I almost always perform my own work. But if I must have some other shop do it, I always ask for the old parts back, unless there's an expensive core charge. If there's a core charge, I politely ask them to show me the old and new parts.
That's a wise thing... however as afar as I am concerned if you aren't interested in DIY preventative maintenance then you should not be driving your house on a freeway... it's not just about YOU & your home which are exceptionally important... its also all the other drivers on the road & their children that are at risk of harm when mechanical failure occurs at speed in transit on a highway... it is almost guaranteed that because it's an RV you are going to a scenic place hence 25% of your driving will be taking you on narrow [non idyllic] roadways etc It is not hard to turn a wrench & remove a plug to drain oil/tranny fluid... to check the gaskets on the plug & install sealer before refastening... a filter wrench is a one time expense that pays for itself after a few oil changes... checking & replacing a belt/air filter is also something a child can do... so everyone who RVLife's should be responsible & learn how to do their own preventative maintenance... the better you know your rig the sooner you will be leading a truly INDEPENDENT life on the road!
Unfortunately if you are at a repair shop that "specializes" in your vehicle they may have plenty of old parts but not necessarily your old parts. Additionally many people are not familiar with repair parts and the service required and really won't know what parts they're looking at and can still be taken advantage of.
Hi Andrew… Just a quick note to thank you and commend you on the incredibly “Creative“ way you got your point across on the dealership in question! I gave you a big round of applause and you gave me a great laugh! You are terrific! Thank you for all that you do for us out here in the “trenches”!! 👍
Great advise as always Andrew! I purchased a new car last month and paid cash yet the salesman said I had to see the finance manager, I asked why, he said that was there policy, I asked for my check back and all of a sudden I didn’t have to see the finance guy.
LOL, I went through that clown show at a dealer. I arranged a deal on the net and the phone. If the car was exactly as described I would buy it, in exchange for a bank check for TOTAL of X amount, out the door, tag, tax, registration, everything. The car was great. I told the salesperson that I was heading down the street to a branch of my bank, to get the check cut. He then tells me that I MUST see the finance manager first. I walk in the office and the bullshit starts. I cut the lizard off and say, "one of two things will happen here. I will either head to my bank for a check in the amount we agreed to, or I will head to my truck and drive home. You tell me where this is headed?." He decided that he wanted the check...................
I was recently looking to buy a small Travel Trailer I told them I was financing through my bank and yet they still wanted me to see the finance manager. I kept asking them could they write up an invoice so I could take to bank they told me to tell them the approx price that I wanted to finance. I'm think that's not how this work plus I'm sure my insurance company would like to see what I'm trying to get coverage on.
First thing you learn buying anything....never ever ever tell them your paying cash. They loose a bunch of money. You let them break it down...get the best deal. Get it on paper....than deduct all the extras. Hand them the money... Most times they wont even sell it too u or will hang there head..😂
I always pay cash and load up the motor, top verson, all options...one dealer called me a fool for not going for the 0% financing...i got $4,000 knocked off which id not gave gotten for that 0% finance and i never had to worry about missing one payment then finding that zero was now 7% .
hes trying to get and keep enough likes to get paid why do you think he dose so many videos dont be stupid he dosent even have a real rv he has a phaeton or claims to some rvers have always been easy targets yeh he reminds of of a truck stop wheel polish hustler
Andrew, always enjoy your videos, you always have a great attitude and genuine concern for others. In today's world there are not many people who operate in honor. Keep up the great work and keep being yourself! Thanks and travel safe this holiday weekend and...Hope your having a Great Day 😀
I have come to really enjoy your videos and I do watch for the new publications and any new post and I just think that you do a fantastic job . I've learned so much since I've started watching you , there's a lot of information. A lot of things that I knew nothing about and you've really helped me to prepare myself to make a educated and well-thought-out decision when buying a new coach . Well, new to me anyway. Thank you for sticking your neck out and warning people of the pitfalls along with the many things that we should watch out for. Thank you for taking the time to put these videos out .
You got it correct. In aviation we call it PMI. Preventative Maintenance and Inspection. I appreciate all your videos. Great information for learning before investing. Thank you.
Well said Andrew, I’ve had 2 high end motor homes and you are spot on. You have learned a lot in a short few years and pass on what you’ve learned generously. Thanks pal.
Excellent points. Thank you. This fraud is prevalent everywhere and dealerships know that there will be no repercussions. Even when the dealership is unaware, they may just have a lazy tech avoiding work. Never own any equipment that you can't maintain yourself unless blessed with an unlimited budget and enjoy being ripped off.
Thanks Andrew. I too have similar stories of dealers trying to rip me off. If possible, I really recommend buying from a private party. Dealing directly with sellers not only creates a more honest transaction, but also allows buyers to learn the history of the unit, which given the size of these transactions, is incredibly important. It's kind of funny when you ask a dealer to tell you about the history of a coach they took in trade and they have no idea. Thanks again for this post!
Good morning Andrew! Happy belated 4th of July to you! Thank you for this video! Bleh...it just sheds light on the type of operations that we wish weren't out there. The fact that this company deliberately charged for a SAFETY feature and didn't install it is criminal!
Great video! The truth hurts...there seems to be more unscrupulous dealerships than good ones and it is a shame. You did prompt me to take my 2014 Winnebago in for preventative maintainence before hitting the road for a long trip. Just put 6 new tires on it, had the slides and A/C units serviced. It runs great but changing fluids and filters is super important!
