As a full-timer - we find that warranties are seldom worth the paper they are written upon.
Because the manufacturer wants the rig dropped off at a dealer for any issue. They will not pay for a mobile technician.
One example - water pump acting flaky. Works some times does not other times. Was near Fort Lauderdale, FL. Mfr of the pump wanted the rig taken to a local dealer. They would NOT pay for a mobile tech, and would not consider his opinion as to what was wrong. Only one dealer was available south of Orlando - and I would have to reserve a 'work spot' a month before I bring in the rig. And it was taking them approx six weeks from when the rig was dropped in their lot until their techs could get to working on the possible warranty issue. No - we could not stay in the rig on their lot.
Second example - Suburban Water Heater developed a pinhole leak in the top of the tank - would only leak when heating water. Suburban did drop ship a warranty replacement water heater to a service location/ dealer in Hartford, CT. The best they could give us was to bring the rig 85 miles - drop it off on a Saturday afternoon, and they might could get it fixed on Monday. Or pay $120 for a tech to drive out to our location and install the new WH. (Approx 24 gallons of fuel to tow the rig at $2.70 per gal local price - so only really cost me about $55)
Third example - electrical converter stopped charging battery/ supplying 12 volt at Zion NP. Mfr wanted me to take the rig to Salt Lake City to a dealer who might be able to get to it in a couple days. Instead we went on with our plans to Las Vegas and paid for a new converter (better model) and labor charge to have it installed by a mobile tech in less than three hours.
Fourth example - had a hub failure. Happened 5 miles from where we bought the rig. Got it to them, they had a tech look at it first thing the next morning. Discovered broken welds where Dexter Axle was welded to Forest River bracket (Dexter process) was allowing that side of the axle to move forward and backward while under tow. Documented the info - and Extra-Ride extended warranty authorized replacement of both axles. Took 31 days to get fixed when we had to live at my daughter's house. Long delay was because Dexter only builds Forest River axles one week a month and we were at the wrong end of the cycle.
I've seen many posts over the years where folks make the trip to the manufacturer plant rather and put up with the rig being in a shop for four - six - eight weeks or more and having to live in a motel.
If you need the rig for your full-time home - you just have to pray that nothing serious happens and be prepared to pay for a repair from a mobile tech rather than fight with/ wait for approval for a warranty repair.
Had we had to pay for the cost of housing for a month after the axle replacement - it could easily have been more than the total cost of the repair without any warranty.
Full-Time 2014 - ????
“Not all who wander are lost.”
"You were supposed to turn back at the last street."
2012 Ram 2500 Mega Cab
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS TT
