Service Writer @ an RV dealer here - AMEN. This video should be shown to all new RV buyers. ( FYI : My favorite question is " can't you just look it up by my vin " LOL no. )
Helpful video. One humorous note. At about 2:50, you explain that there can be unexpected scenarios, like "parts being on the RV that are not on the schematic". Then you continue to explain that the opposite can also happen, like "parts being on the RV that are not on the schematic". Where I come from, your opposite is instead the same. Totally understand how that happens, and thanks for the laugh.
Well said. NOW add that Covid has created a HUGE demand for rigs... New campers with little to no knowledge of them as some builds are racing off production lines (with questionable quality control)... getting interesting...
Just started as an advisor and everything your talking about rings true and it's hard to set expectations when everything is soo highly variable. I want to help people get in and out but there's only soo much I can do
I'm a 17 year "experienced" RVer with much of that 17 years living in full time. I've purchased only 8 RV's, all used except our latest one which we purchased new. I hope that Mr. Crosset is being compensated by Fleetwood and Forest River for his excellent videos that basically tell the consumers of a multi-billion dollar industry should NOT expect knowledge, competency, and standards from the ENTIRE industry. That's design, manufacturing, sales, service, parts and appliance vendors - NONE OF IT! The industry only exists because people want to drag all their stuff around on vacation in a $30,000 suitcase that also has a shower and a shitter in it. I get it. I do it. Why? Because as bad as the RV industry is, the raping that the hotel industry gets away with is worse! Most RV'S that are made are rolling pieces of shit with a shiny paint job. You buy one because you want to squat in an RV park on a lake 4 times a year and you know you'd probably do a worse job building one yourself. Mr. Crosset is right about a lot of things in his videos. The main thing he's right about is the whole RV industry is full of hacks who don't know what they're talking about, don't know what they're selling, and have no way to actually follow through on making ANY of it better. Just pay your $30,000, enjoy being able to stop pretty much anywhere on your road trip and sleep in a bed, burning out your transmission, brakes, and engine because you believed the salesman when he said that your vehicle can haul it, and not getting any satisfying resolution for practically ANY issue that occurs with the RV itself. Happy RVing!! LOL
Thank you for watching and thank you for the comment! I can't imagine the industry would be interested in what I had to say so I'm certainly not being paid by them! My heart is in it for the consumer after having been one myself and being so disillusioned about the whole thing. Of course I still love it, like you do, but I want other people to get into it knowing what they're doing so they can enjoy it too.
The only thing that is a "now" part of this industry is at time of sale. If the customer wants an installation or other work done as part of the sale the technicians will stop other assigned work to accommodate the new buyer. Once the buyer has signed and unit delivered the RV is now in line with other scheduled work.
Sounds like it will ever be a now industry . The way everything changes in the industry. Similar to boats with regards to out of business , changing vendors and availability of parts because of limited sales ect. Wow I can see how getting ripped of by service centers would be easily especially if your not a local customer. Unfortunate considering the prices be put on these units. Can’t think of many similar industries. I understand those who try to service the owners but I can also see the buyer side which in regards to service can be challenging, unpredictable and expensive.
That would be a killer to a mfr's sales. I'm sure either the federal govt or consumer groups look for this problem. It had been a problem in small Mobile homes made for FEMA after hurricane Katrina.
Watched several of your videos. Interested in the Jayco class C. Love the layout but know nothing. Been researching now 6 months off & on. Looking for a small RV so that we can both drive. This will be used as a vacation 3-5 X a year. Visiting our children and grandchildren & of course explore. Planning on purchasing in Jan 2020. In the meantime I am researching. Great videos. Looking for more information on the do's & don'ts and learning what I need to know how to care for before my purchase. Cannot afford any damage cost. I know I am not educated enough. My spouse & I are retired and this is our savings we will use and honestly a little nervous about spending this kind of money on a RV. Any recommendations?
Hi David we just bought our first RV a sportsman classic 180bh and you are right the salesman ran through the setup with us so fast and I can't find anything on it. I am a show me how person. Do you have a video on setting up or know where I can go and see anyone else's video. Thank you for your time. Lost in Indy Jan
Congrats! Check out my channel for many other videos about RV's and how to use them. If you want a really solid walkthrough on how things work, especially the things you can see (power, water), check out my videos at www.rvmasters.com. The Trailer Orientation video walks through all the parts of the trailer, how they work, and will give you confidence in how to use your new toy. Enjoy that bunkhouse!
1. Access. They don't know the defective/problem part is located? Don't you get a detailed diagram of your new RV trailer? Or isn't that available online from the mfr? (for motor homes the engine is another matter).
Surprisingly, no, this is not given automatically. You can request one from the manufacturer, but what they provide you doesn't always match what you have. That's why this industry is so crazy. When I requested a diagram for mine, the wiring wasn't where they said it was, the inverter wasn't wired the way they said it was, and I have a 4 post BIRD instead of a 5 post BIRD, meaning I didn't have my generator hooked up properly. This is why I do these videos - the expectation of "normalcy" doesn't apply to RV's in my opinion!