Yep, had to change out my cooling fan clutch one trip, the only road repair I've had in 13 years, and the mechanic shop tried to tell me I needed a new serpentine belt and tensioner pulley. I laughed at the guy on the phone and said let's just change the fan clutch thank you. When I'm at home base I can do 90% of all my maintenance work, which like you said is important. A lot of people get taken advantage of because they don't know the basics. My dad taught me, you either do it yourself or make tons of money and have someone else do it. Either way maintenance has to be done. Changing fuel filter on the Onan this week, and adjusting valve lash. Why? Because it says so in the manual to do it at 500 hours. Great video man, keep it up.
I dislike haters and people that are stuck up. Thank you Andrew for being the nice person you are and sharing this with us. It is sad that there are dishonest people that we have to protect ourselves from. I hope you are having a great day! Thanks again!
Thank you Andrew. I've been following you for since you started and comment now and then. Always like your videos and the information you provide. Your first rate and I appreciate your honesty. Hope to shake your hand someday! Thanks again my friend. Regards, Myk
Andrew - this is probably your most valuable video for the new RV buyer! All the dealerships I’ve encountered do try to sell the paint and fabric protector, extended warranties and other highly marked-up stuff. You can buy an extended warranty for half or less of what dealerships charge for them - simply because the dealership is marking-up the warranty by 100% and putting 50% in their pockets.
Sir Andrew, greetings.. you are looking good..vibrant..you are so blessed with the true spirit of love for others...its needed so much today...thank you..prayers always for your journey... peace within👑🤗
Great video and great advice, one thing I would suggest on the fluid and filter change problem is to ask the service tech to provide you the old filters. That won't guarantee they did the work, but if you spring it on them after the service when you pick up the rig, observe their reaction when you ask for the used filters.
Hello Andrew . I am brand new to rving . My wife and I bought our first rv about two months ago, 2020 entegra aspire 44w. I purchased it at national indoor rv center in Atlanta . Our experience was amazing. They did not try to sell me anything. Even after our purchase agreement was complete my salesman told me that he forgot to deduct the money for the air fair for us to fly out to pick up the rv . They never said anything to me about air fair reimbursement. He brought us back in the office and deducted $500.00 off the final price . The delivery experience was amazing. We were treated like we were there only customer . Two months now after our purchase every time I call my salesman he answers the phone . Even on Sunday . I actually can’t wait to go back to for some minor warranty . All the people are so nice .
Great video Andrew, I normally change my own oil and filters just for the reasons you point out. Several years ago getting ready for a cross country trip, I took my Chevy Astro to Jiffy L for a grease job. Knowing the van had 13 zerk fittings. I thought lets give JL a try and a few bucks put the van on a lift and perform the task. 14 dollars later, drove my van home. Crawling on the garage floor, under the front suspension, discovered only 4 or the zerk fitting were touched, all the upper ball joints, pitman arms, idler arms dry as a bone. Went back to JL and after a few words about what I had discovered, the manager said "oh yeah, I spoke to the mechanic he said and those hidden grease fittings are had to get to". The manager refunded 5 bucks - haven't been back to JL since.
Thanks for all this information. Good to know. We are planning on buying a motor home next year when we retire. Thanks to you I’m adding more questions when that time comes. Thanks
Late to the comment party here. Great transparency here Andrew. Hope you’re still the same guy today! We need people like you. Never compromise sir. Never.
Love, Love, your insight knowledge & honesty when it comes to RV’s. I may be on the market soon and will gladly pay you for you assistances when purchasing an A class!
Thank you for sharing that with us.... my lifestyle 5th wheel from a dealership here in Chattanooga Tennessee... actually in Ringgold Georgia had warranty... boy they burnt me good... had several problems give $2,000 for washer and dryer washer was leaking had to fix it on my own... commode seal leaking they said they fixed it all I had to end up go back to it all myself... work so hard to get your RV... and the dealerships don't stand behind it... enjoy your videos like always thank you very much... just had to vent a little bit..
my wife and I are planning to get an RV bus, this year we have been planning this for more than a year now, and I'm so thankful that I saw your video. thank you.
Yes some Dealerships and repair shops are Grimy. I got a 1978 Firebird took it in for its second oil change, dropped it off went to work and picked it up after work paid for it went home and checked the oil and it had the same dirty oil and filter on it. I went back they change my oil while I was there and gave me my money back. Great video Stay Safe ✌🏽
Speaking of maintenance. All my chasis maintenance is done by a trusted diesel shop and don’t use any dealers. My diesel shop allows me be in the area of the coach while they are doing what needs to be done. So I know the repairs are being done as expected.
Lazy Days of Tampa had my new class A diesel pusher for a few days to do a repair. During that time they put a cut in the outer sheath of the 50 A electrical cord. They initially admitted to me they had done it, but then started LYING to everyone else about it. They never took responsibility. It fell to me to get the cord replaced. Listen to the voice of experience... don't ever deal with the crooks at Lazy Days.
In my opinion, If someone pays for a service of any kind, And that service isn't provided, It's called "Fraud"!!! The crooked people who commit this crime should absolutely be called out and named to the public! If this happened to me, I would take their rotten asses to court!!!
I replaced the house batteries on my coach a few years ago. Wasn't until I had driven most the way across country that I learned everything they had done wrong during the install. Really luckily I didn't have an electrical fire. I think finding qualified reputable companies to provide services and repairs is one of the most difficult puzzles peices for RV owners. As a full-timer I really don't like wrenching on it but if you want it done right better just do it yourself.
