Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-21-2021, 10:35 PM   #1
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: CA
Posts: 38
Default Extended Warranty for a brand new Roadtrek SS Agile ???

I was offered to purchase "additional warranty" in various lengths from 5 year to 7 years (I don't have the paperwork in front of me right now. So this is what I can remember). Pricing is around $4500 to $7500 (As I recall).

It's an EXCLUSIONARY with $100 deductible PER TRIP to ANY licensed repair shop (Does not have to be a Roadtrek or Mercedes dealership).

Any thoughts on this "EXTENDED WARRANTY"?

There is already a two years unlimited mileage warranty from the NEW Roadtrek manufacturer. Plus whatever the Mercedes OEM manufacturer warranty.

Any comments? Greatly appreciated.
RVclassB4me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2021, 11:57 PM   #2
Site Team
 
avanti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,321
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RVclassB4me View Post
I was offered to purchase "additional warranty" in various lengths from 5 year to 7 years (I don't have the paperwork in front of me right now. So this is what I can remember). Pricing is around $4500 to $7500 (As I recall).

It's an EXCLUSIONARY with $100 deductible PER TRIP to ANY licensed repair shop (Does not have to be a Roadtrek or Mercedes dealership).

Any thoughts on this "EXTENDED WARRANTY"?

There is already a two years unlimited mileage warranty from the NEW Roadtrek manufacturer. Plus whatever the Mercedes OEM manufacturer warranty.

Any comments? Greatly appreciated.
As extended warranties go, that sounds like a relatively good one (assuming the list of exclusions is reasonable). But, you should read that as damning with faint praise. Third party warranties are zero-sum games. If they make money, you (statistically) will lose money. And, they make money or they wouldn't sell them.

The question to ask yourself is, what in your coach, exactly, has any reasonable likelihood of failing that (a) won't fail until after the OEM warranty expires; and (b) costs enough to repair that you would ever recover the four-digit "investment" in the warranty? That kind of money would cover a LOT of leaky roofs or busted plumbing, and you can throw in a broken TV or two while you are at it.

And then there is the likelihood that, once you discover how difficult it is to book an appointment with a competent repair place, you might just decide to become a DIYer, like many of us.

People will respond talking about "peace of mind". I get peace of mind by putting money in the bank.
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
avanti is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2021, 11:59 PM   #3
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Chaska MN
Posts: 1,700
Default

IMHO, all of these are total ripoffs. Take that money and put it into a savings account. In 17 years of RVing, I haven't spent $4000 in repairs.

They do earn the dealerships lots of money, of course, which is why they push to sell them to you.
__________________
2021 Promaster 1500 118wb conversion
2019 Roadtrek Simplicity SRT (almost a Zion)
2015 Roadtrek 170
2011 LTV Libero
2004 GWV Classic Supreme
mumkin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2021, 02:18 AM   #4
Silver Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: NH
Posts: 52
Default

Extended warranties are insurance policies rather than some semblance of the mfg warranty. So it comes down to your tolerance for risk. The EW we were offered was in the same cost ballpark as the one you mentioned and as I asked a few questions, holes began appearing in the coverage. Read and understand the coverage carefully.

If having a warranty makes you comfortable, negotiate the price. The dealer profit on it is ~50%, so there is room to dicker. Also the dealer isn't only game in town, likely the bank has an offer and possibly your insurance company. Plus about a dozen independent companies.
Sleeping Dog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2021, 02:53 AM   #5
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: CA
Posts: 38
Default

The "original prices" were twice as much. I managed to talk them down to almost half. They pressured me to buy the EW as I took delivery of the new RV.

The "exclusionary" list was not that long..... The EW will not cover the "consumables such as tires, brakes, windshield wipers, and etc.

I asked specifically about "seals and gaskets" and the computer boards/chips for various appliances and electronics and they said YES.....covered.

I also managed to get them to go ahead and give me a 30 days to decide.





Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleeping Dog View Post
Extended warranties are insurance policies rather than some semblance of the mfg warranty. So it comes down to your tolerance for risk. The EW we were offered was in the same cost ballpark as the one you mentioned and as I asked a few questions, holes began appearing in the coverage. Read and understand the coverage carefully.

If having a warranty makes you comfortable, negotiate the price. The dealer profit on it is ~50%, so there is room to dicker. Also the dealer isn't only game in town, likely the bank has an offer and possibly your insurance company. Plus about a dozen independent companies.
RVclassB4me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2021, 05:18 AM   #6
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,618
Default

I agree that it's a Zero Sum Game, ESPECIALLY WITH AUTO TYPE WARRANTIES.

If they are not out of business when you need a repair in 3 years, they make it very difficult to get "stuff repaired ..." and the Repair Facilities don't like waiting for a cheque.

It's not unlike getting the costly optional extras of the upselling process after you have agreed on the base vehicle - it's all profit & finger crossing.

Moreover one has already crossed the first hurdle of buying the base unt & while that can be the bargaining arena, once you start to do the paperwork while sitting in Finance, that's when the Undercoat Protection Plan, the Total Auto Repair Plan, etc are usually introduced because there is no competition or transparency. And most people just want to get out of there, asap.

Each add on is more commission, and, with the internet, there is considerably less money made on the actual base unit.

