Any concerns with purchasing 3 year old Voltage? - Dutchmen Owners
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Dutchmen Owners > Dutchmen Brand RVs > Toy Hauler
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-13-2015, 04:20 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin
Posts: 10
Texas
Any concerns with purchasing 3 year old Voltage?

My wife and I are looking to purchase a 3950 and have been looking at new and used ones. We found a 2012 that's in great condition but should we be concerned with the age? Is there a life expectancy for these rigs?
__________________

drock512 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 06:10 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Dalzell
Posts: 714
South Carolina
There are many things, some easy and some expensive, that you might not see. Water pump - $150, easy. Slides come off track - $thousands. Find out all you can, i.e. where they took it, how many miles, how may nights out, etc. Did they always plug in, or did they boondock? How is the chassis, frame, brakes, wheels and tires? Why exactly are they selling it? Some of these things, when cared for last 40 years. Some turn to junk in 5. After you've had this discussion, pay for and bring in an RV tech. Pay $200 or so for an on-site inspection, before you incur big problems. If you're buying from a dealer, new or used, get a warranty. But if you're buying from an individual, spend the money on an inspection. Good luck!
__________________

MartyG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 03:43 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Fenton
Posts: 59
Michigan
Fifth wheel

Quote:
Originally Posted by drock512 View Post
My wife and I are looking to purchase a 3950 and have been looking at new and used ones. We found a 2012 that's in great condition but should we be concerned with the age? Is there a life expectancy for these rigs?
I would buy new just so I could get the cables on the slides ! Less to worry about ! Not a big fan of the slides on my 2013 3905.
Toolmaker89 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 08:47 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Desert Hot Springs
Posts: 1,761
California
Water pump sure isn't any $150 to replace. More like $85 for a good one.
If new to RVing I would get it inspected by someone that knows. If you've been around RVs for a while check it over & make sure everything is working. Move the slides in & out should be smooth with no binding or popping noise. If tires haven't been replaced that needs to be done. Same way with the battery.
Good luck hope you find a good deal on what you want.
__________________
Mike
2002 42' Monaco Signature Triple Crown tow 2014 F-150
2014 Voltage V3605 Sold 5/3/17
2012 F-350 6.7l CC 4X4, Sold 10/10/17
DesertRat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2015, 07:29 PM   #5
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: mountainside
Posts: 3
New Jersey
Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertRat View Post
Water pump sure isn't any $150 to replace. More like $85 for a good one.
If new to RVing I would get it inspected by someone that knows. If you've been around RVs for a while check it over & make sure everything is working. Move the slides in & out should be smooth with no binding or popping noise. If tires haven't been replaced that needs to be done. Same way with the battery.
Good luck hope you find a good deal on what you want.
Hello all, I should have joined this post in 2011 Wnen I bought my V3950. This is absolutely the best and worst Rv I have ever owned. The floor plan for our family, 4 kids is second to none. However the quality control is the worst I have ever seen. We purchased from the Hershey PA show. I traded a Monaco class a diesel pusher, we are in Myrtle Beach this week and I am still having issues with the trailer. From slides to water pumps hot water heater refrigerator went out, leak, bedroom floor lifted and had to be replaced, bed platform had to be replaced on and on and on and on. Still have not found a better floor plan for us, but I'm sure quality control in other brands has to be better
Feds4477 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2015, 10:56 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Durango
Posts: 127
Colorado
I purchased a 2013 3950 from a dealer in AZ. Yes, used can come with some issues. Yes the water pump went out and I'm not sure what is happening with the bedroom slide. However, I paid less than half of the new cost and I figure a little sweat equity can go a long way. I did buy a Good Sam extended warranty that will cover any major issues i find. So far I'm very pleased with the layout and have logged over 2000 miles since getting it in June. It carries 2 Harleys with no problem. I did miss on the weight! The brochure weight, and sticker weight, were both way off. I'm now upgrading from a F250 to an F350 dually to deal with the weight.
__________________
2017 Voltage 3970, Epic, Full Paint
2015 Ford F350 DRW CC 4X4
2016 Kawasaki Teryx 4
4 grandkids, 1 Yellow Lab, 1 Kubota Tractor
TomW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2015, 08:25 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
donzinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Memphis
Posts: 1,616
Michigan
Have been watching this model since it went on sale in 2011 and have emails to and from the manufacturer where they admitted to quality issues in the 2011 and 2012 models. Was assured that QA/QC supervisor was replaced for the 2013 and newer ones. Did it fix all the issues? No. But we gained enough confidence to make the leap in 2014. There are still quality issues with these newer ones but not to the extend I read on the older ones. And yes, I do find and fix their missteps almost everytime I start a new improvement or mod. We also love the layout on ours.

Not trying to deter anyone from making a purchase. Just sharing my experience.
__________________

__________________
2019 Ram 3500 Limited w/ Max Tow pkg
2005 Cardinal 33LX
2014-3950, Full Paint, 17.5" tires, 370W solar, 3100W Magnum inverter w/ AGS, 7500w diesel generator, Micro-Air Easy Start 364 (x3) SOLD!
donzinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dutchmen RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 05:38 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2020 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.
×