does not plan well but can make payments on the future breakdown.

That is what a service contract is. Regarding the word warranty, it implies that anything on the RV would be covered, and that's not true. There are exclusions such as "pre-existing" events if you were to purchase a pre-owned RV. think rust would not be covered. Those you must plan for.

The best decision you can make is decide to become informed on how the service contracts "warranty" works and to shop around. I agree that a new unit MIGHT not need a contract due to the MFGR warranty, but even then there have been plenty of cases where the MFGR washes its hands of your unit that is giving them trouble.

Exactly, by Federal law they are not "warranties" unless purchased from the original vehicle manufacturer, they are service policies and as such are a contract with far less consumer rights.

MHexplorer · 09-08-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Exactly, by Federal law they are not "warranties" unless purchased from the original vehicle manufacturer, they are service policies and as such are a contract with far less consumer rights.

I think that is where most of the dissatisfaction is. The word "warranty" is used even by some service contract providers which gives a false impression to the consumer. Once consumers understand that on USED units-you cannot buy any type of insurance/contract that will freely repair your units pre-exisiting problems, but you can buy a contract where you pay for possible breakdown of listed covered parts. Then consumers will be less apt to complain. Knowledge beforehand is key, many may choose not to buy but to save, but others who may not be mechanically inclined nor able/capable to save for a possible future event will find a service contract agreeable to them.

Chuck_Hammer · 09-09-2016, 07:06 AM

I am of the School.. after purchase.. start a saving account., and add to it each month just like paying a service contract.... you get interest. and if NOT needed .. extra money to you.

in all my years.. most anything I have purchased.. cars/truck/Trailers/motorcycles.. televisions/washer/driers... 99 percent went 10 plus years before major problem.