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  1. #1
    Rolling Along
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    Shakedown Seriously

    I’m a seasoned RV guy and DIY enthusiast. You know, the happy camper in the site next to you with a truckload of tools that walks about with a certain undeserved confidence.

    Here in the forum I read so many accounts of folks that take their new RV out for a big trip only to have some sort of major breakdown during the first week. The whole trip is messed up, the experience is a big disappointment, and it will be weeks to get the parts or a time slot for repairs. Not good. Not fun.

    The Quality Control could be better at the factory, the inspection / training at the dealership could be more thorough and the components actually tested before the sale.

    When I buy a new tow vehicle I expect it to be perfect and function flawlessly for years. And they do. These trucks are incredibly complex and amazingly reliable. But not RV’s.

    I think dealerships should strongly encourage owners to take a multi day, multi site, shakedown camping trip in the new RV. Run everything. Use everything. Expect some problems and build into the sale some sort of fast response repair agreement to fix stuff before that first big cross county trip.

    Easier said than done, not always possible, but still perhaps a good idea.
    2021 Reflection 312 BHTS, Silverado 2500 Duramax

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor
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    A lot of dealerships have camp sites onsite or close by and encourage you the buyer to spend a night or two after the purchase. Many problems occur from the lack of understanding how things work and are not broke. By spending a night, many of these issues will show up during your short stay and the dealership can come back out the next day and educate or repair the issue.

    The day of the purchase and PDI entails a lot of emotions...excitement, stress, happiness, exhaustion and so on. So not everything said at the PDI is understood or absorbed. This short stay can resolve many frustrations an RV buyer may have.

    Just my 2 cents.
    Location - Wherever the road takes us...Full-timers
    2015 Momentum 380
    2019 Ram Dually

  3. #3
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    I can't disagree with any of that. When we went with our friend to his pdi I used his phone and recorded it for him to refer to if necessary.

    With ours we played camp driveway. But we were also given an unlimited amount of time in the service bay to test and explore our 303. Only thing we were told was to be out by closing. They even offered a tech if we had any questions. Picking up the rig in early Jan had it's bonuses.
    Took it back for the few issues we found. Unfortunate that today the dealers are hard pressed with the increased sales and warranty work so most can't offer the repair bay time like that.

    It was a snowy winter 8 yrs ago and we went to FL for a month right after dropping it off for the few items found. The dealer fixed and stored the RV for us until we could get the drive way cleared on our return.
    Marcy & Gary
    2014 Grand Design - Reflection 303RLS
    2022 GMC 3500 Denali Duramax Longbed SRW
    2015 GMC Denali 3500 - Retired
    2003 F350 - retired
    Michigan
    We're in trouble now, the dog are bloggin'!
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  4. #4
    Site Team Redapple63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WhittleBurner View Post
    I can't disagree with any of that. When we went with our friend to his pdi I used his phone and recorded it for him to refer to if necessary.

    With ours we played camp driveway. But we were also given an unlimited amount of time in the service bay to test and explore our 303. Only thing we were told was to be out by closing. They even offered a tech if we had any questions. Picking up the rig in early Jan had it's bonuses.
    Took it back for the few issues we found. Unfortunate that today the dealers are hard pressed with the increased sales and warranty work so most can't offer the repair bay time like that.

    It was a snowy winter 8 yrs ago and we went to FL for a month right after dropping it off for the few items found. The dealer fixed and stored the RV for us until we could get the drive way cleared on our return.
    We did something similar. Did a very comprehensive PDI, and the techs were extremely helpful. Fixed about 4 or 5 things on the spot (minor).

    When we got home, landing jacks was in op. New Jack was gratised by mfgr.

    In backyard for 3 months, tested everything. First shakedown trip 250 miles away, and it has been awesome.

    Dealer has to be a will willing and active participant for it to work.

    Bill
    2019 GMC 3500 SRW Sierra Denali Duramax
    2020 Reflection 315RLTS

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