I know I've been asking a lot of questions about different 5th wheels lately. I think I found one that works and fits my budget.
It's a 2009 Carriage Cameo 35SB3 at Rolling Retreats in Elk City OK. I know a few folks here who have bought RVs from Alicia and Slade and everyone has only good things to say about them. That combined with the fact that several folks here have Carriage Cameos.
The price they have quoted me includes delivery here to Mission, TX so that works for me.
Because Slade and Alicia have been great about answering all my questions and sending pictures I think the best strategy for me would be to hire an independent RV inspector to check the unit out for me rather than me making a trip up there. I figure the inspector is likely to see/understand things I might miss AND when I talked to the extended warranty folks today they said it would be helpful to have a report that says everything is in good working order to minimize the chances of the warranty company claiming something is a pre-existing condition.
So here's my question:
How do I find a good RV inspector near Elk City OK and how much should an inspection cost?
Thanks to everyone for all your help!
The Bear II said
10:06 PM Jun 25, 2013
I would do a Google search to find either an RV Inspector listings or RV Repair shop/dealer listings in the Elk City area. Look for reviews on Yelp or Yellowpages.com and contact the ones with the highest number of reviews and ratings.
The RV Repair shop may be willing (for a price) to send someone over to look at the RV and send you a report.
Ckerr said
10:14 PM Jun 25, 2013
Thanks Bear. That's what I've been doing. So far no luck.
I'm willing to pay for the service. I just can't find anyone willing to do it! It seems a popular service in Florida, but not so much in Oklahoma...
jayc said
01:26 PM Jun 26, 2013
Hi Carol, I would suggest trying to find a RV service manager or an experienced service tech that would check this unit out for you. I don't know anything about Elk City OK as to other RV repair shops or dealers in town, so you might have to check in nearby cities for someone to help you out.
SnowGypsy said
01:23 AM Jun 27, 2013
It looks like there are rv shops in the area but if they are unwilling to go and take on the responsibility then I see no way that you can avoid going yourself and then taking it to the shop to have them check it over. I can understand why they would hesitate to do this when you are not in the area and have not seen the unit. Pictures anymore are not worth a thousand words because seeing it in person can be a real shocker.
Lucky Mike said
01:47 AM Jun 27, 2013
if that doesnt work out carol.....call around to a few home inspectors , you might get lucky and find one who is an RV Enthusiast
Ckerr said
02:15 AM Jun 27, 2013
I've been calling RV Repair shops with no luck.
Thanks for the idea about home inspectors Mike. Will think on it tonight.
Was sort of hoping someone who had taken the RV Inspector course advertised in WKN would chime in and say they were in the area, but so far no luck!
Terry and Jo said
02:43 AM Jun 27, 2013
Carol,
I can't guarantee anything, but I'll try calling the one RV dealer that I know has reputable people and see if any of their techs do anything like the inspections for individuals. The only thing would be that you may also have to pay their mileage as well, which would be roughly 110 to 125 miles, depending on where they start out from.
Terry
VanMar said
02:44 AM Jun 27, 2013
I would hire Slade.
Ckerr said
04:01 AM Jun 27, 2013
I'm willing to pay someone... That's not at all the issue. Just finding sIomeone to even consider doing it has been an issue.
It's not at all that I don't trust Slade and Alicia. I'm just looking for another set of eyes that knows what they are looking at.
Ckerr said
03:17 PM Jun 27, 2013
Terry and Jo wrote:
Carol,
I can't guarantee anything, but I'll try calling the one RV dealer that I know has reputable people and see if any of their techs do anything like the inspections for individuals. The only thing would be that you may also have to pay their mileage as well, which would be roughly 110 to 125 miles, depending on where they start out from.
Terry
Thanks Terry! I've been on the verge of asking if you and Jo have plans this weekend.. Will gladly pay you to go take a look.
Terry and Jo said
09:15 PM Jun 27, 2013
Carol,
Unfortunately, this weekend is pretty much booked for us, so a trip to Elk City is out of the question for this weekend. I'm also not sure that I would necessarily be qualified to be a structural or system inspector. I'm not known as the best of mechanical people. My best bet as to being an inspector would be to look through it myself and take a lot of pictures for you as well as make sure that each appliance was working at the time I checked it.
OK. I just had a call back from one source that would do an inspection for you. I'll send you a private message and give you an idea of what it would cost and what they would cover.
Terry
Ckerr said
09:40 PM Jun 27, 2013
Thanks Terry for checking! I got your message and think I've identified a future business venture! I will give you a call later. Really appreciate your help!
Terry and Jo said
10:04 PM Jun 27, 2013
Carol,
To follow up, I just talked with Alicia to see if they would be around for the next couple of weekends. (I did so because Jo said that we could go over on Sunday if Alicia and Slade would be there.) Alicia said that the Cameo is not ready for inspection yet as they still haven't been able to get to it and go through it all. It might be a couple of weeks yet before that one is ready for inspection. She also said she was going to get in touch with you as they have gotten in a 2005 Suites model. It would be ready for inspection and she said that she was going to send you some pictures of the 2005 Suites.
They will be going to the factory over this weekend, so an inspection this weekend is out of the question anyway. We'll talk of all this when you call, but I wanted to give you something of a "head's up."
Terry
Ckerr said
10:26 PM Jul 7, 2013
Thanks Terry, I talked to Alicia about the Mobile Suites and while some things about it are great I just cannot imagine the kitchen working for me fulltime.
