Even new rigs need to be inspected when you get home

Lantley wrote:
We get your point about the things you find later. However the real key is to do a thorough PDI before you leave the lot.
Consider everything you find later partially your fault for not finding it before you sealed the deal.
If you take this approach you will slow down and take all the time you need to scrutinize everything. Let the dealer know you plan to take lots of time looking the unit over.
Scrutinizing everything sounds like a big hassle but in the long run it will save you headaches and time down the road

My point of this post is to notify people to double check their caulk lines and make sure that part of the caulk line is not missing. Make sure that the caulking is appropriate to keep water out. I do not trust the dealer to caulk appropriately. I would rather do that myself to know that it is done right. On my way home, while it was raining, there was water in the windshield well at the bottom. After further investigation, I discovered that a couple of my clearance lights were not absolutely snug to the coach. Weather they were, or not, I would have sealed around them anyway. There is no way this could have been uncovered during a proper PDI. So, I say again, get on a ladder, check around each window and entry door. Make sure your lap sealant is covering all the holes on the roof, etc. This post does not apply to the folks who take multiple days to do "proper" PDI's.

We get your point about the things you find later. However the real key is to do a thorough PDI before you leave the lot.
Consider everything you find later partially your fault for not finding it before you sealed the deal.
If you take this approach you will slow down and take all the time you need to scrutinize everything. Let the dealer know you plan to take lots of time looking the unit over.
Scrutinizing everything sounds like a big hassle but in the long run it will save you headaches and time down the road

Good suggestive advice! Most damage to RV's is caused by water leaks!

Seems to me that if I knew of certain problems ahead of time then I wouldn't take delivery of the new rig until those things were inspected and fixed.

mc.cc wrote:
three of the four rigs I have purchased, I purchased new from different manufacturers. Each had similar issues when I drove them off the lot.

That is really sad. Quality Control in the RV industry is ridiculous.

mc.cc: good point.
My 4th RV, 2nd new-- Myself and my neighbor went over my new Siesta, top to bottom, operated everything, checked cargo doors to cabinets, came up with an extensive list which the dealer took care of. Still had several minor (drips) leaks in a bunkhouse window, a clearance light, and a PEX connection. Later,a very noticeable leak from a furnace cover with backward louvers that were scoops instead shields. also- I Reported am radio inopp on PDI, tech ordered replacement, I found antenna was not connected.
As with every RV I've owned there are always few nickel dime items on my to do list after each trip.

No matter how thorough the PDI or factory inspection, there are items to show up later. The small leaks appeared after overnight steady rain, the PEX fitting dripped several drops after a few hours pressurized. The furnace cover leaked badly with wind driven rain on that side.

I'm sorry about your issues with caulking. And fully agree, but I would have included sealing in my PDI. Our last PDI lasted 4 hours and it took a two week delay to get all issues resolved before delivery. Good luck.

I wonder if the inspector they have at the factory is off his coffee break yet. according to their web site every unit is water tested and gone over with a fine tooth comb. I would call foul if I were you

mc.cc wrote:

sch911 wrote:
It's really better catching those things before taking delivery. A proper PDI should have been done by you, then have the dealer fix those things before the transaction finalizes.

Question. Did you get on a ladder and inspect each gasket of every window during the PDI? Did you get inside the shower and spray water on the inside shower doors to make sure there were no leaks outside of the shower during your PDI? Another question, did you inspect each of the clearance lights above the front windshield to make sure they were caulked appropriately during your PDI? I did the walk through very thoroughly. I took 2 plus hours to perform this. This including getting underneath the rig, on top of the rig and inspecting every gadget to make sure it worked before taking delivery. Now that we have that cleared up, there are items that need to be inspected thoroughly after bringing the rig home, and seals are one of them.

I all purchaser's looked at a new purchase as you do, there would be far fewer complaints on this forum. Trouble is they want their rig to be perfect but are unwilling to put out any effort to make it that way. I venture to say this unit will be in much better shape 3 yrs. down the road than most.

sch911 wrote:
It's really better catching those things before taking delivery. A proper PDI should have been done by you, then have the dealer fix those things before the transaction finalizes.

Question. Did you get on a ladder and inspect each gasket of every window during the PDI? Did you get inside the shower and spray water on the inside shower doors to make sure there were no leaks outside of the shower during your PDI? Another question, did you inspect each of the clearance lights above the front windshield to make sure they were caulked appropriately during your PDI? I did the walk through very thoroughly. I took 2 plus hours to perform this. This including getting underneath the rig, on top of the rig and inspecting every gadget to make sure it worked before taking delivery. Now that we have that cleared up, there are items that need to be inspected thoroughly after bringing the rig home, and seals are one of them.