We just had our pre-delivery inspection this past Saturday and I am more and more uncomfortable with the whole experience. We did not pull the rig out with us on Saturday the dealer is supposed to deliver it to our seasonal site in a couple weeks. I am not sure if that is the reason that things were the way they were or not but it just does not seem right. Our Newport was outside in the back lot, hooked up to 30amp not 50amp. It did not have water hooked to it and was winterized. It also was in between two other campers so the awnings could not be fully run out. We were given a walk around the outside and then one on the inside. We were told that we should read the instruction booklet for the heating and cooling system. We were also told that our heating system had a problem and didn't work so that could not be tested. We were then taken to the finance department to sign papers. Afterwards we were given a roll of blue painters tape to mark anything that we might find. We were really caught off guard that it was not inside and totally opened up, and hooked up for us to inspect and test everything!
Uncomfortable with Pre-delivery inspection :(
- Thread starter randolu
- Start date
danemayer
Well-known member
Before completing the paperwork, you have the full attention of the dealer to get everything right. Afterward, you're counting entirely on their good will. If there's a piece that isn't complete, you might want to hold off on the completion until you're satisfied.
Since you plan on having the rig delivered to your seasonal site, and presumably don't have any way to take it back for service, you also need to discuss with the dealer just how warranty service will be done. It's unrealistic to expect that you won't have any warranty work over the next 2 years. Will the dealer send a tech to you? Will the dealer tow the rig back for service? Who pays for towing and/or travel time - neither of which is covered by warranty. Maybe you've already worked this out, but if not, you should discuss.
It's also possible to use mobile service techs for warranty work, but you need prior authorization from Heartland.
Finally, we have an owner-written Landmark 365 User Guide that may answer some of your questions about how things work.
Since you plan on having the rig delivered to your seasonal site, and presumably don't have any way to take it back for service, you also need to discuss with the dealer just how warranty service will be done. It's unrealistic to expect that you won't have any warranty work over the next 2 years. Will the dealer send a tech to you? Will the dealer tow the rig back for service? Who pays for towing and/or travel time - neither of which is covered by warranty. Maybe you've already worked this out, but if not, you should discuss.
It's also possible to use mobile service techs for warranty work, but you need prior authorization from Heartland.
Finally, we have an owner-written Landmark 365 User Guide that may answer some of your questions about how things work.
akf15e
Member
Our dealer did the same thing with the PDI - still winterized, not hooked up to water, etc. I guess most folks must accept it that way. However, our dealer did have it set up so we could spend the night at a campground across the road and a time we could meet with a tech the next day for tweaks (or drop it back off for repairs), so I was willing to sign the papers. Had minor problems we found over night and they were fixed with no problem. All the disasters manifested themselves a trip or two later (see my reply to this post), so I would heed Dan's advice and have a plan in place (and writing) on how they will fix things at your site.
JBoyerinAbq
Active Member
Our dealer tried to deliver ours Winterized - which I understood based on the season - but was quick to charge the system when we said we'd not accept till every system was exercised. It was during one of those last tests that our living room slide mechanism broke. As stated by another member - they were quick to respond and resolve. I doubt they would have been jumping through as many hoops if we had signed. Regardless - once you get the unit, I trust your dissatisfaction with this dealer will subside when your excitement of the unit continues to grow. We've had ours a full week now and knock on wood, we've found nothing of substance. Happy campers - so far.
Safe travels all.
Safe travels all.
Well we are going down for a second walk-through ( unit will be delivered next Saturday). This time the unit will be inside with all slides out, awnings out and full water and electric hook-ups. The items that we had found on our first visit down have been fixed so we will be checking them over as well. They will SHOW us how everything works this time not tell us to read the manual. I just received my new pots and pans so I think I will take one down to test the induction cooktop and a pan of cookie dough to test the convection oven 
I am feeling better already about things.
I am feeling better already about things.
jmgratz
Original Owners Club Member
As a certified walk-through specialist I would not accept a unit unless I was given the opportunity to see and TRY all of the systems on the unit, including but not limited to; water pump, water heater on gas and electric, furnace, air conditioning, refrigerator on gas and electric, ice maker if equipped, television, satellite hookup, cable hookup, tv antenna/booster, emergency exit(s), all doors, locks, drawers, shower, toilet, tank drains, battery charger (converter), inverter, outside baggage doors and locks, propane tanks, vacuum cleaner if equipped, table extensions (our extension had a deep gouge in it), window shades, spare tire and how to remove it, awnings including how to open and close, stove, microwave/convection, oven and any other system. Be sure you are not just shown how they work but try them yourself. Plan on spending at least 2 - 4 hours on a PDI (walkthrough). Make not of any issues and arrangements to get them repaired. Also if at all possible plan on spending at least one and preferably 2 or three days in a nearby campground in the unit trying everything. If possible video the PDI so you can review anything you don't understand for later. Good Luck. BTW you should not have to pay extra for a PDI.
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
Most dealers don't have a cable hookup at their shop . . .
Which is what we found after our Prowler was there for 10 weeks getting warranty issues supposedly resolved and they just hooked it back up the way it was (which wasn't working).
Of course, we couldn't check it until we were actually at a campground with cable!
Which is what we found after our Prowler was there for 10 weeks getting warranty issues supposedly resolved and they just hooked it back up the way it was (which wasn't working).
Of course, we couldn't check it until we were actually at a campground with cable!
jmgratz
Original Owners Club Member
Another reason to camp for a day or two at a campground close to the dealership. Try on that has cable or satellite.
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
I don't think that would work as it is not the same kind of signal.
The antenna signal was getting through fine, yet the cable signal wasn't.
Problem with the dealers is they have a signal transmitter that they can hook up, however, it only shows they are getting a signal through, but not how strong the signal is.
I haven't heard yet when they will be out to replace the stereo and rewire, but we probably won't get to check it out until the Buena Vista Rally!
Oh . . . did you get to see the entertainment center after the mobile tech finally got the stereo out?:
Not sure how they are going to fix this . . . and the stereo was completely destroyed in the extraction.
danemayer
Well-known member
John, I think I've seen that picture several times now. Usually the sound systems come out pretty easily, if you know what you're doing. The factory may not have done a beautiful job, but it looks like the tech made it worse and destroyed the stereo with a brute force approach.
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
Actually, when it was in for service over the winter, when they 'supposedly' fixed the cable TV issue, the stereo was screwed in using drywall screws when they should have just replaced the stereo mounting bracket, which just clips in.
With the screws in the mounting bracket, the stereo only slid out about a half inch, then got stuck on the screws.
Even the mobile tech shook his head in astonishment when he saw that installation.
