It seems that there is alot of fresh lemonade being squeeze around here this spring. Why is it that some RV'ers can have so many problems an some only have a few or none. The trouble with a lemon is you can only get so much juice from one, than you have to get another.
Doesn't everyone read everything possible about the coach an chassis they are interested in, than make sure on the PDI they cover all the systems, they should have to understand the workings of.
I an most of us have had problems, alot of us have had the experience over the years an have the know how to correct problems.
You will read on many sites people buying their first MH an have never had a trailer, let alone driven a MH, gas or more complex diesel. The money they invest in such large sums an not understanding what they are investing in just 's the he!! out of me.
When somethings start to go wrong they have no clue what to do, other than start looking thru lemon laws.
The time to look for the lemons is before you pass that check, open all bottom draws, pull them out, check plumbing, wiring, drains, toilets, run water in sinks,toilets, ya I know dealer won't put in some water, you don't put the money in his pocket.
Have GEN running, check all elect, air,micro, appliances, 12v & 110 ckts. Check under, over, an around chassis, inside of engine housing, batteries, waterlevels,fluid levels everything you have on your list, if its as bad as some of the lists of faults we have seen lately you will not be going home in your new motor home. SORRY
The coachs can be as complex as the home you own, than you add a MH chassis with problems, good luck on your investment.
RVing should be an enjoyable experience, not all the hassel some people put themselfs thru.
We will be here to help, but ask some of the questions before you put out your large sums of money an maybe we will only need the concentrated LEMONADE. ---"007"

This message has been edited. Last edited by: "007",

007,

I really appreciate your comments and advice. Many buyer's probably are too quick to take delivery to properly inspect their new unit.

I am picking up a new 5th wheel on Thursday and will be doing my PDI at that time. I am not a new RV owner and this will not be my first PDI. My last PDI was not as thorough as it could have been as I did not know everything that I should have been looking at. But I can honestly say that in the three years we've owned the unit, not one of the numerous warranty repaired problems that we experienced could have been found during the PDI anyway. Like problems with black tank sensors. They certainly weren't going to let me fill all the tanks to see if each sensor worked. And a scissor jack that broke the second trip out. And a wire that became loose behind the stereo after a couple trips. And so on.

I will be more thorough with my PDI this time, but by no means do I expect to find every possible flaw in the coach. That's not realistic. If I were a plumber, an electrician, a carpenter, a mechanic, and an RV technician, with a little luck I might find all the problems. And I might not. That's why warranty coverage and dealer service are factors that most new unit buyers consider when buying an RV.

As you mentioned, these things "can be as complex as the home you own." I found minor flaws in my newest home for months after we moved in. And I lived there every day. I spent more than 10 hours inspecting that home. How much time would have been adequate to find them all? More time than I had available, that's for sure.

So, I will have to do my best on my PDI and hope that the number of warranty repairs down the road is minimal.

After all, in the end it is still the manufacturer who is reponsible for the quality of their product - not the consumer. Most people wouldn't even think to check the oil level on a new car, why do we have to do it on a new RV? We shouldn't, that's why.

This is a problem with our market system. We are letting companies off too easy. Consumers are expected to spend months doing research on products before they buy them, spend hours or even days inspecting the product and forcing the seller to repair them before accepting them, and then they are still blamed for lack of diligence if they have a problem with the item. And the whole time, the manufacturers are allowed to continue building garbage. Our tolerance for poor quality grows as fast as our consumer appetite, and the onus of quality manfuacturing on our producers dwindles with our voracious demand.

So next time you buy a light bulb, you better try it out before you leave the store, because the manufacturer is no longer responsible for making sure it works.

Good luck out there, now go shopping!

And the shame of it is that folks new to RVing and camping usually only find this site after the delivery of the new RV!
It is sad that the assumption of laying down $50,000 to a Million Dollars one gets a quality product.
It is sad that the dealers often are as much to blame as the manufacturer.
Chet

I have to agree with the both of you on the points that you have raised. What I wanted everyone to realize that the PDI shouldn't be rushed thru. The "MAJOR" items are the most important ones that shouldn't be over looked.
Fluid levels are miner but should be checked before you move that coach. My last one needed,oil in gen, anti-freeze an power steering. Dealer overlooked.
Something someone has brought up on this site finding low rear axel fluid, who would have thought of that oversite.
You mentioned holding tanks best time to do that is first campout, couple days using them check levels on indicators, if your worried of over flow check down toilet hole with flashlite, for black tank, gray tank will backup into shower leave items out of it. I will fill tanks on last day an adjust my holding tank levels with tool provided.
As your tanks fill up you will also find out if you have any tank leaks an plumbing leaks of pipes into tanks.
Dealers an warranties are important as you say, the elimination of as many problems on your PDI will help you put less stress on yourself an dealer, in the coming year.
All this said there will be problems if you have the know how you can fix them, if not don't be afraid to ask someone even if you think you know how, better safe than sorry. ---"007"

thecatsfan,
During your PDI check your support straps for holding tanks make sure they are strong enough for loaded tanks. Had a friend loose his in street, what a mess. ---"007"

007 I just wanted to add to your "open the drawers". Besides checking to see if the drawers work correctly, take the drawer out completely and look in the cavity to see how much debris is in there. If it's a mess, you have an insight
into the factory attitude.

There are RV mfg'rs who market their product with absolutely stunning interiors and exteriors but do a horrible job structurally.

My former diesel pusher was such a unit. It was not made in Iowa.

Your right Donavan, I was thinking what you said but it didn't get down in print.
You will also find alot of spare parts when you get inside those cabinets when you do. Newmar makes use of every space there is. ---"007"

007,

I couldn't check my tank straps if I wanted to. The tanks are inside of a totally enclosed belly. It takes a fair amount of effort to dissassemble the unit to get to the tanks. This is good and bad. They are well protected, but hard to work on.

Anyway, I spent the most time on mechanicals. Made them fix a ground wire on a light fixture. Made them repair the vent hose on a battery box that wouldn't stay on properly. Of course, the dealer added the box, so I couldn't blame the manufacturer. Made them adjust one drawer. Made them pull a few of the little freebies out of an identical unit that was just delivered that were missing in mine, like the laundry basket under the laundry chute.

Overall, I found very little to complain about. We were off the lot in a few hours and I am not worried that we rushed through it.

I will do the same with this unit as the last. I will fill all four tanks with fresh water and check the sensors, valves, inspect for leaks, etc. It's much more pleasant to find a fresh water drip than the alternative. Of course, last time I found nothing.

Congratulations catsfan on your new rig many Happy hours of camping & travel. Its good enclosed tanks, an you know what to look for coming up. "007"

Thanks!

We're pretty excited. My kids are already seasoned veterans at RV camping. We just went from a 25' TT with two bunks in the rear and no slide, to a 32' fiver with four bunks and one 12' slide. The amount of space we gained is phenomenal.

Our RV has already become our primary form of recreation and travel, so the more we use it the more I think we will enjoy having the extra room.

Last night was my first experience pulling a fifth wheel. I have towed some goosenecks, but it's not quite the same. I must say that I like the way it rides behind the truck. Nice and straight. I could almost forget it's back there.

I hope to post some pictures soon.