RV Walkthrough

[M&K]

We bought a Redwood 36RL in late December, this is our first RV and would like any advice on things to look for on the walkthrough with the dealer when we pick it up. Thanks

[IPull]

I would ask any question you had about the unit; make sure
they go over the proper way to use everything.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />

[Flyfisher]

M&K
Congratulations on your Redwood RL purchase. I anticipate delivery of our RE in 2 weeks+- if you google ,RV walk through check list or PDI check lists, you will find several good sites with very comprehensive check lists. Keep us posted on how your walk through goes.

Safe travels and happy camping
Brett

[M&K]

Thanks flyfisher and ipull we are excited to get the redwood, I will check out the site you gave me. Thanks again and looking forward to checking out this site now and then very useful info. and freindly people.

[Cyberdave]

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Insist the dealer connect to AC source.
Insist on two quality (like Interstate) deep cycle batteries are installed.
Insist propane tanks are full and check for propane odors anywhere.

Inside;Get a full demo how each every thing works.
Make sure you get the books for each appliance, tv, stereo etc including the owners manual.
Open every drawer, door and slide panel and inspect it for proper construction and mounting.
Check every system water heater on both modes, gas and electric.
AC (both) and furnace. Check all modes of the AC also.
Check proper operation of the TV's and that the stereo is actually hooked up.
Look at the carpet, mating surfaces, tile, etc.
Turn on the water pump and check everything for leaks and that the water heater is working.
Check windows for sealing and operation. Make sure you understand how the escape windows open.
From previous problem posts, make sure the shower is sealed all the way around.
Open the C/B-fuse panel and (power off) and check for loose connections, bare wires and pieces of wires left inside.
Check the slide operation and understand the procedure. Go over it until it sticks.
Do the slides go in and out smoothly? Binding? Creaking or does it just not sound smooth?
Anything in contact with slides? Rubbing, interfering?
Slides can scrape the carpets and floors. Look for marks and scratches.


Outside;
Wear some old clothes and get under your rig and look for anything that is not right like drooping bottom panels, cuts, handing wires, etc.
While you're under there, look at the suspension and brake wiring or hoses if EOH brakes are installed.
Spring shackles, axle to leaf spring u-bolts, etc.
Let your eyes drift to everything and check anything that just doesn't look right.
Tires, cuts, proper inflation and most importantly the date codes! Don't accept it if the tires are more than 18 months or so old. RV tires age out before wearing out and 5-6 years is the most often max on age before replacing.
Check the finish for dings, dents, improper panel matches, etc.
Storage areas and doors for things like sharp edges, loose panels etc. Also the reported loose latches.
Open the wet bay and the filter access and with the water pump on, look for leaks, hoses that are chaffing.
The water pump should not be excessively loud if properly mounted.
Check coax cables, wiring in wet bay.
If possible, verify the cables are actually connected. The easy way to do it is to installing a shorting cap on the outside connector and check resistance at the proper inside connector both front and rear TV. Turn off the AC before doing it just in case. Resistance should be very low, if it is infinity, get it fixed before you accept it.
Since (in theory anyway) the tanks are clean and dry, run some water into both grey and the black tanks and cycle each valve.
Have the dealer demonstrate the leveling system as many times as it takes for you to understand it

Inspect the pumps, hoses and jacks for leaks. There have been a few reports of blowing fuses on the hydraulic system... if it pops, make them get it fixed.
Get on the roof and look for low points, improperly sealed vents, ac mounting, lap seams, front and rear cap to roof sealing.


Most importantly DO NOT hurry! Don't let the dealer rush you either. Go early and take your time. Being in a rush to hook up and go is much like a pilot skipping through a check list and finding out the fuel tanks weren't topped off by the last pilot... Happened to me twice, once I found it by proper pre-flight, once by a lucky gauge check after engine start. Taking your time prevents you being upset later. You want your new rig, but getting it right the first time will make you much happier.

