So, I am looking at upgrading to new trailer, and the specific model that I like the most is not available withing 100 miles of my house. I would have to travel. I am not concerned about traveling to get the trailer I want, but what do folks do in warranty situations? I have a whole bunch of local rv dealers, but of course they don't sell the model I want. I do not have the time to travel 150 miles back and forth for warranty work. One would hope or expect there would be no issues, but that is big gamble to take.Can other RV dealers or repair shops do warranty work for brands they don't sell? Or am I hosed? Unfortunately if I have to go to an authorized dealer, that will have an effect on which models I want.

Generally speaking the RV industry is not like the auto industry. Warrenty work is almost always the selling dealers responsability. Mfgs dont pay enough for anyone else to want to work on them. Getting mfg authorization is another hassle no one want to take on. Unless it is a major repair, I would just be prepared to do all my own work and move on.

Find out if the manufacturer will allow a mobile RV tech or independent shop to handle warranty issues.

Consider a week of camping close to the dealer after pickup. Most issues will surface within that time. Use a hose to simulate rain if necessary.

My local dealer wouldn't come down on the price of the 5th wheel I wanted so I drove 2,000 miles to another dealer. But, I called and spoke to the local dealer service manager and asked if they would warranty any repairs. He said yes, so I save a lot of money by buying out of state. No problems other than normal waiting and not fixing correctly. But you get that at most dealers anyway. Learn to do it yourself to safe headaches.

95jersey wrote:Can other RV dealers or repair shops do warranty work for brands they don't sell? Or am I hosed? Unfortunately if I have to go to an authorized dealer, that will have an effect on which models I want."Repair shops" that aren't authorized dealers don't sell trailers, just repair them, so then the question is whether they can get factory replacement parts. In theory they can't, at least not from the manufacturer, which is why repair shops and dealers representing other brands will attempt to buy repair / replacement parts from other dealers who are authorized vendors of that brand. Dealers are privately owned businesses that have nothing to do with the manufacturers they represent ... what they do have is a contractual agreement with the manufacturers they do represent to sell that product, repair that product, have access to original factory parts to effect the repair, and make warranty claims on behalf of the RV owner to the manufacturer within the terms of any warranty that may apply. Dealers who don't represent a given product are not afforded these privileges, meaning if a dealer has no ability to source parts or make a warranty claim it's unreasonable to expect they'd agree to take on service work that may require either. Example - if a dealer sells K-Z Spree but not say Coachmen then he's an authorized K-Z Spree dealer and has an agreement with K-Z to represent that product in both sales & service BUT he likewise has no such agreement with Coachmen so if you as a customer take a Coachmen to this dealer and request service his service manager will decline servicing the trailer if warranty is involved. Further, for service that does not involve warranty the service manager may still not accept working on a product the dealership doesn't sell if for no other reason than he doesn't have access to that manufacturer's parts supply, other than attempt to buy from another dealer who does represent that brand. Obviously if generic parts to effect the repair are readily available then it's up to the service manager to decide whether he has the time available in his service schedule to accept the job and that decision will be based on whether his own customers seeking service time have first been accommodated. It's only common sense, regardless that some forum pundits will insist that any dealer refusing to work on your trailer is just being difficult because they won't be paid full rate for warranty work by the manufacturer(s) they represent, neither of which is true.

Purchasing trailer with no local warranty support?

goducks10
Explorer
Feb 22, 2018
I'll never compromise on brand for the sake local dealer convenience. Bought my current 5er 250 miles away. MFG set me up for the one warranty item I couldn't fix. The other was when the water pump failed. Called the MFG and they sent me a new one. If you can screw in a garden hose you can replace a water pump.
You'll have your RV long after your warranties gone. I would call the MFG and ask what they'll do for you if you aren't near a dealer and are having problems. No different than if your on a long trip and need help.
Community Alumni
Feb 22, 2018
goducks10 wrote:
You'll have your RV long after your warranties gone. I would call the MFG and ask what they'll do for you if you aren't near a dealer and are having problems. No different than if your on a long trip and need help.

Exactly!
old_guy
Explorer
Feb 22, 2018
simply put, why don't you call the locals and inquire if they do warranty work on the brand you are looking at. then you will know just where you stand
95jersey
Explorer
Feb 22, 2018
goducks10 wrote:
I'll never compromise on brand for the sake local dealer convenience. Bought my current 5er 250 miles away. MFG set me up for the one warranty item I couldn't fix. The other was when the water pump failed. Called the MFG and they sent me a new one. If you can screw in a garden hose you can replace a water pump.
You'll have your RV long after your warranties gone. I would call the MFG and ask what they'll do for you if you aren't near a dealer and are having problems. No different than if your on a long trip and need help.

I do lots of work, but I'd rather not, that is the purpose of a warranty. Also, while I can fix a water pump, I may not be able to diagnose a water leak. Don't want to be stuck with some recurring problem that only dealer can resolve.
rbpru
Explorer II
Feb 22, 2018
Warranty work on a new unit seems to be all to common. We bought a used TT but that certainly is no guarantee of trouble free RVing.

Fortunately I have been able to fix the problems we encountered.
bob213
Explorer
Feb 22, 2018
I called the mfg. warranty dept. and asked for a list of authorized service shops in my area. I told them I had been using a repair facility that only repaired not sells rvs and it was on their list. I'm sure I'm in the minority but it worked great for me. It's worth a try.
goducks10
Explorer
Feb 22, 2018
bob213 wrote:
I called the mfg. warranty dept. and asked for a list of authorized service shops in my area. I told them I had been using a repair facility that only repaired not sells rvs and it was on their list. I'm sure I'm in the minority but it worked great for me. It's worth a try.

Thats almost exactly what I did. Called the MFG and they set me up with an independent RV repair shop. I bought my 5er 250 miles away. I did have one dealer 50 miles away and one 70 miles away. Got the better deal 250 miles away. I would've got the problem fixed at the same RV repair shop regardless of where I bought it. IMO a MFG is more important than a dealer. Much easier to deal with a MFG that wants to help.
2_Retired
Explorer
Feb 22, 2018
We also purchased our RV far away from home. Have had no problems at all with warranty work being done with an authorized local shop.
Huntindog
Explorer
Feb 22, 2018
gemsworld wrote:
I have yet to encounter one single instance of any dealer refusing to do warranty work in any of the RVs I bought elsewhere.

In my opinion, this is a fear tactic used by the dealers to keep potential customers from shopping for a better deal elsewhere.
We have a winner!. I will also say that for the money saved, you CAN get service fast.

I saved a little over $10,000 buying 2500 miles from home.I never needed much during the 1 year warranty, and even after the warranty was up, The manufacturer still did me right.
So I still have the $10,000. If I need repairs even today, many years from when I bought it, I can go anywhere and PAY CASH on the spot... I believe that would make me a PRIORITY customer.
Money talks. Always has, always will.

Anyways as for the OP... Buy what you want. The warranty usually isn't all that great in the RV world.
wrgrs50s
Explorer
Feb 22, 2018
I don't know about other brands but I have a Heartland Sundance. Heartland will approve any independent mobile tech or shop to do warranty repairs, minus the service call/trip charge for the mobile tech, which is well worth it to not have to bring your rig in to a shop and wait.

The kicker, I found, was that not all independent repair places, or mobile techs are willing to wait for approval and payment from the manufacturer, therefore you pay up front and seek reimbursement in those instances.