Test drives?
There has been a lot of discussion of late regarding poor handling/ride quality found in newly acquired motorhomes. This is usually followed by these same folks spending thousands of dollars, often on brand new rigs (adding all sorts of after market improvements like shocks, anti sway bars etc), to improve the ride.
Maybe I am missing something here but did these people not do a thorough test drive? :h While used rigs can have all sorts of problems (that should show up on a test drive), any new motorhome should ride, drive and handle without issues right off of the dealers lot. If not it is a dealer s problem.... until they get your money.
If you have never driven an A, B or C the ride and handling characteristics may be an unpleasant surprise, or at the very least not what you were expecting but why would anyone buy a rig that is not fun/pleasant and especially safe to drive?
While test driving with a toad may not be possible (unless it comes with the used rig), a thorough test-drive of the coach should give you a good idea of what it is capable of. At the very least a thorough trip to the local interstate, up a decent grade and with a little luck some time spent on the highway with the wind blowing will likely save you thousands down the road. Can you get in and out of most gas stations without dragging? How comfortable is the ride for both driver and passenger? How is the visibility, mirrors/cameras etc.?
Often simple, inexpensive fixes like weighing the coach and adjusting the tire pressures accordingly or simply a corrective alignment, perhaps adding some castor (on Class C's), can solve problems but to have to spend thousands to make it drivable, especially on a new motorhome seems ridiculous. :S
What was your test drive experience before buying? What do/did you look for, how far did you go and and what type of roads? What, if anything given the opportunity would you do differently? A proper test drive is probably as valuable/important as a thorough PDI so lets discuss our collective experiences.
:C
Maybe I am missing something here but did these people not do a thorough test drive? :h While used rigs can have all sorts of problems (that should show up on a test drive), any new motorhome should ride, drive and handle without issues right off of the dealers lot. If not it is a dealer s problem.... until they get your money.
If you have never driven an A, B or C the ride and handling characteristics may be an unpleasant surprise, or at the very least not what you were expecting but why would anyone buy a rig that is not fun/pleasant and especially safe to drive?
While test driving with a toad may not be possible (unless it comes with the used rig), a thorough test-drive of the coach should give you a good idea of what it is capable of. At the very least a thorough trip to the local interstate, up a decent grade and with a little luck some time spent on the highway with the wind blowing will likely save you thousands down the road. Can you get in and out of most gas stations without dragging? How comfortable is the ride for both driver and passenger? How is the visibility, mirrors/cameras etc.?
Often simple, inexpensive fixes like weighing the coach and adjusting the tire pressures accordingly or simply a corrective alignment, perhaps adding some castor (on Class C's), can solve problems but to have to spend thousands to make it drivable, especially on a new motorhome seems ridiculous. :S
What was your test drive experience before buying? What do/did you look for, how far did you go and and what type of roads? What, if anything given the opportunity would you do differently? A proper test drive is probably as valuable/important as a thorough PDI so lets discuss our collective experiences.
:C