Hey Andrew great video. I have read horror stories of Lazydays. RV owners need to take maintenance into their own hands or find a reputable mechanic not a dealership. When MJ bought her Escape they tried to hard sell the extended warranty with the fear tactics and I cut the sales manager off by telling him we were having second thoughts purchasing the car and maybe we should reconsider the Honda CR-V. That shut him down. Salesman are there to take your money and you have to be prepared. Thanks for sharing. Izzy
I like the sharpie on the filter idea. One should always ask for the parts, including filters, when service is done. It’s also good to know your fluid requirements. If you know you need 8 gallons but they only charge you for four, you should be suspect. Of course that doesn’t’ quite work if their going to screw with the bill and charge you for eight. And as Andrew noted, they try to convince you to “protect your investment”. A depreciating asset, like a car or RV, is never an investment. It’s an expense that you need to maintain but you can’t protect it from depreciating. Another good video. Thanks.
Great info. I always stick with two points. 1. A good vehicle already has a quality paint coating standard from the factory. That’s the best you will ever get. 2. Saving $4000 for essential maintenance later on will serve you and the vehicle a whole lot better.
Thank you VERY MUCH for this video...we are looking at possibilities of purchasing a RV. We might not have thought the process completely through...thank you!
You need to talk to Michelin... per their website and CSR they actually state the longevity of their RV tires is 10 years. What they state is every year after the 6 year mark to have them inspected. The other thing they highly recommend is to use your RV every 30 days. The reason given was the chemicals in the tires needs to be reactivated with use.
Good points! Of course, all of these tactics also apply to many CAR dealerships. Buy used, whenever possible, and if you do buy new, refuse any of the extras (paint protectors, cloth protectors, extra warranty, etc. etc.).
Good info, it isn't only in the RV business, but I can see with all the systems they can really rip folks off. Big RV's are perfect for this type of thing. Sucks, many shops and Dealerships with no integrity.
Thanks Andrew for all you do to bring good energy to the rv world. I plan to full time RV soon and will be buying a class A soon..Not sure if I should go to a production model or have a custom coach made. Not sure if you offer consulting services. Love to get some professional input prior to such a big investment....have a great day and thank you again for your energy...
Great video! First time watching and commenting. Biggest problem we always have is finding a car mechanic we trust! Finding a van/ camper mechanic, especially on trips is going to be an issue. That's my big fear. I worked at a dealership as well, there are some Good ones out there, but as you say Andrew once you get into the financing room, hold on tight to your wallet!! Know your own credit score going in, and shop for your own financing!! Then you hold the cards. At certain points it may make sense to finance your car with the dealer, if they have a finance saIe, or clearing old stock etc. But if you checked your finance scores and interest rates, you will know your true costs, some shady dealers will throw up smoke and Mears and your so called deal and lower rate they offer will be more expensive they your prechecked bank rates. I would never buy paint or interior protection as well. Much better places to buy that kind of thing.
I thought that it would be prudent to do research before purchasing our first coach. So, we drove from Denver to Red Bay last summer to tour the Tiffin factory. After all, they’re a top manufacturer of motorhomes. Right? The tour was impressive to say the least. BIG Operation! BIG Facility. When we finished the tour they had us walk through new units waiting final “quality checks” before being presented to their owners. Each “finished” coach had a long list of problems to be corrected prior to delivery. We saw poorly fitting components that were not even on the list! We then went to the camping area where new Tiffin owners were waiting for warranty repairs. I was shocked!! No motorhome for us...
Andrew just now watched your vid on the dealership rippin folks! It doesn’t surprise. I retired in 2021 from semi truck pulling tankers, most of my trucks were working class show trucks and when I once in awhile had someone change fluids I always makes them or was standing over them! I rv a good bit and last year bought a 2021 gulfstream class c. So far I’ve done the first oil change on it and inspect “everything”. Did have a mirror assembly replaced and before I left I seen it was wrong! Went back in and made them fix it right . Mechanic should have known. The motto of my not to uncommon story is do not be to trusting and always check their work or you’ll screw yourself. I’m likely a leach on them!
Hi Andrew I'm heading to Denver Thursday to buy a 2007 newmar essex from trans west saw your video on trans west so decided to go with them they have been nothing but helpful and have stayed in touch thru the whole process..
My wife and I are retiring soon and really want the RV life for adventuring around the USA, but the more videos I watch about the nightmares of RV ownership, the more we are turning away. It's just sad when people don't do what they say they are going to do. Sales and service doesn't seem alive anymore in any industry, it's more sales and scams. Thanks for your videos - They are eye opening.
Yeah, im gonna do a cost analysis as just a vacation family. Buy one or just rent an rv or hotel it. Until I retire. Then ill buy one (used, let someone else eat the depreciation), because it will be a long term deal.
Buyer beware for sure,Thanks Andrew Great Information,when I bought my new Super C I asked you about the coating they wanted to sell me and you told me then to not do it! I didn’t and I Greatly appreciate your honest opinion,saved me $2000 !!
Best post so far. Seriously, rent from an RV owner. A thou a week for a 5 year old big class A, about half that for a smaller B. Easy to find. Think about it no servicing, storage, insurance, or depreciation. Sure beats owning one...
@David Bryant yes, on a comment board. Your comment indicated that RV's are a bad investment. I agreed with you (you should be proud). They, like cars, have a non-investment grade purpose. I "needed" to tell you that for the same reason you "needed" to comment on the original post.
