Pick up our 2020 Newmar Ventana tomorrow

[mgilles0]

We pick up our new-to-us 2020 Ventana 3407 tomorrow. Is there anything special that we should make sure that the dealer addresses or shows us before we drive it off of the lot? Anything particular to this year or this model?

 

[AbdRahim]

Congratulations! Did you get it professionally inspected?

 

[mgilles0]

No, we did not.

 

[Rich W.]

No, we did not.

Then the special thing to go over is everything. Every appliance, control, system (Oasis, generator, slides, awnings, jacks, heat pumps, audio/visual, etc), and if possible maintenance records. This can be like pulling teeth with a dealer so you may be out of luck on that. But go over everything or you’ll end up with confusing situations while camping and possibly either missing out on some of the unit’s capabilities, or driving off with costly issues.

 

[Neal]

Congrats! My guess is they will want to spend least amount of time possible, it's your job to not allow them to push you off the lot. Check every single system as @Rich W. says. Off the top of my head:

• Start GEN and let it run for 5 minutes
• Run Air Conditioners, make sure ALL blow cold
• Turn off Diesel Burner and put OASIS on AC I/II and check green light and hot water
• Run the OASIS diesel burner, check hot water
• Turn thermostat to furnace and high temp on all zones, check all fans blowing hot air, have them point out all fan locations (under dash, center, under kitchen sink area, bedroom, bathrooms)
• Turn on all TV's and stereo's/radios, speakers on
• Outside TV, if exists, check it's operation
• Level on Jacks, retract jacks, inspect
• All slides out and in
• Check battery levels of house and chassis when not plugged in to shore power, make sure at least 12.1 (12.4) or better. Ask where to view these numbers.
• Check keypad operation
• Check that steps open and retract completely when door is open/closed
• Lock basement doors, check all locks are in fact locked, and then the reverse
• Open and inspect every basement door and compartment
• If it has a Wi-Fi Ranger or some Internet device, understand how to access it (how to work it will come later)
• If you have a sofa bed, extend it and inspect
• Understand 3 fuse panel areas (half bathroom, behind shore power cord reel, forward driver's side compartment)
• Understand how to use AutoFill and manual water fill, go over wet bay

Consider recording anything with your phone (video) to help remember later, it's a lot and takes a long time to figure out. I learned things years after.

Let us know if you have any questions and don't forget to share pics. We love pics

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Verify that the suitcase with manuals for appliances, stereo, TV, cooktop, washer/dryer, inverter, jacks, Cummins engine, Oasis, etc, is in the coach.

 

[Jabber Jaw]

Verify that the suitcase with manuals for appliances, stereo, TV, cooktop, washer/dryer, inverter, jacks, Cummins engine, Oasis, etc, is in the coach.

"M".....The suitcase mentioned above, is a black canvas type bag, loaded with manuals etc, for your coach!
That "suitcase" is as important as having the "keys" to the unit!!
Welcome, & Best of Luck!

 

[Rich W.]

Also run the dash air, make sure you have the safe combo if equipped, run the washer and dryer if equipped. Test any propane appliances if equipped. Test propane and smoke detectors. Check every front seat function. On the slides also check alignment when they are closed - they should be reasonably even, square and level, flush with the exterior, and the motors should stop running when the slide is all the way in or out - otherwise the controller is bad. Also check all exterior lights and safety stuff: turn signals, headlights, wipers including the windshield washer, horn, tire pressure, etc.

There is a routine air brake system check but if you aren't familiar with air brakes, have them demonstrate it. If they cant do this they aren’t qualified to sell these vehicles. Also see if they know how to demonstrate the function of the Magnum and Precision Circuits control panels and auto generator start functions. They should.

Lead acid batteries should ideally be 12.6v at rest which takes a couple hours after charging stops. To check your house and chassis batteries, find a couple hours of other stuff to check with the coach unplugged, then test battery voltage. If they have a battery load tester all the better. Also check the water in the batteries - if any battery has dry cells, it should be replaced.

How many miles on it? Is there any dealer warranty? Should at least be 30 days so you have time to see if there are any issues. Depending on the dealership, there will probably be stuff they don’t know and/or can’t do but you should at least put them on the spot on all these things. Some of this stuff you’ll have to learn on your own which is why the suitcase is so important. Keep us posted on this and check in during the day if anything seems questionable.

 

[Rich W.]

A couple more items (this is a good exercise for me): check for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). These are retrievable on the dash and they should know how to do this. If they can’t have them show you on a code reader that there aren’t any current DTCs. Also have them demonstrate all the dash info settings, “smart wheel” steering wheel functions, and shifting functions - I don't recall if by 2020 shifting was on the “stalk” or still on a shift pad for Freightliner. If it has a shift pad that will also show you transmission diagnostics but this is probably above their skill level. Also check the function of the cell phone charge pad - if may seem like a trivial function but if it doesn't work there is an electrical issue somewhere, even if just a fuse.

 

[Headhunter]

Bottom line is you CAN NOT do all these tests quickly.!!!!!! Take your time, stay overnight if you have to. You miss something major and it may take your dealer a long time to come back and fix it correctly.

HH