Duane you are so right! For a dealer not to allow for an independent inspection before delivery is absolutely absurd!! They will absolutely lose our business! THANK YOU! SAFE TRAVELS
I used a level 2 certified inspector when I bought a new RV. He found a few things so money well spent. However I found many many other obvious things that should have been caught during inspection. - A bent hitch. - safety hazard !! - 1/2” to 1” gaps in the outside storage where the compartment meets the wall. This needed reinforcements and then sealing - swivel seat not working - fresh water hose to tank had caught with slide mechanism and was leaking . This was repaired before picking up the RV. - water damaged sink covers found these before signing. The point is RV inspectors will find some things. However you still need to do your own PDI
Sorry to hear that you didn't get as thorough an RV inspection as you would have liked Punit. By far, the majority of customers who use an NRVIA certified RV inspector seem to be very pleased with the results from what I have seen. But as you said, the inspector you used did find enough issues to make the inspection worthwhile. And I agree, that the best scenario is when the RV owners does their own inspection in addition to the one by the certified inspector. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Thanks Big D! Closing on a B class tomorrow afternoon with only 3K miles, full warranties BUT still doing a pre-buy with the same guy who failed the C class…and rightfully so. ALL you videos are invaluable to RV’ers. Safe and happy travels to you as well!
Just found this channel and I’m hooked. I’m retired (early) in Florida and there both RV dealers and used RVs around every corner. Soaking all this information up like a sponge.
If you order from Tiffin, I understand that you can go to Red Bay to see your RV and have an inspection done before it leaves the manufacturer in Red Bay, AL. And they will fix it in Red Bay. After it is fixed, you can’t take delivery from Red Bay. You have to wait until it is delivered to your dealer and take delivery there. I think this is very helpful!
Good informative video, well done...all new buyers should watch this. I feel, as a rv owner for the past 30 years, it is imperative that the rv owner know his rig and basic repairs, often times this will prevent lengthy trips back to the service department. Many of the repairs needed on a new RVs are minor and can be easily fixed by the owner.JMHO
So true David. I often say that 80% of RV repairs can be handled by RV owners themselves if they have just a bit of knowledge about RV components and are willing to learn how to maintain and repair them. That's why I try to share as much RV knowledge as I can on my YT channel and website. Thanks for watching and adding your thoughts on the subject!
I’m just entering the market for a used RV. I believe that I know what I want (an 2017 Winnebago Aspect 27K) and these videos are a godsend. I will not purchase until I find a certified inspector but can’t locate one in my area which is surprising because there are so many large RV sales dealerships. Can you please recommend a body that has a directory of inspectors for me to start with? I’m grateful for your work. Thank you.
Sure. Just visit nrvia.org and select "Find An Inspector". Then you can view all of the local inspectors on the map there and contact them about their availability. Any certified NRVIA inspector has the necessary training to provide a top quality RV inspection for you. I usually recommend choosing the one that you feel most comfortable with.
way back in 2001, i bought a short sunnybrook fifth wheel rv. no inspection never thought about it. till this day t has been a good rv for my almost no problems. BUT. The way things are today i would not sign any paperwork till it was inspected and repaired. to MY satisfaction.
Easy soultion. Rent. If you experience equipment failures with the rental demand a price adjustment. Any adjustment refusal results in a challenge of the 100% of the rental charge until an appropriate adjustment is applied.
Glad to hear it Andre. I appreciate hearing such positive feedback about my videos. They are a lot of work to make so I'm glad that they are appreciated!
So glad to hear that. There's a lot of information in my 100+ videos that can be very helpful for new RVers. Enjoy it and thanks for commenting. All the best in your new RVing adventures!
Great advise, as always! We are in a seller's market, and dealers know it. If you don't buy it, there are people in line to buy them, specially smaller, or less expensive ones. No need for them to go through in inspection on a new RV that will certainly will have issues, some, serious ones, and once they know, they may be liable if they sell it. Definitely, not a good moment to buy an RV, much less without a good inspection prior to delivery. I was actually looking at one manufacturer today, not really in the market, just looking, and I could put an order for a 2023 model year, every one they can produce is sold out until then, it's ridiculous! I'll continue to enjoy my 2002 Bounder 31W, it hasn't given me any issues. This madness should end soon, be patient, get vaccinated, fly and stay in hotels or your favorite VRBO, and enjoy life. Buying an RV under current conditions is not worth it.
