3 Dirty Secrets the RV Industry doesn't want you to know...from an RV Tech

Buying a new RV? As a certified RV repair technician, I’ve learned several dirty secrets of the RV manufacturing industry that you need to know if you’re buying a new camper! Check out today’s video to learn 3 dirty secrets of the RV industry and my tips for protecting yourself when buying, upgrading or trading in.

[j.r.gloudemans]

One other tip - use a detailed checklist to test the functionality of the RV before paying for it. Serveral items in our new RV were fixed the next day because the dealer wants to get paid. Don't be afraid to walk away it things are not fixed.

[gaziger]

I am a certified RV technician and inspector. Regarding the purchase of a new RV, always get a third party inspection. Remember the Golden Rule..."he who has the gold makes the rules." Before money changes hands the dealership is VERY interested in taking care of you. I have inspected new RVs with non-working ACs, slide systems, leveling systems, appliances and leaks. I typical RV inspection takes me anywhere from 6-10 hours of total time including finalizing the report. Most new RV owners just don't have the experience or skills necessary to properly inspect an RV. I was a real estate inspector and let me tell you. RVs are WAY more difficult and time consuming to inspect. I like your content and appreciate what you are trying to do. Keep up the good work.

[MonacoMike]

One trick I have seen dealerships do is sell the RV and tell the buyer to take it camping and make up a punch list of everything they find that needs repair. When they bring it back and drop it off the dealership service department is so overwhelmed that their RV just sits there for 3, 4, or 5 months and in the mean time they are still making payments and that one year warranty clock is still ticking. What should really happen, at the minimum, is when an RV is returned for warranty work then that warranty time clock should stop until EVERYTHING has been repaired and the unit accepted back by the customer but unfortunately that's not how it works. :-(

[jelyob]

I had an RV. It developed a fairly small leak which actually totaled the unit. The insurance adjuster told me something I will never forget. "Buying an RV is like buying an ice cream cone. If you're careful with it, you can enjoy it for awhile, but make no mistake as soon as you buy it - it begins to melt.

[knowyourbible]

I've been full timing RVING for a year now. 2 years 3 weeks in rv 1 week home.

From my experiences in Rv parks I talk to a lot of people RVING. I also watch YouTube stations. The fifthwheels are junk. They look like polished dream homes on wheels, but they are junk. Also, the manufacturers are cutting so many corners on building these house on wheels. The whole industry is aware of it. Dealers and RV techs. Buying a used motorhome, not fifthwheel, from 1st or second owner is the way to avoid junk. So much to know about this life. If your not a handyman and can't do the maintenance on your motorhome than expect to pay that out of pocket. Also, read up and educate yourself on the problems that other full time Rvers have run into. For instance, parks electrical hookups can fry all your brand new hardware and any electrical equipment, tv's and laptops included. A power surge protector won't do. You need an EMS PROTECTOR. Read up on it or pay the expensive cost. They run about 400.00. Why they're not sold with expensive high ticket rigs is just down right scandless. New comers get no heads up on this costly electrical disaster, just waiting to happen.

[clinew]

Another option for potential RV buyers is to hire a certified RV inspector. Just like buying a new home, they can find the problems with the new RV before you buy. That way you could negotiate repairs before your first trip out. It would be a worthwhile expense if buying a new, high dollar RV in my opinion.

[carbonunit]

I worked as an RV tech for 1 week. I’ve been fixing and building things for 40 yrs. The quality on every single unit was embarrassing. The other techs instead of fixing the issues created other issues. The single driving factor for all of these issues is the time it takes to complete a build. No care or patience at all. Panelling fixed to walls with staples in the middle instead of hidden behind the trim was common on all units. I’ve decided that I’m going to build my own camper from scratch.

[cmprvn]

Fellow RV tech here. You spoke a lot of truth. Especially that RV techs often do this because they love RV’s, but we’re disappointed by the leaders in the industry taking advantage of customers perception vs the reality of ownership.

Subscribed!

[bbkyjohnson]

I watched a video previously of a guy who says you should buy a used rv that is 2-3 years old. Typically he says that the person who bought it new has fleshed out about all of these issues and they are tired of dealing with them so they sell it to cut their losses but the vehicle is now basically where it should have been when it was first bought. I don’t really know about this idea but I found it interesting.

[Weird]

I've found with my 50+ years of RVing is the golden years of manufacturing was 2004 to 2008. There was some great coaches built during that The best of the best, for me, is a diesel pusher from one of the Northwest manufactures built in those years. The SoCal builders are second. Find a used coach from an original owner (or second) that has taken care of and stored it inside and you've got a peach.