This assumes that the technician is competent. We have yet to go to a RV service center and found a competent tech. My husband did the research, told the service center what part to get (3 times) and they still ordered the wrong part. Fortunately he's a handy guy. He had them get the right part and did it himself. Thankfully we don't have to go to the service center.
I've had the same experience! It got to the point where I'd just ask them to give me the part and I"d do it myself. I've done that about 3 times. I also have just bought the part myself - sometimes it was just easier!
Completely disagree with your #6 - "Preference". People do move from place to place and I shouldn't get worse customer care just because I moved to a different place to live. If I buy a car in one city and the next year move to another I do not expect to have to wait longer for warranty service than anyone else. Same should hold for an RV.
I agree with you totally, but that's why I do this video series: To show the reality of having an RV and how that industry works. It is the way it is - if a dealer MUST choose between two customers, who wouldn't service their own first? So while I agree with you, it's simply a fact in business, and this is how it exhibits itself in a fast-growing industry!
If it's a matter of 2 people showing up at the same time, I agree...but "non-buyers" should not get scheduled at later dates when there are earlier openings nor should their service be stopped mid-job in order to work on someone else. It's blatant in the RV industry and it shouldn't be. It would never be accepted in any other industry and it shouldn't be the practice in the RV industry.
I agree, and I think the same way. That's why I do this - I want people to have a great experience, and NOT knowing this leads to major frustration and not having as much fun as one could have. I just share the rules of the game as I learned them the hard way, hoping that it will help others have a better experience than I had when I started!
You shouldn't have to but it's pretty well known that not all dealerships are equal. Be they automotive, motorcycle, RV etc. So you may be right about what you SHOULD get, it's not just RV service/ sales. I can tell you for a FACT that RV dealers/service isn't the only inconsistent industry. Motorcycle dealers are NOTORIOUS for being inconsistent when it comes to service quality and cost. The cost and quality is ridiculously varied sometimes costing hundreds more for the same service at different dealers.
Service Writer @ an RV dealer here - AMEN. This video should be shown to all new RV buyers. ( FYI : My favorite question is " can't you just look it up by my vin " LOL no. )
Helpful video. One humorous note. At about 2:50, you explain that there can be unexpected scenarios, like "parts being on the RV that are not on the schematic". Then you continue to explain that the opposite can also happen, like "parts being on the RV that are not on the schematic". Where I come from, your opposite is instead the same. Totally understand how that happens, and thanks for the laugh.
Good catch, lol.
As a service technician. Well said !
Awesome I am a female in this industry too! Love this business.
The best 15.00 an hour tech you can buy I think they go back and forth from Harley dealer to RV dealer and back again
Well said. NOW add that Covid has created a HUGE demand for rigs... New campers with little to no knowledge of them as some builds are racing off production lines (with questionable quality control)... getting interesting...
Just started as an advisor and everything your talking about rings true and it's hard to set expectations when everything is soo highly variable. I want to help people get in and out but there's only soo much I can do
I would be happy to have someone return my calls.
I'm a 17 year "experienced" RVer with much of that 17 years living in full time. I've purchased only 8 RV's, all used except our latest one which we purchased new.
I hope that Mr. Crosset is being compensated by Fleetwood and Forest River for his excellent videos that basically tell the consumers of a multi-billion dollar industry should NOT expect knowledge, competency, and standards from the ENTIRE industry. That's design, manufacturing, sales, service, parts and appliance vendors - NONE OF IT! The industry only exists because people want to drag all their stuff around on vacation in a $30,000 suitcase that also has a shower and a shitter in it. I get it. I do it. Why? Because as bad as the RV industry is, the raping that the hotel industry gets away with is worse!
Most RV'S that are made are rolling pieces of shit with a shiny paint job. You buy one because you want to squat in an RV park on a lake 4 times a year and you know you'd probably do a worse job building one yourself.
Mr. Crosset is right about a lot of things in his videos. The main thing he's right about is the whole RV industry is full of hacks who don't know what they're talking about, don't know what they're selling, and have no way to actually follow through on making ANY of it better. Just pay your $30,000, enjoy being able to stop pretty much anywhere on your road trip and sleep in a bed, burning out your transmission, brakes, and engine because you believed the salesman when he said that your vehicle can haul it, and not getting any satisfying resolution for practically ANY issue that occurs with the RV itself.
Happy RVing!! LOL
Thank you for watching and thank you for the comment! I can't imagine the industry would be interested in what I had to say so I'm certainly not being paid by them! My heart is in it for the consumer after having been one myself and being so disillusioned about the whole thing. Of course I still love it, like you do, but I want other people to get into it knowing what they're doing so they can enjoy it too.
The best tech is to learn to do it yourself.
The only thing that is a "now" part of this industry is at time of sale. If the customer wants an installation or other work done as part of the sale the technicians will stop other assigned work to accommodate the new buyer. Once the buyer has signed and unit delivered the RV is now in line with other scheduled work.
