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TurboJeep's avatar
TurboJeep
Explorer
Sep 25, 2014

Question about maintenance with new purchase

I am about to pull the trigger on a used 2011 Fleetwood 38B with 20K miles on it. Before I buy it, the owner agreed to take it to a dealership(RV World of Ga.) to have it "checked out" for me. The owner and I agreed to split the bill.

The owner just got back with me as to what they found. They advised…..

Roof clean/Treat and Reseal
A/C Service for both units
Furnace service for both furnaces
Coach and House batteries replaced
And they are warrantying the passenger side camera(cloudy picture)

The total is $2101.50. Batteries were $1017, Roof reseal/treat was $499 which includes exterior wash of the RV, AC service at $257 and the furnace service is $128.50.

Since this is our first RV and don't know much about service pricing, do these prices seem about right? The batteries I'm pretty sure I can do better through my work(we build high performance street/drag cars). The owner says the batteries he thinks have another 2-3 years in them. He also states that the roof reseal could be done cheaper.

Is it in my best interest to go ahead and let them do the service until we learn more about the RV? I do feel a little more comfortable knowing that they are a Fleetwood dealer. Anyone have any thoughts for me? Thank you in advance…….

Harrison
Class A
  • Dale_Traveling's avatar
    Dale_Traveling
    Explorer II
    Sep 25, 2014
    Wow! That's a lot for 3 year old coach and a bit more then I would be willing to pay. Most of what they recommended is pretty simple general maintenance.

    Based on your list I would get the roof seals done (as in old removed and reseal and not new on top of old) but not the other roof items, you can clean the A/C's and furnace yourself, skip the batteries or maybe just the engine batteries and get the side camera cleared up. Maybe $250.

    Any plans to have the chassis check out (suspension, engine, transmission)? I worry more about what's below the floor than above.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    No idea what "clean and reseal" roof means on a 3 year old coach.

    Climb up there with them and have them explain what $500 worth of work needs to be done.

    If the A/C service includes cleaning BOTH the evaporator and condenser, go for it. If not, it is only half (the easy half) to clean the condenser only.

    On the furnace, what exactly are they going to do-- can't imagine that the burner needs to be removed and cleaned that soon.

    Said another way, have them take the "bamboozle" out of it and explain exactly what they will be doing.

    As far as batteries, we can not comment without knowing number and kinds of batteries.
  • 93mastercraft's avatar
    93mastercraft
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    That to me seems a little high too. I don't really understand how bad that roof is. For that price, it must be in really bad shape. Was the RV stored inside or outside. I think that would be my determining factor from the get go. If you have that much to invest in the house (and batteries) there's no telling how much is yet to be done the the chassis and drive train. And that my friend, with the exception of the roof would be my primary concern. I would question the maintenance and upkeep on this one.
  • Effy's avatar
    Effy
    Explorer II
    Sep 25, 2014
    How many batteries are you replacing and at what cost!!? Definitely better to do that on your own. Cleaning a resealing the roof is just that. Something that can easily be done yourself by washing it, inspecting the seams, removing caulk where there are cracks and putting on some Dicor. This is considered regular annual maintenance by the owner. DIY cost is the amount of caulk you need. Maybe $20. The furnace is likely LP lines tested etc. but if the furnace works I would leave well enough alone. A/C shouldn't need that thorough of cleaning for a 3 yr old coach and can be done by taking the interior and exterior covers off. From the sounds of it you are getting hustled by that dealer. I could take my 1 year old coach to a dealer and they would come up with a similar list probably about stuff they claim needs done and the inflated labor costs to go with it. $80-100/ hour rounded. Any time you ask a dealer to inspect a coach and ask what needs done, the list will be long. What you really want to know about this coach is if there was any water damage, frame and engine in good shape, as well as tires, brakes etc. Sounds more like they are going after a "once over" to get some cash.
  • 93mastercraft's avatar
    93mastercraft
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    93mastercraft wrote:
    That to me seems a little high too. I don't really understand how bad that roof is. For that price, it must be in really bad shape. Was the RV stored inside or outside. I think that would be my determining factor from the get go. If you have that much to invest in the house (and batteries) there's no telling how much is yet to be done the the chassis and drive train. And that my friend, with the exception of the roof would be my primary concern. I would question the maintenance and upkeep on this one.