Those are all good points Pablo. And I agree that many of the older RVs were better made than what is coming out on the new market today. I say run that 2002 Bounder as long as you can! :-)
Who told you you should get VACCINATED⁉️ That's just DUMB and the Doctor's that push an mRNA VAXX DIDN'T LEARN DNA Replication and Protein Synthesis⁉️🤔
Is there a check list for the consumer to see if the NRVIA inspector is doing his/her job correctly and that they have all the tools on hand to do a "proper" inspection? If not can you publish a check list so we know that we are getting what we pay for?
It's hard to draw up a checklist that fits the inspection process for every NRVIA RV certified inspector because we all are our own boss and therefore can set up an RV inspection to include or exclude whatever we wish. But before you agree to any RV inspection, the inspector is trained to send you a checklist of things that they usually inspect as part of the inspection agreement that must be signed before the inspection takes place. So make sure that you get a list of inspected items before hiring the inspector. As for tools, it's the experience and knowledge that certified inspectors bring to the table that is far more important than the tools they use. A great RV inspection can be performed with relatively basic tools. I hope that helps answer your questions Ronald.
Thank you for your videos! I just found you TODAY! I am in the market for a full size class c motorhome that will be able to tow my small car. I am a remote worker and really want to see beautiful places while I can. Your videos definitely help and I will be downloading your book asap! Just thanks😊
Hi Kristina. I'm so glad that my videos have been helpful. I have two buying guides for Class C RVs. One is for newer ones within the last 3-4 years (payhip.com/b/WCwf7) and the other is for those 5-10 years old and older (payhip.com/b/2hzk3). Either one will give you the full list of Class C RVs that I recommend for those years. And if you get either guidebook I will be personally available to help you through the buying process as much as you like. I hope you find the perfect RV for your needs!
I have a question that.... maaaay be a little dumb. In the total capacity weight of for example 12,500 does that include the weight of the cabinets and things inside of the motorhomes? I looked up weight of 1 gallon of water and realized a 40 gallon tank like in the minnie winnie winnebago would be 334lbs of weight full. So I'm curious what is the actual calculation for weight allowed for my stuff?
@@kristinamoldovan4626 That's a great question Kristina. I made a video a while back that explains almost everything you need to know about RV weight and you can view it here - th-cam.com/video/GCbkqqGpouE/w-d-xo.html There are only a few weight ratings that you need to know to be able to safely operate your RV and that video explains them. Please let me know if you have further questions after watching that video.🙂
Ok, ok.... sooooo I do have additional questions about weight. *when the companies assemble the motor home do they take in to account the weight distribution on the axcel? Like the closet is above an axle where 50lbs could safely be added? Or the pantry accounts for x amount of weight at that point? I guess my question is with storage locations do they account for those being filled and what weight they can safely store? To break it down if I fill my closets with clothes AND my pantry and cabinets am I to assume those storage areas are placed where when full the weight is evenly spread?
Well, it's up to each RV buyer to decide whether they will just take the chance and let the dealer control the buying process or not Thomas. As I said in the video, I can't tell others what to do. But in my case, I will not allow them to dictate what I will buy and how I will buy it. I would rather put up with the inconvenience of having to find a different RV than face the frustration of getting an RV in good working shape over several months or even a year or more due to the dealer's lack of interest in customer satisfaction. But that's just me .... :-)
I think that RV quality took a big hit back when the economy went off the rails in 2008. In fact, many RV manufacturers couldn't survive the downturn. Even some very good RV builders went by the wayside and the others cheapened up their materials and processes to lower prices and keep selling. After that, there was a slight improvement in quality overall as time went on in the next 10 years or so, but Covid and it's effects were disastrous for RV build quality and customer support as well. And the industry is just now starting to get back on their feet from the pandemic's effects. At least that's how I see it.
This has been an issue since the 70’s when my parents bought a new motor home. The RV makers don’t have to keep to government regulations like automobiles. As far as I know there are no ‘lemon laws’ for the RV industry.
Yes, RVs are not built to the standards that passenger vehicles are expected to meet. For the most part, they are still assembled by hand, and that can make for a lot of variation in quality. That's why quality control is essential in the industry as the RV is being made. But sadly, it is severely lacking in many cases these days. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us Bob!
