Warranty and Otherwise

[Floridastorm]

Before I purchase a new Class C would appreciate knowing how other folks handle their systems and component warranty repairs/maintenance and also when these systems are out of warranty. Since the RV manufacturer warranties the parts of the MH that they actually build, that would leave all of the appliances, other components, and power train systems that were built by other manufacturers each with individual warranties. In other words, if you have a problem with any of the appliances under warranty or the power train do you run the MH into the dealer or do you deal directly with the various manufacturers of those appliances to include Ford or Chevrolet? Also, can someone like a Mobile RV Technician repair and do maintenance on your MH while under manufacturer's warranty through reimbursement method or is the dealer your only recourse?



Thanks,


Old Guy Dave

[TexasJeff]

Dave, your dealer warranty should be bumper to bumper for the first year, afterwards, you are warrantied through the various component manufacturers. If you bring your unit to your dealership, they'll work with the factory or advise you on your best approach.

Your question re a mobile repairman, you'll probably find they want to be paid up front and you are responsible for the reimbursement. It really though is up to the repair shop you use but i wouldn't expect them to do the work and try to get paid later. Also, keep in mind that on some warranty work, the factory will reimburse at a “usual and customary” rate. So if you pay up front, you might not get all your money back unless you get with your factory first for pre-authorization.

[Floridastorm]

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

Dave, your dealer warranty should be bumper to bumper for the first year, afterwards, you are warrantied through the various component manufacturers. If you bring your unit to your dealership, they'll work with the factory or advise you on your best approach.

Your question re a mobile repairman, you'll probably find they want to be paid up front and you are responsible for the reimbursement. It really though is up to the repair shop you use but i wouldn't expect them to do the work and try to get paid later. Also, keep in mind that on some warranty work, the factory will reimburse at a “usual and customary” rate. So if you pay up front, you might not get all your money back unless you get with your factory first for pre-authorization.

That is the answer I am looking for Jeff. However, would that advice be for Engine, Transmission, and Drive Train in the warranty period? Also, after the coach warranty period did you find that you had trouble getting the various manufacturers of the appliances and other components to repair or do maintenance under their various warranties?

[TonyMac]

My Mobile guy, Craig Cowels of C.Co, charges $75/hour. My aftermarket warranty pays $125/hour. He loves warranty work, either manufacturer or aftermarket. He comes out, estimates the work, does the warranty application, completes the approved work , files the paperwork and pockets the money. All I have to do is leave the unit unlocked and look for the completed work order on my dining table.

[TexasJeff]

Originally Posted by Floridastorm

That is the answer I am looking for Jeff. However, would that advice be for Engine, Transmission, and Drive Train in the warranty period? Also, after the coach warranty period did you find that you had trouble getting the various manufacturers of the appliances and other components to repair or do maintenance under their various warranties?

Re the chassis, you'll still be contacting your dealership’s service advisor. They may want to look at it themselves or possibly work with the chassis manufacturers directly. I cant say there’d be only one way they work it. A lot depends on your retailer which is where youll get your guidance. My guess would be that theyd want you, their customer, to bring your unit in to them and if they need to involve the manufacturer (Ford, GM, etc..), theyll work it out themselves. Id be surprised if they send you packing to go deal with them yourself. Again, this part is my opinion. Your first (and IMO only) call should be to the retailer you bought your coach from.

Re the individual component manufacturers (Dometic, Whirlpool, etc) Ive not yet ever had to deal with them on an RV compinent but Im fairly certain it will be like what youd normally experience for their household line of appliances. Youd call their 800 #, wait on hold an hour, and then if you dont get hung up on youll give them the component serial number and they’ll take it from there, most normally sending a repairman out to resolve the warranty issue.

[Scooter]

Take a look at the manufacture's warranty....before you sign any papers.

[Floridastorm]

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

Re the chassis, you'll still be contacting your dealership’s service advisor. They may want to look at it themselves or possibly work with the chassis manufacturers directly. I cant say there’d be only one way they work it. A lot depends on your retailer which is where youll get your guidance. My guess would be that theyd want you, their customer, to bring your unit in to them and if they need to involve the manufacturer (Ford, GM, etc..), theyll work it out themselves. Id be surprised if they send you packing to go deal with them yourself. Again, this part is my opinion. Your first (and IMO only) call should be to the retailer you bought your coach from.

Re the individual component manufacturers (Dometic, Whirlpool, etc) Ive not yet ever had to deal with them on an RV compinent but Im fairly certain it will be like what youd normally experience for their household line of appliances. Youd call their 800 #, wait on hold an hour, and then if you dont get hung up on youll give them the component serial number and they’ll take it from there, most normally sending a repairman out to resolve the warranty issue.

The only reason I questioned this scenario is that it seems many people have long waits and problems with the RV dealer for just about anything. Taking up issues directly with the manufacturer of the appliances and components I would think should get you service a lot quicker and without the incidences of problems the dealer's seem to cause. You don't wait weeks to get your car serviced at Ford or Chevrolet or for any of your household appliances.