Would like to disagree :-). We had one for 13+ years, and we loved it. If you are looking at the purchase purely from an investment/ROI point of view -> you are spot on. In the moment you drive away from the dealership you probably already lost 10-15% of the value. But in 13 years owning and using our RV, driving around the country, spending a lot of time in RV parks where our daughter spent great times and met new friends, not having the need to wait in endless lines in airports when going on vacation, having the flexibility to leave for vacation whenever you want, even ad-hoc … all this is priceless. Again, just looking at the purchase price of an RV and what you might get as reselling value one day … no question, not a good investment. But if you look at it from a total cost of ownership, including all costs you had to pay when not being on vacation with an RV but in a hotel etc. -> it’s a different story.
This goes the same for car dealers. They sale a warranty that is bumper to bump up to 100,000 miles. When you read the fine print in the warranty book there are 12 pages of the items they don’t cover. Allstate warranty for Chevy and GMC is a joke! Great Video Thanks.
Great video! I purchased back in October 2013 a new 2014 GMC half ton truck loaded for over $62,000.00 in Calgary Alberta. I was always a GM man but that was the worst thing ever I did in my life! I brought it back 17 times to get things fixed and they never helped me out at all! It had Bad Year tires on it, the cheapest line! They vibrated so much the only one that liked the ride was my girlfriend! Bluetooth my ass! Had no teeth at all! I lost so many calls for business on the phone people got frustrated with me talking while I drove! The mileage was from 12 liters per 100 right up to 28 litres at times for no reason from different driving! The heated seat only worked on low out of 3 settings! The only thing that worked great was the heated steering! Froze my ass at -40 Celsius! Lemon laws don't apply for Canadians! Was a bag of lemons! After owning it 9 months, I lost $30,000.00 when I got rid of it! After these salespeople take your money, forget about it! Never drive another GM product for as long as I live! The government should be protecting us more against these criminals! But, that's another story!
People rushed in to buy RVs because of COVID, so they ended up buying high, but will have to sell low. As for salesmen, they really do lie. One told me that he needed the sales commission ”for my family.” But he had told me 20 minutes earlier that he was single. And a car salesman said they were ”very low; down to only two” for the model I wanted. But when I went online, I saw that they had 15 in inventory.
Buy the RV at the dealer. But when it comes to drivetrain maintenance, don't go back. They know nothing about Cummins, Detroit, Caterpillar, Allison. Many of the chassis are built by freightliner. Take it to those respective dealers. They are actually less expensive than RV dealers, and they know their product.
What you are describing about RV Dealers is one of the reasons, coupled with the constant production of substandard and no QC of the North American commercial RV Industry is why we traded our RV on a custom van. They don't deserve any of our business anymore. They've gone off the deep end.
Finding a reliable and honest repair facility can be so difficult. BUT remember great service and the cheapest price normally are not found in the same place. If the price is super low ask yourself or better yet the garage why?
No doubt about it. I drove 100 miles to look at a rig once and said I would think about it. Half hour after I left I thought of a question and called the salesman. “Oh I’m sorry a guy just came in and bought it but remember the other one I showed you?” Right 30 minutes later a guy bought the rig for cash. I did a number on them on Yelp they won’t forget soon.
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I almost always perform my own work. But if I must have some other shop do it, I always ask for the old parts back, unless there's an expensive core charge. If there's a core charge, I politely ask them to show me the old and new parts.
That's a wise thing... however as afar as I am concerned if you aren't interested in DIY preventative maintenance then you should not be driving your house on a freeway... it's not just about YOU & your home which are exceptionally important... its also all the other drivers on the road & their children that are at risk of harm when mechanical failure occurs at speed in transit on a highway... it is almost guaranteed that because it's an RV you are going to a scenic place hence 25% of your driving will be taking you on narrow [non idyllic] roadways etc
It is not hard to turn a wrench & remove a plug to drain oil/tranny fluid... to check the gaskets on the plug & install sealer before refastening... a filter wrench is a one time expense that pays for itself after a few oil changes... checking & replacing a belt/air filter is also something a child can do... so everyone who RVLife's should be responsible & learn how to do their own preventative maintenance... the better you know your rig the sooner you will be leading a truly INDEPENDENT life on the road!
Mop and glow makes a good sealer or that’s what the dealer says.
Yep, always ask for the old parts, keeps them honest.
Unfortunately if you are at a repair shop that "specializes" in your vehicle they may have plenty of old parts but not necessarily your old parts. Additionally many people are not familiar with repair parts and the service required and really won't know what parts they're looking at and can still be taken advantage of.
Hi Andrew… Just a quick note to thank you and commend you on the incredibly “Creative“ way you got your point across on the dealership in question! I gave you a big round of applause and you gave me a great laugh! You are terrific! Thank you for all that you do for us out here in the “trenches”!! 👍
Great advise as always Andrew!
I purchased a new car last month and paid cash yet the salesman said I had to see the finance manager, I asked why, he said that was there policy, I asked for my check back and all of a sudden I didn’t have to see the finance guy.
LOL, I went through that clown show at a dealer. I arranged a deal on the net and the phone. If the car was exactly as described I would buy it, in exchange for a bank check for TOTAL of X amount, out the door, tag, tax, registration, everything. The car was great. I told the salesperson that I was heading down the street to a branch of my bank, to get the check cut. He then tells me that I MUST see the finance manager first. I walk in the office and the bullshit starts. I cut the lizard off and say, "one of two things will happen here. I will either head to my bank for a check in the amount we agreed to, or I will head to my truck and drive home. You tell me where this is headed?." He decided that he wanted the check...................