Hi Bob. I accidentally deleted your second comment asking about whether car dealers allow RV inspections on new units. My answer is that the majority of RV dealers do allow it. If they care at all about their customers they will allow the inspection because they are very aware of the issues that are coming out of the factory on new RVs. My viewpoint is that if an RV dealer does not allow an inspection on a new RV, you need to find another dealer. That kind of inflexibility is a red flag that they will most likely be difficult to deal with on other matters after the sale.
Dealers are now placing on demand orders and requiring you put up your down payment when placing the order. Basically you're making the purchase PROIR to delivery. It sounds like you're boxed in and get what you get. How does one get around that issue? How would you get your money back when receiving an inferior product?
Hi Vikki. It's true that RV dealers and manufacturers are in the driver seat right now with this incredible wave of interest in RVing, no doubt spawned to a large degree by the pandemic. But that won't last forever and the tide will turn again, most likely in the opposite direction. We'll see. But I recommend buying an RV now from a manufacturer that is well-known for using quality materials and quality building methods. Then follow the advice in this video and you put the odds mostly back on your side to get a good rig without all the frustration that many are experiencing now.
Great question Rhonda. Just visit nrvia.org and click the link for "Locate An Inspector". That will bring up a listing of the certified inspectors across the country. Just search for the ones nearest to your area.
Hi, how are you doing? You put great videos and I want to thank you for that. I do have a question about RV inspectors. I hear that many are very well trained at school like NRVTA and that there is an association of RV Inspectors and that sounds great. I wanted to go for that first week of training at NRVTA because many are recommending it. So I called them and realized that it wouldn’t be very helpful for me. And this brings my question. I would love to hire a RV inspector to inspect my RV before I take delivery but I don’t think that any of them are trained to inspect Newell, MCI or Prevost converters (Liberty, Millennium, etc) coaches. Am I wrong in thinking that way? I’m assuming that simply because NRVTA admitted that their training would not help me much with my new Newell. I will not pay full price for a training that covers things that will not apply to me. I won’t have propane, I won’t have a water heater similar to the ones they teach about, I won’t have a TPO roof, etc. What are your thoughts? Thank you ahead of time.
That's a good question Michael. Here's what I recommend to get an answer to your question - you can call NRVIA at 855-472-9948 and ask them if they know of any inspectors that can handle high end coaches like you mentioned. NRVIA is the organization that certifies RV inspectors, so they may be able to help you out with your inspection needs. And thanks for watching my videos. I'm glad you enjoy them!
If you hire a certified NRVIA RV inspector to inspect an RV for you they will provide you with a full report on all of the RV's systems and equipment when the inspection is finished. It is up to you to decide whether you wish to go ahead and buy the RV or not at that point.
Hi Lowell. I think that Keystone, who manufactures the Cougar, is solidly in the middle of the pack when it comes to overall quality. I also think that the older Cougars from 10 - 15 years ago tended to be of higher build quality than the newer ones from today. But the Cougar and the Montana basically made the reputation of Keystone over the years. And I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if it is in good shape.
If the buyer delays taking delivery until everything is fixed and a dealer threatens to sell the RV to someone else, then just walk away and find another dealer
So what are we supposed to do? We have to buy poorly made products from dealers who don’t or can’t fix them. Does ANY other product succeed with this model?
I admit that it's an odd situation Stan. But RVing itself has become so popular that the public is willing to put up with these issues in spite of the frustration that they cause in the buying process. I keep hoping that RV buyers will become more educated and demand better service from the manufacturers and dealers as a whole in the future. We'll see!
Most RV dealers will allow it Francis. But lately some dealers are refusing an inspection from an outside RV inspector. Mostly it's because they are in the drivers seat now because of the huge demand for RVs and the low supply of inventory. They just want to get the RVs sold and off their lot as fast as they can. I can't tell someone what to do if a dealer refuses an RV inspection, but I can say that if they did that to me, I would find a different dealer to do business with. That kind of attitude does not indicate that they have the best interests of the customer at heart.
How do you get around an rv dealerships that forbids you/rv inspector on the roof due to liability insurance concerns. Are they telling you a true story or a big fat lie?
It's hard to say Ronald, but the roof inspection is one of the most important parts of a typical RV inspection process. Leaky roofs and poor sealant jobs by the factory can damage an RV in very little time and require a lot of money to repair. If a dealer starts to limit my ability to perform any part of my inspection routine, I simply refuse to do business with them.
You can try Carlos. But dealers make up their own rules. And some are easier to work with than others. But regardless of what the dealers says, I would never trust an RV dealer's PDI as the final word on an RV that I am considering for purchase. It's always best to get a third-party certified RV inspection to really know what shape the RV is in before you buy it.
