Gonna bring home new 5er, got inspection questions

[Chuckdog]

We will be signing paperwork on our new Sabre 34 TBOK on Monday night. We are having a morryde pinbox installed right away so we probably won't be bringing it home on Monday.

This is our first new fifth wheel purchase. What is the standard procedure when picking up a new Fifth wheel and going over it and checking things over. They had an open house today and they were very busy so I just walked around the outside of our camper to look things over. There was a few nicks in the paint on the bike rack on the back and I did notice a few questionable caulk areas on the sides of the camper.

Just wanted to see how picky we should be before we take things home.

[Uppercrust]

Check the black & Gray tank valves, open & close them a couple times also.

[simsfmly]

DO NOT BE RUSHED by the dealer guy who's doing the walk through. Often they schedule him for every hour or so. Tell him upfront, you want no time restraints.

If there's a way you can keep it on site overnight, that's the bomb.

Ditto everything about the water system.

[AUWing]

Congrats on the new rig.

Good you had a chance to do a walk around yesterday, that will give you a great head start. Ask a lot of questions and push every button twice. After they show you how something works, ask to do it yourself.

By chance is this from a dealer in Slinger? If so, you're in good hands but ask questions

One last thing, good luck getting any sleep tonight :).

[FastEagle]

Make sure the tires are properly serviced before leaving for home.

FE

[Lantley]

Be very diligent and patient.CHECK EVERYTHING! That means every: latch, catch, knob,outlet,valve,switch,connection,slide,furnace a/c,faucet etc.
Picking up a new RV is an exciting time but curb your enthusiasm and go over everything. Go room by room and check everything in the room. If you discover something broke when you get own consider it your own fault!
Check operation of windows,locks, fans. Check it all.
Make sure ecerything is working to your satisfaction. If things are not right do not accept RV. Let them know you will return to pick it up when it is ready.
As long as you refuse to accept leverage is on your side and the dealership will respond. Once you sign leverage goes back to the dealer and you are now just a warranty claim!
The PDI is a very critical/important step in the buying process that most consumers take for granted and do not perform a critical enough inspection.
Make it clear to the dealer that you will be awhile. Take your time check rooms all joints etc. look around beneath the RV as well.
Assume nothing works until you test it!

[3_dog_nights]

reiterate Old-Biscuit : Video the entire PDI! no matter if they are just showing you how to turn on the kitchecn faucet. I can't tell you how many times I've gone back to "refresh" my memory.

[sidney]

Here is a PDI Check List

Link

[Oasisbob]

I would also suggest a pressure test for potential leaks. You are laying out alot of cash here. Congrats BTW

[Artum_Snowbird]

Try and go see it when it is just pouring outside. Then go around every seam, every edge, slide out, everything and just verify it is dry. Dampness is so obvious by just running your hand around from dry to damp.

All good ideas here..

[Wiscampsin]

Congrats on your new Sabre! You should be just as picky going thru it as going thru any new camper. Do you have a PDI checklist? If not do a search for one. Take your time and make sure they show you how everything works. Are you working with Freedom RV? We bought 2 campers from them and they will take care of you and anything you find wrong. Make sure you join us over here too http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/. The dealer might not tell you about it but you can get a 2nd year warranty thru Forest River for $150. Details are on the FR site. You can find a PDI checklist there too. Hope all goes well for you on Monday!

[MM49]

Check to see how the water tank is suspended. If it suspended by 2 - 3 light straps or angle iron, tell him you want the proper Lippert support platform. Many RV companies scrimp on mounting the water tank because they don't want to purchase one more additional component. The really don't care about there customers in any way.
MM49

[Uppercrust]

Don't forget to check the awning, how to light your oven, and turning on lights. Take your time going through everything.

[Allworth]

Anything you might find that should be fixed by the dealer MUST be noted in writing ON THE SALES CONTRACT and signed by a general manager, not a salesman.

Not that dealers try to get out of fixing things, but they do sometimes "forget".

[wrgrs50s]

What I have found is that anything you want repaired before taking delivery of the rig is attended to immediately. After you have taken delivery and the money is in their pockets it takes 3 and 4 weeks in some cases for the simplest repairs. The excuse after the sale is that they have to contact the manufacturer's warranty department and await an approval before completing repairs.

It would be wise to make a checklist of items before accepting delivery. A pre delivery inspection of all operating components, such as running the slides in and out several times and check that they are sealing properly, run the awning out and make sure nothing is binding and all looks good, have them turn the fridge on before your arrival to make sure its cooling, have water hooked up to rig and run in every sink and shower watching for water leaks under cabinets where drains are located, etc. The most common problem with new rigs is water leaks and loose electrical wiring, or things not wired, such as antennas and etc.

This may sound like a lot to ask of the dealer but smart buyers do this all the time. I was given a 4 hr slot for a PDI and still missed a few things that I forgot to check. You'll be glad you did if you follow this advice. There's nothing worse than gettin all excited about your first campout only to find multiple problems and having to bring your rig back and wait weeks for them to even take a look at it.

Some dealer will let you stay overnight in the rig on their premises to check everything out !

If they balk on a lengthy PDI, threaten to walk. They want the sale and will most likely be more than willing to take the amount of time you request.