Buying a new RV is exciting. After all, you’re investing in a lifestyle filled with travel, adventure, and unforgettable memories. But before you sign the paperwork, there’s one topic that deserves your full attention: the RV factory warranty.

Many buyers assume that all new RV warranties are basically the same. Unfortunately, that’s not true.

Warranty coverage varies from one manufacturer to another, and understanding what is—and isn’t—covered can save you a tremendous amount of frustration, time, and money later.

As a certified RV inspector, I’ve seen many RV owners surprised when they discover the limitations of their factory warranty or the challenges of getting warranty work completed. In this article, I’ll explain how new RV factory warranties work, what they typically cover, where problems often arise, and whether an RV extended warranty might make sense for your situation.

Let’s get started.

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Table of Contents

• What Is a New RV Factory Warranty?
• RV Manufacturers That Offer Better-Than-Average Warranty Coverage
• What Does an RV Factory Warranty Cover?
  • Generally Covered
  • What Isn't Covered?
• Why the Manufacturer May Send You Somewhere Else
• Understanding Structural Warranties
• Maintenance May Be Required
• Where Can You Have Warranty Work Performed?
  • Why It Matters
• Will Every Dealer Honor Your RV Factory Warranty?
• Why Cars and RVs Are Different
• Why Some Dealers Refuse Warranty Repairs
  • Warranty Work Isn't Highly Profitable
  • Communication Can Be Slow
  • Qualified RV Technicians Are in Short Supply
• My Best Advice Before Buying a New RV
• Should You Buy an RV Extended Warranty?
• When an Extended Warranty May Not Be Necessary
• When an Extended Warranty Makes Sense
• Final Thoughts
• Frequently Asked Questions About RV Factory Warranties
  • How long is a typical RV factory warranty?
  • What does an RV factory warranty cover?
  • Are appliances covered under the RV warranty?
  • Will any RV dealer perform warranty work?
  • Do I have to perform maintenance to keep my warranty?
  • Should I buy an RV extended warranty?

What Is a New RV Factory Warranty?

Nearly every new RV sold today includes a factory warranty, but the amount of coverage depends on the manufacturer.

In most cases, you’ll find:

• A one-year limited or bumper-to-bumper warranty covering RV parts, appliances, and components.
• A structural warranty lasting two to three years that covers major structural components of the RV.

Although that’s considered the industry standard, not every manufacturer offers the same level of protection.

Some companies provide additional warranty coverage that goes beyond the average.

RV Manufacturers That Offer Better-Than-Average Warranty Coverage

Based on my current research, these manufacturers generally provide warranty coverage that exceeds the industry norm:

• Airstream
• DRV
• Entegra
• Jayco
• KZ
• Leisure Travel Vans
• Oliver Travel Trailers
• Winnebago (especially its diesel pusher motorhomes)
• Escape Travel Trailers
• Tiffin
• Newmar

Each manufacturer extends coverage differently.

Some lengthen the bumper-to-bumper warranty, while others increase structural coverage. Regardless of how they do it, these brands are worth investigating if warranty protection is high on your priority list.

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What Does an RV Factory Warranty Cover?

One of the biggest misconceptions among first-time buyers is believing every warranty covers exactly the same things.

They don’t.

That’s why I always recommend reading the warranty before purchasing an RV.

Generally Covered

Under normal use, a factory warranty usually covers:

• Appliances
• Plumbing components
• Electrical systems
• Furnaces
• Air conditioners
• Refrigerators
• Water heaters
• Factory-installed accessories
• Various mechanical components

The key phrase is normal use.

What Isn’t Covered?

Most manufacturers exclude damage caused by:

• Owner misuse
• Accidents
• Neglect
• Improper maintenance
• Unauthorized modifications
• Abuse

A simple way to think about it is this:

If it breaks during normal use, it’s usually covered. If you break it, it usually isn’t.

Of course, every warranty is different, which is another reason it’s so important to read the fine print before buying.