That happened to us when we bought a car one time. When I pay cash, leave me out of the damn finance office!
I was recently looking to buy a small Travel Trailer I told them I was financing through my bank and yet they still wanted me to see the finance manager. I kept asking them could they write up an invoice so I could take to bank they told me to tell them the approx price that I wanted to finance. I'm think that's not how this work plus I'm sure my insurance company would like to see what I'm trying to get coverage on.
First thing you learn buying anything....never ever ever tell them your paying cash. They loose a bunch of money. You let them break it down...get the best deal. Get it on paper....than deduct all the extras. Hand them the money... Most times they wont even sell it too u or will hang there head..😂
I always pay cash and load up the motor, top verson, all options...one dealer called me a fool for not going for the 0% financing...i got $4,000 knocked off which id not gave gotten for that 0% finance and i never had to worry about missing one payment then finding that zero was now 7% .
Andrew looking out for us. Classy guy is what you are. Thank you.
Does GB stand for gravity bong
hes trying to get and keep enough likes to get paid why do you think he dose so many videos dont be stupid he dosent even have a real rv he has a phaeton or claims to some rvers have always been easy targets yeh he reminds of of a truck stop wheel polish hustler
Andrew, you are a good man. So refreshing to listen to someone with integrity and gives a damn. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Andrew, always enjoy your videos, you always have a great attitude and genuine concern for others. In today's world there are not many people who operate in honor. Keep up the great work and keep being yourself! Thanks and travel safe this holiday weekend and...Hope your having a Great Day 😀
I have come to really enjoy your videos and I do watch for the new publications and any new post and I just think that you do a fantastic job . I've learned so much since I've started watching you , there's a lot of information. A lot of things that I knew nothing about and you've really helped me to prepare myself to make a educated and well-thought-out decision when buying a new coach . Well, new to me anyway. Thank you for sticking your neck out and warning people of the pitfalls along with the many things that we should watch out for. Thank you for taking the time to put these videos out .
You got it correct. In aviation we call it PMI. Preventative Maintenance and Inspection. I appreciate all your videos. Great information for learning before investing. Thank you.
Well said Andrew, I’ve had 2 high end motor homes and you are spot on. You have learned a lot in a short few years and pass on what you’ve learned generously. Thanks pal.
Excellent points. Thank you. This fraud is prevalent everywhere and dealerships know that there will be no repercussions. Even when the dealership is unaware, they may just have a lazy tech avoiding work. Never own any equipment that you can't maintain yourself unless blessed with an unlimited budget and enjoy being ripped off.
Thanks Andrew, I like the honesty in helping people, like the hat also. I’ve seen his videos too, he has nice coaches!
Thanks Andrew. I too have similar stories of dealers trying to rip me off. If possible, I really recommend buying from a private party. Dealing directly with sellers not only creates a more honest transaction, but also allows buyers to learn the history of the unit, which given the size of these transactions, is incredibly important. It's kind of funny when you ask a dealer to tell you about the history of a coach they took in trade and they have no idea. Thanks again for this post!
Thank you for the valuable info you provide on your channel to help others.
Good morning Andrew! Happy belated 4th of July to you! Thank you for this video! Bleh...it just sheds light on the type of operations that we wish weren't out there. The fact that this company deliberately charged for a SAFETY feature and didn't install it is criminal!
Great video! The truth hurts...there seems to be more unscrupulous dealerships than good ones and it is a shame. You did prompt me to take my 2014 Winnebago in for preventative maintainence before hitting the road for a long trip. Just put 6 new tires on it, had the slides and A/C units serviced. It runs great but changing fluids and filters is super important!
Thanks. Great information. You are starting to get me to rethink my desire to own a motor home. To many scams and dishonest dealers out there.
Yep, had to change out my cooling fan clutch one trip, the only road repair I've had in 13 years, and the mechanic shop tried to tell me I needed a new serpentine belt and tensioner pulley. I laughed at the guy on the phone and said let's just change the fan clutch thank you. When I'm at home base I can do 90% of all my maintenance work, which like you said is important. A lot of people get taken advantage of because they don't know the basics. My dad taught me, you either do it yourself or make tons of money and have someone else do it. Either way maintenance has to be done. Changing fuel filter on the Onan this week, and adjusting valve lash. Why? Because it says so in the manual to do it at 500 hours. Great video man, keep it up.
Thank you so much for your videos! Really helpful and enjoyable to watch. You're awesome!
I dislike haters and people that are stuck up. Thank you Andrew for being the nice person you are and sharing this with us. It is sad that there are dishonest people that we have to protect ourselves from. I hope you are having a great day! Thanks again!
Thank you for making sure people are aware of this.
Great video...you encourage us to be firm!🙌
Thank you Andrew. I've been following you for since you started and comment now and then. Always like your videos and the information you provide. Your first rate and I appreciate your honesty. Hope to shake your hand someday!
Thanks again my friend.
Regards, Myk
This heads up is what is going to grow your channel, people need to be aware of potential scams. Keep up the good work!
Good information Andrew. Sad that people are taking advantage of others.
Andrew - this is probably your most valuable video for the new RV buyer! All the dealerships I’ve encountered do try to sell the paint and fabric protector, extended warranties and other highly marked-up stuff. You can buy an extended warranty for half or less of what dealerships charge for them - simply because the dealership is marking-up the warranty by 100% and putting 50% in their pockets.
Agree
Oh - and most dealerships mark-up the bank financing interest rate and the difference goes into the dealers’ pocket.