Sounds like it will ever be a now industry . The way everything changes in the industry. Similar to boats with regards to out of business , changing vendors and availability of parts because of limited sales ect. Wow I can see how getting ripped of by service centers would be easily especially if your not a local customer. Unfortunate considering the prices be put on these units. Can’t think of many similar industries.
I understand those who try to service the owners but I can also see the buyer side which in regards to service can be challenging, unpredictable and expensive.
Excellent video. I’m getting ready to go to school for RV inspector. What’s your opinion on that sector of the industry. Or should I be a tech.
Not sure if you can talk about formaldehyde. How to check a RV for materials with high formaldehyde.
That would be a killer to a mfr's sales. I'm sure either the federal govt or consumer groups look for this problem. It had been a problem in small Mobile homes made for FEMA after hurricane Katrina.
I went from rv parts for 6 years to a service advisor 3 weeks ago. This industry is a mess and customers believe it is like vehicle work
Watched several of your videos. Interested in the Jayco class C. Love the layout but know nothing. Been researching now 6 months off & on. Looking for a small RV so that we can both drive. This will be used as a vacation 3-5 X a year. Visiting our children and grandchildren & of course explore. Planning on purchasing in Jan 2020. In the meantime I am researching. Great videos. Looking for more information on the do's & don'ts and learning what I need to know how to care for before my purchase. Cannot afford any damage cost. I know I am not educated enough. My spouse & I are retired and this is our savings we will use and honestly a little nervous about spending this kind of money on a RV. Any recommendations?
Hi David we just bought our first RV a sportsman classic 180bh and you are right the salesman ran through the setup with us so fast and I can't find anything on it. I am a show me how person. Do you have a video on setting up or know where I can go and see anyone else's video. Thank you for your time. Lost in Indy Jan
Congrats! Check out my channel for many other videos about RV's and how to use them. If you want a really solid walkthrough on how things work, especially the things you can see (power, water), check out my videos at www.rvmasters.com. The Trailer Orientation video walks through all the parts of the trailer, how they work, and will give you confidence in how to use your new toy.
Enjoy that bunkhouse!
Are you going to talk about solar?Also I realize I would rather have a 5th wheel in your opinion would that be less maintnance?
Ofcourse man it has no engine!
1. Access. They don't know the defective/problem part is located? Don't you get a detailed diagram of your new RV trailer? Or isn't that available online from the mfr? (for motor homes the engine is another matter).
Surprisingly, no, this is not given automatically. You can request one from the manufacturer, but what they provide you doesn't always match what you have. That's why this industry is so crazy. When I requested a diagram for mine, the wiring wasn't where they said it was, the inverter wasn't wired the way they said it was, and I have a 4 post BIRD instead of a 5 post BIRD, meaning I didn't have my generator hooked up properly.
This is why I do these videos - the expectation of "normalcy" doesn't apply to RV's in my opinion!
Saying the industry is crazy does not inspire confidence in the prospective buyer.
7:48
They're in tents? I though they were in RVs!
I'll show myself out...
This assumes that the technician is competent. We have yet to go to a RV service center and found a competent tech. My husband did the research, told the service center what part to get (3 times) and they still ordered the wrong part. Fortunately he's a handy guy. He had them get the right part and did it himself. Thankfully we don't have to go to the service center.
I've had the same experience! It got to the point where I'd just ask them to give me the part and I"d do it myself. I've done that about 3 times. I also have just bought the part myself - sometimes it was just easier!
The RV manufacturer does a poor job as a industry of giving ANY technical drawings as to layout of mechanical,
elctrical for the units they sell .
Completely disagree with your #6 - "Preference". People do move from place to place and I shouldn't get worse customer care just because I moved to a different place to live. If I buy a car in one city and the next year move to another I do not expect to have to wait longer for warranty service than anyone else. Same should hold for an RV.
I agree with you totally, but that's why I do this video series: To show the reality of having an RV and how that industry works. It is the way it is - if a dealer MUST choose between two customers, who wouldn't service their own first?
So while I agree with you, it's simply a fact in business, and this is how it exhibits itself in a fast-growing industry!
If it's a matter of 2 people showing up at the same time, I agree...but "non-buyers" should not get scheduled at later dates when there are earlier openings nor should their service be stopped mid-job in order to work on someone else. It's blatant in the RV industry and it shouldn't be. It would never be accepted in any other industry and it shouldn't be the practice in the RV industry.
I agree, and I think the same way. That's why I do this - I want people to have a great experience, and NOT knowing this leads to major frustration and not having as much fun as one could have. I just share the rules of the game as I learned them the hard way, hoping that it will help others have a better experience than I had when I started!
Thanks, and hopefully if enough people will put pressure on the industry they'll stop doing it.
You shouldn't have to but it's pretty well known that not all dealerships are equal. Be they automotive, motorcycle, RV etc. So you may be right about what you SHOULD get, it's not just RV service/ sales. I can tell you for a FACT that RV dealers/service isn't the only inconsistent industry. Motorcycle dealers are NOTORIOUS for being inconsistent when it comes to service quality and cost. The cost and quality is ridiculously varied sometimes costing hundreds more for the same service at different dealers.
The best service to get at the dealer is none.