Extended Warranty Coverage

RKC02 · 05-31-2013, 11:18 AM

We Did It!!!! I just purchased a 2014 390RB-60 which we'll pick up in a couple weeks.

The dealer offered an extended warranty from Interstate Star RV called the 'Diamond' package which covers nearly everything minus the normal exclusions. Seemed like a decent policy, however the price quoted for it with the extra tire coverage was over $10k (!!!???).
Obviously too much money.

I am torn between buying an (affordable) warranty or self-insuring (sounds a little risky-but we did buy a nice coach). I certainly can't (won't) do $10k.

Anyone have any experience with Interstate or Easy Care warranties? I had Good Sam on my last coach and was not happy with them.

RKC02 · 05-31-2013, 11:34 AM

Also wondering why, on a RV of this level, a GPS is not offered / installed instead of a simple Jensen radio. I asked and was told that GPS wasn't even an option since it is all sold aftermarket.

Anyway we'll probably go with the Rand McNally 7720 - looks pretty nice!

tmmar · 05-31-2013, 11:40 AM

Congrats on the new coach and welcome to the forums!! $10k is a lot of money for an extended warranty. Can't give you any info on the company they want you to go with but there are a number of posts where the company refused to pay for certain repairs and I'm sure that there are other posts where the warranty really helped. The only thing I can suggest is to do a search to see how others fared with the warranty.

NO3putt · 05-31-2013, 12:06 PM

10k can replace alot of things, also you need to look at what has 2, 3 year warrenty on installed items that FR just put in like hot water heater, furance etc. we bought ours new, got most of the bugs out in first year under FR warrenty and now just self insure everything else. You didn't mention how many years of coverage?

Wiscampsin · 05-31-2013, 12:06 PM

That 2014 BERKSHIRE 390RB-60 is one beautiful coach!! $10K for an extended warranty

??? Who are they trying to kid. Most extended warranty plans have so many loopholes in the fine print. And dealers make a hefty profit from these plans. IMO you'd be better off sticking some $ in your own savings account to be used if and when you need it.

RKC02 · 05-31-2013, 02:46 PM

My dealer is pushing the extended warranty (of course) but I am thinking that with the manufacturers warranties I might be able to self-ensure.

Does anyone know the basics of what is initially cover by the manufacturers?

From what I've read, Freightliner covers the chassis components for 3 yrs/50k miles; the engine for 5/100; the trans for 5/200, etc. The Whirlpool appliances are probably 2-3 years each. So what am I really getting by laying out all the money for an extended warranty?

As stated in some of the replies (and thank all of you) it seems like a better plan to keep the money in hand. Since it is a high end Berkshire, am I right to feel confidant that between build quality and the manufacturers warranties, we are in pretty good shape for at least the first few years. By then the bugs are worked out and I'm still holding the $$ that would have gone to an extended warranty for any needed repairs.

Sound like a good plan?? OR Based on the experiences of Berkshire owners - is a warranty recommended?

NO3putt · 05-31-2013, 03:05 PM

When you pick up your HM, there will be operations and installation manuals on just about everything FR put in the unit. They all spell out different warranty periods for each item, from leveling jacks to in dash radio. Don't hold your breath on getting just one manual from FR that covers the entire HM, just get a file set up to holds the manuals in some kind of order so you can find them later. Best of luck and happy travels.

Himcules · 05-31-2013, 03:07 PM

did your dealer offer an interest rate discount if you got the extended warranty? same thing as paying points on your mortgage to bring down the interest. mine did on my purchase.

RKC02 · 05-31-2013, 04:18 PM

Sorry - I forgot to post the term of the warranty.

The $10k quoted was for a 7 year warranty.

Got the dealer down to $7600 today for the same coverage - may be a little more room - still working it.

But - based on the replies I received I am still considering doing without.

**** Just got a call from the dealer and they are willing to go as low as $5000 for 7 years full coverage with the tire road hazard protection.

Feelin' froggy here and might jump on this one. Any advice or comments greatly appreciated since I have to call them back by 6pm eastern time.

Thanks!

doctormdj · 06-01-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKC02

Also wondering why, on a RV of this level, a GPS is not offered / installed instead of a simple Jensen radio. I asked and was told that GPS wasn't even an option since it is all sold aftermarket.

Anyway we'll probably go with the Rand McNally 7720 - looks pretty nice!

I have a Rand McNally 7720 and love it. Got it at Camping World and used it across country... 3000 miles and it was a life saver. I HIGHLY SUGGEST it. I even see Big Tractor Trailers using it. 5 out of 5 stars for me. I love mine.

doctormdj · 06-01-2013, 04:24 PM

I think a Warranty is great.... but since your coach is new you can wait on it. I went to these guys at RV Extended Warranty Coverage, RV Warranty Specialists - Wholesale Warranties for RV Repair and compared it to Good Sams. Good Sams was $9K for 5 years. These guys put me with a 7 year plan that actually covered more stuff. I just got a chance to use it and no problems at all. Works great. Save a buck.... wait the 12 months then go get an extended warranty. I paid $3800 for 7 years... all in.

boowho · 06-01-2013, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKC02

Also wondering why, on a RV of this level, a GPS is not offered / installed instead of a simple Jensen radio. I asked and was told that GPS wasn't even an option since it is all sold aftermarket.

