Realm

Topic: Realm (Read 1036 times) previous topic - next topic

Realm

May 03, 2017, 08:52:40 am

I just bought a 2018 Realm. Can anyone tell me what I need to look at closer when I take delivery? Any help/recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Brent

Re: Realm

Reply #1 – May 03, 2017, 09:42:15 am

Just as with any new RV, take your time don't be rushed or let anyone rush you. Look at everything. Open and close every cabinet. Run all the A/V. Run all the appliances, all heating modes, air conditioning. Operate every light and plumbing fixture. Look at every surface, inside and out. Make sure the Spartan ball joint recall has been taken care of (if it applies to this coach, which it likely does. If in doubt, contact Spartan).

Have paper, pen, camera/phone. Possibly a roll of blue painters' tape to mark things that need attention. Document every question, every concern and your conversation about them with MHSRV. Since you are buying new, treat this as a walk-through/punch list on a brand new home (since that's basically what it is). Don't leave the dealer's lot until you are satisfied with their answers and repair of any issues - be the squeaky wheel.

(ETA speaking of wheels, I recall another Realm owner having issues with wheel seals that took more than one visit to a Spartan service center to fix, so check for streaking).

And welcome to the forum and congrats on the new coach!

Re: Realm

Reply #2 – May 03, 2017, 11:03:02 am

X2 check everything twice including a trip on the roof. If possible don't take delivery until everything is completed to your satisfaction. Then if possible take a week long shake down cruise.

Re: Realm

Reply #3 – May 03, 2017, 11:10:43 am

This may sound silly but if it were me I would be on the roof with a garden hose and pour lots of water over all the joints and mouldings etc to check for possible leaks. Not a fun issue. Better yet as part of the purchase maybe have them do an internal pressure test and soapy water on outside.
JohnH

Re: Realm

Reply #4 – May 03, 2017, 11:16:48 am

X2 on the pressure test. Lots of RVs roll out of the plant with roof leaks. My had some and I have seen several IHs at FOT getting leaks repaired.

When taking delivery, you should have the mindset that your Delivery Inspection goal is to find all problems with the coach. There will be problems, period. Don't go into it with the mindset of "if" there are problems. Your best position is to get all resolved before taking delivery.

With the exception of maybe a high end Prevost Marathon, non of the RV manufacturers out there, in my opinion, do a detailed PDI on their own. So it is up to the customer to find all the manufacturing errors.

Re: Realm

Reply #5 – May 03, 2017, 11:27:15 am

Welcome to the Foretravel family. All the suggestions above took care of anything I would have said, so follow the ideas about a real good PDI before taking delivery and then enjoy your new coach.

Hope to cya down the road................

Re: Realm

Reply #6 – May 03, 2017, 11:43:45 am

I never bought a new RV (and likely never will), but if I were, I think I would just expect to not drive it home the first day (or even the first week). I'd show up expecting to find stuff that needs fixing and it may take them a week or two to address the issues. Once it leaves the lot, your leverage is greatly reduced.

Re: Realm

Reply #7 – May 03, 2017, 12:03:01 pm

Another thing to check - exterior openings in sidewalls for slide rooms

Body Integrity

Check to make sure these are all properly sealed.

Re: Realm

Reply #8 – May 03, 2017, 01:08:50 pm

I wonder: might it be a good idea to use an independent inspector to perform a thorough PDI on any new coach purchase?

Re: Realm

Reply #9 – May 03, 2017, 01:37:18 pm

Quote from: bogeygolfer – May 03, 2017, 01:08:50 pm

I wonder: might it be a good idea to use an independent inspector to perform a thorough PDI on any new coach purchase?

Were I a dealer, my worst nightmare would be to have Brett Wolfe wander in to "inspect" a brand new coach. On the other hand, for the would-be-owner, it would be "easy money".

Re: Realm

Reply #10 – May 03, 2017, 01:49:37 pm

Krush, once they got your money your leverage is greatly reduced.

I once asked an employee in the driveway sealer department at our local lumber supply company how long the five year warranty on the crack sealer was really good for. Her reply? Just past the checkout. Mfr can always find a way to deny my claim.

Same goes for new coaches. Warranty is 1,000% until your check passes in the bank.

Re: Realm

Reply #11 – May 03, 2017, 01:51:45 pm

See if you can park in the lot and live in it for a few days. Take a trip each day. When I was at the factory a few years ago I saw them checking out a new coach and they were very thorough. Don't know about things now. Document every little thing with them.

