The lost art of PDI and test drives...

[Desert_Captain]

I've read several threads lately on this and other RV Forums where {usually} new owners are bemoaning various issues with their RV. Certain manufacturers get routinely trashed because the new rig wasn't what they ordered or had a host of obvious problems from day one. One complaineer was mad because they ordered all stainless steel appliances and did not get them. I understand being mad, frustrated, irritated etc you should be if you do not get exactly the rig you wanted. But why I have to ask, did they accept delivery of coach that clearly was not what they purchased?

The PDI is probably your most valuable tool in "preparing" to close the deal and go home a happy camper. Often we read a list of things that don't work properly {the bedroom TV, Microwave, generator, electrical outlets, water heater etc.} that, had they been tested during the PDI, the problems would have been disclosed before their hard earned money was handed over to the seller.

Every system in the rig should be run and tested for performance during the PDI. This can and probably should take hours. Video everything they show you which will be invaluable when you are trying to use these systems and to show the dealer/manufacturer should problems arise down the line.

Manufacturers warranties, often handled by the selling dealer have a long history of being problematic so why go there? If the rig is not right and the dealer cannot/will not make it right "Run Forrest Run!"

Others complain about the ride and handling, wind noise, rattles etc., the list is endless. This got me to wondering... doesn't anyone do a thorough test ride anymore? Why would anyone consider anything less than hour on a variety of roads a valid test drive? Did you get out on the Interstate where big rig trucks can pass to see what effect {if any} they have? Try merging onto a highway with a short on ramp? Try pulling into and out of a tight gas station, how does it handle the driveways, what are your sight lines like etc?

If a motorhome or any trailer for that matter, does not ride, handle or tow well on the test drive it will not get one bit better on its own. Folks then become obsessed with adding aftermarket, big buck accessories to "cure" these perceived problems. Often the solution is to simply weigh the rig, air up the tires to the proper PSI for the load they are expected to carry and perhaps throw in an alignment {which the dealer should pay for...but I digress}.

I think most manufactureres do a decent job but I have never heard of a coach, any coach, that came off the showroom floor perfect and ready to roll. There will ALWAYS be issues that need to be addressed.

Unfortunately for the first time buyers who come here to rant and complain no one was out there to impress upon them the importance of quality time spent during the PDI and the need for a thorough test drive. I've never had the thrill of buying new {always bought used but the same lessons still apply} it must be quite a rush as so many do it but to have that experience ruined due to issues with the rig must be maddening.

So what say you folks? How long was your PDI/Test drive? What issues did you discover and how helpful was the dealer/manufacturer in addressing them? What {if anything} would you do differently?

:h

[lfcjasp]

We did some research before even looking at the motorhome DH decided he'd rather have rather than having to buy a beefier truck to safely haul a trailer.

We decided on the particular camper (he just wanted a driveable camper), did some more research, plunked down the deposit; at our PDI, the tech told us how everything ran and demonstrated lots of stuff. I had the honor of doing the test drive (around the block during rush hour).

We left the camper there for them to prepare for actual pick-up (like making sure we had all the accessories like sewer hose and connections...since we were trading in a hybrid trailer, they took out all the stuff we left in that unit and put in our new camper, too) and to make some repairs (bathroom door had been somewhat abused by previous shoppers who pushed it back too much for one thing).

Then we finally got our baby, took our maiden trip over 4th of July. Except for the inevitable leak in the cabover that the dealership fixed for us, we've had no complaints in over five years. The problems we're dealing with now are most likely due to age(?) and (I believe) our horridly humid summer.

[riven1950]

I'm no expert for sure. Learned most of my RV smarts from people on this forum. Thanks for that

When we bought our new TT in 2017 during the inspection I asked the salesman for a ladder to inspect the roof. He says, why, it's a new TT. I answered that is exactly why it needs inspection. He found a ladder.

[2edgesword]

We purchased our second TT this year. We were very fortunate that our first TT was purchased from a family owned dealer in CT that taught us how a proper PDI should be done. They spend three hours with us going over every aspect of the TT and operating each system. And since it was my first time towing taught me the hitch procedure and took me for a test drive.

We carried that experience over to our second purchase armed with an electrical outlet tester, laser thermometer, multi-meter, a DVD to run in the DVD player and instructions to the dealer that we were going to run every system, flip every switch, open ever door and climb on the roof (they weren't happy about me going on the roof but once on the ladder who was going to pull me down).

Realistically there are some things that the average person cannot check accurately, especially as systems get more and more complicated but as the OP mentioned, there are so many times I've heard complaints on issues that should have been caught during the PDI. In my mind you at least want to leave the dealers lot knowing you've done the best you could to inspect the unit.

