Using your RV voids Thor's warranty?

Selurgniman · 06-09-2021, 09:04 PM

I'm having trouble scheduling warranty service for my coach due to being on a long road trip (Motorhome Speciacialists in Alvarado is terrible btw) and the Thor customer center just sent me this gem:

Quote:

You are essentially refusing service now that your service center is able to get you in. The second thing to consider is that according to Thor Motor Coach warranty policy, which you would have signed when taking possession of the coach, and which is detailed in your owner’s manual, taking full residence in your coach and living in it voids the warranty.

Is this something that's commonly known? We've been RV'ers for many years and this is our first extended trip. What even counts as "taking full residence and living in it"?

**EA37TS** · 06-09-2021, 09:12 PM

I suggest you educate yourself by reading your warranty. Mine specifically states that full timing in the RV is not covered.

ducksface · 06-09-2021, 09:31 PM

Wow.
You'd think they'd put that in writing and get it signed before delivery.
We're not the people to tell you what the terms of your contracted agrrement are.
Maybe read what you signed to find the definition?

Check the wording on your purchased extended warranty.

**EA37TS** · 06-09-2021, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducksface

Wow.
You'd think they'd put that in writing and get it signed before delivery.

Check the wording on your purchased extended warranty.

It is in writing in the warranty and the purchaser signs a document stating they read and understand the warranty.

Selurgniman · 06-09-2021, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA37TS

I suggest you educate yourself by reading your warranty. Mine specifically states that full timing in the RV is not covered.

What is the threshold for "full timing"? How many days am I permitted to use my RV before it's considered "full timing"?

**EA37TS** · 06-09-2021, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selurgniman

What is the threshold for "full timing"? How many days am I permitted to use my RV before it's considered "full timing"?

That’s the million dollar question.

Bob Denman · 06-09-2021, 09:59 PM

What ((or where), is your primary residence)
If you don't have a home or apartment: your warranty just took a kick in the guts.

**EA37TS** · 06-09-2021, 10:09 PM

I believe where it gets sticky is when folks can’t drop an RV off for service or tell a dealer they have to stay in it while it’s being serviced.

Not the same as emergency service while traveling.

**EA37TS** · 06-09-2021, 10:58 PM

The wording in my warranty is any vehicle used for purposes other than recreational use and camping is not covered by the warranty.

Wandering Woods · 06-09-2021, 11:00 PM

Had that situation with another brand. Living in the trailer was defined as more than 30 days in a row. So no 6-week vacations for us. Maybe 1 night in a motel each month would have kept us compliant.

TurnerFam · 06-09-2021, 11:22 PM

the words 'Full Residence' in your RV is the term to stay away from, if you want your WARRANTY to give you warranty service, or repair, without running into 'terminology' issues with your manufacturer.
'Full RESIDENCE' ONLY applies if this is your ONLY home, period. It has nothing to do with 'how long' your trip is, or whether you use the term 'full timing', or 'vacationing', or 'traveling' or anything else for that matter.
If you have another 'home', then this is NOT your Full Residence.

Remember, this ONLY has anything to do with a WARRANTY, not whether you can certainly pay CASH to repair or fix anything at any dealership anywhere. I can assure that MHSRV are a class facility, we've bought two motorhomes there, and while I don't drive out to Texas to have 'work' done, whether warranty or not, most anyone who has ever used their repair facility speaks of it highly. Sounds like you have a misunderstanding and are putting negative information out about something they had nothing to do with. RV centers are BACKED UP tremendously around the nation - you are certainly NOT the only RV Owner, and to expect them to drop everything might be a little over-reaching.
We've traveled for years, over 110,000 miles, and have had our share of needed 'repairs' while 'full-timing' from 2014 thru this year, but I've always found rv shops, repair facilities, and dealers to be quite accommodating. I don't 'expect' them to see me first, but a little HONEY goes a long way in explaining your 'I'm in the middle of my vacation' scenario so that they might can 'squeeze' you in anyway... Most any dealer or repair facility UNDERSTANDS those who are traveling, in the middle of a trip, or who full time, and they WANT to help you, but, yes, it IS a process, and sometimes a WAIT to get it.

I appreciate your aggravation, but I also appreciate the hard work that employees and dealers and repair people do everyday - their job is way underappreciated.

TurnerFam · 06-09-2021, 11:35 PM

also, as for those warranty 'fine prints' that allude to what 'full timing' or 'full residence' means, when it comes to limits of 'no more than 30 days', or the like, have no bearing in the real world. There's no 'vacation' police that track your movements or even 'ask' how long you've be 'traveling', even if any of that can be 'defined' in specific terms.

