Pre-Flight Check List Ideas

[TNTBaker]

I am a checklist person. While I get ridiculed by my co-pilot sometimes, my "pre-flight checklist" has, in years past, prevented us from getting the frantic "Hey! Something is WRONG!" wave-down on the freeway from a passing car. We all know how heart-stopping that can be. (yes, we still get them from time to time...)

Anyway, I would love it if we could share things on your "Pre-Flight Check" that might be of note. Things beyond "TV Ant. Stored", things that RW owners have learned work well to REMEMBER NOT TO FORGET before hitting the road.

Thanks in advance, it's so generous to share hard-won experience. I know we have sure benefitted!

[RoadWarriors]

We downloaded several checklists from the web and used them, but here are some things for you to check that were not on the checklist. We had numerous cosmetic flaws in the woodwork - nail holes not filled, scratches, gouges, and in some places, bare wood where the sprayed stain didn't reach. The headboard was riddled with nail heads. This was after the dealership went through and fixed many others. Also, some of the cabinet doors were bowed. The biggest flaw was the slide topper for the bedroom slide was installed off center, which was not obvious at first glance. We discovered it when the corner tore. Also check the level on your stove if you purchased the whole unit. Ours isn't level. Also, check under the shelves on the pantry doors. The cross members may not have been installed correctly and break free when loaded. That happened to us. Check the trim on the slide outs. The living room slide out has a trim piece on the back side of the slide out that needs to be firmly mounted or it will catch on the furniture as it opens. We caught ours before it pulled completely off, but it was still a surprise! Check for evidence of good caulking on the roof. If you ordered the automatic awnings you may have to work them a few times before they seem to work correctly. AT the PDI, our optional one over the eating and living area seemed to hang up and had to be assisted to open. Not the case any longer, but we occasionally need rock the retractor button back and forth before it closes completely. These things are covered in the instructions when you also purchase the optional metal awning covers. Hope this helps.

[TNTBaker]

Outstanding advice! Its going with us to PDI! Thanks SO much!

[LBOROOM]

I am not sure if I should start a new thread for this question or not but I will learn as I go. The information that RoadWarrior posted is what I have been looking for, I tried using the search option but nothing came up. I was wondering how owners PDI was conducted. Does the dealership do their own? Do the owners do their own? Do we do one together? Any information on this subject will be greatly appreciated. Thanks...Earl

[0nTheRoad]

Earl,

To answer your questions...
1. The dealer SHOULD do a very through inspection of the entire coach, including ALL systems before you ever arrive for delivery. This would include a physical inspection of roof, undercarriage, exterior structure and finish, all interior finishes as well as operational functionality of all systems.
2. At delivery your dealer SHOULD conduct both a physical walk around and walkthrough with you explaining features and functions of any and all applicable systems. They should explain all systems, e.g. A/C, heat, refrigerator, stove, microwave, TV, A/V, toilet, water pump, hydraulic slides and leveling systems, all lighting, etc. In other words they should make sure that you are at least aware, if not familiar with all systems.features of your new coach.
3. PDI - If you wish to conduct a more detailed PDI you should be allowed to do further inspection/testing of any/all aspects of your new RV. Dealers typically will not object to this, seldom will they stay with you while you are doing this but will be available for questions.

I have a PDI checklist posted on the other Redwood forum [can't post files on this forum], it was developed for my coach, a 36FB but should be applicable for any of the Redwoods with minor modification.

Good luck with your delivery!!!

[AlanN]

Originally Posted by LBOROOM

I am not sure if I should start a new thread for this question or not but I will learn as I go. The information that RoadWarrior posted is what I have been looking for, I tried using the search option but nothing came up. I was wondering how owners PDI was conducted. Does the dealership do their own? Do the owners do their own? Do we do one together? Any information on this subject will be greatly appreciated. Thanks...Earl

Hi, and welcome to this excellent forum. I posted a similar question when I joined a couple of months back, and got some very relevant advise back from experienced owners. Here's that thread:

http://www.redwoodowners.com/forums/...ead.php?t=1739

Basically, I learned not to expect too much from the dealer at the PDI - it's not their job to do the QC inspection which the factory SHOULD have done. I have a long checklist, but I plan to go to a nearby RV park for a few days after I take delivery and spend whatever time it takes to complete my checklist, and then see if I can get the dealer to quickly make the necessary repairs (there are bound to be a few issues). If it takes a week, so be it. We're 300 miles from our dealer, so we won't be going back every other week for small issues. I'm prepared to do a lot of work myself - the better I know my coach, the better I'll be able to maintain it. I found some excellent checklists on the web, and some can be downloaded as PDFs for printing. If you'd like, I'll look them up on my laptop. Good luck!

[rcflame]

I disagree on the dealer pdi. A good dealer will do an inspection of the coach and its systems before delivery and correct any problems.. Even though Redwood's quality control should have everything up to par, there is no guarantee that this is so. Also, you don't know what has occurred since the coach has left the factory and has been sitting in the yard, or on the road with a delivery company. The dealer should get it done before you come to pick it up instead of waiting for you to find the problem and than have to make arrangements to get it fixed.

[AlanN]

Originally Posted by rcflame

I disagree on the dealer pdi. A good dealer will do an inspection of the coach and its systems before delivery and correct any problems.. Even though Redwood's quality control should have everything up to par, there is no guarantee that this is so. Also, you don't know what has occurred since the coach has left the factory and has been sitting in the yard, or on the road with a delivery company. The dealer should get it done before you come to pick it up instead of waiting for you to find the problem and than have to make arrangements to get it fixed.