Sir Andrew, greetings.. you are looking good..vibrant..you are so blessed with the true spirit of love for others...its needed so much today...thank you..prayers always for your journey... peace within👑🤗
Great video and great advice, one thing I would suggest on the fluid and filter change problem is to ask the service tech to provide you the old filters. That won't guarantee they did the work, but if you spring it on them after the service when you pick up the rig, observe their reaction when you ask for the used filters.
Thanks for your time and your videos. Learning lots.
Andrew your a good guy who else is so honest like you. Not many.
I greatly appreciated this video. Been out of the RV works for 10 years. Stepping back in with a 6-7 figure class A. Really need the wisdom! 😎👌
Hello Andrew . I am brand new to rving . My wife and I bought our first rv about two months ago, 2020 entegra aspire 44w. I purchased it at national indoor rv center in Atlanta . Our experience was amazing. They did not try to sell me anything. Even after our purchase agreement was complete my salesman told me that he forgot to deduct the money for the air fair for us to fly out to pick up the rv . They never said anything to me about air fair reimbursement. He brought us back in the office and deducted $500.00 off the final price . The delivery experience was amazing. We were treated like we were there only customer . Two months now after our purchase every time I call my salesman he answers the phone . Even on Sunday . I actually can’t wait to go back to for some minor warranty . All the people are so nice .
Always appreciate your words of wisdom and encouragement!
Great video Andrew, I normally change my own oil and filters just for the
reasons you point out. Several years ago getting ready for a cross
country trip, I took my Chevy Astro to Jiffy L for a grease job. Knowing the
van had 13 zerk fittings. I thought lets give JL a try and a
few bucks put the van on a lift and perform the task. 14 dollars later,
drove my van home. Crawling on the garage floor, under the front
suspension, discovered only 4 or the zerk fitting were touched, all the
upper ball joints, pitman arms, idler arms dry as a bone. Went back to
JL and after a few words about what I had discovered, the manager said
"oh yeah, I spoke to the mechanic he said and those hidden grease
fittings are had to get to". The manager refunded 5 bucks - haven't
been back to JL since.
Love the Manufacturer's Forums. One of the best ways to do research on your future purchase
Thanks for all this information. Good to know. We are planning on buying a motor home next year when we retire. Thanks to you I’m adding more questions when that time comes. Thanks
Late to the comment party here. Great transparency here Andrew. Hope you’re still the same guy today! We need people like you. Never compromise sir. Never.
Love, Love, your insight knowledge & honesty when it comes to RV’s. I may be on the market soon and will gladly pay you for you assistances when purchasing an A class!
Thank you for sharing that with us.... my lifestyle 5th wheel from a dealership here in Chattanooga Tennessee... actually in Ringgold Georgia had warranty... boy they burnt me good... had several problems give $2,000 for washer and dryer washer was leaking had to fix it on my own... commode seal leaking they said they fixed it all I had to end up go back to it all myself... work so hard to get your RV... and the dealerships don't stand behind it... enjoy your videos like always thank you very much... just had to vent a little bit..
I'm already bored with it fix he's doing right now so I'm out of
my wife and I are planning to get an RV bus, this year we have been planning this for more than a year now, and I'm so thankful that I saw your video. thank you.
Yes some Dealerships and repair shops are Grimy. I got a 1978 Firebird took it in for its second oil change, dropped it off went to work and picked it up after work paid for it went home and checked the oil and it had the same dirty oil and filter on it. I went back they change my oil while I was there and gave me my money back. Great video Stay Safe ✌🏽
Speaking of maintenance. All my chasis maintenance is done by a trusted diesel shop and don’t use any dealers. My diesel shop allows me be in the area of the coach while they are doing what needs to be done. So I know the repairs are being done as expected.
You’re a solid dude, Andrew. Thanks.
Andrew always keep it 💯💯💯💯Much respect for your honesty
Lazy Days of Tampa had my new class A diesel pusher for a few days to do a repair. During that time they put a cut in the outer sheath of the 50 A electrical cord. They initially admitted to me they had done it, but then started LYING to everyone else about it. They never took responsibility. It fell to me to get the cord replaced. Listen to the voice of experience... don't ever deal with the crooks at Lazy Days.
S Douglass Or Camping World.
Oh shit
"Lazy Snakes" has only been that kind of thing about 30 years or so!
I believe I would have whipped someones ass! Or I would have gotten the cost of that cord out of them one way or the other if you know what I mean.
@@TheGregWallace Yep, I know what you mean.
Good information. Thanks. I always read the stories in my Trailer Magazine. Best subscription I ever got.
In my opinion, If someone pays for a service of any kind, And that service isn't provided, It's called "Fraud"!!! The crooked people who commit this crime should absolutely be called out and named to the public! If this happened to me, I would take their rotten asses to court!!!
I replaced the house batteries on my coach a few years ago. Wasn't until I had driven most the way across country that I learned everything they had done wrong during the install. Really luckily I didn't have an electrical fire. I think finding qualified reputable companies to provide services and repairs is one of the most difficult puzzles peices for RV owners. As a full-timer I really don't like wrenching on it but if you want it done right better just do it yourself.
I LOVE YOUR HONESTY!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Hey Andrew great video. I have read horror stories of Lazydays. RV owners need to take maintenance into their own hands or find a reputable mechanic not a dealership. When MJ bought her Escape they tried to hard sell the extended warranty with the fear tactics and I cut the sales manager off by telling him we were having second thoughts purchasing the car and maybe we should reconsider the Honda CR-V. That shut him down. Salesman are there to take your money and you have to be prepared.
