Motor Home Test Drive at PDI Time

[KayleysMom]

We have a 2017 Forester 2861DS on order through RVW in Ohio. It has been 10 weeks since the order was placed so we're hoping to hear that it is ready for pick up in the next few weeks.

For those of you who picked up your motor home from RVW in Ohio, I'm assuming you took it for a test drive? Do you have any recommendations on a route to take for the test drive or specific issues you may have encountered / items to look for during the test drive? Any other advice to offer?

Thanks!

[bikendan]

The co-owner of RVW, Dave Durnell, is a member here.
Send him a PM to ask him we what he recommends.

[Philos3]

I have never picked up a motor home from RVW in Ohio, but here are a few thoughts in general as to any dealership,

You have a lot of leverage until you take delivery, so don't waste it.

I have read several stories of unhappy buyers who were in a hurry and paid a heavy price for their impatience.

Ideally, a test drive would include conditions that you could reasonably expect to have when you actually use the RV. Actually, that is also ideally done before you commit to buying the unit.

Reread your contract carefully and don't sign anything quickly. I would tell them I need to take it home and go over it carefully with my wife and attorney.

You should get a long and detailed PDI list and spend several days going through it. Preferably hook up at a private campground so you can test everything out as in real life.

The salesman and dealer are gonna want to close the deal and move on. Maybe you want the same thing too. So, just smile and take your lumps like a lot of your fellow members have done if there is a meeting of the minds.

Getting the $$$ out of me and getting me to take ownership is like suffering from a painful terminal illness.

If you want to kill the deal, insist on a lemon law clause that covers the home portion of the mh, allowing you to return the mh if they can't fix a problem within 30 days. I had six salesman emailing me until I asked if I could put that clause into the contract...never heard from them again.

[lbrjet]

Phil,

No wonder you have don't have an RV and probably never will.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[Mr Havercamp]

Well its not a Motorhome but perhaps it can give you some pointers on what to do during your PDI test drive.

[Philos3]

lbrjet - I love the personal attacks.

[lbrjet]

Just pointing out facts, not an attack at all. You and everyone else knows there is no such thing as a lemon law that covers the MH except for the drivetrain. Insisting on having that clause in your contract means you will never get an RV.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[Iwannacamp]

There is a pretty nice CG blocks from RVW there on Indian lake. Be advised electric only. They have/had water, but fill tanks only. It was self-check in when I was there. The map is kinda strange on where you can camp. I think 95-9? where open to anyone. Wide open and ready to go I assume they still are.



Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Iwannacamp]

This is 95 best I remember.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

You and everyone else knows there is no such thing as a lemon law that covers the MH except for the drivetrain.

X2

Going to need a big supply. So I called my one of my drivers to bring it out.

[JLeising]

One could, obviously, write such a clause into the sales contract. Dealer may well not accept, of course.

[Philos3]

"You and everyone else knows there is no such thing as a lemon law that covers the MH except for the drivetrain. Insisting on having that clause in your contract means you will never get an RV."

Everyone else??? There are a lot of people who have never thought about it in this and other forums. A lot of issues are learned though hard knocks by buyers who have no clue what they are getting into.

The industry lobby worked hard to give itself that key lemon law exclusion and a lot of owners, not all, have suffered horrid weight times, service failures, and warranty fights with no right to return their RV.

The more money you spend, the less rights you have, is such a rip off.

"Insisting on having that clause in your contract means you will never get an RV."
Not true, just means I won't buy a new RV from a dealership. I can still buy a used RV which is usually the better deal, from a loving owner who kept up the maintenance, but the buyers who do buy used are often the more experienced savvy RVers, with good diy skills, and don't value having a warranty.

When we, in this forum, talk about things like lemon laws, payload, build quality, warranty/service/waiting time problems...we become more aware and make better judgments, even if we don't agree. Funny how not agreeing usually ends up with flinging personal insults.

I was very certain that when I put that lemon law question in my email that I would not get a response. Really, I have no intent to get wound up into sales events as a way to buy an RV.

