Picking up our new trailer

[rrev]

We bought our old travel trailer used 4 1/2 years ago. It was used and it was our first. Now, we have decided that we wanted bigger and better. Well, I bought a Duramax so we had to right? lol Anyways, this is my first new travel trailer I have ever bought. Actually, first new anything. It's a 2016 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 329BHU by the way. It's got it all; bunk room, two slides, outdoor kitchen, power everything, enclosed and heated underbelly, ect. We really excited to be bringing it home next weekend. So, the question is, is there anything that I really need to look for when I pick it up at the dealer? Common factory defects, missing things, ect. Stuff like that that seems to be all to common. Any help of what to look for would be great. I'm planning on doing a major look over but if there is something that you folks have run across on your new trailers, let me know so I have a better idea of what to look at specifically. Thanks!!!!

[NanciL]

It is a new house. The only difference is it is on wheels.

Inspect it like you would a new house, (everything)

I have a check off list that I have compiled, from having owned two previous trailers.

- Check all roof seams and wall seams for leak signs
-Operate stove and oven
-Operate the microwave
- Operate Refrigerator and freezer on both gas and electric
-Operate the propane switch- over valve
-Operate the water heater
-Operate the slides, (automatically and manually)
-Operate the 12volt pump
-Operate the heater
-Operate the Air conditioner
-Operate the tongue jack
-Operate the stabilizers
-Operate all switches
-Test all outlets
-Check all lights
-Check all piping for leaks
-Check all drains and traps for leaks
-Operate the dump valves
-Open and close all drawers and cabinets
-Open and close all doors and windows

Add or subtract as necessary

jack L

[rrev]

Thanks everyone. We're pretty familiar with operations of how the stuff works. I'm more concerned about common factory defects/mistakes is assembly. All the advice is good though, there were a couple things I hadn't thought about.

[DinTulsa]

Congrats!!! The wife and I have been busy packing our New to Us TT. Now if it will only warm up!

[Vulcanmars]

Let us know how you like the new rig. I'm looking at the same one when we sell ours.
The other post pretty much cover it. New = "never ever worked" assume nothing. Don't let the excitement get the best of you and take the time before you leave the lot to check everything.

[Baja937]

PDI...Do it regardless of what the dealer might say...Sign nothing until you do...

Request the entire PDI be recorded and put to a DVD and keep it in the trailer for future reference...

BEFORE you go to the dealer request 2 FULL propane tanks that you should get anyway. Access to electric power, a battery installed and water in the fresh tank...

Operate EVERYTHING including every light switch, every faucet, shower, toilet etc...Open and close all slides and the awning...Extend and retract all stabilizer jacks and the tongue jack...

TAKE A METER with you to check the operation of the Converter...Across the battery terminals should be right near 13.6V with the battery disconnect switch in the right position...It will DROP when you open the disconnect switch...DO IT or you won't know if that Converter is working...

Have them show you how to bypass the HWH and how to use the Pump to winterize...

Operate the HWH in both Electric AND on Propane...MAKE them operate the fridge on Electric and then trip it so it converts to Propane...

Use the outside shower...Operate the tank valves and low water point drains when you're finished...

Make a LIST before you go...There's alot to do and you will MISS something without a list...

[cmeade]

Not sure if it applies to your unit, but on our new 5ver we were missing the dining table leaf on our first trip. Then we noticed hinges on the table base and voila we have a leaf!! Nobody showed it to us. They also did not tell us it had 2 grey tanks and 2 drain valves. Kitchen sink backed up until we found the drain valve. We felt like rookies!!

[GaryWT]

Congrats and good luck, enjoy. As others said, have them show you everything. Hooked up to water, the fridge heat and AC as well as opening and closing the slides. If something does not look or feel right, ask about it.

[xteacher]

We have a low end Starcraft AR-ONE 14RB. We found that the framing for the couch and the dinette were sub-par, to the point of the ends not even completely meeting at the corners, and they had to be rebuilt (under warranty). Don't accept sub par construction. We didn't think to look at this until we removed them to store items under them, and we discovered it.

Also make sure that all plumbing pipes and fixtures are tight (kitchen, bathroom, outdoor shower). On a previous TT (not a Starcraft), we discovered a leak under the kitchen sink that was caused by the pipe not connected tightly - easy fix. Along those same lines, make sure all sinks drain properly and that the toilet flushes properly. Make sure the dealer then empties the fresh water tank before you tow it home, and also winterizes it, if you'll be in freezing weather.

Make sure your slide outs' seals are installed correctly. The same previous TT was actually missing one, which caused it to leak, ruining cabinets inside. Thankfully, it was under warranty, so we didn't have to pay for the replacements.

One thing most people don't think about - make sure the cable connections work for t.v. viewing. We've had more than one TT that had cables behind the wall that were crimped, causing lack of cable t.v. reception.

Make sure all appliances work, and that all lights (interior/exterior), the slides, tank indicators lights, etc. work properly. Make sure the technician doing your walk through shows you every switch, every moving part, etc. That's his/her job. Don't be rushed through your walk through and ask questions. Take notes or video it, because you won't be able to remember everything.

I'm sure others will have other things to look for.

[TrailerTravele1]

I think it probably varies by trailer manufacturer. Is there an owners forum for Starcraft? I'd start there & ask for a PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) report. It should list anything known to Starcraft owners to watch out for. The Lance Owners Forum had one and we provided it to our dealer before taking delivery - to let him know we wanted to go over each thing on the list (it was a bit lengthy). It also let him know up front, we wanted a thorough inspection, not just a standard ... "here it is, look it over". They demonstrated the systems as well. I video'd parts because we figured (correctly) that we'd never remember everything that was said in our celebratory haze of getting our first trailer. 🙂

[rbpru]

Our dealer gave us an hour and a half walk thorough covering every feature and appliance including where to jack it up for a flat.

Think about your current TT and what information you know about it and make sure you know as much about the new TT.

[gbopp]

Congrats on the new TT.
Personally, I would inspect a new unit the same as a used unit. Unfortunately, just because it's new does not mean everything was constructed or installed properly.
Check it out well and have everything corrected before you take it home. You will probably have very few problems.
Enjoy your travels.