should I buy a warranty?

[jhflory]

question for all of you experienced RVers:

I am buying a new RV for the very first time. it is a Rockwood 8210 SS. would you recommend that I buy an extended 5 year bumper to hitch warranty?

typically, ( when buying cars refrigerators and the like) I am NOT one to purchase warranties. my theory is, by purchasing a warranty you are pre-paying for at least 1 or 2 events. why should I pay for the manufacturer warranty expense?

when I mention this to my salesman, he made what sounded like a good point. my question for you is, is it actually a good point or is it a sales pitch?

he told me that when towing, the trailer is experiencing a moving earthquake and trailer component such as electric slide motors, refrigerators, and air conditioning units are very expensive to replace. can I expect these parts to last 5 or 6 years or is that too much to expect

they will sell me the 5year warranty for 1700 dollars.

what say ye? should I purchased the warranty in this case, or hold to my theory?

thank you in advance for your help on this!

[Fl-diamond8312]

I would like to know what people say also. I just purchased a 8312ss and FR offers a one year extended for I think 150.00. That's worth it to me, not sure about the five year they didn't offer that.

[bob213]

IMO...Go with the FR 1 year extended for $150.

[DobeFanatic]

That's pretty stiff price. I'm like you, I don't buy extra warranties usually. But, having said that, I just paid $130 for 4 yrs on a 60" TV as my 4 yr old Samsung died and repairs would have been $450. You know it's always a gamble. I pulled my PUP for 5 years with frig, A/C, etc and had no issues at all. I can't think of too many of those items that would cost $1700 so I would wait for it to happen, then deal with it. But that's just me!
I would like the FR for $150 but be sure it covers items made by those other manufacturers, not just the camper itself.

[67redbowtie]

I would not recommend the warranty. If you read the terms and conditions on the warranty there are a lot of things not covered. Example roof leaks, windows, delam. It would take a lot of failures to make up 1700.00.

[67redbowtie]

Definitely go with the $150.00 second year Forest River Warranty.

[jhflory]

Originally Posted by 67redbowtie

Definitely go with the $150.00 second year Forest River Warranty.

What does this warranty include? Who do I buy it from? Local dealer or directly from FR? If from FR, is there a deductible to pay at dealer when there is an event?

Thanks for the input!

[67redbowtie]

Ask your sales person about the second year warranty he should be able to add this to your deal. It extents your twelve month to twenty four month. We just purchased a 2013 Wildcat back in August. I ask the sales person why Forest River didn't offer a two year warranty like Jayco does thats when he informed me that you could buy a two year warranty through Forest River for a 150.00.

[Terier]

Buying extended warranty is a personal choice and you will get feedback from many views. From what I gather many people don't get the value of their investment back. As suggested previously check the details of the extended warranty policy and see what would be cover or not. Really read the fine print and don't take anyone word for what is in the policy.

Your salesman is correct about it being very pricey to replace the fridge. Many of us went with the second year warranty from FR. I decided to keep the cost of the dealership warranty in my bank account where it is there if needed but remains mine if not needed.

Many of us new to RVing have asked the same question(s). Do we need it? Is it worth it? What if....??? It comes down to a personal choice and budget.

Good luck.

[camper1999]

I never by extended warranties. I do a lot of my repairs myself. I say put the 1,700 aside and if you need repairs you can't do yourself take it out of that fund. If you need no repairs you have 1,700 saved for a new trailer

[Goomph]

I had the second year warranty from FR for 150 dollars. My trailer is now 2.5 years old and the furnace seems to have sort of died. I can get a new a furnace for ~800 dollars. or I can visit the RV surplus stores in Elkhart while camping and get it probably at half or 1/3 of that. As things stand now I am glad I did not buy any additional warranties. Especially one which would cost 1,700 dollars.

I am pretty handy, so I am confident that I will be able to fix the furnace myself.

You need to decide for yourself if 1,700 bucks is worth it. Keep in mind that they will do their best not to pay for any repairs as they are in this business to make money. And to be honest, if your appliances start breaking down, that 1,700 will not put new ones in.

If you read all the warranty papers for your appliances, you might be surpried to see that the manufacturers themselves sell extended warranties. If I had done that my furnace would have 5 years warranty for a nominal fee for example. But I was too happy with my brand new trailer to read the warranty cards

[lswartz]

Originally Posted by Goomph

r I can visit the RV surplus stores in Elkhart while camping

I did not know about them. I'll take a search & see if I can find them when I visit IN next summer.

Thanks.

[Crusader]

Check this company out. I just bought this warranty for $ 1,200.00, seven years with a $50.00 deductible. This warranty is transferable if you sell your R.V.
RV Extended Warranty Coverage, RV Warranty Specialists - Wholesale Warranties for RV Repair

[jhflory]

Originally Posted by Crusader

Check this company out. I just bought this warranty for $ 1,200.00, seven years with a $50.00 deductible. This warranty is transferable if you sell your R.V.
RV Extended Warranty Coverage, RV Warranty Specialists - Wholesale Warranties for RV Repair

I'll check into that one. Thanks!

[Goomph]

To me an RV is like a house. I do not buy warranty for the appliances in my house is how I think. And as for water damage, you have to keep on top of those seals ! It is just me ....

[Crusader]

I totally agree on the water damage. You will not find a warranty company that will cover water damage. I also have an appliance warranty on my home along with my R.V.. The fact of the matter is, have you ever priced out replacement parts. If you add up the part, your time and the time it takes you to go get the part. Its by far, cheaper to purchase a warranty. My R.V. has a 42” T.V. at the rear of the unit. I know it bounces like crazy back there. I would think the T.V. will not have a long life expectancy under that condition ( as with all the other appliances in the R.V.). The T.V. replacement cost alone before labor, is half of my seven year warranty. I guess that’s my logic……………

[Goomph]

Funny talking about replacement parts I just ordered a small part for my snow blower for 40 bucks !!! The darned thing cost 500 dollars to start with and it is a small chute collar thingie. If I buy every piece one buy one for it the same unit would probably cost me 10,000 dollars I was telling my friends

Two burners on my ceramic top range died at the same time, total cost 160 dollars ! Brand new the whole unit was 750 dollars, a rip off but it is what it is. Still I think I am ahead of the game.

On the other hand I bought extended warranty for my Ford windstar and my F-150 and they more than paid for themselves ! Windstar got a refurbished engine, new transmission and so much more ! I am sure Ford regretted selling me that extended warranty. F-150 got this and that and I believe I saved a few hundred dollars by having the extended warranty. It all comes down to comfort level of the owner.

But each to his/her own of course. I hope you never have to use your warranty ! It is best when things do not break down !

[Big Dawg]

The one for $150 is well worth the extra year. It has already saved me twice.

[Crusader]

The key to any warranty is to READ THE CONTRACT and know what is covered and not covered . I compared three other warranties before I purchased the one I have. Each one covered the same items but not the same parts. You have to compare apples to apples.

[jhflory]

Originally Posted by Big Dawg

The one for $150 is well worth the extra year. It has already saved me twice.

thank you all for your input on this subject! I have decided to stick with my theory that I have been using for years, which is to not buy expensive extended warranties.

I will however looking into the 150 dollar 1 year warranty from Rockwood.

thanks again! happy RVing!