[wannavolunteerF]

tragusa3

I gave them a "deposit" when I first saw the MH on RVtrader. They had agreed to take it in trade and I called the day it was advertised. I gave them a credit card number and scheduled an appointment to go look at it as soon as owner traded and cleaned out. I was told this was completely refundable, and in fact discovered a charge had not been run against my card. When I went and looked I signed a "buyers order" and gave them a check for a thousand. Once they finished repairing, cleaning, etc and I picked it up, I signed the actual sales order and financial paperwork. That was at the end of the first day, so after I had spent 4-5 hours and driven, was when I was asked to sign final paperwork. Oh yeah, they reimbursed me for cost to drive a rental car up and pickup MH as I had nothing to tow, they also covered the costs for a local repair guy to replace that thermostat so that I didn't have to go back to ATL, since I live nearly 200 miles south. both reimbursements were received from corporate within about a week from the time I emailed.

Feel free to PM me if you want additional info.

[bikendan]

NRALIFR wrote:
Not every RV buyer is capable of doing a thorough PDI. In fact, I’d say the vast majority are not. If they were, the RV service departments wouldn’t be as flooded with business as they are.

That's my point. All prospective buyers have to do, is go to any RV forum and ask what should I know BEFORE buying. They'll get the answer to use a PDI checklist.
I see some newbies that have done some research, ask "does anyone have a PDI checklist"?
Some RV forums have a PDI checklist sticky.
So the info is out there, it's just some don't care to educate themselves.

[john_bet]

Here is my story and most of you will not believe it. Made a deal at a Grand Design dealer for a 2017 unit. A couple of days later they called and asked if we would take a 2018 fresh of the line that was due in before our agreed upon delivery date. Well yes, but everything needs to work as we were leaving in 4 days after delivery. The unit supposedly rolled off assembly line on a Friday and the dealer had it on the following Monday. Arrived at the dealer the following Sat. as agreed upon for delivery. Then the bomb shell hit. the sales poeple told us they foegot to tell the service dept. that the unit was sold and needed to be ready by sat. We said they better get on it and that everything had better work period. This was not our first rodeo. They got it ready, cost us an extra hour of wait time, brought it around front I back into the hitch and asked how the electric leveling system worked. They showed me and away we went. We have not called the or visited the dealer since and this happened in may of 2017. Nothing has broke, failed or what ever and I have had no questions on how something works or is suppose to work. As of today we have approx. 8k miles on it to include 7 weeks straight and 5k miles last Aug. to Oct. We did basically the same when we bought our Montana 5th in 2005. It never went back to the dealer either in the 12 years of ownership. No warranty issues on either unit in their warranty time period. I guess some of us just get real lucky.

[paddykernahan]

colliehauler wrote:
I don't bother with a PDI, hook up and take it home and start repairs and modifications. In fact none of my new RV'S I've purchased ever went back to the dealer for repairs. None had major issues I couldn't fix correctly the first time.

One dealer I purchased from 4-season's has a nice campground on site for people to spend a couple of nights to try everything out.

We picked up our MH and there was only a 15 min walkthrough.
I had seen the manufacturer's walkthrough online and knew more than the dealer did.
Everything looked to be working at the time.

The next day drove from Michigan to Oregon.

Found out on the trip the on demand water heater wasn't 100%.

Fixed myself.
Few other things have issues with and I fixed myself.

As colliehauler said, I work on modifications and fix things myself when possible.



Fi

[valhalla360]

No reason just about anyone can't do a decent PDI that will catch most obvious issues if you are systematic about it.

But a 1 hour test drive isn't going to happen for most sales...particularly trailers where they are likely to balk at any test drive. A 15 minute test drive of a motorhome where you take it to the nearby freeway interchange, get up to speed, then turn around at the next interchange is about the best you can reasonably expect...maybe if you are looking at a high end diesel pusher and you put down a deposit contingent upon a defined successful test drive but a basic small Class C...I wouldn't expect then to be OK with you leaving for an hour or more or taking it at high speed down a rough dirt road. Not saying it can't happen but expect a lot of push back.

99% of the bad ride/towing stuff doesn't require a test drive. When you hook up a 12k trailer to a truck rated for 7k, it doesn't take a test drive to predict potential problems.

[jplante4]

Half of my inspection business is showing new RVers how things work. They have already plunked down their money and driven it off the lot without so much as a driving lesson. I spend the best part of a day going through everything. I charge more for this than a normal pre-purchase inspection.

