Before I sign the check...

[sforl]

I've still not gotten any word on when my MH will be delivered but hopefully it will be soon! As excited as I am I'm also anxious as what to expect once it arrives. Other than checking to make certain it has all the options I wanted, what else should I be expected to do? Do I take it for a test drive? Will the PDI be done that day? ( I have downloaded and studied the checklist) If I find items that need to be repaired, should I insist they be done before I sign the check or should I just make certain they make a record of them and schedule a time later for repairs?
During the PDI will they fill the fresh water tanks and check for leaks? What about the grey and black water? Water pump, hot water, roof seals... You get the picture!
I'm drowning in questions.... Please help!

[SuperD]

Wow, nervous new owner, but that's ok, pretty sure most of us have felt the exact same way! You're making a big investment! Every new owner wants instant gratification by by being able to drive off the lot in their new coach! Slow down and take time to make sure your coach is right.

A lot will depend on your dealer. Do a thorough inspection and discuss any problems you find with the dealer. Do parts need to be ordered or are the issues minor fixes? Is the service department good? Can the issues be fixed now or will you have to leave the coach and how long?

No coach is going to be perfect but the dealer should be willing to make things right!

I hope everything goes smoothly for you and you join the Happy Camper Club!

[Beau388]

Here is what MHSRV did for us on the PDI. Our new coach was in covered the delivery area with electricity and a full water tank. We arrived with the salesman and tech. Both walked around the coach with us explaining where everything was and how it operated. This included and under hood tour. Then we went inside where we operated everything under their direction. They then left us to move in. The tech came by at 4pm to see if we had found any thing then needed work. Nothing yet. He said the would be back at 9 am the next morning. We spent most of the evening reading the manuals and playing with the coach trying while trying to remember how everything was supposed to work. The next morning all we found that did work was the water heater on electricity. The tech knocked on the door promptly at 9 am tech fixed it and said it was time to go to the dump station and to dump and refill the water tank. After that experience, we drove back to the deliver stall where the salesman came by to see if we wanted to stay the second night. We declined and headed out about 2 pm, towing our car on a rented dolly. Other than a $4,900 parking lot crash (we were parked), a blown fuse, a charging relay that failed and an patio awning that hit a stop sign, we have had zero problems with the coach in 13 months and 10,600 miles.

[Travelin' Texans]

Don't ever let them keep your rv for months & months waiting on parts, have them order the parts & schedule service when ALL parts necessary have arrived & call the manufacturers to insure parts have been ordered, dealerships are notorious for blaming the manufacturers for not shipping parts when in fact they haven't ordered yet. Stay as many nights as necessary to feel comfortable at operating every system in every position on the coach before you leave. Now go enjoy your new experience & don't fret the small stuff.

[sforl]

Beau388 and Travelin'Texans
Thank you for those details. That's just what I was looking for.
Where you able to do the overnight before or after you took ownership? I would think after!
Unfortunately the sales rep told me that staying overnight at the CW facility was not an option as it was not safe! Go figure!
Someone suggested I stay in a nearby campground but I'm not sure how comfortable I will feel navigating in heavy traffic to get to the closest one I've found.
It would be so much simpler if I could just stay at their facility but evidently that's not to be!
My sales rep mentioned something about having a 30 or 45 day time period to discover and report issues I find! I'm going to look into that further.

[Beau388]

We spent a year looking at different coaches with in a 400 mile radius while traveling in out old coach. After we sold our previous coach, I called MHSRV and ask if they had a particular Thor Hurricane 31 s in stock. I needed the VIN as I knew Ford was changing from 5 to 6 speed transmissions. Mitch Bennett said the 31s I wanted was on the lot and I could reserve it for $1,000. I explained that we were 650 miles away and want to look at all their coaches in the 31 ft range. He said I could transfer the deposit to any coach we decided on. I had previously driven a Windsport 31s so I didn't need a test drive. We arrived in the early afternoon and spent the afternoon looking at 11 different coaches (three different makes). The Hurricane we put the deposit on was still our choice. The talked it over with DW that night in the motel and made the decision to buy. We went to the finance department and arranged for a wire transfer from our bank to theirs. The sale was completed in two house. We had lunch in the cafeteria and moved into the coach that afternoon.

[fhenn]

Originally Posted by sforl

I've still not gotten any word on when my MH will be delivered but hopefully it will be soon! As excited as I am I'm also anxious as what to expect once it arrives. Other than checking to make certain it has all the options I wanted, what else should I be expected to do? Do I take it for a test drive? Will the PDI be done that day? ( I have downloaded and studied the checklist) If I find items that need to be repaired, should I insist they be done before I sign the check or should I just make certain they make a record of them and schedule a time later for repairs?
During the PDI will they fill the fresh water tanks and check for leaks? What about the grey and black water? Water pump, hot water, roof seals... You get the picture!
I'm drowning in questions.... Please help!

Is this one the CW south of Jackson

[sforl]

fhenn
Yes it's the one in Jackson. Not very reassuring considering that's were I'll be leaving the coach for warranty work/repairs.
I guess you're familiar with it as well? What has been your experience with their service and etc?

[fhenn]

Never have used them, Were not here when I bought the fifth wheel. I have a neighbor that used them twice the first time it was good the last time did not go well, I was think a close camp ground to then is swinging bridge in Byram. My advise is have them run through all of the system once and than once more with you doing it. Make notes of all problems. Do not forget the roof, Transport drivers have been known to meet tree branches, Give them the list on what you have found, Tell them you will signed the papers once all is fixed

[sforl]

The sales rep mentioned the casino in Vicksburg as a possibility. I'm going to look into that as well as others in Vicksburg!