Here is a link to a good PDI checklist


http://www.rvlifestyle.net/id20.html

Remember, do or don't be forced to rush... You'll be happy you did.

[DoddsCP]

Cyberdave makes very valid points. The important thing is to not let the dealer rush you and take your time. We were lucky to spend 2 nights in our new rig while it was on the dealer's lot. They had full hook ups there at the dealer. I found the following issues with my 36RE while at the dealer location:
1. Shower leaked around the bottom between the glass and the shower pan.
2. There were gaps in the chaulking on some of the exterior molding.
3. One of the small side windows in the living/dining area slide was not properly closing due to a screw that was improperly screwed into the channel.
4. I noticed that there was no owners manual in the packet of materials that the dealer gave me and they told me that their wasn't one for Redwood. I later emailed Redwood and they sent me one, but it is very basic at best and leaves a lot to be desired on operation of self leveling system, TV connections, ect.

The following are things I unfortunately found after leaving the dealer:
1. The bedroom slide stuck in the open position on my very first outing. The dealer had to replace one of the two motors on the bedroom slide.
2. Three of my Goodyear Marathon tires are bad. They had a bulge in the sidewall where the belt seam is. I found this when I took my rig into a tire center to have them balanced. There is quite a lot of information on the internet concerning this issue. One of the bad tires was on my spare, which has never been used. Goodyear is repacing the spare now at no cost, but they will prorate the others for replacement.

[Flyboy]

Well we went to the dealer for our walk through yesterday, about 4 hrs later we headed back home without our 36RL. I made it clear to our salesman when we ordered the unit that TV WAS IMPORTANT TO ME and I did not understand how the front and rear TV's could be watching diff programs on (sat, cable, ant, vcr) without the selector box I had in my old unit. I was told with the new TV's in the unit the selection on what you watched was done through the "input" on the tv. I had the Winegard HD auto sat ant installed plus I wanted to have it setup so we could have both our receivers in the unit so as to have the ability of diff channels at the same time. The tech did not have our receiver to check the system with so he was unable to check the system out for proper ops. Plus he will have to run another RG6 cable to each receiver to allow for the DVR function to work. I left him with our receiver and he will get it all sorted out, I hope. The factory did install two sat inputs on the out side of unit, one dedicated to bedroom and one for living room. These will be used when roof ant is blocked and I use my portable outside one.
I asked a lot of Q's about the level sys ref the 10 amp fuse blowing. My sales guy said my unit was fixed at the factory prior to delivery and that Leppert was at there facility showing there techs how to do the fix. I think they have a larger amp fuse plus some sort of resettable fuse?? As been mentioned by someone else, the documents given by the factory is very generic and does not go into much detail. I went on line and down loaded the lvl system and hyd room slide info from Leppert web. I am most interested in how to get the jacks up and the rooms in if I have a syst failure. I down loaded what was on their web and will show it to the tech and have a good understanding of the "HOW" to do this prior to final sign off.
What we did see on the short walk through was to our liking, one thing we are pleased with is we had them leave the carpet out of the living room. It's the fake wood flooring all the way from the front to the back, looks good and will save cleaning times.
Hope to bring it home next week, if so we will be making a check ride to the valley for a week for all systems check. We plan on making the Kerrville rally in April and a run to the west coast this summer.
Will check back after we have some experience with the unit.
Bob

[TravelinAnderson]

Try this link for a very comprehensive PDI inspection list.
Don't feel rushed when you go through your unit. Let the dealer do their walk through then go through it again yourself using the check list. Have the dealer address any issues you discover before leaving the dealership.
Have fun with your new rig!

http://changingears.com/rv-checklist-inspection.shtml

Edited by: TravelinAnderson

[Flyboy]

Thanks, I downloaded it.
Bob

[RollsRoyce]

Cyberdave ,,Thanks for thr PDI checklist ...I already had one but it was not as good as this one!