when to do walk through?

[al7601]

we have our walk through and picking up our 2008 Jay feather on Friday and was wondering do dealers expect you to sign and pay before or after the walk through?

first timer here as you could tell and was looking for some advice as to what is the normal process.

thank you

[3boxerss]

Print out a list of all things to look for an to ask and take it with you. Its too easy to forget something in the excitement of the walk thru.

[CA_Traveler]

All to often dealers do little if anything before the sale and it's also common for after sale repairs to very low priority. Once they have your money the motivation changes.

Call the inspection whatever but if you search you'll find PDI lists on this and other forums.

Some items that can get overlooked:
1. Bring the slides in and check cabinet access, etc. One poster can't use the bathroom.
2. Check access with DS slides in like parked in front of a friends house.
3. Check the tires date of mfg, guessing the OPs rig tires are 8 years old.
4. Check everywhere for leaks, including under the slides with them out.
5. Crawl under and check everything including rust due to salt perhaps.

If you do a complete PDI you'll know what you're buying before you buy.

[beemerphile1]

Confusing terms being used.

My definitions;

PDI (pre-delivery inspection) - performed by the service technician before the buyer arrives for delivery. This is called prep by a car dealer and is intended to verify correct operation of all systems and find glaring warranty issues.

Walk-thru - performed by a dealer representative (lot boy, salesman, or service tech) with the buyer to demonstrate operation of systems.

Another one could be PPI (pre-purchase inspection) - performed by buyer to find glaring omissions or warranty items.

[CA_Traveler]

al7601 wrote:
we have our walk through and picking up our 2008 Jay feather on Friday

This is a common mistake as this implies that you are emotionally going to sign and YOU DO NOT WANT A WALK THROUGH!

Search and make a Pre Delivery Inspection list. On that PDI list have tires, paint, roof, rust, appliances, water leaks, all equipment, prior accident - absolutely everything.

Plan on spending a day or more and be prepared to walk. It might be very wise for you to hire a professional.

Buying a RV is not like buying a car when it comes to repairs. Start reading the various posts related to service and repairs otherwise you could be blind sided.

Since this is Thrs my strong advice is to delay perhaps a week until you can be ready, but will you? I know they will tell you they have another buyer but don't let them be in charge.

[myredracer]

gafidler wrote:
2 X... sch911

Make that x3.

I've even read of cases where the potential buyer gave the dealer a list of things to take care of in the PDI and then when they went to pick it up, nothing was done. Do a deficiency list in advance and go over it in detail before accepting it. And even if they have addressed everything, there is a chance that they haven't corrected or fixed things properly.

Unless you have experience with owning a TT for a number of years, I would even go as far as to say hire an independent RV tech to look at it for you, if it isn't too late. For ex., what if the shackles are shot and need replacing, the bearings are loose, brakes aren't working properly, caulking is needed on the roof or the converter isn't working properly. Are these things that you can determine yourself? These sorts of things can become awfully expensive to fix after the fact. That's an 8 year old TT and there could very well be things that you can't see on your own.

[Tyandkate]

Do that walk through before and take as much time as possible. If you sign first you won't have any leverage with them if there was something you could have seen when I bought ours I had to sign several forms says it's being sold As Is since it's a used unit

[RedRocket204]

korbe wrote:
We had our walk through after we shook hands on the deal. The walk through was to show us how everything worked, not to show us all the little problems.

Exactly and chances are, most dealers will take this approach. Which is why it is important to do your own "walk through" before agreeing on the purchase. I suspect you completely understand that.

Someone already said it... "Your money, your rules". Much more leverage before signing the purchase and handing over the money.

[korbe]

We had our walk through after we shook hands on the deal. The walk through was to show us how everything worked, not to show us all the little problems.

[RedRocket204]

As others recommended, Walk through 1st.

The good news is since the trailer you want to purchase is a 2008, most of the new TT issues were already taken care of... missing trim, badly aligned cabinetry/doors, heater/AC vents, axle alignment, water leaks caused by poor workmanship...

The bad news, you need to look closer at yearly maintenance items, all appliances working, slide-out in/out no less than 10 times and specifically, everything related to if there are leaks from 8 years of use and travel. Hopefully the TT is fully closed when you arrive and check for the initial smell... musty, damp is potentially very bad. Look at all interior walls and floors, behind couches and check for soft spots, damp carpet, etc. Check around windows and beneath windows for signs of leakage. Then, somehow you need to inspect the roof... most critical. Look to see if it appears regular re-caulking of seams was done. This may be more difficult to determine by someone with limited experience, see if you can bring along an acquaintance that has knowledge. Check around all external lighting and see if the trailer side looks wavy/warped <-- sign of a leak or previous leak. I would also inspect under the TT and look at the frame for any signs of cracking/stress. Topical rust will probably be there and wouldn't be much a concern unless the rust was really bad. Test all propane appliances, heater, fridge, stove top, oven, propane detector, smoke alarms. Then connect shore power and check everything again that uses 120v AC. Connect water and check water heater and all faucets/toilet and check for water pipe leaks.

[gafidler]

2 X... sch911

[sch911]

1. Schedule the PDI (walk through) days before the delivery date.
2. Do the PDI. Create a hit list of items that need to be fixed.
3. Schedule the delivery.
4. Show up, do a walk through to make sure all items are taken care of.
5. Sign the papers and pay.

[TNRIVERSIDE]

camperforlife wrote:
Good dealerships don't finalize the paperwork until the walk through is complete and everything is to your satisfaction.

What they said.

[NanciL]

On a new trailer, it is after you sign.
I would assume it would be the same on a used, or they would be walking through every tom dick and harry that looked at the trailer

It normally is stated in the contract how it will be handled.

jack L

[gbopp]

When you sign the paperwork and pay for the unit, it belongs to you.
Don't sign or pay until everything is working to your satisfaction.