Need advice!! Dealer Damaged new Rv before pickup

cdkl7786

New Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2024
Messages
4
Location
Georgia
Good morning all! My wife and I were scheduled to pickup our new 2024 Rockwood 361RL. The dealership contacted us yesterday afternoon and advised us that as they finished up detailing and inspecting the RV and was pulling it out of the bay the garage door spring on the shop broke and the garage door fell into the top of our RV. It ripped the roof in a small section in front of the solar panel, no other damage noted. They immediately patched it so no rain would get inside and call us shortly after. We have the option of having the entire roof replaced with an additional 2 year in-house warranty or ordering us a new 361RL and having it delivered to the dealership. We are new RVer’s and would appreciate any advice. Thanks
 
I would patch the roof with eternabond tape. Use the camper for the season and have them replace the roof in the winter so you don’t loose your season

That’s what we are doing after some spring storms damage

I would get it in writing from the dealer though.
 
Boy that would be a heavy door falling on the roof. How are they going to ensure there is no underlying damage to the roof structure? Either way, new roof or new camper you are going to be tied up for a while and unless their service folks do really good work you risk having more issues.
 
How long untill they do final repair?

do what that 1961 fella said
get repair notice in writing if you take it off the lot


how far away from dealer do you live?
get it fixed at your convenience (as much as possible)
 
This is the dealer's trailer, not yours, and he's trying to sell it to you. I would not buy it or accept delivery of this trailer under any circumstances unless there was a significant reduction in price and assurance of quality repairs. Based on the offers made that means a new trailer.

Don't know the geographic region but camping season in much of the country only lasts another month or two so I'd not want a new trailer in October and would want to wait until next spring, Which I did a few years ago. Fresh current model year trailer fresh season.

-- Chuck
 
Thanks for all of the advice. As far as the dealership goes it’s only about 30 minutes from our home.
We live in North Georgia area so camping season runs pretty much through October/November.
I’m just not sure what risks of any are involved in the dealership putting a new roof on vs the factory putting it on. He says that they can have it done in 4-5 days. If they order a new unit he says a week or so for delivery, now I figured it would be much longer than that however we are new to this so I could be very wrong.
 
Our dealer damaged our last unit after we had taken delivery of it when in for service after one use, they ordered a new unit for us and did an even swap. If the dealer said he can get you a new one that quick I would vote for the new unit, as someone has already mentioned " What else could be wrong" Good luck and keep us posted.
 
Get the VIN off the damaged trailer and be sure it doesn't appear on the "new" trailer. Yeah my general trust for RV dealers is pretty low...

-- Chuck
 
Our dealer damaged our last unit after we had taken delivery of it when in for service after one use, they ordered a new unit for us and did an even swap. If the dealer said he can get you a new one that quick I would vote for the new unit, as someone has already mentioned " What else could be wrong" Good luck and keep us posted.
X 2 Later RJD
 
Don’t take it! No telling what will pop up down the road and once you drive it off the lot a lot of dealers become different in how they treat customers (buyers vs owners and repairs)

You live in Georgia and can camp year round. There is only a week or two difference in a new unit or a repaired unit. Get the new unit!
 
As long as you are still in control of your money, the dealer will likely be cooperative, The moment they have your money there is no guarantee,
 
I'd insist on a new unit. First, your FR warranty probably won't cover any issues that may come up due to the roof replacement. Second, dealers are being bought, and sold, around here in North Georgia. I wouldn't bet they will be around to honor the in-house additional warranty they're offering. To me this is a time were patience is a virtue...:)
 
A week for a new one? Must be a dealer trade?
In any case, if it has what you want as far as options, go for new. A weeks wait is nothing in the long run.
Compare VIN numbers and carefully inspect the new one if it is a dealer trade.
 
I agree. Get a new one and check the VIN.
They have no idea what damage might have been done to the sides or the underlying frame. A big heavy door like that can cause a lot of unseen damage.
An extended warranty is good, but your rig might be camped at the dealer waiting for repairs and you'll be left with no way to camp.

Rent an RV if you want to camp for the rest of the year.
 
damaged roof

No way would I take the trailer after being fixed. They have given you the option of a new one and if it were me I wold take the new one.
Being that it is now damaged they want you to take it but still pay full price for it. They know that when it goes out on the lot they have to declare the damage and also reduce the price.
Again wait and get a new one
 
Many good points raised above. No guarantee the dealer will be around later, no guarantee they would honor your agreement once they have your money, no telling what hidden damage might have occurred: get the new unit.
 
Take the new one

Another vote for take the new trailer, and as Chuck and others have said, make sure it's not the same one via the VIN.
 
New trailer even if you miss the rest of camping season though I camp year round
 

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