[yankeesusa]

I wish more people would watch this video before they bought an rv. This is reason why i decided to buy a year older rv with maintenance records. Many of the bigger problems were already fixed or i was able to catch with maintenance from videos like these.

[pennypackmtb]

Mine didn't even make it out of the lot. It had electrical problems and the trailer brakes would not release. I asked for another, but their mechanic got in my jeep and dragged it around until the wheels started to spin on their own. I got a mile down the road and smoke was coming from my brakes. We unhooked and drove back to the dealer and made them go get it. They put in a new wiring harness and we went camping. The fridge only worked on 12 volts. The 3rd day the hot water heater got so hot you could smell the insulation smoking. The fan in the bathroom blades flew off and the pump would run continuously. We took it back, but it never worked right. Then the following year they said I needed knew brakes to pass inspection, well that lead to a heated discussion. At least now we have social media to do the research.

[BananaBobMinion]

Very good tips for anyone new to the RV world. After more than 10 yrs in my unit, I have repaired most of the poorly manufactured flaws that have popped up over time. Most of the issues that have been repaired are not uncommon for a unregulated business. Keep those video''s coming. Some thing are just not fixable. Like the slide opening being cut crooked.

[dantallman]

This is an industry that needs some regulatory oversight and some strong competition from companies with good engineering departments and strong QA systems.
Disposal of dead RVs is an environmental issue…these eyesores are piling up everywhere. Nothing much can be salvaged or recycled, the chassis and suspension metal is about all. There is no parting out, crushing, or recycling infrastructure like for cars. Is there?
I see huge inventories of unsold RVs sitting on lots. What happens to them? Who eats the depreciation?
Great video. No longer an active RVer but this video caught my eye.

[raylio]

Wow i been telling my friends about this for a long time that the manufactures of rvs really dont care about the quality and the prices are so inexpensive i wonder how they make money. But you just answered my question about they make the money in finance. Anyway i bought my rv from a company not in the US and the quality is number one.

[stebro]

We have had 2 Winnebago RVs; a 34" class A and now a 26' Vista on a Mercedes chassis.. They both were and are excellent; as a former mechanic and auto/ marine & truck electrical service manager.. I am constantly uncovering mostly good to excellent quality and workmanship.
The few other brands before and in between them were a bit more problematic.. Of dealerships in Florida, Indiana, North Carolina and Rhode Island.. Arlington RV in Warwick, RI absolutely stands out: pre & post delivery inspections and < 1 week repair (usually..)


Bought a 30" tow behind in Indiana.. I kept the service department 2 1/2 hours after closing to have them replace a defective complete vehicle connector cable (25+ feet because of where it terminated), a defective tail/stop light, 2 marker lights and a defective tongue jack! We got camp chairs and with my 90 year old (very seasoned camper!!) mother-in law, sat in the service department NeXT to them while they worked. Then.. they adjusted the equalizing itch! After driving less than 400' in their parking lot, I ran back to the service department and they sent someone out to adjust the hitch again! Fortunately, not many other issues in the 8 years we owned it afterwards .. & sold it for more than we paid for it!!

[cpfpv]

NEW SUB!. Great content. This channel is about to blow up if you continue to make quality content like this.

The RV warranty process has been an eye opening experience. I bought an extended appliance warranty and my camper furnace fan stays running now after reaching the set temp. the earliest service appointment I could get was three months out. Then we were still miss communicating about the symptom of the problem somehow almost three weeks later... so that warranty expires faster than you think!! Last time my RV went in for service, it was in the shop for 6 weeks total.

[TerryG]

I stated on another YouTube Channel (some RVIA guy) that the RV manufacturer that figures out quality will OWN the industry, regardless the price point. (He did NOT appreciate that.) It's the same situation as when Datsun, Honda, and Toyota came in and cleaned up on the American auto manufacturers who were letting their dealers fix the cars. It's as if the customer is the quality control department. What the RV manufacturers will learn is it will actually be cheaper to do it right the first time.

[scoutdogfsr]

My list of three is
1 Forget warranty and prepare to fix issues yourself.
2 junk construction will require constant care.
3 dealership services are worse than homeowner repairs.
With tha said I buy a new pop up every 3 yrs and add suspension lift. Organize and armor the under carriage. Gusset and or reinforce all wood construction. Otherwise they are guaranteed to turn to splinters in the backcountry

[rexcowan]

In the 80's and 90's I worked in and around the RV Finance business. Things have not changed. I can say that the RV industry in Michigan hired workers from other factories for 50 cents more an hour, the quality controls were practically non-existent and the RVs were sent out the door as fast as possible. I clearly remember one RV Mfgr telling me " If I skip a piece here and there, do my studs at 24in instead of 16, I can build a free RV by the end of the week. " Thanks for your channel