Class B model year / chassis year

[markopolo]

Interesting article here:

http://www.wate.com/global/story.asp?s= ... =Printable

Yes, it's common for the Class B model year and the chassis year to be different. (as long as you know that when you buy it)

Dandridge RV owner learns part of new purchase isn't so new

Posted: March 31, 2008 11:51 AM PDT

By DON DARE
6 On Your Side Reporter

DANDRIDGE (WATE) -- A Dandridge RV owner was caught by surprise when he learned his new purchase had a truck chassis from the previous year.

Some of the smaller classes of RVs come on a truck chassis such as a Ford, Chevy or Dodge. Those companies don't make the motor homes, though. A separate manufacturer does that.

That means your motor home may be a different year than the truck chassis.

Retired auto worker John Nolan bought an $80,000 RV at the beginning of January. It was an end of the year deal.

The manufacturer is Pleasure-Way Industries Limited and the RV sits on a Ford F-350 chassis.

Everything in the home was built in 2007, but the truck wasn't. "I thought I was buying a 2007, F-350," John says.

His motor home came from Middle Tennessee Airstream in Cookeville. He drove two hours to get it because he wanted a Ford.

John says the RV has lots of amenities that make traveling comfortable such as a sink, refrigerator and a two burner stove.

But John is upset for two reasons. He believes he lost value in his investment. Plus, he says the dealer didn't tell him the truck part of the motor home is a 2006.

"I took it down to the court clerk. They ran it through the computer, 2006," John says.

The odometer disclosure statement shows the year is 2007. It was filled out by Middle Tennessee Airstream.

John called the Putnam County dealer and asked a lawyer to question the sale. The company responded by letter.

"The unit was sold as a Pleasure Motor home and is titled as a 2007 Pleasure-Way. The chassis portion, or raw van, that pleasure way built the coach on was a 2006 Ford chassis. This is usual and customary in the manufacturing of recreational vehicles," John reads from the letter.

Middle Tennessee Airstream is right. The chassis year can be different from the coach year. The issue has been tested in court. Nothing has been done wrong.

6 On Your Side checked with three RV dealers in the Knoxville area. They agree, the dealer in John's sale didn't misrepresent the motor home.

Still, "Do you think they mislead you?" 6 On Your Side asks. "Of course they did," John says.

Although Middle Tennessee Airstream declined to speak to 6 On Your Side on camera, the dealer said John won't lose a year's value of his RV. It's the title that counts. It shows the vehicle is a 2007.

Several local RV dealers told 6 On Your Side that John's motor home is considered last year's model and when he's ready to sell it, there would be no misrepresentation that it's a 2007 model, although the truck chassis is a 2006.

If you have a consumer question or problem, call the 6 On Your Side hotline at (865)-633-5974.