Keith

Re: Realm

Reply #12 – May 03, 2017, 01:51:52 pm

X2 on everyone above. They have parking for coaches. Get them to show you how to hook up and spend a night or

two in it. Find what every switch, button, latch, etc. does. Have the salesperson go over every detail with you until

YOU are comfortable. The dash electronics are amazing and confusing. You need to get totally checked out on them.

Then ask what can shut the coach down and how do you get it back running again. Have them go through and do a

daily check list with you. Learn where all fluids check and where you fill the water tank, etc. Don't accept "oh, it's in

your manual" make sure they show you. Ask all the question that you want, it is not everyday you spend a million

dollars on a new coach and not everyday they sell one, either.

Have fun and welcome to the family,

Carter Langford
Nacogdoches, Texas

Re: Realm

Reply #13 – May 03, 2017, 02:23:25 pm

Quote from: bbeane – May 03, 2017, 11:03:02 am

X2 check everything twice including a trip on the roof. If possible don't take delivery until everything is completed to your satisfaction. Then if possible take a week long shake down cruise.

AND!!!!!
Hold the final payment check until everything on your "punch list" has been taken care of........tends to give them an incentive to "git 'er done" in a timely fashion..

Re: Realm

Reply #14 – May 03, 2017, 02:48:04 pm

Thirty years ago, we bought our one and only new (SOB) RV, built by a manufacturer with a good reputation, and still in business with the same owners today.

They decided to try building without sealing the windows. They were told these new windows didn't need sealing. They were wrong, and for the 20 years I owned that rig, I needed to apply silicone rubber to the windows every year, otherwise they leaked in the rain or when washing. The first silicone rubber job was covered under warranty.

You would think they learned their lesson. Wrong! While researching class B RVs I discovered they made the same mistake recently.

Moral of my story, check the windows for water leaks too.

Re: Realm

Reply #15 – May 03, 2017, 06:42:23 pm

And just to add to the Welcome to the family...
When you park/camp at FT's parking lot/campground... Ask questions of those owners that are there..We are willing to help where we can...

Re: Realm

Reply #16 – May 03, 2017, 08:33:38 pm

Welcome, Brent! Are you getting a coach from the lot or is Foretravel building one for you? If Foretravel is building it, do a "walk-thru" on one that is on the lot. Look for those "Why in the world did they do THAT???" items and see if something else can be done as YOUR coach is being built. If you are getting one off the lot there isn't a lot that you can do about those items, but you can always ask.

Several years ago I had the opportunity to visit with the service manager of an RV dealership as we sat in a brand-new, empty, MH at an RV show. He mentioned that he keeps several dishwashers, ovens, and drawers in stock because no matter how the coach is ordered for the lot, the buyers want something else. Coach has a drawer? The buyers want a dishwasher. Coach has a dishwasher? Buyers want an oven. Coach has an oven? Buyers want a drawer. Things like that are easily changed.

Re: Realm

Reply #17 – May 03, 2017, 09:26:16 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – May 03, 2017, 08:33:38 pm

Welcome, Brent! Are you getting a coach from the lot or is Foretravel building one for you? If Foretravel is building it, do a "walk-thru" on one that is on the lot. Look for those "Why in the world did they do THAT???" items and see if something else can be done as YOUR coach is being built. If you are getting one off the lot there isn't a lot that you can do about those items, but you can always ask.

Several years ago I had the opportunity to visit with the service manager of an RV dealership as we sat in a brand-new, empty, MH at an RV show. He mentioned that he keeps several dishwashers, ovens, and drawers in stock because no matter how the coach is ordered for the lot, the buyers want something else. Coach has a drawer? The buyers want a dishwasher. Coach has a dishwasher? Buyers want an oven. Coach has an oven? Buyers want a drawer. Things like that are easily changed.

David,
I bought one off the lot. I had a 2017 Entegra Aspire Bunk model I traded for the Realm. The people a MHSRV do a godd job on PDI with you. You can stay in their covered parking with full hook up as long as you want. I'm comfortable dealing with them on the delivery process. Thank for your insight much appreciated

Re: Realm

Reply #18 – May 03, 2017, 09:30:39 pm

Thanks to all for the info on the process with ideas and thoughts. Some of which I am aware of and will use in my favor before leaving Motorhome Specialties

Re: Realm

Reply #19 – May 04, 2017, 12:16:17 am

Enjoy

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