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Why the Manufacturer May Send You Somewhere Else

Here’s something that surprises many new RV owners.

If your refrigerator, furnace, air conditioner, or another appliance fails during the warranty period, the RV manufacturer may not repair it themselves.

Instead, they may direct you to the appliance manufacturer.

Why?

Because RV manufacturers don’t build most of the components inside an RV.

They assemble the finished coach using products supplied by companies that specialize in items like:

• Refrigerators
• Furnaces
• Air conditioners
• Water heaters
• Awnings
• Electronics
• Plumbing fixtures

Those suppliers often provide their own warranty coverage.

While this system is common throughout the RV industry, I understand why it frustrates owners. It would certainly be simpler if the RV manufacturer handled every warranty issue directly.

Nevertheless, don’t be surprised if you’re referred to a component manufacturer. It’s a normal part of how the industry currently operates.

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Understanding Structural Warranties

In addition to the standard factory warranty, most manufacturers include a structural warranty.

This typically covers major parts of the RV, including:

• Walls
• Roof
• Floor
• Structural framing
• Major body construction

Because structural failures are less common than appliance failures, manufacturers often provide longer coverage.

However, there’s something many buyers overlook.

Maintenance May Be Required

Some structural warranties require you to perform regular maintenance to keep the warranty valid.

For example, the manufacturer may require:

• Roof inspections
• Roof sealant maintenance
• Resealing exterior joints
• Scheduled inspections

If you fail to perform those maintenance tasks—or can’t prove you did—you may lose warranty coverage.

That’s why I strongly recommend asking about maintenance requirements before purchasing the RV.

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Where Can You Have Warranty Work Performed?

Another important question many buyers forget to ask is:

Where can warranty repairs actually be completed?

This can make a tremendous difference if something goes wrong while you’re traveling.

Some manufacturers require repairs to be completed at:

• Authorized dealerships
• Approved service centers

Others may allow:

• Independent repair facilities
• Mobile RV technicians

This is worth discussing before you buy.

Why It Matters

Many RV dealerships have significant service backlogs.

It’s not unusual for owners to wait weeks—or even months—for warranty appointments.

On the other hand, if the manufacturer allows mobile RV technicians to perform warranty repairs, you may be able to resolve the issue much more quickly.

Knowing the rules ahead of time helps prevent unpleasant surprises later.

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Will Every Dealer Honor Your RV Factory Warranty?

One of the biggest surprises in the RV industry involves dealership warranty service.

Many buyers assume RV dealerships operate like automobile dealerships.

Unfortunately, that’s often not the case.

Why Cars and RVs Are Different

If you buy a new Ford, Toyota, or Honda, virtually any dealership representing that brand can perform warranty repairs.

That’s because automobile dealerships operate under franchise agreements.

Most RV dealerships do not.

Instead, they’re independent businesses that have agreements to sell specific brands.

As a result, a dealer may legally refuse warranty work if you purchased your RV somewhere else.

Needless to say, this catches many RV owners completely off guard.

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Why Some Dealers Refuse Warranty Repairs

This issue frustrates many RV owners, but there are several reasons it happens.

Warranty Work Isn’t Highly Profitable

Despite what you’ve probably heard, warranty repairs generally don’t generate large profits for dealerships.

Communication Can Be Slow

Warranty claims often require approval from manufacturers.

Unfortunately, communication between dealerships and manufacturers isn’t always efficient.

That slows the repair process considerably.

Qualified RV Technicians Are in Short Supply

The RV industry continues to face a shortage of experienced service technicians.

Because of that, dealerships naturally give scheduling priority to customers who purchased their RVs there.

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My Best Advice Before Buying a New RV

If you’re purchasing an RV outside your local area because you found a better price, take one extra step before signing the contract.

Call your local dealer that sells the same brand and ask:

“If I purchase this RV elsewhere, will you perform warranty work for me?”

Get the answer before you buy.