    For a 3 year old coach,
    1. The roof should like white, bright and clean. There should be little to no mold. The Self leveling sealant should be in-tact in the places it supposed to be.

    2. Most batteries last 5 to 6 years when properly maintained/charged

    3. Not sure what type of maintenance they are talking about for the AC's. DO they blow cold air. You can check that yourself with a temperature gauge. There should be at a minimum a 20 degree drop. If not that means they need refrigerant and they have a leak somewhere.

    4. These furnaces are usually pretty simple to maintain. Again, if they light and blow hot air, the fan sounds good, the exhaust is not blocked.

    5. I have pretty much a new Thor and my side view cameras for what ever reason fog up too especially after I wash the coach/get them wet. It's not until I use them for a while and when they dry out good they clear up.
  • 93mastercraft's avatar
    93mastercraft
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    Effy wrote:
    How many batteries are you replacing and at what cost!!? Definitely better to do that on your own. Cleaning a resealing the roof is just that. Something that can easily be done yourself by washing it, inspecting the seams, removing caulk where there are cracks and putting on some Dicor. This is considered regular annual maintenance by the owner. DIY cost is the amount of caulk you need. Maybe $20. The furnace is likely LP lines tested etc. but if the furnace works I would leave well enough alone. A/C shouldn't need that thorough of cleaning for a 3 yr old coach and can be done by taking the interior and exterior covers off. From the sounds of it you are getting hustled by that dealer. I could take my 1 year old coach to a dealer and they would come up with a similar list probably about stuff they claim needs done and the inflated labor costs to go with it. $80-100/ hour rounded. Any time you ask a dealer to inspect a coach and ask what needs done, the list will be long. What you really want to know about this coach is if there was any water damage, frame and engine in good shape, as well as tires, brakes etc. Sounds more like they are going after a "once over" to get some cash.


    Yup, I agree too. I smell a rat. LOL, Either this motorhome is in some need of some serious maintenance or the dealer is out to make a few grand.
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    That was sort of like asking your barber if you need a hair cut.

    IMO all that stuff you need to learn to do it yourself anyways. Keeps more money in your pocket and you'll do a better job.
  • Nutinelse2do's avatar
    Nutinelse2do
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    So, why does the owner ( seller ) have the report and not you?
    Even if you have 6 batteries, for Trojans you are looking at $600-$700, not $1100.

    What did they say about the trannie, frame, differential, generator and the MAJOR stuff that can have problems? Did they even check?

    Everything you are talking is trivial stuff that you can fix your self, but on a 3 year old coach, it shouldn't need any of that if it was properly maintained. Either that or they are blowin smoke.

    JMO. Best of luck with your purchase.
  • Effy's avatar
    Effy
    Explorer II
    Sep 25, 2014
    That dealer saw you guys coming.

    You can bring it over to my place and I can do it all in an afternoon for half that cost. When we're done maybe we can chat about my ocean front property in AZ I have for sale.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2014
    Actually, some of this may be needed:

    Batteries-- sure they can last for 5-6 years IF PROPERLY CARED FOR AND NOT DEEPLY DISCHARGED. But, if they have sat on the dealer lot totally discharged for some time, they very well may be shot.

    Bottom line from buyers perspective-- if you can get new batteries for half of (reasonable) retail, DO.

    Again, we can't comment on battery cost without knowing more about the battery banks.

    A/C's-- particularly in hot humid climates (see you are in FL, so you are a poster child for this) if they have been run much, you SHOULD clean the evaporator (more important and more difficult) and the condenser as well as check the electrical area (connections tight and clean, condensers good, etc) and clean/replace the air filters (the easy, quick part).

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