@@RVInspectionAndCare Love your videos and advice. If a dealer charges the PDI and does their own inspection but your NRVIA inspector finds significant problems afterwards, shouldn't a reputable dealer not charge their PDI fee to you? Obviously their PDI was faulty and not worth that charge.
@@LouisSokol You can try and recover the PDI cost but don't count on the dealer agreeing to do that. These days many dealers see the PDI as another way to profit on the sale whether they actually do a quality pre-delivery inspection or not.
Just visit nrvia.org and choose the button to "Find An Inspector". Then zoom in on the map on the following page to find the inspectors in your area and get their contact information. I hope that helps Bill.
One option once you’ve bought an rv that sits at the dealer for repairs is to reach out to a lemon lawyer if RVs are covered by your state’s lemon laws. Hopefully, if enough of us do this, we will make it more expensive for the manufacturers to bypass quality control on the front end.
I hear what you're saying Joe. But they have been building RVs like this for several years now and I doubt it's going to change until the buying public demands better.
I have contacted several RV dealers that advertise a 70 or 100 point check list on the rv. When I have asked these dealers to send me a copy of this check list to see what they check, "THEY DON'T". I question if there is an actual check list at all. I do not want a cosmetic check list, but a check list with a lot of meat to it.
RV inspectors know that the PDI that is commonly done at many RV dealers is not very robust at all Ronald. Of course, that's not what they will tell the customer.
Please stay away from RV company finance a arv that we refuse to accept fighting financing and RV dealer now and finance company all say nose so sorry but refused to remove financing
Very sad but so true!! Look at the Tesla!! Horrible strategy! Let people died and payout the law suit than recall! RV industry need the same safety measure as auto industry!!
Great advice but, nine minutes of blah blah blah. 2 minutes of pushing his book, which I already bought. Get to the point please. 14 minutes to get to the point.
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
Duane you are so right! For a dealer not to allow for an independent inspection before delivery is absolutely absurd!! They will absolutely lose our business! THANK YOU! SAFE TRAVELS
Right on Ron. You and me both! :-)
Yup, same for cars.
I was today years old when I learned about the importance of a certified inspector. Thank you, sir!
I'm glad the video was helpful for you. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment too!
I used a level 2 certified inspector when I bought a new RV. He found a few things so money well spent.
However I found many many other obvious things that should have been caught during inspection.
- A bent hitch. - safety hazard !!
- 1/2” to 1” gaps in the outside storage where the compartment meets the wall. This needed reinforcements and then sealing
- swivel seat not working
- fresh water hose to tank had caught with slide mechanism and was leaking . This was repaired before picking up the RV.
- water damaged sink covers found these before signing.
The point is RV inspectors will find some things. However you still need to do your own PDI
Sorry to hear that you didn't get as thorough an RV inspection as you would have liked Punit. By far, the majority of customers who use an NRVIA certified RV inspector seem to be very pleased with the results from what I have seen. But as you said, the inspector you used did find enough issues to make the inspection worthwhile. And I agree, that the best scenario is when the RV owners does their own inspection in addition to the one by the certified inspector. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Thanks Big D! Closing on a B class tomorrow afternoon with only 3K miles, full warranties BUT still doing a pre-buy with the same guy who failed the C class…and rightfully so. ALL you videos are invaluable to RV’ers. Safe and happy travels to you as well!
Thanks for the update Stephen. I'm hoping the Class B will pass with flying colors for you. Please let me know how it turns out. :-)
Just found this channel and I’m hooked. I’m retired (early) in Florida and there both RV dealers and used RVs around every corner. Soaking all this information up like a sponge.
I'm glad it's helpful Paul. Enjoy all the videos on this channel!
I look at it this way. When you buy a house you should get it inspected. So why not an RV which is a small home and in some cases as expensive.
That's a smart way to look at it Kathy. Thanks for watching!
Amazing advice. Just discovered you and I really appreciate what you’re trying to do for the RVer’s out there.
Welcome aboard Jeffrey! And thanks for the positive feedback about the channel. It's much appreciated!
What’s your opinion on the RiverStone by Forest River or any of their products. Thanks Robert
If you order from Tiffin, I understand that you can go to Red Bay to see your RV and have an inspection done before it leaves the manufacturer in Red Bay, AL. And they will fix it in Red Bay. After it is fixed, you can’t take delivery from Red Bay. You have to wait until it is delivered to your dealer and take delivery there. I think this is very helpful!
