New Owner Knowledge

[Lt Keefer]

I know we all had to start somewhere, but I have noticed a total lack of RV knowledge in a lot of questions being posted in the last couple of months. It is if RV dealers are selling them and just sending the new owners on their way with no basic RV system knowledge.

[Bob Denman]

Sometimes now folks will just ask a question in order to start learning about how the forum works...

But yeah: it could point to much more serious issues...

[lwmcguire]

Unfortunately I think Lt Keefer is on track. Our lake home is across from a large resort and many new owners stop by. Lots of issues and some costly ones for sure. I think this will go on for some time and many will be disheartened by the learning curve.

[MJC62]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

I know we all had to start somewhere, but I have noticed a total lack of RV knowledge in a lot of questions being posted in the last couple of months. It is if RV dealers are selling them and just sending the new owners on their way with no basic RV system knowledge.

I agree The RV industry has changed dramatically in the last couple years most notably since Covid hit. The demand is through the roof and dealers are shoving them out the doors. There are sales people that don't know squat about an RV and are out there selling to a public that doesn't know what questions to ask when they do a PDI and that's if the dealer does one. Yesterday we stopped by the local dealership's parts department for a gray tank drain valve. While we were there we browsed a couple of MH's on the lot. One particular unit was locked so I went in and asked a simple question which chassis was under the coach 16,000 or 18,000 lbs and the sales goober looked like a deer in the headlights. In fact the information she gave me after she "looked it up" was bogus as I found the correct information listed on the Jayco web page. These are the folks selling RV's to the public these days

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

I know we all had to start somewhere, but I have noticed a total lack of RV knowledge in a lot of questions being posted in the last couple of months. It is if RV dealers are selling them and just sending the new owners on their way with no basic RV system knowledge.

It also seems folks don't bother doing any research and expect others to do the research and reading for them.

[Bob Denman]

While we're doing that: we might just as well chew their food for them, and spit it down their throats...

[atreis]

Lots of new owners due to Covid. We were all new to it at one point and you have to start somewhere. When I'm new to something I naturally start by asking Google various questions (operating under the assumption that no issue I've encountered is unique to me), which tends to lead me off into more questions, but others are more comfortable taking other approaches ...

The most recent thing I asked Google: Why do dogs sit on your feet?

[Bob Denman]

The answer to your question is easy: Because they can!

[ducksface]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

It also seems folks don't bother doing any research and expect others to do the research and reading for them.

I fear they are doctors and lawyers and accountants and pastors...people in position of influence who, if they act professionally in the same fashion as they tackled this important rv purchase....

There is a small and slight chance I might get a good deal on a Polaris ranger at the end of summer. In a lousy three hours on you tube I know an awful lot about adjusting that toaster....
There is a
societal obligation to be intelligent.

[Pete'sMH]

A couple of purchases back I had a salesperson point to a canister style water filter and tell me it was a high power water pump. Couldn’t believe he did it so I asked him about it. I ignored him thereafter and after a while he retreated and played with his phone while I did my own assessment. Buyers need to be responsible for their own learning curve and that’s what we see here.

[Driveby_Tourists]

I take personal solace that I'm not a COVID buyer. DW and I began the discussion and research process in Augus 2019... so there! I am picking up my first rig in six weeks.

I have asked a couple of questions specific to my unit to a FB forum of owners (the newer, 3rd generation Sprinter Class C's), but for all the other stuff, the questions have been asked a million times. You just need to search.

The most helpful search tool I have ever used is:

site:irv2.com "lorem dipsum etses"

(for what ever specific search phase you're looking for).

If you type "site:" in front of the website address, then type your search term with or without quotes, you'll fine a ton of pertinent information.

The other important thing I learned/did was to hire an NRVIA inspector for two inspections; the second will occur after the dealer claims that the repair work was done on the first!
This is necessary because of the quality control issues due to the COVID production onslaught, and because I'm picking it up in NO FLA and returning to the Pacific Northwest on it's maiden voyage.
Wish me luck!

[CHS]

And then you have people that answer EVERYTHING , (like 15-20 posts a day) even if they have no knowledge. Just to answer.

[Goldscooby]

I actually am a new owner myself who took our RV out this weekend for our first trip. I was lucky enough to have a great salesman and their great service department. The salesman literally spent three hours with me going over each and every detail. I myself have been trying to devour all the information I can on the internet and also on these forums. I bought the tow package as well. So on this last Friday, one of their service guys showed me how to hook up our Jeep Trailhawk. He also spent a couple hours with me. Since this would be the first time, I drove my 32 ft. Four Winds and a Toad, I felt uncomfortable. My service guy saw that I was not confident in driving all that length. (55 ft.) He offered to go with me for a drive to make sure I was comfortable with everything. I took him up on his offer and went out driving with him around the area. After our little drive, I felt much more comfortable and confident in driving our RV. So there are still salesmen and service departments who care. They are still out there, you just have to find them. I would be happy to recommend them!!

John

2018 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds 30D
2020 Jeep Trailhawk (Toad)

[Bob Denman]

It sounds as if you bought from the right Dealership...

[Lt Keefer]

When I bought my first new RV a long time ago, it took a whole day for the purchase part of the transaction. After we signed the paperwork, the dealer scheduled a delivery date for the following weekend. I said I was ready to drive it home now. He said it is not ready for you to take home. He said it needed washing, inside and out. The tanks needed flushing, the propane needed filling, the gas tank had to be filled. All the owners manuals needed to be reviewed and he had to make sure they were all there. New batteries needed to be installed in the coach and the TV remote. The list went on and on. When we got there on delivery day it took all day for the delivery guy to go over each system. He would show how to do something, watch us do the same thing and then he would talk about what we did right and wrong. He ever demonstrated how to winterize the coach and it was the middle of summer. It was frustrating, as we were on our third RV, having owned two used rigs before that one, but when we left that afternoon, we understood how to operate our coach. Unfortunately, that dealer did not survive the 2008 recession, but they were an outstanding dealer. My original post is an indictment on the RV dealerships as much as anything else. These folks are taking the money and leaving these new owners clueless.

[Goldscooby]

Yea I got lucky Bob and even luckier that the RV dealership is 5 miles from my house!!

John

2018 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds 30D
2020 Jeep Trailhawk (Toad)

[MJC62]

Originally Posted by Goldscooby

Yea I got lucky Bob and even luckier that the RV dealership is 5 miles from my house!!

John

2018 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds 30D
2020 Jeep Trailhawk (Toad)

I think there is a big plus in buying at a local dealer. My last two came from an independent dealer half hour from the house. Unfortunately they got swallowed up by one of the nationwide biggie outfits This coach came from an independent dealer 45 minutes away. It makes chasing down warranty work a whole lot easier. The independent guys need your business and are a dying breed these days.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Goldscooby

Yea I got lucky Bob and even luckier that the RV dealership is 5 miles from my house!!

John

2018 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds 30D
2020 Jeep Trailhawk (Toad)

Oustanding!

[Driveby_Tourists]

Originally Posted by MJC62

I think there is a big plus in buying at a local dealer.

I would have loved to bought local. I sent seven Thor sellers in Washington and Oregon my spec build sheet. In the end, the quoted price difference between them and the big FL dealership was $30K.
I understand that we're buying a hobby, but with this swing in pricing, I couldn't justify staying in town for the purchase.

[Scubawise]

Motor Home specialists spent detailed time with my wife and I.
Great place. And us newbies appreciate all you !