Thanks for sharing.
Izzy
I like the sharpie on the filter idea. One should always ask for the parts, including filters, when service is done. It’s also good to know your fluid requirements. If you know you need 8 gallons but they only charge you for four, you should be suspect. Of course that doesn’t’ quite work if their going to screw with the bill and charge you for eight. And as Andrew noted, they try to convince you to “protect your investment”. A depreciating asset, like a car or RV, is never an investment. It’s an expense that you need to maintain but you can’t protect it from depreciating. Another good video. Thanks.
Great info. I always stick with two points. 1. A good vehicle already has a quality paint coating standard from the factory. That’s the best you will ever get. 2. Saving $4000 for essential maintenance later on will serve you and the vehicle a whole lot better.
Not the first report of work invoiced but not completed from "lazy" dealership in Florida. Thanks for sharing and calling them out.
Very good informative video. Knowledge is power. Thanks for all the great information.
😎
👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks so much for the warning. Your much appreciated 👍🏻
This video is helpful. Keep these coming as well. 👍
Reality....RV's are not investments, investments do not depreciate like a brick from 10 feet.
Thank you VERY MUCH for this video...we are looking at possibilities of purchasing a RV. We might not have thought the process completely through...thank you!
You need to talk to Michelin... per their website and CSR they actually state the longevity of their RV tires is 10 years. What they state is every year after the 6 year mark to have them inspected. The other thing they highly recommend is to use your RV every 30 days. The reason given was the chemicals in the tires needs to be reactivated with use.
Most tires need conditioning by getting up to temp or you take the weight off the wheels.
Thank you for the lesson in dealerships and what they get up to.
So Appreciate you Sharing your knowledge! We're looking at Newell In Miami, OK. & hoping they'll be upfront & straight with us.
I've heard nothing but great things about the folks in Miami, I've heard their customer service is amazing. just make sure you bring your checkbook 😁
Always write the date on the filters when they are changed.
Good points! Of course, all of these tactics also apply to many CAR dealerships. Buy used, whenever possible, and if you do buy new, refuse any of the extras (paint protectors, cloth protectors, extra warranty, etc. etc.).
Good info, it isn't only in the RV business, but I can see with all the systems they can really rip folks off.
Big RV's are perfect for this type of thing. Sucks, many shops and Dealerships with no integrity.
Thanks Andrew for all you do to bring good energy to the rv world. I plan to full time RV soon and will be buying a class A soon..Not sure if I should go to a production model or have a custom coach made. Not sure if you offer consulting services. Love to get some professional input prior to such a big investment....have a great day and thank you again for your energy...
Great video! First time watching and commenting. Biggest problem we always have is finding a car mechanic we trust! Finding a van/ camper mechanic, especially on trips is going to be an issue. That's my big fear. I worked at a dealership as well, there are some Good ones out there, but as you say Andrew once you get into the financing room, hold on tight to your wallet!! Know your own credit score going in, and shop for your own financing!! Then you hold the cards. At certain points it may make sense to finance your car with the dealer, if they have a finance saIe, or clearing old stock etc. But if you checked your finance scores and interest rates, you will know your true costs, some shady dealers will throw up smoke and Mears and your so called deal and lower rate they offer will be more expensive they your prechecked bank rates. I would never buy paint or interior protection as well. Much better places to buy that kind of thing.
Thanks Richard! Welcome to the channel!
Very informative video thank you so much keep up the great work
thank you for the information and as always great video...
Thank you and happy new year!
I AM SOON TO BE BUYING AN RV. AND THE INFO YOU HAVE IS GOOD FOR SURE... THANK YOU.
I thought that it would be prudent to do research before purchasing our first coach. So, we drove from Denver to Red Bay last summer to tour the Tiffin factory. After all, they’re a top manufacturer of motorhomes. Right? The tour was impressive to say the least. BIG Operation! BIG Facility. When we finished the tour they had us walk through new units waiting final “quality checks” before being presented to their owners. Each “finished” coach had a long list of problems to be corrected prior to delivery. We saw poorly fitting components that were not even on the list! We then went to the camping area where new Tiffin owners were waiting for warranty repairs. I was shocked!! No motorhome for us...
Andrew just now watched your vid on the dealership rippin folks! It doesn’t surprise. I retired in 2021 from semi truck pulling tankers, most of my trucks were working class show trucks and when I once in awhile had someone change fluids I always makes them or was standing over them! I rv a good bit and last year bought a 2021 gulfstream class c. So far I’ve done the first oil change on it and inspect “everything”. Did have a mirror assembly replaced and before I left I seen it was wrong! Went back in and made them fix it right . Mechanic should have known. The motto of my not to uncommon story is do not be to trusting and always check their work or you’ll screw yourself. I’m likely a leach on them!
Hi Andrew I'm heading to Denver Thursday to buy a 2007 newmar essex from trans west saw your video on trans west so decided to go with them they have been nothing but helpful and have stayed in touch thru the whole process..
From my dealings with them, they seem like really good folks.
My wife and I are retiring soon and really want the RV life for adventuring around the USA, but the more videos I watch about the nightmares of RV ownership, the more we are turning away. It's just sad when people don't do what they say they are going to do. Sales and service doesn't seem alive anymore in any industry, it's more sales and scams. Thanks for your videos - They are eye opening.
sales business is sleazy in general. but there are good guys if you do your research
Yeah, im gonna do a cost analysis as just a vacation family. Buy one or just rent an rv or hotel it. Until I retire. Then ill buy one (used, let someone else eat the depreciation), because it will be a long term deal.