To update my search progress...
I took a trip over to PPL Motorhomes in Houston yesterday. They had 3 Cameos -- 2011, 2009 and 2008. I looked at those and everything else they had in my price range (plus a few above my range) and came to the conclusion that at this point in life the Cameo that Slade and Alicia have best suits my needs and budget. I just felt more at home in the Cameo. I know that's a pretty intangible thing, but what can I say.
I'm still anxiously awaiting pictures, but trying to be patient. Alicia said she would call you when it was ready to take a look at. I really appreciate you guys doing that and Jo giving it the "sniff test."
Really getting anxious to have my own rolling home!
Terry and Jo said
02:11 PM Jul 8, 2013
We are waiting as well. As soon as we get a call that the Cameo is ready, we'll be taking a weekend day and driving over with my camera. More than likely, I'll have a "bunch" of photos for you.
Sidenote: I went to the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City on the 4th and took a bunch of pictures of the outside displays. Of about 40 or 50 outside artifacts, I must have taken about 530 photos. - I tend to go nuts with photographs.
Anyway, it will be a pleasure as we will get to see Alicia and Slade again as well as be able to help you.
I know I've been asking a lot of questions about different 5th wheels lately. I think I found one that works and fits my budget.
It's a 2009 Carriage Cameo 35SB3 at Rolling Retreats in Elk City OK. I know a few folks here who have bought RVs from Alicia and Slade and everyone has only good things to say about them. That combined with the fact that several folks here have Carriage Cameos.
The price they have quoted me includes delivery here to Mission, TX so that works for me.
Because Slade and Alicia have been great about answering all my questions and sending pictures I think the best strategy for me would be to hire an independent RV inspector to check the unit out for me rather than me making a trip up there. I figure the inspector is likely to see/understand things I might miss AND when I talked to the extended warranty folks today they said it would be helpful to have a report that says everything is in good working order to minimize the chances of the warranty company claiming something is a pre-existing condition.
So here's my question:
How do I find a good RV inspector near Elk City OK and how much should an inspection cost?
Thanks to everyone for all your help!
The RV Repair shop may be willing (for a price) to send someone over to look at the RV and send you a report.
I'm willing to pay for the service. I just can't find anyone willing to do it! It seems a popular service in Florida, but not so much in Oklahoma...
I would suggest trying to find a RV service manager or an experienced service tech that would check this unit out for you. I don't know anything about Elk City OK as to other RV repair shops or dealers in town, so you might have to check in nearby cities for someone to help you out.
Thanks for the idea about home inspectors Mike. Will think on it tonight.
Was sort of hoping someone who had taken the RV Inspector course advertised in WKN would chime in and say they were in the area, but so far no luck!
Carol,
I can't guarantee anything, but I'll try calling the one RV dealer that I know has reputable people and see if any of their techs do anything like the inspections for individuals. The only thing would be that you may also have to pay their mileage as well, which would be roughly 110 to 125 miles, depending on where they start out from.
Terry
I would hire Slade.
It's not at all that I don't trust Slade and Alicia. I'm just looking for another set of eyes that knows what they are looking at.
Thanks Terry! I've been on the verge of asking if you and Jo have plans this weekend.. Will gladly pay you to go take a look.
Carol,
Unfortunately, this weekend is pretty much booked for us, so a trip to Elk City is out of the question for this weekend. I'm also not sure that I would necessarily be qualified to be a structural or system inspector. I'm not known as the best of mechanical people. My best bet as to being an inspector would be to look through it myself and take a lot of pictures for you as well as make sure that each appliance was working at the time I checked it.
OK. I just had a call back from one source that would do an inspection for you. I'll send you a private message and give you an idea of what it would cost and what they would cover.
Terry
Carol,
To follow up, I just talked with Alicia to see if they would be around for the next couple of weekends. (I did so because Jo said that we could go over on Sunday if Alicia and Slade would be there.) Alicia said that the Cameo is not ready for inspection yet as they still haven't been able to get to it and go through it all. It might be a couple of weeks yet before that one is ready for inspection. She also said she was going to get in touch with you as they have gotten in a 2005 Suites model. It would be ready for inspection and she said that she was going to send you some pictures of the 2005 Suites.
They will be going to the factory over this weekend, so an inspection this weekend is out of the question anyway. We'll talk of all this when you call, but I wanted to give you something of a "head's up."
Terry
To update my search progress...
I took a trip over to PPL Motorhomes in Houston yesterday. They had 3 Cameos -- 2011, 2009 and 2008. I looked at those and everything else they had in my price range (plus a few above my range) and came to the conclusion that at this point in life the Cameo that Slade and Alicia have best suits my needs and budget. I just felt more at home in the Cameo. I know that's a pretty intangible thing, but what can I say.
I'm still anxiously awaiting pictures, but trying to be patient. Alicia said she would call you when it was ready to take a look at. I really appreciate you guys doing that and Jo giving it the "sniff test."
Really getting anxious to have my own rolling home!
We are waiting as well. As soon as we get a call that the Cameo is ready, we'll be taking a weekend day and driving over with my camera. More than likely, I'll have a "bunch" of photos for you.
Sidenote: I went to the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City on the 4th and took a bunch of pictures of the outside displays. Of about 40 or 50 outside artifacts, I must have taken about 530 photos. - I tend to go nuts with photographs.
Anyway, it will be a pleasure as we will get to see Alicia and Slade again as well as be able to help you.
Terry