I hadn't heard about that Don. Thanks for that tip!
Good informative video, well done...all new buyers should watch this. I feel, as a rv owner for the past 30 years, it is imperative that the rv owner know his rig and basic repairs, often times this will prevent lengthy trips back to the service department. Many of the repairs needed on a new RVs are minor and can be easily fixed by the owner.JMHO
So true David. I often say that 80% of RV repairs can be handled by RV owners themselves if they have just a bit of knowledge about RV components and are willing to learn how to maintain and repair them. That's why I try to share as much RV knowledge as I can on my YT channel and website. Thanks for watching and adding your thoughts on the subject!
I’m just entering the market for a used RV. I believe that I know what I want (an 2017 Winnebago Aspect 27K) and these videos are a godsend. I will not purchase until I find a certified inspector but can’t locate one in my area which is surprising because there are so many large RV sales dealerships. Can you please recommend a body that has a directory of inspectors for me to start with? I’m grateful for your work. Thank you.
Sure. Just visit nrvia.org and select "Find An Inspector". Then you can view all of the local inspectors on the map there and contact them about their availability. Any certified NRVIA inspector has the necessary training to provide a top quality RV inspection for you. I usually recommend choosing the one that you feel most comfortable with.
way back in 2001, i bought a short sunnybrook fifth wheel rv. no inspection never thought about it. till this day t has been a good rv for my almost no problems. BUT.
The way things are today i would not sign any paperwork till it was inspected and repaired. to MY satisfaction.
I agree completely Larry. Thanks for watching and contributing your thoughts on the matter.
Easy soultion. Rent. If you experience equipment failures with the rental demand a price adjustment. Any adjustment refusal results in a challenge of the 100% of the rental charge until an appropriate adjustment is applied.
That may be a good solution for some. But for part-time and full-time RVers it's just not an economically feasible choice.
Bish's RV in Meridian, ID charges $225/hr labor according to a sign posted in their dealership near the service entrance. They must be using PHD's.
LOL ... That's a pretty hefty labor charge.
@@RVInspectionAndCare for sure
Great advice to follow. Always a learning process to listen to you.
Glad to hear it Andre. I appreciate hearing such positive feedback about my videos. They are a lot of work to make so I'm glad that they are appreciated!
Just found your channel and as a newbie, your advice is valuable to both me and my hubby! Thank you 😊
So glad to hear that. There's a lot of information in my 100+ videos that can be very helpful for new RVers. Enjoy it and thanks for commenting. All the best in your new RVing adventures!
I like to thank you for all of the information you are giving a future rver . I do plan on taking the Rv course certification
That sounds great Douglas. All the best to you in your new RVing adventures!
Love your channel, you give the info people want to know. truth, honesty and great useful info. thank you
I appreciate that so much. Thanks for watching the channel and leaving such positive feedback!
Great advise, as always! We are in a seller's market, and dealers know it. If you don't buy it, there are people in line to buy them, specially smaller, or less expensive ones. No need for them to go through in inspection on a new RV that will certainly will have issues, some, serious ones, and once they know, they may be liable if they sell it. Definitely, not a good moment to buy an RV, much less without a good inspection prior to delivery. I was actually looking at one manufacturer today, not really in the market, just looking, and I could put an order for a 2023 model year, every one they can produce is sold out until then, it's ridiculous! I'll continue to enjoy my 2002 Bounder 31W, it hasn't given me any issues. This madness should end soon, be patient, get vaccinated, fly and stay in hotels or your favorite VRBO, and enjoy life. Buying an RV under current conditions is not worth it.
Those are all good points Pablo. And I agree that many of the older RVs were better made than what is coming out on the new market today. I say run that 2002 Bounder as long as you can! :-)
Get vaccinated? Lmaooooo
Who told you you should get VACCINATED⁉️ That's just DUMB and the Doctor's that push an mRNA VAXX DIDN'T LEARN DNA Replication and Protein Synthesis⁉️🤔
@@EnjoyTheShoahUR 💯% CORRECT he was OK until that DUMB STATEMENT‼️😢
Excellent information.
Glad it was helpful Ruth. Thanks for watching!
And again, Thank you so much for the great and useful information !!!!
Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!
Couldn't agree more. I wouldn't buy a house without an inspection, why would an Rv be any different?
I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the matter!
