Forum Discussion

gaymeadowsman's avatar
Dec 05, 2013

New to her, but needs some repairs... Dealer obligations?

We went with lady friend of ours to look at used 2014 travel trailer Tuesday on a local dealers lot. The trailer was used by an out of state constuction worker working here in Montgomery and traded in for a Motor home before the man left town.
Now granted we saw the camper three days after the dealer got it and they said it hadn't been gone over it other than when it was traded, but they had priced it and put it on the Website.
It is a 2014 Skyline Nomad 260, Rear Kitchen. and perfect for her and her tow vehicle. We all like they camper and she has made made good deal... BUT, we gave the salesman a list of fixes,
1.The power stabilizers are wrecked. They use a common screw, and the street side on both front and rear will not lower, rear curb side is bent like a pretzel, and front curb side jerks and "pops".
2. One of the Dinette bench backs seems to to have a broken frame piece(Easy fix, I could do it).
3. Break away switch has wires pulled out of it.(Another easy fix).

Should she(we) expect the dealer to make these repairs with out raising his price. I know replcing the stabilizers will runn over $1000.00.
My friend also thinks he should replace the Tv the the previous owner took out because it came with one from Skyline. I told Tvs are too cheap now and not to get greedy.
  • As of right now nothing is in writing and this would be the second trailer that she has bought from this dealer. Two years ago I helped her buy her first camper,a 2006 Fun Finder X-210, no slideout. She loves that little trailer,but she now has a 120# German Shepard that camps with her and frankly the dog takes up more space than she does. She also uses the dealership to store her camper as she lives in town.
    @Paw-Paw, Yes,that's the one. I know the dealership owner works ALL tradins and sets the price. I'm not sure if the salesman, whom she(we) dealt with before and like, had much to do with the trailer in the 3 days it had been on the lot.
  • I think a bit of important information would be what caused the "damage" to the stabilizer jacks, and if any unseen damage may exist because of it.
  • Everything is negotiable but everything must be negotiated at the same time. You cannot establish a purchase price and then start making demands that the dealer fix things.
  • Be careful with the warranty, or lack thereof, as well. Factory warranties usually only apply to the original purchaser and are not transferrable. You may want to check if the dealer is including any sort of warranty with it.
  • You would be better off coming down on price and do it yourself...Dealers are known to do shotty work, and keep trailers for months at a time
  • Everything is negotiable prior to purchase. Get everything in writing on the purchase agreement, signed by the sales manager, or repaired before signing a contract.
    Not all sales people are liers.
  • gaymeadowsman wrote:
    1.The power stabilizers are wrecked. They use a common screw, and the street side on both front and rear will not lower, rear curb side is bent like a pretzel, and front curb side jerks and "pops".


    Now - depending upon the way the dealer worked the trade-in, he may or may not have the flexibility to replace them. He also might not be able to come down on the price.

    This would be a deal breaker for me. If the dealer wouldn't replace them - I'd walk away.

    gaymeadowsman wrote:
    2. One of the Dinette bench backs seems to to have a broken frame piece(Easy fix, I could do it).


    He should be willing to fix that.

    gaymeadowsman wrote:
    3. Break away switch has wires pulled out of it.(Another easy fix).


    Essential that be fixed before the trailer is towed off the lot. It's less than $25 and 10 minutes installation. I had to move the breakaway switch on a brand new Flagstaff I got less than a month ago because it interfered with my hitch mounting brackets.

    That was my fault because I didn't check those measurements before signing the deal.


    gaymeadowsman wrote:
    Should she(we) expect the dealer to make these repairs with out raising his price.


    No if the trailer has just been traded in. The dealer is going to hope someone else will take it off his hands without asking for repairs. But if the trailer has been sitting on his lot for a while, he might be willing to come down or do the replacements

    gaymeadowsman wrote:
    My friend also thinks he should replace the Tv the the previous owner took out because it came with one from Skyline.


    She likely wouldn't like the cheap small TV that came with the trailer - go to Walmart and get a better, bigger one for less money.

    The only really important thing is to get in writing any repairs the dealer must make before signing on the bottom line - and get a written date the repairs, if any, will be finished.

    EDIT - I think I've found the trailer ad and if they are selling it for $12,500 like the ad I found - that is a very good price. The dealer probably does not have the flexibility to fix the stabilizer jacks. So even at that price, I'd walk away.

    But the dealer might be able to split the price of installing new jacks - which would be worth it.
  • everything in good working order . and double checked by buyer, before one dime changes hands. the person holding the purse is in control once she pays for it, you,ve lost control. and they,ll tell you everything will be fixed AFTER THE SALE. sales people lie for a living.