For me, over the years, being involved in various forums, and learning how to service and inspect RVs has been very valuable to me. I have no interest in following some member's experiences of learning through clueless buying new and suffering through, though some things are not easy to learn without buying/ownership.

I am quite capable of learning vicariously and by doing so avoiding a lot of problems that from my viewpoint are easily avoidable if you just slow down and avoid getting all wired up into the dream sales events.

I recognize that some members have mental timelines and that if one don't buy within those timelines they become very negative...that has nothing to do with me.

[bobbrown]

Taking the RV for a test drive before signing is a good idea just to make sure there are no obvious issues with the drive train etc.

Would a dealer allow someone to actually go to a park and hook up everything just to make sure all is working properly?

Doesn't this make a new unit now used and if you decided not to buy it for any reason then there is now depreciation on the unit? Wouldn't the new buyer notice that there is extra mileage on the odometer and possibly a couple of hours on the generator?

I for one wouldn't want a "used" unit regardless how little it was used.

I don't know that's why I'm asking?

Thanks,

Bob Brown

2013 Forest River Sunseeker 3170DS

[aceinspp]

I would see no reason not to be allowed to do a test drive of the unit. It would not be much difference than going to a new car dealer and test driving a car. Only difference might be that you most likly paid a deposit when ordering so you maybe locked into the deal. Doing a good PDI is valuable and take lots o notes. Yes the unit is under warranty and the first time out you may have issues as they will be fixed if it's a good dealer. Later RJD

[Philos3]

"I for one wouldn't want a "used" unit regardless how little it was used."

Because???

==================
You do realize that when the unit is at the mfg and they do a PDI that the unit is now used?

That when they have it driven to the dealer, the unit is now used?

That when someone takes a test drive, the unit is now used?

The purpose of the PDI is to find problems for the dealer to fix before taking acceptance of the unit. Actually hooking up the unit to a water supply, for example, means catching any leaks and having them fixed. This is after committing to buying the unit. This is trying to avoid stupid warranty fixes that could have been easily identified and fixed by the dealer.

If you put up some funds the dealer will work with you.

[GWTimmons]

Don't buy Forest River! Poor quality workmanship. Also, test drive on a rough road...they will take you on smooth roads...it mean a lot when you are traveling big miles. Might check ceiling for glue spots...we didn't notice it until later. Access to bed is important...difficult to make. Turn front cab AC on...ours was wired wrong...just hot air...cost FR $600 to fix.

[brandon 2]

Take it for a drive, but not like the Camaro. Take your ands off of the wheel and make sure it tracks straight. Touch the brakes and see if it pulls to one side or the other Could need a front end alignment and or wheel balance.. Listen for any noises like a wheel out of balance. or loose cabinet doors. Also listen for any funny noises from the engine, tranny and brakes.




Brandon2
2500TS
Sun Seeker

[3boxerss]

The state campgrounds are just down the road. They probably have the water turned off in the full hook up areas since the season is over. Those are also lakeside and would be very cold this time of year. If you dont want the cold wind off the lake , go into C or B areas.. B area has lots of trees. As for your test drive you would have options there. If you go right out of their (RVW) drive then turn right at the next road at the first stop sign is state route 33 and the second stop sign would be state route 235 and check it out on highways. If you turn right out of the RVW drive and then left on the next street you can drive in the country an will have curves and some bumpy roads to test it on..

[W5CI]

Most dealers have hookup sites at their facility for you to spend as much time as you like to check out your unit before accepting and leaveing. but remember when you sign on the line or write the check you are hooked. so do your PDI thoroughly or pay someone you trust to do it for you.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by KayleysMom

We have a 2017 Forester 2861DS on order through RVW in Ohio. It has been 10 weeks since the order was placed so we're hoping to hear that it is ready for pick up in the next few weeks.

For those of you who picked up your motor home from RVW in Ohio, I'm assuming you took it for a test drive? Do you have any recommendations on a route to take for the test drive or specific issues you may have encountered / items to look for during the test drive? Any other advice to offer?

Thanks!

Some thing I never thought of,,,
make sure there is some air in the air ride sys !!!