[fhenn]

The next two weeks is spring brake time. If you could I would go to Timberlake close to shopping for those quick needs

[Marine By Choice]

I have purchased 8 various rigs over the years (bumper pull trailers, Class A, Class B, Class C). I have never made payment, besides a deposit, until I was totally satisfied with all repairs needing done. Twice they said they would order the parts needed and then schedule an appointment. I said that would be fine, and when completed I would pay.

A couple times they wanted me to pay first before doing a PDI. I asked them how much they wanted to sell the rig.

PLease consider printing out the PDI worksheet and check things off as you go. If not, in one's excitement, things get forgotten! (Don't ask me how I know this!)

Best luck with your purchase and safe travels!

[Mr Sunshine]

Good suggestions here. A PDI check list is a must. Without it, you will miss something.

For those new to RVs, it would be helpful to video the PDI. There is so much and the techs often go so fast. Later, you're wondering, "What was that the tech said?"

We had a good night at that casino in Vicksburg a few years back. The buffet there was awesome.

[Vinster30]

Originally Posted by sforl

Beau388 and Travelin'Texans
My sales rep mentioned something about having a 30 or 45 day time period to discover and report issues I find! I'm going to look into that further.

You should have a mininmun of one year for warranty items. Cosmetic items you can note with the PDI walk through. Final payment should never be made before you are completely satisfied that any and all repairs are made or counted far.

The on premise stay at MHSRV is very nice. You have a chance to test everything before leaving. They do not allow a test drive, so anything in that area would have to be noted and brought back.

I do not know how close you are to the dealership, but if I were you, and this is how I would complete the sell. When the unit arrives at the dealership, go inspect the coach with no plans to take delivery that day. Thursday morning is the best time. Check all the cosmetic and fit items. Things like paint, cabinets, flooring, doors, run any slides in and out, check all the lights, remotes and generator. Everything that could be operated without being hooked up like in a campground. The items you find should be repaired that day or leave it a week for the repairs to be made. Do not pay until these repairs are made. Next, take delivery of the unit when you are completely satisfied that any repairs needed are completed to your satisfaction, not promises that they will be made later.

After make your final payment and signing the paper, drive to local campground. I am from Texas, so anything within an hours drive is local. The latest in the week this should be is Friday. That giving you Friday and Saturday to check every system for 2 days. Use everything, shower, cook, and maybe even set up and tear down more than once. Doing this on Friday and Saturday, stores are open for anything you may have forgotten. Sunday drive home very happy with your new purchase or back to the dealership Monday with a list.

[Mr Sunshine]

Great suggestions from Vinster 30. I would suggest that you ask for a cell # for one of the techs, so when you have a problem when the dealership is closed, you have a lifeline to call. Only to be done at a reasonable time of day, of course.

When we bought our Vegas, the service manager gave us his personal cell number. We didn't need it, but it was a nice courtesy.

If that idea fails, ask your questions here, so many knowledgeable and helpful folks here.

[sforl]

I can't thank each of you enough for the great advice! I have made copies of the check list to take with me plus at least a page of questions in addition.
Vinster30 I really like the idea you suggested about not planning to take procession on my first visit! I'm retired so if possible I may try to go earlier in the week to allow them as much time as possible to make repairs!
fhenn- I checked out Timberlake reviews and it doesn't get the best! Have you stayed there personally? The reviews said the sites were not level, the roads were in bad repair and a bit tight to negotiate. In general the reviews sounded like the campground was a bit run down. Would you agree or disagree? I'm not looking for perfection but I want the easiest access I can find that's close to the dealership.
Vicksburg would be further away but it may be worth the trip if the campground is more "beginner" friendly!

[SuperD]

One last thing. When you do your inspection start on the outside at the door. Go in a clockwise direction and open every hatch and panel one at a time inspecting as you go. Be sure to take a good flashlight. Once the outside is done move inside and do the same thing, start at the door, move in a clockwise direction and look at everything. Inspecting this way lessens your chance of missing something as opposed to skipping around the coach. If you have a checklist mark it off as you go and take notes, take your time. I hope you end up with a short list!

Best wishes for a fun time!

[DocP]

Also, don't let the dealer rush you. When I picked up my Hurricane in January, the dealer told me that they allow 60-90 minutes for the PDI. I wasn't trying to be rude, but I told them that it was going to take as long as necessary in order for me to be comfortable with all of the systems. I have owned many new campers and motorhomes over the years. While there may be similarities in systems, each one is subtly different in terms of their location, absence or presence of water heater bypass systems, winterizing kit installed, propane only or propane/electric water heater, and so on and so on.

After all of the PDI's I've been through, I still sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that I know something and don't need to ask. Big mistake. If they tell you that the water heater is behind a certain panel, make them unscrew the panel and show you the back of it and how the bypass valves work. Snap pictures of each system, print them out, and keep them with the rest of your owner's documentation.

Sometimes we get caught up in the excitement of the newness of our new purchase and then get frustrated later on when we don't know how the various systems work. Good luck, and above all, enjoy it!

[fhenn]

We stay there several times a year when the youngest grand wants to go camping. They have and are upgradeing the pads have just opened a new section. one of the few state camp grounds with Wi Fi I do not find the roads too bad I pull a 40 foot fifth wheel and have no problems backing break. Seeing how you are too far take into a spot. Mind you right now they have a lot of campers because of spring . Seeing how you are not too far ride through there and take a look. They do take reservations on the front loop. the rest are first come

[j37genie]

I would recommend running the generator in conjunction with the PDI. Put a load on the generator, so you are exercising the fuel pump and carb the way you would if you were dry camping. Also, hit the windshield with a hose and run the wipers at high speed.