I've made a deposit on a used RV. It's advertised as a 2022. However once I got the VIN # I called Forest River with some small question and they said, based on the VIN #, that the RV is a 2021. I did find out that these 'split years' are common and the chassis and 'house' can have different years. HOWEVER, the person selling this RV, when I questioned her about this, said the 'house' is a 2021 Sunseeker, but the Ford chassis is a year NEWER, a 2022, and that the title says 2022. Everywhere I look on the internet folks talk about the CHASSIS being a year or more OLDER than the 'house' on the chassis. I've not found the other way around. Does anyone know if it's possible to be the other way around? I'm questioning my trust level now as this is a 'buy w/o seeing in person' situation,. I AM getting a video walk thru tomorrow with the dealer tomorrow (I can still get out of the sale) and wonder what paperwork I can ask for. to prove the year of each of those? Or how else can I know?I'd appreciate if anyone can give a quick answer since there are major time constraints here. Thanks so much!!

I don't know how they can build the house before the chassis, just doesn't make any sense to me. "I can still get out of the sale" Are you sure? Exactly does any paperwork you signed say and how long if you've given them $? Trying to be helpful: Never buy a RV that you haven't personally inspected and driven and never give them upfront $ until you are ready to buy. If you don't have RV experience hire an independent professional inspector and get a full report. Plus have your own PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) that includes everything. With your work clothes check everything including underneath for damage, rust etc. This will cost you a few hundred bucks and transportation but it can be pocket change compared to the potential for very expensive repairs.

Thanks! All good advice, which I usually take myself haha Just got uncharacteristically caught up. They're both a 'unique camper' and consignment dealer. I can get out of it, and will likely do that tomorrow. I found them on RV Trader (which I'm sure many sells are scammy) yet this dealer appears to be legit. Besides their website, they're all over the internet (Facebook, Yahoo, etc.) with good reviews dating back to late 2021 (and yes, I know reviews, like on many sell sites, are worthless) yet I also usually have good intuition. Never been scammed before (that I know of haha). YET THANKS! I know your advice is dead-on. I appreciate it.

Model years are all over the place. Most manufacrures have been 2024 for several months. The VIN number of the chassis is the the important one. If it's a 2022, so whats the big deal? Maybe Forest River got the first 2022 chassis and put on the last 2021 body. Again,so what?

There should be two numbers to check. VIN is for the chassis and Forest River should have a serial number.

mfg of vehicles sometimes start MY way early. Two examples, the 2015 GM 2500 series was initially mfg started in very early 2014, maybe even late 2013. in late 2014 they did some updates and called it a 2015.5 if I go to gm to get parts.My 2004 duramax is similar.in very early 2014 the did updates and it's a 2004.5 when I go to get parts.And my 97 Mercedes E420 was actually built in late 2005 but called a 97 MY.So it may be the same with chassis for the MH. the mfg may have started 2022 mfg while the conversion was listed as a 2021.

HELP ASAP PLEASE: Re chassis/'house' dates on MH

13 Replies

Gooma
Explorer
Aug 19, 2023
Model years are all over the place. Most manufacrures have been 2024 for several months. The VIN number of the chassis is the the important one. If it's a 2022, so whats the big deal? Maybe Forest River got the first 2022 chassis and put on the last 2021 body. Again,so what?
dnta11
Explorer
Aug 18, 2023
Thanks! All good advice, which I usually take myself haha Just got uncharacteristically caught up. They're both a 'unique camper' and consignment dealer. I can get out of it, and will likely do that tomorrow. I found them on RV Trader (which I'm sure many sells are scammy) yet this dealer appears to be legit. Besides their website, they're all over the internet (Facebook, Yahoo, etc.) with good reviews dating back to late 2021 (and yes, I know reviews, like on many sell sites, are worthless) yet I also usually have good intuition. Never been scammed before (that I know of haha). YET THANKS! I know your advice is dead-on. I appreciate it.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Aug 18, 2023
I don't know how they can build the house before the chassis, just doesn't make any sense to me.

"I can still get out of the sale" Are you sure? Exactly does any paperwork you signed say and how long if you've given them $?

Trying to be helpful: Never buy a RV that you haven't personally inspected and driven and never give them upfront $ until you are ready to buy. If you don't have RV experience hire an independent professional inspector and get a full report. Plus have your own PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) that includes everything. With your work clothes check everything including underneath for damage, rust etc. This will cost you a few hundred bucks and transportation but it can be pocket change compared to the potential for very expensive repairs.

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HELP ASAP PLEASE: Re chassis/'house' dates on MH

13 Replies

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