[Floridastorm]

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

Re the chassis, you'll still be contacting your dealership’s service advisor. They may want to look at it themselves or possibly work with the chassis manufacturers directly. I cant say there’d be only one way they work it. A lot depends on your retailer which is where youll get your guidance. My guess would be that theyd want you, their customer, to bring your unit in to them and if they need to involve the manufacturer (Ford, GM, etc..), theyll work it out themselves. Id be surprised if they send you packing to go deal with them yourself. Again, this part is my opinion. Your first (and IMO only) call should be to the retailer you bought your coach from.

Re the individual component manufacturers (Dometic, Whirlpool, etc) Ive not yet ever had to deal with them on an RV compinent but Im fairly certain it will be like what youd normally experience for their household line of appliances. Youd call their 800 #, wait on hold an hour, and then if you dont get hung up on youll give them the component serial number and they’ll take it from there, most normally sending a repairman out to resolve the warranty issue.

Is Ford and Chevrolet warranty work, for engine, transmission, and drive train, approved for being done by an RV Dealer? I would think that problems with the powertrane would be solved quicker and more efficiently by the manufacturer than the RV Dealer. Where am I going wrong?

[TexasJeff]

Originally Posted by Floridastorm

Is Ford and Chevrolet warranty work, for engine, transmission, and drive train, approved for being done by an RV Dealer? I would think that problems with the powertrane would be solved quicker and more efficiently by the manufacturer than the RV Dealer. Where am I going wrong?

FL-Storm, I don't think this is an all-or-nothing thing. I'm suggesting using the dealership as your first-stop, much like a primary care doctor. They sold you the coach, they should be first in line to care for you. If they can resolve the issue, they will and will do so under warranty. If the coach requires chassis warranty, I believe they will either make arrangements and deliver the coach, or have you bring the coach to the arranged destination and facilitate the warm-handoff. At least, if the dealership is on the ball and demonstrating excellent customer-care.

[gljurczyk]

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

Re the chassis, you'll still be contacting your dealership’s service advisor. They may want to look at it themselves or possibly work with the chassis manufacturers directly. I cant say there’d be only one way they work it. A lot depends on your retailer which is where youll get your guidance. My guess would be that theyd want you, their customer, to bring your unit in to them and if they need to involve the manufacturer (Ford, GM, etc..), theyll work it out themselves. Id be surprised if they send you packing to go deal with them yourself. Again, this part is my opinion. Your first (and IMO only) call should be to the retailer you bought your coach from.

Re the individual component manufacturers (Dometic, Whirlpool, etc) Ive not yet ever had to deal with them on an RV compinent but Im fairly certain it will be like what youd normally experience for their household line of appliances. Youd call their 800 #, wait on hold an hour, and then if you dont get hung up on youll give them the component serial number and they’ll take it from there, most normally sending a repairman out to resolve the warranty issue.

Nope you are wrong, the dealer you bought the unit from will not touch the Ford or GM parts, first they can’t second you do not need to see your dealer at all, if you have a problem you take it the appropriate service dept just like your car, the dealer has nothing to do with that warrenty it is separate and probably 3 year and 36,000 miles.

[azpete]

mosy dealerships are not equipped or authorized to do chassis work, especially warranty work.
they will indeed send you packing, to handle that on your own. they will tell you that they dont do that, take it ford, or whatever brand you have.
the only exception i ever saw was when winnebago built the lesharo. it had a renault chassis, and i had factory training on the chassis work. later it had a volkswagon chassis, and i had training to work on that. real pain to get parts.
in most cases, its easier to just find a chassis service center that will do the work.
after the first year, its cheaper and faster to deal with the mfg of the component.
dealers just dont stock repair parts anymore.

[Floridastorm]

I have viewed some videos from people in the business that state some Ford and Chevrolet dealers refuse to work on motor home chassis. Does this sound about right or not?

[TexasJeff]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

Nope you are wrong, the dealer you bought the unit from will not touch the Ford or GM parts, first they can’t second you do not need to see your dealer at all, if you have a problem you take it the appropriate service dept just like your car, the dealer has nothing to do with that warrenty it is separate and probably 3 year and 36,000 miles.

Sorry, just getting around to this.. What I said shouldn't be meant as that all dealerships will do one thing or another, or not. My opinion on dealerships is that they should be your first contact, like going to your PCP before heading off to a specialist. And a good dealership will assist you in getting the legwork done so if you need to see an authorized repair facility to address a chassis manufacturer warranty issue, that they will enable a warm handoff for you including the name of the individual who will take your warranty claim.

Some dealerships are just in it for the sale and that's unfortunate.

@Floridastorm - I've heard this as well but from only second hand sources. It was explained that some dealerships aren't equipped space-wise but I don't know for sure. I sure hope to never find out.

[gljurczyk]

This is correct not all Ford or Chevy Dealerships will work on a class C , you need to find a medium truck dealership, they are equipped to work on them. The dealership has to be certified to do warranty work, also they need the larger lifts to work on them. So yes not all dealerships can work on your unit. I have a Chevy dealership1 mile from me, they can’t I have to go to the closest medium dealer which is a 100 miles from me.