Otherwise, you could discover later that your nearest dealer won’t help you, forcing you to travel hundreds of miles just to have warranty repairs completed.

That’s a situation you definitely want to avoid.

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Should You Buy an RV Extended Warranty?

Eventually, your factory warranty will expire.

When that happens, many RV owners wonder whether they should purchase an RV extended warranty—more accurately called a service contract.

The answer depends largely on the type of RV you own and your comfort level with repairs.

When an Extended Warranty May Not Be Necessary

If you:

• Own a towable RV
• Enjoy doing your own repairs
• Have a good set of tools
• Are mechanically inclined

you may be able to save the money and pay for occasional repairs yourself.

Many common RV repairs are well within the ability of an average owner.

When an Extended Warranty Makes Sense

On the other hand, an extended warranty deserves serious consideration if you:

• Own a motorhome
• Have a gasoline or diesel engine
• Aren’t comfortable making repairs
• Want protection against major repair costs

Diesel pushers, in particular, can generate extremely expensive repair bills.

A quality service contract can provide valuable financial protection against unexpected failures.

As with factory warranties, be sure to carefully compare coverage before purchasing any extended plan.

If you want to learn more about extended warranties, just watch my video on the subject by clicking on the image below:

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Final Thoughts

A new RV factory warranty provides valuable peace of mind—but only if you understand how it works before you buy.

Take time to read the warranty documents carefully. Ask questions about maintenance requirements, where repairs can be completed, and whether local dealers will honor the warranty.

Doing a little homework now can save you countless headaches later.

If you’re also considering an extended warranty after the factory coverage expires, weigh the cost against your mechanical ability, the type of RV you own, and your tolerance for repair expenses.

The more informed you are before making your purchase, the better prepared you’ll be to enjoy your RV with confidence.

Safe and happy travels, my friends.

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Frequently Asked Questions About RV Factory Warranties

How long is a typical RV factory warranty?

Most new RVs include a one-year limited or bumper-to-bumper warranty, along with a structural warranty lasting two to three years.

What does an RV factory warranty cover?

Most warranties cover factory-installed parts, appliances, and components that fail during normal use.

Are appliances covered under the RV warranty?

Often they are, but the RV manufacturer may direct you to the appliance manufacturer for warranty service.

Will any RV dealer perform warranty work?

No. Unlike automobile dealerships, many RV dealers are not required to honor warranties on RVs purchased elsewhere.

Do I have to perform maintenance to keep my warranty?

Sometimes. Certain structural warranties require documented maintenance, such as roof inspections and sealant maintenance.

Should I buy an RV extended warranty?

It depends. Owners of motorhomes—especially diesel pushers—or those who don’t perform their own repairs often benefit the most from extended coverage.

This article is about new RV quality. And how you can spot overall build quality in new RVs, whether it’s good or bad!

Of course, there’s a lot of negative talk going on online about new RV build quality. Especially on social media.

And some of it is very exaggerated. But some of it is well deserved too!

And this is especially true in many high production RV brands. Some of the most popular brands on the market.

Because clearly they’re moving just too fast to be able to give any real attention on the production line to detail.

Table of Contents

• Can You Really Get A Good Quality RV?
• What I'm Going To Show You About New RV Quality
• The First Area To Inspect For New RV Quality
• More Examples Of Poor RV Workmanship
• New RV Quality – Doors
• Another Ares Where Overall Quality Can Be Tested
• What About The RV's Seals And Joints?
• Even More Examples Of Sealant Issues
• New RV Quality Compared In Slide Rooms
• Don't Forget About Inspecting The RV Walls
• A Common Mistake Made By Many RV Builders
• Are These All The Problems I Found At This RV Show?
• A Very Important Piece Of Advice About New RV Quality
• Are There Some RV Brands That Actually Build A Good RV?
• Can You Use This Advice To Spot New RV Build Quality?
• How To Easily And Quickly Know Which RV Brands Are The Best
• Conclusion

Can You Really Get A Good Quality RV?

