FR Ends Washing Policy

[Timex]

Forest River ends policy of washing RVs on delivery | RV Daily Report | Breaking RV Industry News and Campground Information

This means the dealer will have to wash the rv at least twice.

I bet this is passed on to the PDI!

[wmtire]

“One of the largest issues drivers report is the wash requirement and wash fee:

• Drivers spend additional time on the road searching for adequate wash facilities.
• The proper equipment or facilities for an RV wash are frequently not available or are inadequate.
• Drivers report that dealer disputes relative to the quality of the wash job or the wash fee are common — delaying them from getting back on the road.
• Drivers are tying up heavy equipment to serve as “wash bays.”

Hmmm, this is interesting news that I wasn't aware the drivers did. I now wonder if any RV's are actually damaged by pressure washing from hurried drivers and/or shortcuts they may take in this. That may be an ulterior motive behind the announcement.


Of course, there's no guarantee a dealer and/or their employee won't do the same damage.....but maybe they have a better idea on what areas not to hit with pressure washers.

[Timex]

I'd rather a pressure washer not be used. I use a long handle brush, Turtle wash/wax, and elbow grease! Maybe, the drivers knew what to do.

[Weezer]

Several months ago I saw a guy who does auto detailing up on top of an RV, two days in a row, using a pressure washer to clean the roof. That would scare the beejeepers outta me.

I can imagine some of those pressure washers tearing up rubber seals on windows, etc.

I don't imagine the pressures at car/RV wash bays are as extreme as that appeared to be.

[Oaklevel]

I will have to ask my dealer next time I am there how it affects them. They usually wash an RV at least twice anyway. I do know the mechanic mentioned to not pressure wash as it can make the decals come off / loose esp when it is cold weather & the wash is hot.

As far as the PDI we have never been charged for that...........

[rattleNsmoke]

Washing before delivery is a waste of time. Road grime accumulates quickly and the dealer has to re-wash the unit anyway.

[Wmoses]

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

Washing before delivery is a waste of time. Road grime accumulates quickly and the dealer has to re-wash the unit anyway.

Agreed. FR would be much better off applying a nice coat of wax all over the RV and then having it delivered. Then the dealer only has to wash the trailer and the dirt will come off more easily after which the trailer can be polished to give it that final shine.

As others have voiced their opposition to using pressure washers, I invite you all to check out my pressure washer arrangement. There is no problem using a pressure washer as long as you use your brain at the same time. It also helps to get a weak pressure washer, although I have used my gas powered unit to wash my previous RV with no ill effect. That said, just spraying it with water alone will NOT clean the RV. A brush or wash mitt or some other mechanical dirt removal arrangement has to be used or else grime (and certanily bugs) will not come off.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

Washing before delivery is a waste of time. Road grime accumulates quickly and the dealer has to re-wash the unit anyway.

The drivers are supposed to wash it just prior to delivery to the dealer.

I know that neither of the delivery drivers who brought mine back to me did. The second driver honestly tried as he spent a good hour looking for somewhere he could get into in my residential area. Ultimately, he gave me $40 to do it myself.

[Oaklevel]

I know they can't wash near here as there is no public truck wash within in 60+ miles of here. There really is no truck stop either. There are only a couple of gas stations that are barely big enough for big trucks to fuel in this county.

[Slympicins]

As a dealer I would allow the driver to wash the RV at the delivery site so the delivery inspection (from the factory) could discover any defects that may have occurred in transit. The drivers now are basically covered in that all the issues can not be discovered due to dirt and grime. Bought ours at a show an it was clean as a whistle. The first trip down the road and it's dirty again.

I read all the crap drivers have to comply with to transport RV's for the manufacturers. Sorry but I wouldn't take the job for what they get paid and the aggravation they deal with.


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[Wmoses]

Originally Posted by Slympicins

As a dealer I would allow the driver to wash the RV at the delivery site so the delivery inspection (from the factory) could discover any defects that may have occurred in transit.

This is way too practical to be implemented, Chuck. My wife said the same thing ... "why can't the dealer let the driver wash the trailer at the dealership?" Only thing I can figure is that drivers dont't wash ... at least up to now.

[dbarr]

Truckers view point.... Dealer ordered it, dealer can wash it! We don't work for nothing and I won't have any BS forced upon me.


Sent from space

[Slympicins]

Wayne it just seemed to easy to pull it in and wash it before the dealer inspected it. We paid the dealer for the wash anyways. But again, this is America and we seem to get lazier every day. What seems obvious, doesn't transfer to reality.


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[Slympicins]

Dbarr I totally agree with you. After researching what transporters have to put up with, I wouldn't even consider doing that job. Bless you! All you should have to do is pick it up and deliver it. The dealer should do the rest and...it's in their best interest to do so before the owner finds something they missed.


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[Cajun Po-Boy]

A great policy change...transporters my dimes to the dollar in their business already vs the RV Dealer is making hand over fist on selling these units...I think they could handle a little washing at their store before displaying for sale


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[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

... the RV Dealer is making hand over fist on selling these units...

Huh?? It's a pretty competitive business. Agree that some are making
money but not all. I've seen plenty of small time dealers come and go.
Even some that were really trying couldn't make it in the long haul.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Huh?? It's a pretty competitive business. Agree that some are making
money but not all. I've seen plenty of small time dealers come and go.
Even some that were really trying couldn't make it in the long haul.

If you compare earnings to income on a percentage basis...the transporters are in no position to absorb the cost of searching out a wash facility and the time spent washing campers before delivering to the Dealers...


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