Newbie from Northern California

[imdun]

First of all hello to everyone who may read this. We are new to the forum and new to the fith wheel world. In about two weeks we will be heading to Indiana to pickup our new 2011 Montana 3580RL. Can someone tell me what to pay close attention to when we do the walk thru. Any word of advice for a newbie towing a rig like this. I am installing air bags and a Superglide hitch this weekend.

[Festus2]

Welcome to the forum. Ideally, it would have been better if you could have gone through your unit before you purchased it. If you have not yet given the dealer your payment, I would suggest that you withhold all or a portion of it until you have carried out a thorough pre-delivery inspection.
You can obtain a copy of a PDI by going to Flyguy's (one of our members) website. This link will get you there: www.eaa1358.com/Passport
This will bring you to his index ---- scroll down and click on Pre-Delivery Inspection Checklist. You may copy it if you like and take it with you.
If you pay close attention to all of those items on this list and make note of anything -ANYTHING - that doesn't meet your approval or is defective, inoperative, etc., give a list of these items to the dealer and when they are fixed to your satisfaction, then you can drive it away. I would not take it off their lot until you have seen everything working ----- everything! Do not take his word that it should work because it is new --- it just doesn't work that way.
Be firm but polite and reasonable in insisting that you want to see everything in good working order, repairs to be done, omissions filled, etc. For example, check all of the cupboard doors and drawers. Do they slide properly? Are they aligned? Loose? Are the cupboard doors loose? Any loose molding? And so on.
Depending upon your dealer, once you drive off his lot............ need I say more? I rfealize that this dealer is a long way from CA and that you are probably both excited and anxious to pick it up and drive away with it. If you find things that need replacing or fixing ---- stay there until they are completed. Take your time. It will be well worth waiting.
I don't want to appear pessimistic but too often buyers do not spend enough time going over, under and through their RV beforehand and then get frustrated, angry and disappointed after they start discovering "little problems or issues" that they missed.
Please post your question about towing in the Towing and Tow Vehicles section. You might get a better response there as this category is meant just for introducing and welcoming new members.

[hankpage]

Welcome to the forum. That is a lot of trailer, really nice floor-plan. What are you towing it with? Travel safely and let us know when you get it. If you do a forum search for PDI you will find a link to one of our members homepage .(Flyguy) You will find a printable check list of what to do on your walk-through BEFORE you take possession. I think you will find this very helpful, Hank

[imdun]

Well I'll be towing it with a 2008 dodge ram 2500 with Firestone riderite air bags.

[imdun]

Should I do the inspection before I actually pay for the unit. All I've actually done is put a $500.00 dollar deposit down on the unit. I'll make sure there is propanr and a fresh battery in the unit as well as it being hooked up to shore power when I do the walk thru.:thumbsup:

[christopherglenn]

Bring 2 fridge thermometers, and 2 or 3 long zipties. Hook (or use the zipties) to the intake grate and exhaust of the AC. Make sure the temps are ~20 degrees or farther) apart. I was told the ac worked on my unit diring pdi last month, but first time out I had no ac. It goes back tuesday (whole month making payments on something I can't use) to have that fixed. The shower door didn't close properly, and I have looked at it and have no idea hot to fix ti without ripping it out. The door is square, and mounted properly, it appears (to me) to be the surround. The big thing is don't do the PDI with wide eyes (new toy), look carefully and inspect everything (I noticed things when I got home, that I should have seen there).