I couldn't agree with you more, and perhaps our dealer is the one you refer to. If so, I'll write their name LARGE, and often, on every forum I can find. But the reality is more likely to be something less than what you describe... In other words, the perfect wife! :-) OK, or husband! :-) The perfect dealer is probably much harder to find, if only because there aren't millions of them out there. But I'm gonna hope that you're right...

[S&K]

Originally Posted by AlanN

I couldn't agree with you more, and perhaps our dealer is the one you refer to. If so, I'll write their name LARGE, and often, on every forum I can find. But the reality is more likely to be something less than what you describe... In other words, the perfect wife! :-) OK, or husband! :-) The perfect dealer is probably much harder to find, if only because there aren't millions of them out there. But I'm gonna hope that you're right...

I.Like.You!
Just don't get any funny ideas... it's more like a Facebook 'like' thing.

[AlanN]

Originally Posted by S&K

I.Like.You!
Just don't get any funny ideas... it's more like a Facebook 'like' thing.

Well, if you ask my wife, she'd say that I haven't had a funny idea in years... so thanks! :-)

[0nTheRoad]

As I stated earlier, the dealer SHOUD do a very through inspection of the entire coach, including ALL systems before you ever arrive for delivery.

Maybe I'm spoiled, or perhaps in the minority but with the exception of a VERY few minor issues our delivery was pleasurable. When we arrived at the dealer it was a cold day, we went over several of the exterior features and then went inside. When we walked in they had the furnace running with the fireplace on. Both TV's were on and operational, they had a DVD in the player queued up to play. The refer was on and cold, there was ice in the ice maker, the water heater was on and we had hot water. Every interior light was on and they had a bag of popcorn ready to microwave.
The dealer was very patient and took the time to explain/test every system and we went over the exterior with a fine tooth comb.

We had a wonderful delivery so perhaps I have a skewed perspective of what a PDI is. I was/am a very happy camper!!

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by 0nTheRoad

As I stated earlier, the dealer SHOUD do a very through inspection of the entire coach, including ALL systems before you ever arrive for delivery.

Maybe I'm spoiled, or perhaps in the minority but with the exception of a VERY few minor issues our delivery was pleasurable. When we arrived at the dealer it was a cold day, we went over several of the exterior features and then went inside. When we walked in they had the furnace running with the fireplace on. Both TV's were on and operational, they had a DVD in the player queued up to play. The refer was on and cold, there was ice in the ice maker, the water heater was on and we had hot water. Every interior light was on and they had a bag of popcorn ready to microwave.
The dealer was very patient and took the time to explain/test every system and we went over the exterior with a fine tooth comb.

We had a wonderful delivery so perhaps I have a skewed perspective of what a PDI is. I was/am a very happy camper!!

I would have to say our dealer did a great job as well. we bought ours at Lifstyles RV in Grain City MO. We had a few disagreements but they were resolved without much issues at all. I will use them again for that reason.

[Oriana]

Wow, Chuck that's an impressive dealer.

Our coach had been in a service bay for a number of days and they provided us with a list of items they had identified and fixed - three biggest issues were replacing the convenience center door that was damaged during transport, reworking the plumbing to the dishwasher as it was catching while the kitchen slide moved in/out and replacing the awning lights.

When we arrived it was in a delivery bay with 50 amp hooked up, gas bottles filled and water available. I had given then a copy of my pdi checklist, so they didn't fill the water tank. Lights were on, furnace was on and fireplace was on - didn't get the popcorn for the microwave though.

On day 1 we picked up a few really minor issues with fit/finish and these had been addressed when we arrived the following morning. On day 2 we had an issue with one of the slides, so they immediately got an electrical specialist to come over. Found a badly connected wire on the controller.

All in all a great experience and subsequent dealings have been equally positive.

[0nTheRoad]

I did not ID our dealer, we purchased through Southern RV outside Atlanta. There are a small family owned dealer who have been top notch to work with. They are not perfect but they really try to do the right thing and haven't failed me yet. I highly recommend them!!

[LBOROOM]

Thanks everyone for your advice. We are still 8 to 9 months out from ordering our 38GK just trying to get our ducks in a row being this is our first ever unit. Our truck should be on the assembly line. We are already so excited. Thanks again.....Earl

[Steve & Linda]

TNT, I believe you were asking about what to check before you head out. Although we have yet to use our Redwood, our PDI tech said make sure your bedroom door is closed before bringing in the bed slide or you'll crush your door. He suggested a little reminder by the slide switch. This applies to the 38GK.

[TNTBaker]

Thanks! YES I LOVE having a good pre-flight checklist. IRONICALLY in the 38RL, you must remember to secure the bedroom door OPEN for the same reason!!

[coloradolivin]

Originally Posted by Steve & Linda

TNT, I believe you were asking about what to check before you head out. Although we have yet to use our Redwood, our PDI tech said make sure your bedroom door is closed before bringing in the bed slide or you'll crush your door. He suggested a little reminder by the slide switch. This applies to the 38GK.

When we were looking at RW on the lot, our 38GK had the bedroom door laying on the bed. What's up with that, I asked the sales guy--hence he explained the deal. We were going to get a vanity plate for the rig "BRKNDOR" (Broken Door) as a cute reminder, but the plates were expensive enough

[rcflame]

I don't know about the GK, but on the RL you definitely have to have the door fastened open before running the slide in or you will bust the door.

[atom ant]

Its the opposite on the GK - open gets you a busted door