Is there a check list for the consumer to see if the NRVIA inspector is doing his/her job correctly and that they have all the tools on hand to do a "proper" inspection? If not can you publish a check list so we know that we are getting what we pay for?
It's hard to draw up a checklist that fits the inspection process for every NRVIA RV certified inspector because we all are our own boss and therefore can set up an RV inspection to include or exclude whatever we wish. But before you agree to any RV inspection, the inspector is trained to send you a checklist of things that they usually inspect as part of the inspection agreement that must be signed before the inspection takes place. So make sure that you get a list of inspected items before hiring the inspector. As for tools, it's the experience and knowledge that certified inspectors bring to the table that is far more important than the tools they use. A great RV inspection can be performed with relatively basic tools. I hope that helps answer your questions Ronald.
Thank you for your videos! I just found you TODAY! I am in the market for a full size class c motorhome that will be able to tow my small car. I am a remote worker and really want to see beautiful places while I can. Your videos definitely help and I will be downloading your book asap! Just thanks😊
Hi Kristina. I'm so glad that my videos have been helpful. I have two buying guides for Class C RVs. One is for newer ones within the last 3-4 years (payhip.com/b/WCwf7) and the other is for those 5-10 years old and older (payhip.com/b/2hzk3). Either one will give you the full list of Class C RVs that I recommend for those years. And if you get either guidebook I will be personally available to help you through the buying process as much as you like. I hope you find the perfect RV for your needs!
I have a question that.... maaaay be a little dumb. In the total capacity weight of for example 12,500 does that include the weight of the cabinets and things inside of the motorhomes? I looked up weight of 1 gallon of water and realized a 40 gallon tank like in the minnie winnie winnebago would be 334lbs of weight full. So I'm curious what is the actual calculation for weight allowed for my stuff?
@@kristinamoldovan4626 That's a great question Kristina. I made a video a while back that explains almost everything you need to know about RV weight and you can view it here - th-cam.com/video/GCbkqqGpouE/w-d-xo.html There are only a few weight ratings that you need to know to be able to safely operate your RV and that video explains them. Please let me know if you have further questions after watching that video.🙂
Ok, ok.... sooooo I do have additional questions about weight.
*when the companies assemble the motor home do they take in to account the weight distribution on the axcel? Like the closet is above an axle where 50lbs could safely be added? Or the pantry accounts for x amount of weight at that point? I guess my question is with storage locations do they account for those being filled and what weight they can safely store? To break it down if I fill my closets with clothes AND my pantry and cabinets am I to assume those storage areas are placed where when full the weight is evenly spread?
*is it better to store dry beans over canned? And does the water system need to have water in each tank for even weight?
Great information, but I foresee now that with do many people waiting for Rvs, I see the deal passing you along and selling to someone wait for it.
Well, it's up to each RV buyer to decide whether they will just take the chance and let the dealer control the buying process or not Thomas. As I said in the video, I can't tell others what to do. But in my case, I will not allow them to dictate what I will buy and how I will buy it. I would rather put up with the inconvenience of having to find a different RV than face the frustration of getting an RV in good working shape over several months or even a year or more due to the dealer's lack of interest in customer satisfaction. But that's just me .... :-)
What do you see as the point quality control falling off? Covid...? before?
I think that RV quality took a big hit back when the economy went off the rails in 2008. In fact, many RV manufacturers couldn't survive the downturn. Even some very good RV builders went by the wayside and the others cheapened up their materials and processes to lower prices and keep selling. After that, there was a slight improvement in quality overall as time went on in the next 10 years or so, but Covid and it's effects were disastrous for RV build quality and customer support as well. And the industry is just now starting to get back on their feet from the pandemic's effects. At least that's how I see it.
This has been an issue since the 70’s when my parents bought a new motor home. The RV makers don’t have to keep to government regulations like automobiles. As far as I know there are no ‘lemon laws’ for the RV industry.
Yes, RVs are not built to the standards that passenger vehicles are expected to meet. For the most part, they are still assembled by hand, and that can make for a lot of variation in quality. That's why quality control is essential in the industry as the RV is being made. But sadly, it is severely lacking in many cases these days. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us Bob!
Hi Bob. I accidentally deleted your second comment asking about whether car dealers allow RV inspections on new units. My answer is that the majority of RV dealers do allow it. If they care at all about their customers they will allow the inspection because they are very aware of the issues that are coming out of the factory on new RVs. My viewpoint is that if an RV dealer does not allow an inspection on a new RV, you need to find another dealer. That kind of inflexibility is a red flag that they will most likely be difficult to deal with on other matters after the sale.
