First Time Buyer! > Need advice on inspections

[Fischerking]

Folks , I have been looking for a while and settled on a nice class A Winnebago Vista 27N. Its a 2013 with 4K miles. I am picking it up next week. I will probably purchase the extended warranty (not powertrain, which is covered) through Campingworld, where i am buying it. Future service will be at another Campingworld much closer to my home.

I haven't been able to easily find an RV inspector for the inspection. My question are:

1) Since Campingworld is doing the sale but also servicing it in the future, should i feel comfortable they will do a good pre-sale inspection and not worry about hiring someone?

2) Should i feel comfortable buying a extended warranty (its about 4K for 4 years) from one location but have it serviced 10 hrs away at another location? I believe Campingworld is not franchised , so they own all the stores, so my assumption is it shouldn't matter much?

3) Any other advice? I have read a few good pointers on this forum. I am mechanically inclined and have worked on cars before...

Thanks in advance!!!! (my first of many posts)

[jplante4]

OP - check your private messages

[Godsey97]

If it ain't it writing, it never happened or was agreed upon. PLEASE do not take this as an attack on any particular dealer or company. I have learned in my life, be it purchase contracts or labor agreements that I help negotiate that I prefer to rely on faded ink as opposed to faded memories.

Good luck!

We are haggling over a Winny Vista 35F right now. Little back and forth with the dealer. May work out, may not, but believe I get everything in writing.

[Fischerking]

Thanks for the great advice!

I will videotape the inspection, whether i do it or bring along a mechanic buddy. And try every button/switch, etc...

The power train is still under warranty, so I will probably skip the extended warranty and put that $4000 away for repairs, great idea.

And get everything in writing.

[bamcote]

Make them check all the batteries right in front of you. We bought brand new Class A, got it home and the next day we noticed the batteries under the steps were cracked and empty of fluid.

[rk911]

Halmfamily wrote:
...We took the $1300 and put it into a savings account to pay for future repairs. I suggest you do the same with your $4000. At least in the end you'll have $4000 plus some interest if nothing goes wrong.

we did the same thing when we bought new back in 2000. we said no to the extended warranty and used the 2K as seed money for a maintenance and repair fund. we add $X per month to that fund even to this day and pay for all maintenance and repairs from it. we are way, way ahead, so much so that part of that fund will be used as part of a down payment on a new coach.

[Halmfamily]

If that $4000 for the warranty does not cover the powertrain you are over paying. When we purchased our fiver in 2012 we purchased a warranty, paid $1800 after negotiating from a starting price of $3000. We canceled the warranty when we picked up our new fiver last month and received $130O back.

That is $500 I'll never get back. Never used the warranty. We took the $1300 and put it into a savings account to pay for future repairs. I suggest you do the same with your $4000. At least in the end you'll have $4000 plus some interest if nothing goes wrong.

Just my opinion. Good luck and enjoy your new coach.

[10forty2]

Check the tires closely! Make sure the date codes are good. If it's a 2013 model, I would think that the date codes should be at least 2012. But even with that, you have at best 2, almost 3-year old tires. Believe me, you don't want to find out like I did that you have old tires......

[crasster]

A LOT of people will say "get it inspected", but very few are out there who just "know" who to inspect the RV. We hear that so much, but often I wonder where people find all these mysterious inspectors floating around.

Here's the scoop. I would get a mechanic (yes a regular mechanic) that you may know to inspect the coach if you don't know an official RV inspector. A mechanic will be able to tell you a lot of any mechanical issues. If they have a moderate head on their shoulders, they'll also be able to tell you if the roof is leaking, etc.

Of course this depends on the coach you are buying. A used Class A, sure I think a regular mechanic would be fine (so long as it is not loaded with tons of features). A very complicated and expensive diesel pusher - get on the interenet and find you an official mysterious RV inspector.

[msturtz]

I purchased a 7 year $100 deductible Good Sam extended warranty for a diesel pusher for $4400. I negotiated the cost before I showed up. I strongly recommend an independent inspector go over the unit. Get everything in writing so there is no question.

[JimM68]

http://rvtechcourse.com/ these guys might be able to point you to a certified inspector.

I would have camping world do a full PDI with you. That means Pre Delivery Inspection. It is their standard procedure, and they will have specific people supposedly trained and familiar with every system in the coach.
Every box, button and switch, they should show you, and you should see it work and remember how to work it again. If you need to, video it (or have your DW video while you pay attention...)

You need to see everything work, and understand how to repeat it.
we're talking a lot of stuff, these are complicated machines with many systems.

I agree with the poster above regarding the value (or lack of) of an extended warrantee. Odds are pretty good that everything that works today, will also work next month and next year.

[rk911]

Dennis M M wrote:
IMHO extended warranties are worthless, especially if they do not cover the drive train. What possible repair could justify $4k if the power train is excluded? If you do make sure you read the fine print VERY carefully before you sign anything.

Regarding question#2: you SHOULD be able to trust them, but I would not. If you are not comfortable I would recommend finding an independent inspector.

Welcome aboard by the way.

and if you are determined to buy the extended warranty then negotiate the price. if CW wants the sale they will deal on the ext. warr.

[Dennis_M_M]

IMHO extended warranties are worthless, especially if they do not cover the drive train. What possible repair could justify $4k if the power train is excluded? If you do make sure you read the fine print VERY carefully before you sign anything.

Regarding question#2: you SHOULD be able to trust them, but I would not. If you are not comfortable I would recommend finding an independent inspector.

Welcome aboard by the way.

[DutchmenSport]

Get it in writing that the second Camping World will honor the warranty and / or Service contract.

[msturtz]

Either do your own inspection or hire an independent inspector.