Anyway we'll probably go with the Rand McNally 7720 - looks pretty nice!

While on that topic....... I want to upgrade my Jensen VR209TP to a unit that includes support for 3 cameras, AM/FM, CD player, USB mp3 player, GPS and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (10 tires). Optional would be an IPAD plugin. Every thing in one package.

Any suggestions for a particularly good unit? Will consider any brand that will get the job done.

Boowho??

boowho · 06-01-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKC02

Sorry - I forgot to post the term of the warranty.

The $10k quoted was for a 7 year warranty.

Got the dealer down to $7600 today for the same coverage - may be a little more room - still working it.

But - based on the replies I received I am still considering doing without.

**** Just got a call from the dealer and they are willing to go as low as $5000 for 7 years full coverage with the tire road hazard protection.

Feelin' froggy here and might jump on this one. Any advice or comments greatly appreciated since I have to call them back by 6pm eastern time.

Thanks!

Just keep saying NO. Every time you do, they will drop the price. I'd give $5000 for one that had NO exceptions and the clock didn't even start running until the factory warranty ran out.

Good luck on finding THAT, however. These things are pure GRAVY for the dealers and that's why they push them so hard. The last new car I bought the guy so incredibly high pressure he just would NOT "stand down". I got up walked out of his office, into the GM's office and demand he be fired. Obviously, he wasn't fired, but he DID finally figure out that no means NO!!

Having said all that I will be looking for a chassis/drive train warranty that is reasonable, equitable and not full of loopholes. It's not difficult to drop $10K for a major repair at a Freightliner shop. I will also get one on my refrigerator if I can find one with similar to the FL one just described.

Everything else is nickel/dime stuff and I'll self-insure on that.

Boowho??

RKC02 · 06-02-2013, 07:44 AM

Boowho - The closest in-dash radio I could find that meets most of your criteria is the JVC KW-NT510HDT. It's on the Crutchfield site for $899. It has a single camera input and no obvious support for TPMS, but does everything else you need. I don't know how but maybe there is a way to switch video feeds before the radio input so you could select between cameras and maybe even the TPMS display(??).
Anyway, hopes this helps.

RKC02 · 06-02-2013, 08:04 AM

Boowho - I also found the Jensen VM9725 on Amazon for $359 (half the price of the JVC) which seems to have all the same features.

OL Creeker · 06-02-2013, 08:37 AM

This may sound crazy, but we've got Sirius Radio, Premier pkg. that includes "rolling" weather alerts. They pop up on the screen automatically, or you may check randomly.

boowho · 06-02-2013, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKC02

Boowho - I also found the Jensen VM9725 on Amazon for $359 (half the price of the JVC) which seems to have all the same features.

Thanks RKC... Apparently you went searching on my behalf; that makes you an extremely accommodating person and I sincerely thank you.

I will check out both models.

Boowho??

RKC02 · 06-02-2013, 09:41 AM

You're quite welcome Boowho. I did find though that the Jensen, while a very good audio unit, uses IGO navigation instead of Garmin, which is not nearly as good at mapping and nav.
I am also looking for a replacement for the Jenson unit that came in my Berky - touch-screen, nice audio, etc., but no Bluetooth or GPS. So it's a good chance to share the search results.

boowho · 06-02-2013, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKC02

You're quite welcome Boowho. I did find though that the Jensen, while a very good audio unit, uses IGO navigation instead of Garmin, which is not nearly as good at mapping and nav.
I am also looking for a replacement for the Jenson unit that came in my Berky - touch-screen, nice audio, etc., but no Bluetooth or GPS. So it's a good chance to share the search results.

Thanks again..... The TPMS part may be a tall order, but I'm pretty sure I've seen one with that compatibility. May have been on a very high end coach however, and those builders sometimes have stuff made specifically for the. Like Monaco and their powered basement slide out trays.

Regards

Boowho??

DXSMac · 06-02-2013, 09:02 PM

I had Interstate on my last two RV's, yes, it was EXPENSIVE, but they pretty much did a good job as long as the issue was an "in the box" issue. I had an "outside the box" issue where the thing that I got to replace the thing that went POOF was not the same model (TV/DVD combo replaced with separate TV and DVD much cheaper), they only paid for the TV and wouldn't pay for the DVD player even though doing that was cheaper than paying for the combo. I sic'd the Good Sam advocates on them and finally got paid all of it.

On my current RV, I'm "going naked" and crossing my fingers.

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