However, at the same time, some brands are still putting out a good product.

And generally, the more you pay for an RV, the better build quality you’ll usually see.

You’re probably going to see better building materials and construction methods. Also, you should see more attention to detail throughout the RV.

But here’s some good news. It is possible for even lower cost RVs to be built well too.

And in this article I’m going to show you how to spot overall build quality in any new RV.

Now there are some places in RVs that you just can’t access. Because you can’t dig up the floor or get into the walls or the RV’s ceiling.

The RV dealer is just not going to let you do that. But there are clues in things you can see both inside and outside the RV that will be helpful.

And these clues can show you a lot about the build quality of that particular RV. Even in areas that are hidden from plain sight.

What I’m Going To Show You About New RV Quality

Now I recently attended a regional RV show. And at this show there were lots of motorhomes there. One brand right after the other.

And I found lots of problems and issues with certain brands. While other brands are clearly doing a better job with overall build quality.

Of course, I make this kind of inspection at RV shows and dealer lots all the time.

So I feel like it’s going to be helpful to show you what I found in my inspection this time.

And the things you need to watch for as you’re going through new RVs yourself.

So let’s discuss six of the areas here that I feel you need to watch when looking at new RVs.

Areas that can give you important clues about new RV quality. And that includes RV trim, doors, walls, drawers, seals, and slide rooms.

The First Area To Inspect For New RV Quality

OK, let’s start with the RV’s trim. And here’s our first picture of shoddy trim work being done on the units that were at this RV show.

As you can see, here’s a piece of trim cover piece that’s put over two trim boards where they meet together at the top of the slide room.

And this piece is supposed to cover the spot where they butt together, to cover up that seam.

But as you can see, it’s not aligned correctly at all. In fact, it doesn’t even look like it’s attached on the left hand side of the piece.

Next up is a very similar piece of trim on a living room slide. And in this case, the trim board is sticking away from the wall by a couple of inches.

Now, there’s no way that anybody could have possibly missed this issue. It’s right in the RV’s living room as you walk by.

Next we’re looking at a trim piece on the baseboard. And clearly it’s sticking out and away from the wall about an inch or so.

Now once again, this was easy to spot. And it could have been fixed within less than a minute at the factory or by the dealer.

Next up, there’s two walls in the bathroom that are supposed to meet cleanly. But just look at the gap between them.

And the trim sealant is really poorly applied in this case too. It’s just awful work that was never addressed and fixed properly!

More Examples Of Poor RV Workmanship

This next photo is a case of ceiling trim, where the miter cuts come together. Just look at how poorly this is done!

It almost looks like water has gotten onto it. But there was no evidence of water intrusion at all. It was just a bad job of putting trim pieces together.

OK, now we’re going to look at the right side and the left side of a door.

And here’s a trim piece that goes on the floor of the RV, beside a sliding door.

When you look at this piece, it looks like it’s been held underwater or something.

Notice that it’s stained on the top and bottom. Especially at the edges of the large trim piece.

And on the left side it’s been rubbed so badly that it’s down to the inside wood.

So the initial cover is just rubbed right off! But on the opposite side this is where things get really bad!

Because you can see a spot where they drilled a hole for an electrical cord to come up from below.

But they drilled the hole right into the trim piece as well as through the floor!

And not only that1 They also left all of the shavings from making the hole just sitting there on the floor.

Now once again, this is a new RV! How would you like to find this kind of work on your new RV?

New RV Quality – Doors

OK, now let’s take a look at some of the doors in another RV, and the way that they were installed.

And here is a couple of cabinet doors toward the ceiling on a new RV. Just look at how poorly they are aligned.

Clearly there is an uneven gap at the top and bottom. And that’s just unacceptable installation in a new RV.

Next up is a set of drawers. And if you look at the bottom, you can see where the gap should be for this drawer’s door.

But you can see that the gap is significantly bigger on the door above it. And it was very easy to spot this too. I didn’t have to look hard to find it!

