I have looked into several RV (Teton for one) that does not have a dealer in my area. If you buy an RV without a close dealer - with another dealer you trust work on it for you?
Judy said
08:37 AM Jan 19, 2007
If I were to buy an rv with no dealer close by I certainly would hope to trust another rv dealer to work on it and I would also hope they would contact the maker of the rv if any critical issues of work were to be done on it. Hope I understood the question. A phone call by you to the place where you bought the rv regarding any problems is also an option....
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs
wmalefyt said
09:03 AM Jan 20, 2007
I haven't found many dealers that I would trust to work on my RV! That being said, with warranty work you sometimes don't have a choice.
Since we will be full-timing it really doesn't matter where we buy. In the case of HitchHiker, I hear there is a very good dealer in Idaho that is willing to work with buyers by phone, fax and e-mail at substantial discounts and good service.
Luvglass said
11:46 AM Jan 20, 2007
I look at it like a brand of automobile, and expect good service at any one of my brands dealers. They're not doing me a favor, they get reimbursed by the factory. I think that's a ploy used by salesmen to close the deal, or keep you from shopping around.
The purpose of having an RV is to travel with it. That said, the odds of a breakdown or needed repair happening when your near your home dealer is slim and none.
We've only had one need to go to a Carriage dealer for a repair and they not only welcomed us, but let us camp free on their lot for 3 days with water and electricity, while we awaited the parts from the factory.
We just developed a leak in the bathroom faucet and I've made an appointment with a Carriage dealer near Los Angeles when we leave San Diego, no problem and no questions.
Carriage has also told us that we don't even have to go to a Carriage dealer, they'll work with any RV repair company.
I don't know, is Carriage unique this way?
Fred
ahoweth said
09:07 AM Jan 21, 2007
Being a full-timer means probably not being near the dealer who sold you your unit. Interestingly enough several clubs have a data base of repair facilities that have done good work in the past. If you read Trailer Life, Motorhome or other camping publications they usually have a department that prints letters from folks who have had problems and found good reputable services. When we have a problem we check these out. We haven't been disappointed yet. There really are reputable businesses out there that care.
Tmcblane said
11:50 AM Jan 21, 2007
We seldom actually need a dealer to fix anything for us that I can't do myself but when it has happened we have been to other dealers and got great service.
We recently had our Mobile Suites in for warranty service at a dealer/area we were unfamiliar with. We were very impressed with the service and attention we received there, and we're glad to see there's a place to relay good experiences (and not so good) at repair facilities. In the future, we'll definitely check it out before going in for service when on the road.
endless travels said
10:58 PM May 22, 2007
We bought a new Teton from out of state - only close dealer has a poor service reputation. Numerous problems, Teton did send out two techs and they corrected some of these issues. Total defects are over 50 items - some serious - defective A/C, leaky roof, faulty hydraulic pump etc. We are now towing it 1300 miles back to the factory in Wyoming - they are covering the fuel bill. Needless to say Teton's quality has not impressed me so far.
Luvglass said
08:56 AM May 23, 2007
I'm surprised to hear that, I thought Teton was a superior brand.
Good luck with working it out.
Fred
mcw50 said
08:01 PM May 23, 2007
We bought our coach from the dealer with the best price as we knew, as full-timers, we would probably not be nearby when needing service. We have had to get few repairs and have been satisfied with phone calls to the factory and their suggestions for repair places when needed. Fellow campers and campground offices are a good resource as well. We did have one bad experience with a dealer, but the factory stepped in to take care of our needs.
If I were to buy an rv with no dealer close by I certainly would hope to trust another rv dealer to work on it and I would also hope they would contact the maker of the rv if any critical issues of work were to be done on it. Hope I understood the question. A phone call by you to the place where you bought the rv regarding any problems is also an option....
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs
I haven't found many dealers that I would trust to work on my RV! That being said, with warranty work you sometimes don't have a choice.
Since we will be full-timing it really doesn't matter where we buy. In the case of HitchHiker, I hear there is a very good dealer in Idaho that is willing to work with buyers by phone, fax and e-mail at substantial discounts and good service.
I look at it like a brand of automobile, and expect good service at any one of my brands dealers. They're not doing me a favor, they get reimbursed by the factory. I think that's a ploy used by salesmen to close the deal, or keep you from shopping around.
The purpose of having an RV is to travel with it. That said, the odds of a breakdown or needed repair happening when your near your home dealer is slim and none.
We've only had one need to go to a Carriage dealer for a repair and they not only welcomed us, but let us camp free on their lot for 3 days with water and electricity, while we awaited the parts from the factory.
We just developed a leak in the bathroom faucet and I've made an appointment with a Carriage dealer near Los Angeles when we leave San Diego, no problem and no questions.
Carriage has also told us that we don't even have to go to a Carriage dealer, they'll work with any RV repair company.
I don't know, is Carriage unique this way?
Fred
RV Dude,
Thanks for the link.
We've been looking for something like this.
Good to see that the dealer Howard RV in St. Louis we are considering has all excellent ratings.
C
We recently had our Mobile Suites in for warranty service at a dealer/area we were unfamiliar with. We were very impressed with the service and attention we received there, and we're glad to see there's a place to relay good experiences (and not so good) at repair facilities. In the future, we'll definitely check it out before going in for service when on the road.
We bought a new Teton from out of state - only close dealer has a poor service reputation.
Numerous problems, Teton did send out two techs and they corrected some of these issues.
Total defects are over 50 items - some serious - defective A/C, leaky roof, faulty hydraulic pump etc.
We are now towing it 1300 miles back to the factory in Wyoming - they are covering the fuel bill.
Needless to say Teton's quality has not impressed me so far.
Mary