Test Driving RV

If you put any money down at all, for any reason, without a test drive, then I have some real nice waterfront,(cough,swampland) for you to buy here in Florida.

I would not be offended if the dealer used another means, to make sure I was not a "tire kicker."

There are other dealers with the same unit, although they may be further away.

I can see a balance. For example, I want to test drive a Trend just to see how it handles on Texas roads and the wind gusts from the semis on I-35 and TX Highway 45 with the 18 wheelers hitting triple digits. However, I can completely understand a dealer reluctant to let anyone off the street drive an expensive rig that even if insurance did pay for damage, it would be hard to sell. There is a Beavis & Butthead episode that is about this topic. I don't mind the salesperson coming along, because what I'm looking for is if I can one one-hand the steering wheel versus white-knuckling it, and that isn't exactly Fast & Furious driving.

Not sure what to do in this case, as I understand both sides of this issue. Maybe offer to insure it completely for a day on one's own insurance?

mockturtle wrote:
Good grief, no one is going to let a person drive off unaccompanied in an RV (or a car). These dealers are insured--they should be able to let you do a test drive with a sales or service person on board. If not, just keep looking.

not for 4 hours tho:B

Good grief, no one is going to let a person drive off unaccompanied in an RV (or a car). These dealers are insured--they should be able to let you do a test drive with a sales or service person on board. If not, just keep looking.

Did you establish any kind of relationship ship? I sure wouldn't let any Tom Dick or Harry walk on to my lot and take a drive just on a whim. twenty minutes to an hour of intercourse would probably work to establish your credentials.

Sounds too me like an over agressive salesman. I bet if you called there bluff on it they would fold like a cheap tent. If not i would go on to the next one. I've never heard of that in the RV business. If the salesman doesn't back down i would ask for the sales manager or general manger and i bet that policy goes away very quick. Now if you were setting down to numbers some places might want you to put a deposit with an offer but that is entirely different.

I wonder if this is how they defense against people driving their inventory - then ordering from an online source?? I can't exactly blame them - especially if it's someplace where they use road salt. Detailing an RV is work....and then to have it undone and not make a sale can be frustrating?

Make a lowball offer and see if they want to play?

Maybe they don't want all kinds of people going on 4 hour road trips with their rvs

We've had something similar happen to us at a consignment place. They wanted our credit card number. They claimed it was to hold the unit for us so it wouldn't be sold before we could get there to see it and drive it. If we didn't like the unit, we would not be held to it.

We declined the unit after seeing it. They wern't supposed to charge our card, but somehow it accidentally got entered and billed. I was pretty pissed! When I complained, our money was refunded. We did not purchase anything from them.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
What's the problem? :h

They want you to make an offer, make an offer and go for a drive.

An offer is not a contract. Tell them what they want to hear and go for a drive. If they want to play games play the game and have fun. :)

gayleg wrote:
I couldn't even make appointments with the other two unless I was prepared to write a contract contingent on driving approval.

Once you do that then they have you stuck. If you drive it and don't like it you can pick another coach but you can't pick another dealer.

If it was me, I would just show up there and ask to look at the coach you wanted to see, and if it was worth driving ask to drive it. Dollars to donuts they let you take it for a spin. maybe the fact that you are calling in advance to set up an appointment has them thinking that you are a tire kicker and not a serious buyer....I can't imagine that a dealer would stay in business long by not allowing test drives without a signed contract first.

Guaranteed if you drive your current coach up there they will immediately figure out that you are a serious buyer and you won't have a problem driving anything on the lot.