Most of these buyers have zero skills to deal with even minor issues and are at the mercy of the dealership to get everything done.

[tragusa3]

wannavolunteerFT wrote:

tragusa3 wrote:
Just sold the second one and are now in the market for a used Class 'A'. Will not buy without hours of running EVERY system, a lengthy test drive and a mechanic's (of my hiring) visit for the drive-train.

After 100's of nights now in our TT's, I feel as qualified as anyone.

I just bought a used Class A from National Indoor RV Center in Lawrenceville (Atlanta) and got the best PDI I have ever seen. When I first looked at it, I was allowed time to look and poke around. It was hooked to electricity, but not water at that point. I was able to open and close slides, and poke around all I wanted. Put a deposit and scheduled to return in two weeks for pickup. When I returned for pickup, I had a tech assigned to me and he spent 4-5 hours with me going over how things worked, suggestions of things to make it easier, and a drive around. I then was hooked up in their lot to electricity and water and given the gate code so I could spend the night. Same tech arrived about 8:30 the next morning with coffee and doughnuts to answer any questions and resolve anything I had found over night, including scheduling replacement of a thermostat that they didn't have in shop. Best experience ever. oh yeah, I bought a 3 yr old GAS MH and got the same treatment the folks buying the 1/2 million dollar rigs did.

That's great testimony! I will consider them, as I am less than 2 hours. At what point in the process had you committed?

[wannavolunteerF]

tragusa3 wrote:
Just sold the second one and are now in the market for a used Class 'A'. Will not buy without hours of running EVERY system, a lengthy test drive and a mechanic's (of my hiring) visit for the drive-train.

After 100's of nights now in our TT's, I feel as qualified as anyone.

I just bought a used Class A from National Indoor RV Center in Lawrenceville (Atlanta) and got the best PDI I have ever seen. When I first looked at it, I was allowed time to look and poke around. It was hooked to electricity, but not water at that point. I was able to open and close slides, and poke around all I wanted. Put a deposit and scheduled to return in two weeks for pickup. When I returned for pickup, I had a tech assigned to me and he spent 4-5 hours with me going over how things worked, suggestions of things to make it easier, and a drive around. I then was hooked up in their lot to electricity and water and given the gate code so I could spend the night. Same tech arrived about 8:30 the next morning with coffee and doughnuts to answer any questions and resolve anything I had found over night, including scheduling replacement of a thermostat that they didn't have in shop. Best experience ever. oh yeah, I bought a 3 yr old GAS MH and got the same treatment the folks buying the 1/2 million dollar rigs did.

[Ralph_Cramden]

NRALIFR wrote:
Then a few of them show up on here with their complaints and questions. Most of the time I just think to myself “you don’t have the tools or the skills to be taking on a job like that”. So their shiny new RV sits at the dealer for months and they complain about it.

:):)

Which is the point of these RV boards to begin with isn't it?

I personally dont see the use of one being in existence if its purpose is for everyone to sit around singing Kumbaya while praising the RV Industry, which everyone knows is a stellar industry when it comes to quality control, quality assurance, and customer service, not to mention outstanding warranty service and support after the sale.

Their are some manufacturer specific boards out there whose mods are brand fanboys and nitpick posts apart when said manufacturer is questioned regarding anything. Theyre essentially useless in my book.

[NRALIFR]

Seasoned RV’ers can and certainly should be able to check all the systems in a new unit. But, RV sales supposedly are booming right now, and in my opinion a huge percentage of those new buyers are the same ones that are salivating over the prospect of buying an autonomous vehicle. They don’t want to do anything remotely technical for themselves. Then a few of them show up on here with their complaints and questions. Most of the time I just think to myself “you don’t have the tools or the skills to be taking on a job like that”. So their shiny new RV sits at the dealer for months and they complain about it.

:):)

[ken56]

Most sales today are new buyers and how would they know how to do a proper PDI? Its an emotional thing and people are on a happy high. I'm on TT #3 and with that one I spent maybe an hour on it. That said I am one of those who will repair things myself outside of needing replacement parts from the manufacturer. Had to take this latest unit back to the dealer, a 160 mile round trip, for Replacement of the interior LED lighting then again for some of the exterior LED lights. Both times were 3-4 weeks they kept it waiting for parts from Keystone with the last one making me cancel a planned trip.


A lot of people do not have the mechanical ability or inclination to repair their own rigs. If it involves repalcement parts that could be expensive then we are beholding to the selling dealer if we don't want to absorb the cost of those parts, and we shouldn't pay out of pocket for parts covered under warranty. What can you do?