Dealership Extras - Did you purchase?

[Redapple63]

I'd like to know more about your 6V Batteries, did you go with standard car type and what brand did you go with? On our last camper I used two 6V golf cart batteries from Batteries Plus and they held up ok for 5 years. Connected a single panel solar package from Renogy which did a good job keeping them charged, but this new camper has a lot more things that draw off the battery than the previous one.

We use two golf cart batteries as you mention. On my mh I used 2 interstates from Costco. They were 8 years old when I sold the mh in July last year and still going.

In my new GD trailer, we opted for the same. Dealer installed two interstates. Has worked well for us so far. We boondock one a year and use our genny as required only. Very minimal. With our use the batteries ladt us 3 - 4 days before we need to charge. Run our Yamaha 3k for a few hours and all is good.

[TsnTexas]

Sounds good, been looking for a reason to join Costco again. Do you use your Yamaha with a portable charger to the batteries or just plug your camper into the generator. I wonder if there would there be an advantage of one over the other.

[Redapple63]

Sounds good, been looking for a reason to join Costco again. Do you use your Yamaha with a portable charger to the batteries or just plug your camper into the generator. I wonder if there would there be an advantage of one over the other.

Just plug into to camper. I have a 50 amp system so I use a 50 to 30 adapter.

[bertschb]

Technically, they don't come with any batteries. But dealers put one in (at extra cost) usually.

My dealer put two 12v batteries in all three of our 5th wheels. They were included in the purchase price along with two full propane tanks. I can't imagine a dealer not including batteries as it would be kind of difficult lifting the jacks to drive off the lot without them :-)

I actually got my dealer to give me a $200 credit for batteries on our current 5th wheel as I brought my own LiFePO4 batteries when I picked up the RV.

[Average Jane]

I politely declined all the extras. I was going to do a bit of research on my own about a tracking device. I've used things like a Tile stashed away in vehicles, but by now I suspect there are numerous other options.

Appreciate everyone's input and confirming I should go with my gut.

[Aridon]

Most of those are garbage. The bottom of these units the to rust though. I'm under there every year converting and painting spots. Now that it's been a couple of years it seems to be falling off since I've pretty much converted and painted a large part of the underneath in small batches over time.

I wouldn't pay for it. 30 minutes on a creeper and it's easy work but something to watch out for. Certain parts will rust really fast.

[GaryS1964]

I bought the Good Sam Extended Service Plan for 6 years of coverage with a $500 deductible. Cost around $1400. I'll take care of the small stuff and hopefully the plan will cover and major repairs. My RV mechanic said he accepts it and likes it. He says it's a good plan.

[Average Jane]

Thanks for that idea. Ran a quick quote for 6 years, not bad at $1300. Within minutes though a semi pushy salesman rang. Still looking at options. Think the 4 year plan offered by the dealer was 2x that. Yikes.

[GaryS1964]

Thanks for that idea. Ran a quick quote for 6 years, not bad at $1300. Within minutes though a semi pushy salesman rang. Still looking at options. Think the 4 year plan offered by the dealer was 2x that. Yikes.

Before you choose a plan (or not) check with RV Repair facilities you trust and use and see if they accept the Good Sam plan and what they think about it. I've read some posts in this forum where people have used it at home and on the road.

[M&Lcamping]

Hey, we are working on the paperwork for our GD TT and some things were brought up as extra to purchase.

Obviously an additional warranty has been brought up, 3 years (total of 4 counting the 1st year that is included) can go up to 7 years. Was it worth it to you? Did you wish you had?

Gap insurance - we won't be upside down so don't think we need it.

Tracking device should it get stolen - I think this is more for the bank incase we default, call me skeptical. My insurance company also won't give a discount for having it unless it shows up when they check the VIN.

Undercoating the metal - we don't salt the roads here and are unlikely to camp in weather where it's used. It includes other things like fixing small blemishes on the exterior / interior - not worried about that though.

I'm leaning towards a no on all of them.

With my truck I can get an extended warranty elsewhere for cheaper, wasn't sure if it was the same on TT.

Any input would be appreciated.

Just my opinion; extended warranties are very much like insurance plans, the gamble is that you will have claims and as the purchaser we hope our covered portion of claims exceeeds the amount we spent for the contract. The underwriter of the policy (company), is from a historic standpoint, looking at this as your claims will not exceed your purchased amount. As a decent guide, Consumer Reports as a source will tell you - you are better off putting that money for a contract into an account to use for such said 'repairs' -- During my 28 years in the automotive industry I can count on one hand how many customers actually "saved the day" financially buy having an extended service contract.