Next up is a door that just never should have been ignored. This is on a spot leading into the bedroom on an RV.

And as you can see, the door is completely off of its hinges all together! And this is on a new RV being shown to customers at an RV show!

Finally here’s the back of another RV’s door. And you can see where the back panel has pulled completely away from the door.

About 3/8 to 1/2 an inch, all the way up and down the door. And again, this should never have been missed by the factory or the dealer!

Another Ares Where Overall Quality Can Be Tested

Now another place I like to check for overall quality in an RV are the drawers.

I often go from room to room, and just pull drawers out and take a look at them. First of all, I look at the side pieces to see how thick they are.

But I also look at the drawer’s slide mechanisms that bring them in and out. To see how strong and rigid they appear to be.

So in other words, I’m thinking “how strong is this drawer going to be for what someone is going to put into it”?

Well, here is one of the worst examples of drawers that I found at this RV show. Just take a look at how wobbly and loose it is in this video!

What About The RV’s Seals And Joints?

But another area where you can look to find out more about the quality of workmanship on any RV is to look at the RV’s seals and joints.

For instance, take a look at the sealant on the outside of this slide room.

There’s a area where the sealant is totally missing on this slide. And there’s a huge gap there instead.

Also, notice where the sealant has been applied, how sloppy it is. That’s just not acceptable!

Next up is another example around a slide room, and this is the slide molding.

If you look carefully, there’s absolutely no sealant in this particular area.

And the molding has pulled away from the side of the RV, exposing the paint edges.

Even More Examples Of Sealant Issues

Next up is a wheel well molding on a new RV. Now the problem may be kind of hard to see from the picture.

But this wheel well molding has pulled away from the side of the RV. Because there’s no sealant or adhesive holding it in place at all.

And all of the wheel wells on this motorhome were the same way. So clearly, it was just a poor job of overall build quality!

And finally, here’s a picture of sealant on a trim piece on the outside of an RV.

So as you can see, the sealant was just thrown on there in a very shoddy way. With no effort to clean it up and make it look presentable.

But now it’s time to go look inside the RV again, and a good area to look at is the bathroom.

And here is a spot where the bathroom wall meets the wall of the RV. As you can see, the wall is pulled completely away from the sealant.

Now nobody would have even seen this if I hadn’t been inspecting the RV’s seals.

But it’s pulled away almost 3/4 of an inch in this spot. Clearly, this should have gotten attention before it reached this spot in the show.

New RV Quality Compared In Slide Rooms

Now another area you could examine on an RV to give you an idea of the kind of quality you’re working with is the slide rooms.

And especially the slide mechanisms or systems that move the room in and out.

Now on this slide, what we’re looking at are Schwintek slide mechanisms.

And I have no problem with Schwintek as long as they’re used on a smaller type of slide room. For instance, a bedroom drawer set.

But what we’re seeing here is that Schwintek is being used on a very long and very heavy slide. And that is not what you want to see!

Because the use of this kind of slide system on this heavy room is setting it up for failure!

But in addition to that, I looked at the side of another slide, and you can see that the slide itself has not been aligned correctly.

Because it’s scraped off the paint on the slide room when it goes in and out.

Now, that is not quality workmanship, and it gives you a clue about the kind of work that’s gone on in this RV.

Don’t Forget About Inspecting The RV Walls

OK, the final area where you can look closely in an RV to get clues about the quality of workmanship are the walls.

So I go through and look at all of the walls in an RV very carefully in my inspections.

And here is a spot where the wallpaper is just pulling completely away from the wall.

Apparently, nobody seems to have done anything to hold it in place. And that is another indication of poor overall build quality!

A Common Mistake Made By Many RV Builders

Next up is something I see a lot in RVs made by some high production brands.

Since the assembly line is moving so fast, they really don’t have time to give any attention to detail.

So when they attach something to the wall, they often wrinkle the wallpaper or the wall board covering.

