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Old 08-09-2014, 10:38 PM   #1
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Question What I should be looking for when I pick up the new trailer

Howdy All,

Next Thursday August 14th we pick up the new 3818, reading the horror stories on this forum have me a bit worried about having spent the amount of money we did on something I "hope" to get years of use out of. With that in mind are there things in particular to be looking for when we do the pre-delivery inspection? Any advise you folks can offer will be most appreciated. Thanks.

Dave
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Old 08-09-2014, 11:10 PM   #2
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A/C's: Make sure they all work, not just the fan's but they need to blow cold air. These units are notorious for having a/c's wired wrong at the factory, it may show an error code. Don't leave until it's fixed.
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Old 08-09-2014, 11:30 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Mr. Cob View Post
Howdy All,

Next Thursday August 14th we pick up the new 3818, reading the horror stories on this forum have me a bit worried about having spent the amount of money we did on something I "hope" to get years of use out of. With that in mind are there things in particular to be looking for when we do the pre-delivery inspection? Any advise you folks can offer will be most appreciated. Thanks.

Dave
1. Stay over night at least Thursday night in their lot with electricity. That way you you can make certain the air works, any fireplaces, microwave, charger, Tvs, etc..


2. Have them open up the basement, or take an electric screwdriver with you and open up yourself. (At night, you will want to check out the "behind the walls" stuff after they close)

3. Check as many co-ax connectors that you are able to check and all electric outlets.

4. Go over all of the wooden components and trim checking for cracks scratches etc.

5. Remove ALL of the drawers and make certain all of the supporting members are of good quality and fastened properly. The things you can't see is where the quality suffers IMHO!
The large drawer under the refer had screw fastening the supporting stringers that were too short, cracked the piece of crap wood they used. I wondered why the drawer tipped down when I opened it and nothing was in it.

6. Use the water,, hot water heater on both gas and electric. Make sure there is not a recall on the refer and that it cools down.

7. Make certain the air units are working and properly ducted.

8.. As you go through your rig AT NIGHT make sure you tag EVERYTHING that you find with bright flour scent sticky notes That needs attention. Make sure it is fixed before you leave the lot and you have signed your papers.

I did not do these things I suggested. I had to make an appointment for several weeks after to get thing fixed and they still did not fix the air ductwork.

Learn from others mistakes is my motto!
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Old 08-09-2014, 11:36 PM   #4
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1. Stay over night at least Thursday night in their lot with electricity. That way you you can make certain the air works, any fireplaces, microwave, charger, Tvs, etc..


2. Have them open up the basement, or take an electric screwdriver with you and open up yourself. (At night, you will want to check out the "behind the walls" stuff after they close)

3. Check as many co-ax connectors that you are able to check and all electric outlets.

4. Go over all of the wooden components and trim checking for cracks scratches etc.

5. Remove ALL of the drawers and make certain all of the supporting members are of good quality and fastened properly. The things you can't see is where the quality suffers IMHO!
The large drawer under the refer had screw fastening the supporting stringers that were too short, cracked the piece of crap wood they used. I wondered why the drawer tipped down when I opened it and nothing was in it.

6. Use the water,, hot water heater on both gas and electric. Make sure there is not a recall on the refer and that it cools down.

7. Make certain the air units are working and properly ducted.

8.. As you go through your rig AT NIGHT make sure you tag EVERYTHING that you find with bright flour scent sticky notes That needs attention. Make sure it is fixed before you leave the lot and you have signed your papers.

I did not do these things I suggested. I had to make an appointment for several weeks after to get thing fixed and they still did not fix the air ductwork.

Learn from others mistakes is my motto!
Howdy Rick,

Thanks for your post, makes sense to do as you suggest.

Dave
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Old 08-09-2014, 11:39 PM   #5
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This was my issues at first, may be worth a look.. some of which Rick mentioned with pictures to go along, good luck. http://www.dutchmenowners.org/forums...fter-1435.html
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Old 08-10-2014, 01:46 AM   #6
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If the unit has shock absorbers, you might find that the I-beam frames were cut to make the shocks fit. Look for scratches, dents, or (as in my case), a full puncture of the shock barrel cylinder caused when the trailer bounces. Also, my shocks' bushings, on a brand-new unit, were already badly suffering from dry rot. Keystone/Dutchmen says "we didn't put them on, we're not responsible."
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Old 08-10-2014, 03:14 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by ducmons View Post
A/C's: Make sure they all work, not just the fan's but they need to blow cold air. These units are notorious for having a/c's wired wrong at the factory, it may show an error code. Don't leave until it's fixed.
Make sure that the AC does a good job of cooling rig down. You will probably find that the AC is blowing cold air, but as a lot of us in this forum has come to realize a lot of the air is escaping into the space in the ceiling due tothe AC ducts not being taped well. You can look at the bedroom AC well enough from the inside, but the main AC will have to be pullled from the roof to inspect the duct work.

Also ensure your Auto Level system works for you. Make sure they show you the function not just explain the operation. My rig was level with slides already out and I did not have them show me it working. Many of us have experience cross wiring. Easy fix but if you don't know what to look for, can be frustrating your first time out trying to level rig

Check out closly all the trim molding througout. Cheap glue is used and have them re-secure it if there is any sign of it pulling apart frm the surface.

Check all lights., check water pump through all faucets, make sure fridge works both gas and electric. Doors close smoothly and stay shut and latch.

Have them run the slides in and out several times to ensure smooth operation.

Operate the bunk bed system in the garage

Get the order ticket for your rig. It is something the dealer gets from the manufacture. It will have all the options on there, make sure you get everything on that list. Dealers are famous for Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Bar stools, table legs, 50 AMP power cord, vacuum attachments, bar stools remote controls.... Believe me if it was anchored down by the manufactorer, it will be used to fullfill another rig prior to yours.

run the shower to determine of there are any leaks from the glass doors.

Make sure your sani-flush is working. That is the black tank flush. I have heard that there is a check valve for this operation and they have been known to be installed backwards. If you get no flow into black tank, that might be the problem.

Spray water on all the slides when they are retracted and extended and check for leaks, spray the roof where ever there was a breech, such as vents, attennas and such....

Hope this helps. some of the information I am giving you is from my mistakes of not getting checked out, the rest I got from this forum before I picked my rig up and did the walk through. Good luck.
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Old 08-10-2014, 03:38 AM   #8
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Howdy All,

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate the advise perhaps some thing like a PDI check list should be made a sticky that way all this good information would be easy to find.

Dave
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Old 08-10-2014, 11:12 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Mr. Cob View Post
Howdy All,

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate the advise perhaps some thing like a PDI check list should be made a sticky that way all this good information would be easy to find.

Dave
Try and find one of these. It. Will help you find those pesky leaks.

Black & Decker TLD100 Thermal Leak Detector - - Amazon.com
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