Pre delivery inspection question

[parver]

We are purchasing our first fifth wheel and wondering about the process.

The dealer is a couple hours away, so we would like to minimize the trips.

Do you do the PDI before or after signing for the trailer? I've agreed to purchase the trailer and put down a small deposit. We are going to show up to look at it and we are 99% sure purchasing it.

Is the PDI a dealer inspection, your inspection, or both? In other words should I tell the dealer to do the inspection prior to us getting there? And then we do ours? Will it be hooked up to water/sewer and everything?

If you've signed and inspect/walk through, the dealer isn't really motivated to fix any issues?

[Kimber45]

I think everyone's ID of a PDI is different. Yes the dealer should inspect the unit prior to your arrival and have any issues fixed. Then you should do an extensive walk through with them while hooked to power and water. You are not only looking for problems but also being shown how all the systems work. Arangments should be made for anything found to be fixed. Over the coarse of the first year you will end up with a whold list of other stuff found that needs to be fixed before the warranty is over. I would caution doing business that far from home. The dealer should be highly motivated to do warranty work they are getting paid by FR for it.

[rmac04401]

1- there is a PDI checklist under forms in the forum. Take that with you.

2- PDI would be your inspection to find things that need to be fixed. The dealership should have already gone through it. (Should have is the concerned word)

3- never sign paper till everything is to your satisfaction. Do not accept an we owe you slip. Drive back if you have to.

If it is not hooked up to electric or water tell them to do you can test everything.

Open every door, window and anything else that moves. If it is winterize have them dewinterize it. Use the checklist. Take a tv, movie and cd to test entertainment system if unit is not coming with a tv. Check all lights, slides outer doors.

Use the checklist. It will help.

Good luck.

[rmac04401]

I see your from Allentown what dealer are you dealing with?

[rmac04401]

I’m from Chambersburg.

[rmac04401]

http://craymen5.org/rv-travel-trailer-pdi-checklist/

[rmac04401]

http://www.angelfire.com/trek/buenav...PDI_V113_2.pdf

[rmac04401]

Here are a couple from the internet.

Don’t let them rush you on PDI. They will say most will say they only set aside an hour. That is not enough time for proper PDI. When I went with my brother I told them we will look it over then when we are done you can come do your walk through. Was about 2 1/2 hours total but that is with both my brother and I splitting the PDI list to check things out. That dealership was good and we only found a couple of minor things. .

[babock]

Do the PDI before you sign anything. Bring your own checklist. Mine was missing the spare tire and I might have missed that without a checklist.

[SherriP61]

When we purchased our unit, the Manager was supposed to have it all ready before we inspected. Since my husband had not seen the unit in person, we were going to inspect before signing the papers. We figured any issues would be more readily repaired or fixed if that final signature was still waiting. It was correct. Even though the unit had been inspected by the technician, there were still items that were missed.

We were very glad we waited. We also printed an a check list to take with us & additional questions that were not on the list that we were curious about.

[wildcatter]

I would also check the floor to make sure it is flat and not bowed any where, when I bought my 5th wheel I did a very thorough PDI except verifying the flatness of the floor, that came back and bit me, FR fixed it somewhat but it is still not 100%.

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by rmac04401

I’m from Chambersburg.

And who did you buy from.... being so close to a certain dealer just inside PA? [emoji16]

[bplantcjf]

I would also bring a video camera and an extra person to record everything while you pay attention. The video will pay off in the future when you don't remember something or find a scratch and want to see if it was there before you bought it. They may even tell you something that is not correct. The video will be better than the poor owner's manual you will get. If you find issues have them fix it before you take it. It may mean an extra trip but if you have to take it back to them and leave it that is 2 extra trips.

[rmac04401]

Originally Posted by DaGrinch

And who did you buy from.... being so close to a certain dealer just inside PA? [emoji16]

I didn’t. I drove to Ohio to pick it up. Saved thousands

Plus I did not live in Chambersburg at the time I bought camper. I was houseless at the time.

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by rmac04401

I didn’t. I drove to Ohio to pick it up. Saved thousands

Plus I did not live in Chambersburg at the time I bought camper. I was houseless at the time.

I see.....

[GalsofEscape]

Originally Posted by rmac04401

I didn’t. I drove to Ohio to pick it up. Saved thousands

Plus I did not live in Chambersburg at the time I bought camper. I was houseless at the time.

Funny, I saved several thousand by using the dealer dagrinch hinted at compared to driving to Ohio.

[vlosh]

I would only do the PDI when your there. They should have already gone through it and have it ready to go. This is your maybe last chance to insure everything is working and to your satisfaction before you take it off the lot.

The last two travel trailers we purchased we filmed the PDI with an iPad. This recording will give you the option to go back and look at what they told you especially directions on how things work. We stopped and started the video with each item they showed us. We then went back and labeled each segment by topic. I was surprised at how many times we have gone back and looked at the videos.

[Iwannacamp]

PDI before signing.

They should have completed their own as they prepped for sale... then again before you take possession. Y'all do a complete PDI when you decide it's the unit for you and have made the "deal".

water? yes sewer? no electric? yes

no signie till fixie

[dotsonjc]

Would also recommend checking out electrical while connected to shorepower, and also disconnected (12v).

[rmac04401]

Originally Posted by GalsofEscape

Funny, I saved several thousand by using the dealer dagrinch hinted at compared to driving to Ohio.

May have to do with the type of RV you are looking at. I gave all locals an opportunity. Keystone did not carry any Puma Toy Haulers.