Dealer walk through, what would you do the second time?

phenrichs wrote:
I agree with the video thing. Or at least note EVERYTHING they tell you. The most important info they give you is for the just in case stuff that you probably won't run into until a year or two later. Then you have forgotten the instructions.

Like the manual slide operation

and such.

X2.
I can't keep count on how MANY campers I have helped put their slide in when something mechanical/electrical went wrong, because they did NOT know HOW to put the slide in manually!

I agree with the video thing. Or at least note EVERYTHING they tell you. The most important info they give you is for the just in case stuff that you probably won't run into until a year or two later. Then you have forgotten the instructions. Like the manual slide operation and such.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. We set up four hours with tech and i started an excel list for shakedown. I assume all appliances will also be demonstrated, do they hook up power or just show you where to push, ignite etc...? We have a local state park planned for the weekend (within 10 miles) last question, is there a need to use a seam sealer on tent stitching?

Thanks!

2012 Tacoma DCLB
225T Surveyor

Take your time! We just did our PDI on our second new camper since '06. Thought we pretty much knew what was what...not even close. Times have changed, systems have changed, everything is located somewhere different than you're used to. DH and I had pretty much made a plan on what each of us was going to focus on, but that changed once we got started. The tech was very helpful and didn't rush us at all. If you feel rushed, just remind them that this is a big ticket item and you want to be sure you know what's what. Make sure that there is water in the water heater - found that out from our first, which didn't have water already filled. New element from the dealer with apologies. Slide, awning, stove, refrig, oven. Ask that they have some water in the fresh tank and check all the faucets and underneath in cabinets for leaks.

I don't know about overnighting at the dealer's lot, but if there is a CG very, very close, that's where I would plan the first night. We were only about 3 miles away and found a couple of minor things, so we called that afternoon, made a quick stop in the morning and they took care of them right away. You certainly could ask about overnighting. If you have kids, though they may be excited, if you can leave them home, all the better. You'll have enough to deal with signing a zillion papers and then towing a new trailer + figuring out what the heck you've just bought. Plan a Camp Driveway ASAP for them. It's an exciting and fun time....once you get a couple of Tylenol for that headache and maybe a glass or two and a few minutes to relax. Enjoy, the rest is easy(ier).

I would open/close/try EVERYTHING in the trailer. We bought our HTT used, through a dealer. Found some deficiencies at signing that were suppose to be resolved by the pick up date. Didn't check closely enough and there was a problem with one of the repairs. Wouldn't have been a huge deal, but the dealer is about 3 hours away from us. Also found we had questions about some of the 'how to's' after, but I suppose that part is unavoidable.

Take the time with the tech, whether he wants to or not, to "open and close the awning a couple of times".

Sounds simple but when you go to open and/or close one when you are new it's hard to remember what goes down first and what gets unlocked when, etc. Don't do it in the right order and "oh my now what" comes to mind!

Later on down the road you can do it in your sleep but the first few times are the hardest to remember the order in which to do it.

Plan at least 4 hours. You will not have the RV Tech that entire time of course. Have him go over everything and don't be afraid to ask questions. Then spend time in the trailer going over everything yourselves, one thing at a time. Hook up the trailer to power and water and run everything. I strongly recommend you spend the night nearby. We did this and found a problem with the heater. If you are bringing kids,find something that will occupy them so you don't have constant interruptions.

Good luck and congratulations!

Make a list of questions before you go thru the walk thru. Don't believe anything they say about "everything works", make them show you how everything works.

1 How to manually crank in slides (socket size too), 2 Double check torques on wheels and WDH, 3 Where to place the jack to change a tire and what you need to do so, 4 Make them show you HOW to turn water valves to go from winterized to usage not just say "they are under there"...

Stay in it a night at the dealer, most will give you electrical. Saves a trip back in many cases.