Thanks for the great and honest info!
Buyer beware for sure,Thanks Andrew Great Information,when I bought my new Super C I asked you about the coating they wanted to sell me and you told me then to not do it! I didn’t and I Greatly appreciate your honest opinion,saved me $2000 !!
THANK YOU FOR OPENING OUR EYES
Thanks for the tips. One thing I do is put a dot of colored nail polish on 2 of my tires either in the front or back to make sure they get rotated.
Good video, Andrew!👏😄
"If you haven't bought an RV" -- Don't.
Best post so far. Seriously, rent from an RV owner. A thou a week for a 5 year old big class A, about half that for a smaller B. Easy to find. Think about it no servicing, storage, insurance, or depreciation.
Sure beats owning one...
@David Bryant Nothing with wheels (other than some classic cars) are investments.
@David Bryant yes, on a comment board. Your comment indicated that RV's are a bad investment. I agreed with you (you should be proud). They, like cars, have a non-investment grade purpose. I "needed" to tell you that for the same reason you "needed" to comment on the original post.
Would like to disagree :-). We had one for 13+ years, and we loved it. If you are looking at the purchase purely from an investment/ROI point of view -> you are spot on. In the moment you drive away from the dealership you probably already lost 10-15% of the value. But in 13 years owning and using our RV, driving around the country, spending a lot of time in RV parks where our daughter spent great times and met new friends, not having the need to wait in endless lines in airports when going on vacation, having the flexibility to leave for vacation whenever you want, even ad-hoc … all this is priceless. Again, just looking at the purchase price of an RV and what you might get as reselling value one day … no question, not a good investment. But if you look at it from a total cost of ownership, including all costs you had to pay when not being on vacation with an RV but in a hotel etc. -> it’s a different story.
Nice info!! Good tactical suggestions for monitoring service you get.
Thank you for this! VERY VERY helpful!
My pleasure! glad I could help
Good information to know, I commend you for your do diligence, This is the kind of information that makes it a pleasure watching your videos.
This goes the same for car dealers. They sale a warranty that is bumper to bump up to 100,000 miles. When you read the fine print in the warranty book there are 12 pages of the items they don’t cover. Allstate warranty for Chevy and GMC is a joke! Great Video Thanks.
Oct-10-2020 There's now 90 that "dislikED" this video -Prob the shady RV salespeople.
03/09/2021 130 S hole shady RV salespeople.
Great video! I purchased back in October 2013 a new 2014 GMC half ton truck loaded for over $62,000.00 in Calgary Alberta. I was always a GM man but that was the worst thing ever I did in my life! I brought it back 17 times to get things fixed and they never helped me out at all! It had Bad Year tires on it, the cheapest line! They vibrated so much the only one that liked the ride was my girlfriend! Bluetooth my ass! Had no teeth at all! I lost so many calls for business on the phone people got frustrated with me talking while I drove! The mileage was from 12 liters per 100 right up to 28 litres at times for no reason from different driving! The heated seat only worked on low out of 3 settings! The only thing that worked great was the heated steering! Froze my ass at -40 Celsius! Lemon laws don't apply for Canadians! Was a bag of lemons! After owning it 9 months, I lost $30,000.00 when I got rid of it! After these salespeople take your money, forget about it! Never drive another GM product for as long as I live! The government should be protecting us more against these criminals! But, that's another story!
Thanks Andrew for the info!
People rushed in to buy RVs because of COVID, so they ended up buying high, but will have to sell low. As for salesmen, they really do lie. One told me that he needed the sales commission ”for my family.” But he had told me 20 minutes earlier that he was single. And a car salesman said they were ”very low; down to only two” for the model I wanted. But when I went online, I saw that they had 15 in inventory.
Buy the RV at the dealer. But when it comes to drivetrain maintenance, don't go back. They know nothing about Cummins, Detroit, Caterpillar, Allison. Many of the chassis are built by freightliner. Take it to those respective dealers. They are actually less expensive than RV dealers, and they know their product.
Mark Bond Absolutely agree with this statement.
Thanks for the "Heads up" and please post more "buyer beware" videos, please. ⛽🚌🚐🛑
Well said. Good professional presentation.
Really good information. Thanks
What you are describing about RV Dealers is one of the reasons, coupled with the constant production of substandard and no QC of the North American commercial RV Industry is why we traded our RV on a custom van. They don't deserve any of our business anymore. They've gone off the deep end.
Great info A!
The 21 people that "dislike(ed) this video are the shady RV salespeople . #Scammers
Isn’t that the truth. Up to 57 shady dealers as of 8-14. I’ll listen to Andrew any day
90 of 'em as of Oct 10, 2020 (huh?) They're Growing? Who's watering them!!?!
Finding a reliable and honest repair facility can be so difficult. BUT remember great service and the cheapest price normally are not found in the same place. If the price is super low ask yourself or better yet the garage why?
Thank you
For sharing
I never buy new, never buy from a dealer... Sadly dealerships for the most part are poisonous snakes waiting for their next victim.
No doubt about it. I drove 100 miles to look at a rig once and said I would think about it. Half hour after I left I thought of a question and called the salesman.
“Oh I’m sorry a guy just came in and bought it but remember the other one I showed you?” Right 30 minutes later a guy bought the rig for cash. I did a number on them on Yelp they won’t forget soon.
I like the fact you say it as it is,good and or bad.
Great information !! Thanks!!