Questions on new purchase

We bought our motor home from a neighbor who had it for less than 2 years and 10,000 miles. Twelve years later, it has almost 90,000 miles on it and we've never had a coverable item fail. All of the appliances still work. The only major engine repair was the mass airflow sensor, probably wouldn't have been covered even if it had to be replaced during the life of a warranty.

As an appliance repair tech for nearly 34 years, I will say my opinion of extended warranties has changed in the past couple years. I didn't recommend them before, and still don't on mechanical type things you can usually repair on your own. The ones that benefit from the extended warranty would be for units that include lots of electronic equipment. All those boards, and chips, etc. are so touchy and susceptible to voltage fluctuations its a shame. And you know how variable electricity is for us.

What does the warranty exclude/include? I have a feeling that if the compressor seized due to low voltage or the refrigerator gave the ammonia smell, those repairs would be on your time.

Plus, who will honor the warranty? RVs are not like cars where a Honda bought in Poughkeepsie will easily be repaired in Dallas. A dealer either can just refuse to bother with the warranty coverage unless the rig was bought there, or it would be put on the last of the list... perhaps 3-6 months later, it might be looked at.

DaHose wrote:
Most folks say to set aside the money it would cost you to buy an extended warranty and keep that in a rainy day fund. .

most folks buy a RV on credit/time and to add a warranty would add what, $10 a month to your payment. they do not pay that $$$$ in cash for a warranty as they would be smarter to pay that down on the RV. so at $10 a month at the end of two years you would have a grand total of $250 or so in your rainy day fund. how far will that go towards your replacement refrigerator, slide, etc.?
bumpy

c23s4sale wrote:
Hi...I just purchased a new Jayco Redhawk at the Tampa RV Show. I am scheduled to pick it up this week, and while looking at their brochure, I see a selection of additional coverage options that I will be offered. First is the extended warranty for appliances, slideouts, electronics and service calls..."for up to 7 years". They also advertise a 5 year tire & wheel road hazard protection plan. Finally.... a 5 year fabric & interior protection plan. I know I will get "pressured" into buying some kind of coverage and was wondering what others have done, or if there are any other recommendations from some of the readers here. Thanks.

I didn't buy any of the extended protection offers but I'm able to pay for any unexpected repairs. There are arguments for both sides of an extended warranty, many people get quite passionate about it.

At the end of the day, an extended warranty is just like insurance, some want it and some don't.

We bought a new '03 Itasca in the fall of '02. We are still using it, Living in it right now in FL, and have never regretted not buying an extended warranty.

Dusty

I have not seen anyone really speak well of extended warranties. Most folks say to set aside the money it would cost you to buy an extended warranty and keep that in a rainy day fund. Most say they never dipped in, until after their extended warranties would have expired.

Jose

I have never bought an extended warranty in my life.

Either it works out of the box, or it doesn't. Extended warrantees were invented for the sole purpose of generating another income source for the dealers.

I have never had a product, vehicle or otherwise where an extended warranty would have benefitted me. Defects show up very quickly, read under manufacturers warranty or the product performs well past the warranty period. What is your come back when the dealer says, "sorry but that isn't covered".

If you are going to lose sleep over it, then buy the warranty otherwise keep your money in your jeans.

I figure I'm ahead by maybe $10K from the money I have saved, so I still say no thank you to extended warrantees.

I think Jayco's come with at least a one, possibly two year manufacturers warranty that should cover everything. They will make more money on these extra/extended warranties being offered than they will selling you the RV. If the overall quality of the rig and its appliances make you think you need an extended warranty you are buying the wrong rig to begin with.

Keep in mind that warranties, both original and the extended add ons are only as good as the dealer who may or may not stand behind them. Unless they are close by with an established track record for quality after sales service I would not put much stock, much less money in that direction. Chances are you will be a long way from the factory. A thorough PDI of a quality unit is your best bet.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV. :C