Great information. Awesome channel for the honest truth. Thanks Don
I appreciate that Don. Thanks so much for the positive feedback!
Thank you so much for all your great advice. Appreciated.
You are so welcome Jorge. I'm glad the video was helpful for you. Thanks for both watching and leaving a comment!
Dealers are now placing on demand orders and requiring you put up your down payment when placing the order. Basically you're making the purchase PROIR to delivery. It sounds like you're boxed in and get what you get. How does one get around that issue? How would you get your money back when receiving an inferior product?
Hi Vikki. It's true that RV dealers and manufacturers are in the driver seat right now with this incredible wave of interest in RVing, no doubt spawned to a large degree by the pandemic. But that won't last forever and the tide will turn again, most likely in the opposite direction. We'll see. But I recommend buying an RV now from a manufacturer that is well-known for using quality materials and quality building methods. Then follow the advice in this video and you put the odds mostly back on your side to get a good rig without all the frustration that many are experiencing now.
Thank you for letting us know about this 😃😃😃😃
I'm glad it was helpful for you. Thanks for watching!
Where do you find a qualified RV inspector?
Great question Rhonda. Just visit nrvia.org and click the link for "Locate An Inspector". That will bring up a listing of the certified inspectors across the country. Just search for the ones nearest to your area.
Hi, how are you doing? You put great videos and I want to thank you for that. I do have a question about RV inspectors. I hear that many are very well trained at school like NRVTA and that there is an association of RV Inspectors and that sounds great. I wanted to go for that first week of training at NRVTA because many are recommending it. So I called them and realized that it wouldn’t be very helpful for me. And this brings my question. I would love to hire a RV inspector to inspect my RV before I take delivery but I don’t think that any of them are trained to inspect Newell, MCI or Prevost converters (Liberty, Millennium, etc) coaches. Am I wrong in thinking that way? I’m assuming that simply because NRVTA admitted that their training would not help me much with my new Newell. I will not pay full price for a training that covers things that will not apply to me. I won’t have propane, I won’t have a water heater similar to the ones they teach about, I won’t have a TPO roof, etc. What are your thoughts? Thank you ahead of time.
That's a good question Michael. Here's what I recommend to get an answer to your question - you can call NRVIA at 855-472-9948 and ask them if they know of any inspectors that can handle high end coaches like you mentioned. NRVIA is the organization that certifies RV inspectors, so they may be able to help you out with your inspection needs. And thanks for watching my videos. I'm glad you enjoy them!
@@RVInspectionAndCare Thank you very much for your time and quick reply.
How we know that the inspector certify a unit.
If you hire a certified NRVIA RV inspector to inspect an RV for you they will provide you with a full report on all of the RV's systems and equipment when the inspection is finished. It is up to you to decide whether you wish to go ahead and buy the RV or not at that point.
What is opinion of the cougar 5th wheel.
Hi Lowell. I think that Keystone, who manufactures the Cougar, is solidly in the middle of the pack when it comes to overall quality. I also think that the older Cougars from 10 - 15 years ago tended to be of higher build quality than the newer ones from today. But the Cougar and the Montana basically made the reputation of Keystone over the years. And I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if it is in good shape.
If the buyer delays taking delivery until everything is fixed and a dealer threatens to sell the RV to someone else, then just walk away and find another dealer
I couldn't agree more Don. If enough buyers did that, you would see some big changes happening at some of these RV dealers.
So what are we supposed to do? We have to buy poorly made products from dealers who don’t or can’t fix them. Does ANY other product succeed with this model?
I admit that it's an odd situation Stan. But RVing itself has become so popular that the public is willing to put up with these issues in spite of the frustration that they cause in the buying process. I keep hoping that RV buyers will become more educated and demand better service from the manufacturers and dealers as a whole in the future. We'll see!
Will dealers allow an RV inspector come in and inspect the RV before the purchase?
Most RV dealers will allow it Francis. But lately some dealers are refusing an inspection from an outside RV inspector. Mostly it's because they are in the drivers seat now because of the huge demand for RVs and the low supply of inventory. They just want to get the RVs sold and off their lot as fast as they can. I can't tell someone what to do if a dealer refuses an RV inspection, but I can say that if they did that to me, I would find a different dealer to do business with. That kind of attitude does not indicate that they have the best interests of the customer at heart.