And unfortunately, they see no need to straighten it out. So it goes out to the dealer who also doesn’t fix it, and it just looks awful!

And finally, here is where two walls have met together inside an RV.

Clearly the seam has resulted in the wallpaper or wall board covering on one side being completely wrinkled out of shape, and pulled away.

And that is just one more example of workmanship that is totally unacceptable! Especially when it is a new RV at an RV show!

Are These All The Problems I Found At This RV Show?

Well as you can see, I found a lot of problems in new RVs at this RV show. There was no shortage of them.

But let me emphasize something else. There are lots more examples of poor quality that I found on that RV show visit.

I just couldn’t put everything in one video. Otherwise, it would have been an extremely long video to watch!

But let me also emphasize one more thing. And that is that these examples were not collected over a long period of time.

No, all of these examples were found in one RV show, and in one day as well.

A Very Important Piece Of Advice About New RV Quality

Now I’m the first person to admit that this kind of RV inspection is not perfect. But here’s what I believe.

I think it’s very reasonable to assume that if what you can see isn’t done right, then most likely what you can’t see is the same or even much worse.

And the more problems that you see in an RV, or that you’re noticing as a trend in an RV brand, it’s indicating worse build quality overall.

Of course, consistency is a challenge for any RV brand, no matter how good they are. It’s something that assembly lines deal with regularly.

And you’re going to find small obvious issues and problems even in the better RV brands.

However, here’s what I think. I have found that issues and problems are fewer and smaller in the better RV brands!

Are There Some RV Brands That Actually Build A Good RV?

Now let me give you an example. Because at this same RV show there were lots of motorhome brands parked next to one another.

And that includes Newmar RVs. Also, if you have followed my online content for a while, you know that I’m a believer in Newmar build quality.

So going through the Newmar motorhomes at the same RV show, I could not find hardly any issues in some of their coaches.

And in others, I found maybe one or two small issues. But nothing major, and certainly nothing like what I have shown you so far.

So clearly, there is a difference in overall build quality from some brands. And some just know how to consistently turn out a better product overall.

Can You Use This Advice To Spot New RV Build Quality?

Now the more brands that you see, the more RVs you go through, the better picture you’re going to get of the whole RV industry.

And you’ll get a good feel for which brands are doing a good job, and which brands are not.

Of course, what I’m telling you and showing you, is going to take a lot of time and effort to put into practice on your own.

It means you’re going to have to travel a lot in order to be able to see a lot of RVs.

And it takes a lot of time to compare all of the RV brands out there. So what if you don’t have that kind of time?

Well, I’ve got a way that you can save all of that effort, time and expense.

How To Easily And Quickly Know Which RV Brands Are The Best

Because I’ve created RV buying guide books for categories like the Class A, B, B+, C, and Super C RVs. Also, fifth wheels and travel trailers too.

Just click here or on the image below to find out more about them.

And these “best brands” guide books will tell you what brands are building better RVs.

The ones that are exhibiting better overall build quality. Also which ones are providing good customer service, and have better resale value.

That way, you can just focus on the good brands as an RV buyer. And you don’t have to waste a lot of time trying to figure it all out on your own.

And it is true that buying a better built RV usually means that you’re going to get better results from owning that RV.

Most likely you’re going to be happier with it. And it’s going to last longer if you maintain it along the way.

Then use that guidebook along with my new RV buying guide to get the best results. Click here or on the image below to find out more about it.

This buying guide will help you find the right RV at the right price, and make sure that it’s in fully functional condition.

And show you how to avoid all the frustration that so many RV buyers experience in the buying process!

Now here’s one last point that I want to remind you about though.

Conclusion

Always get any RV you buy, whether it’s new or used, inspected by a certified NRVIA RV inspector.

It’s your best defense against getting a poorly built new RV with problems!

So hopefully this article has been helpful for you as an RV buyer. To help you learn how to spot the better built new RVs.

Have safe and happy RV travels!