The real question is 'why' is the idea of someone owning an RV and living in it 'full time' an exclusion from an RV's warranty?? I suppose it's roots are in the name itself - a RECREATIONAL Vehicle, which doesn't sound like a 'home', so the owner is using the vehicle for some 'other' reason than it was designed for. Why does it matter? I don't know, other than the manufacturer doesn't want folks using all these systems 'every day' and exposing less-than-perfect workmanship during the first year, or for the timeframe of the warranty.

Bob Denman · 06-09-2021, 11:46 PM

I would imagine that they don't want to cover "full-timing"; due to the increased use of the RV causing accelerated wear.

TurnerFam · 06-09-2021, 11:50 PM

maybe, but 'wear' is never covered by a warranty anyway.

**EA37TS** · 06-10-2021, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I would imagine that they don't want to cover "full-timing"; due to the increased use of the RV causing accelerated wear.

It actually boils down to the term Recreational Vehicle (RV). My park model is considered a RV and thereby it is not intended for full time residence. The insurance company evens has a disclaimer in the policy against using the park model as a full time residence.

The county here also has their own definitions and they claim the park model, which is under 400 sq ft so it classifies as an RV, is actually a mobile home for taxation purposes because it is connected to county water and sewer. That's ok because the taxes on a mobile home are considerably cheaper than the taxes on a travel trailer.

There are RV manufacturers that say their units are built for full timing and it would be interesting to see how their warranties read.

dkoldman · 06-10-2021, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selurgniman

I'm having trouble scheduling warranty service for my coach due to being on a long road trip (Motorhome Speciacialists in Alvarado is terrible btw) and the Thor customer center just sent me this gem:

Is this something that's commonly known? We've been RV'ers for many years and this is our first extended trip. What even counts as "taking full residence and living in it"?

Your original post appear to have drifted off your stated concern with MHSRV bashing and your correctly pointing out one of the many fine prints within warranty.

Can you go back to your concern and explain the question? It seems you find a warranty issue (what is it? ) Sounds like MHSRV has said bring it in, but you can't right now because you are on the road? So when did you tell them you would make it in? Why was Thor even involved? How did Thor know you were living in RV Full Time?

I didn't buy from MHSRV, but I sure tried

I don't see how anyone can bash a Dealer you decided to buy from, unless after the sell you had a warranty issue, and they would not take you in to fix. Sounds like you are unable to get it back to them, and bashing them because of your personal situation? Maybe not; but context would help us to better understand.

**16ACE27** · 06-10-2021, 12:10 AM

Although Thor may not want to cover "full timing" on their part of the RV, I am sure Ford or Chevy doesn't care if your drive the vehicle every day for years on end; until you exceed the warranty mileage.

Bob Denman · 06-10-2021, 12:16 AM

Ford and Chevy don't build RVs... and they have warranties with mileage and time parameters.

Selurgniman · 06-10-2021, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

I can assure that MHSRV are a class facility, we've bought two motorhomes there, and while I don't drive out to Texas to have 'work' done, whether warranty or not, most anyone who has ever used their repair facility speaks of it highly. Sounds like you have a misunderstanding and are putting negative information out about something they had nothing to do with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkoldman

Sounds like MHSRV has said bring it in, but you can't right now because you are on the road? So when then you tell them you would make it in? Why was Thor even involved? How did Thor know you were living in RV Full Time?

I filed my warranty claims with them the day after I took it home. I heard nothing for two months so I called and they had lost it. Brought the coach back and left it with them for two months. I called several times and they kept "checking" and saying it was still being evaluated. Then it turned out they hadn't been working on it all because they lost the claim again. They finally filed the claims with Thor who approved it and then the paper work sat in MHSRV's claims office approved for a month. They called me three times to tell me all the parts were in and then while going over it with me realized a part was missing; this went on for another month. Finally, seven months after taking the coach home they called me and told me I needed to come in immediately because Thor is trying to close the claims and demand the parts back because it had been opened too long.

I'm not full timing or living in my coach. In the seven months it took MHSRV to work through these minor claims, I have moved 600 miles away and additionally I'm on a family trip another 600 miles west of (new) home. MHSRV said they can only give estimated completion windows of 60-90 days once they have possession and I have no place to stay near them while they spend another three months not working on my coach. When I messaged Thor asking for closer warranty centers and explained this situation, my original post was their response.

ducksface · 06-10-2021, 01:23 AM

...seven months it took MHSRV to work through these minor claims....

Is there a reason you wouldn't want us to know what the minor problems are?

When I went to have mine repaired I was met with smiles, overnighted parts from Thor, and quick work, even the things I told them I didn't expect to be fixed for free, were warranted by Thor, on my NON-ORIGINAL OWNER warranty claim. Yup, I bought it used, and Thor stepped up, as did cw.

Upon returning to pick it three days later, I was met in the parking lot to handshakes, introductions, laughter, thanks, true regard, and a cleaner than we left it RV.

Of course pizzas, boxes of tacos and cheeseburgers were involved(by us leaving the chow with the service writer to distribute as he thought best).
What was your involvement?

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