You were right to fight for a sizable discount!

Now if it was for the 48 inch Smart TV that I bought for my RV, of course I went ahead & bought the 5 year Best Buy plan because I trust Best Buy to deliver &, home tvs are not necessarily made for RV Conditions.
__________________
Full Timer in a 2005 Roadtrek Versatile 190/Super Modified & Lifted, Two 220ah Lifeline 6 Volt AGMs in Series, 250 watts Solar, Victron BMV712 Meter & Victron MTTP 100V/30A Solar Controller, Magnum MMS1012 Inverter Charger, Onan 2.8 Generator, Novakool R3800 Fridge & more ...
themexicandoctor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2021, 12:48 PM   #7
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 110
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mumkin View Post
IMHO, all of these are total ripoffs. Take that money and put it into a savings account. In 17 years of RVing, I haven't spent $4000 in repairs.

They do earn the dealerships lots of money, of course, which is why they push to sell them to you.
I agree 100%
Want a B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2021, 12:54 PM   #8
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 110
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RVclassB4me View Post
I was offered to purchase "additional warranty" in various lengths from 5 year to 7 years (I don't have the paperwork in front of me right now. So this is what I can remember). Pricing is around $4500 to $7500 (As I recall).

It's an EXCLUSIONARY with $100 deductible PER TRIP to ANY licensed repair shop (Does not have to be a Roadtrek or Mercedes dealership).

Any thoughts on this "EXTENDED WARRANTY"?

There is already a two years unlimited mileage warranty from the NEW Roadtrek manufacturer. Plus whatever the Mercedes OEM manufacturer warranty.

Any comments? Greatly appreciated.
I bought a used Honda CRV that was still covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Salesman stated how wonderful, reliable and low maintenance the car was. When he tried to sell me an EW I asked him why would I need an EW for a car he has just told me was "reliable and low maintenance"? He didn't have an answer.

Did your RV Salesman tell you the same thing on your Roadtrek purchase?
Want a B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2021, 02:56 PM   #9
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Chaska MN
Posts: 1,700
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Want a B View Post
Did your RV Salesman tell you the same thing on your Roadtrek purchase?
LOL... could anyone that knows much about RVs hear something like that without falling into hysterical laughter. Things have improved under Rapido, but... there are the normal issues... many from the steep learning curve in the first year. That said, it comes with a 2 year warranty when new. Ease of using it, as always, depends on which dealer you have purchased from. (Ranging from great to abysmal...)
__________________
2021 Promaster 1500 118wb conversion
2019 Roadtrek Simplicity SRT (almost a Zion)
2015 Roadtrek 170
2011 LTV Libero
2004 GWV Classic Supreme
mumkin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2021, 03:33 PM   #10
Silver Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: CA
Posts: 56
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mumkin View Post
... depends on which dealer you have purchased from. (Ranging from great to abysmal...)
"Great" dealer? Where is this mythical great dealer of which you speak?

Service departments everywhere are backed up like crazy. I suppose, in their defense, nobody could have predicted the huge increase in demand for RVs by people who otherwise probably shouldn't own them, and it's hard to find RV techs, so...

As a side note, for the OP, if you talked them DOWN to those 4500 prices, I'd walk away. I seem to recall being offered $5500ish for a five-year as their initial offer on my PW Ascent. As a side note, would you buy an extended warranty on your house? Or would you pay for repairs a la carte as things happened? I know that's not an apples-to-apples comparison, but it's a good thought exercise.
__________________
Travelling with wife, image-conscious teenage daughter, and two furry little mutts in a 2021.5 PleasureWay Ascent.
PleasantonMac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2021, 02:53 PM   #11
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: CA
Posts: 38
Default

Thanks everyone for their inputs.

I am leaning towards NOT GETTING THE EW.

I will keep everyone posted.

BTW, I just made a trip of around 1K miles without any issues on my new RT SS Agile. There were some strong cross winds!! The cross wind safety feature kicked in several times as I was going at 75 mph. Not what I'm used to, but it was reassuring. I remembered a few years ago in my new (since sold it) Jayco class C on a Ford gas E450 I had to literally turn the steering wheel the opposite direction of the cross wind for most of the way!! On this new RT SS Agile I did not have to!! Overall much smoother than the class C. But nowhere as smooth as our Lexus LX570 though......Ah, I can only dream if it's going to be also as "reliable"!!!
RVclassB4me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2021, 03:37 PM   #12
Platinum Member
 
Davydd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 5,964
Default

You will get extended warranties opportunities galore when your 2 year warranty is about to run out and don’t forget you have your 3 year, 100,000 miles from Mercedes Benz for the van chassis. You have plenty of time to determine if you have a lemon or not. In 16 years of owning Class Bs I’ve never encountered other than initial warranty service and doubt I have had $4,500 of repairs outside of initial warranties.
__________________
Davydd
2021 Advanced RV 144 custom Sprinter
2015 Advanced RV Extended body Sprinter
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter
2005 Pleasure-way Plateau TS Sprinter
Davydd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2021, 12:33 PM   #13
New Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12
Default

I have been offered extended warranties on cars, washers, fridges etc for my whole life. Refused all of them. At 86 years old I have now saved enough $ to cover any event.
jimtwilliams1226 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

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 01:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.