Outstanding advice!
Thanks for the positive feedback Joseph. It's much appreciated!
MHSRV, will not allow an NRVIA inspector to inspect an RV you are considering to buy
Thanks for sharing that information here Mike. And thanks for your continued support of this channel!
How do you get around an rv dealerships that forbids you/rv inspector on the roof due to liability insurance concerns. Are they telling you a true story or a big fat lie?
It's hard to say Ronald, but the roof inspection is one of the most important parts of a typical RV inspection process. Leaky roofs and poor sealant jobs by the factory can damage an RV in very little time and require a lot of money to repair. If a dealer starts to limit my ability to perform any part of my inspection routine, I simply refuse to do business with them.
WE MUST MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD LOUD & CLEAR:NO RV INSPECTION, NO SALE!!!
I hear you loud and clear Tammy. Thanks for sharing your opinion with us! :-)
Very good information!
Glad you think so Cheryl. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!
Are you obligated to do the dealers PDI? Can you opt to have that fee waived and use your own Inspector?
You can try Carlos. But dealers make up their own rules. And some are easier to work with than others. But regardless of what the dealers says, I would never trust an RV dealer's PDI as the final word on an RV that I am considering for purchase. It's always best to get a third-party certified RV inspection to really know what shape the RV is in before you buy it.
@@RVInspectionAndCare thanks we will!
@@RVInspectionAndCare Love your videos and advice. If a dealer charges the PDI and does their own inspection but your NRVIA inspector finds significant problems afterwards, shouldn't a reputable dealer not charge their PDI fee to you? Obviously their PDI was faulty and not worth that charge.
@@LouisSokol You can try and recover the PDI cost but don't count on the dealer agreeing to do that. These days many dealers see the PDI as another way to profit on the sale whether they actually do a quality pre-delivery inspection or not.
Great advice. Thank you
Glad it was helpful Andre. Thanks for watching!
Would the manufacturer allow a predelivery inspection? Hmmmm.
That's an interesting question, but most likely not. They do not sell RVs, they just build them.
Great advice.
I'm glad you enjoyed it John.
Thank you !!!
You're welcome Roxanne. Thanks for watching!
How can i find a rv inspector in my area?
Just visit nrvia.org and choose the button to "Find An Inspector". Then zoom in on the map on the following page to find the inspectors in your area and get their contact information. I hope that helps Bill.
@@RVInspectionAndCare Thank you very much for the info and great video
One option once you’ve bought an rv that sits at the dealer for repairs is to reach out to a lemon lawyer if RVs are covered by your state’s lemon laws. Hopefully, if enough of us do this, we will make it more expensive for the manufacturers to bypass quality control on the front end.
Nice idea Robert. I doubt much change will take place until the manufacturers are forced into it somehow by consumers. Thanks for contributing!
Why don't manufacturers use QS/ISO to help make them better. They need to improve or go out of business for poor quality.
I hear what you're saying Joe. But they have been building RVs like this for several years now and I doubt it's going to change until the buying public demands better.
I have contacted several RV dealers that advertise a 70 or 100 point check list on the rv. When I have asked these dealers to send me a copy of this check list to see what they check, "THEY DON'T". I question if there is an actual check list at all. I do not want a cosmetic check list, but a check list with a lot of meat to it.
RV inspectors know that the PDI that is commonly done at many RV dealers is not very robust at all Ronald. Of course, that's not what they will tell the customer.
Please stay away from RV company finance a arv that we refuse to accept fighting financing and RV dealer now and finance company all say nose so sorry but refused to remove financing
Sorry to hear about that experience Steve. I hope you get it resolved to your satisfaction. Thanks for watching the video!
👍👍
Thanks James. Glad it was helpful!
RV's cost more than small aircraft..js
Ha! Ha! ... sometimes they do! :-)
@@RVInspectionAndCare we have a Cessna 172 and it definitely didnt cost as much as these motorhomes.
Very sad but so true!!
Look at the Tesla!! Horrible strategy! Let people died and payout the law suit than recall!
RV industry need the same safety measure as auto industry!!
Unfortunately, there is very little regulation in the RV industry. Certainly not as much as you see in the auto industry.
Great advice but, nine minutes of blah blah blah. 2 minutes of pushing his book, which I already bought. Get to the point please. 14 minutes to get to the point.
I'm sorry the video was so unpleasant for you.
Great advice.
Thanks for watching and commenting!