Y'all know I'm my own mechanic. But this new motorhome is a different animal, I have no knowledge of diesel stuff. But I DO have knowledge of motorhome stuff.

For $3200 I can get a 3 year 'bumper to bumper' warranty that will cover pretty much everything but paint, brakes and roof. I'm usually not a fan of these warranties, but I DO know it wouldn't take long to burn thru 3 grand if something goes wrong. It's 10 years old, so it doesn't sound like a bad deal...

Time is money, I know when I do repairs I spend at least as much time on the internet researching what I have to do as I do on the actual job. It goes a lot better the second time, however.

1 grand a year if that helps you out any. Can you get a home warranty for a MH?

Google the warranty provider and see what people think of them. Some of those companies make it almost impossible to meet all the requiremebts for repairs to be covered.

First of all, they're not Extended Warranties unless they're offered by the manufacturer of the coach/chassis. Other than that they're Extended Service Contracts.

Of that $3,200 probably $1200-$1500 is dealer profit. That's a HUGE profit item for any dealer. Don't ask me how I know.

If you read the fine print, it's not really a bumper to bumper warranty. For example, on the engine they cover the internally lubricated parts, exhaust, intake manifold and most electrical components (alternator,etc.) That leaves a lot uncovered.

If you were retired and traveling full time it would be a different story. If the MH is sitting half of the time your chances of something going wrong are much slimmer. The ESC is probably a 36mo/36,000 mile. Are you going to put 12,000 miles a year on it if you're still working? Most RV's get about 4,500 miles a year.

Get an oil analysis done on the engine and you'll have a better idea if you need that Extended Service Contract.
From my experience with them (10 years in the biz) the after market service contract company usually finds a way not to have to pay the bill. Keep in mind they're a third party company and have little interest in your or your new MH. They're only interested in their bottom line.

If I were in your shoes I'd pass, figuring that the $3,200 would be used in case anything major goes wrong you'd be self insuring. The small stuff you can take care of yourself.

I know I used the term "warranty" loosely. And I know the dealer gets a bunch, and I'm typically against them. However, when we bought our Winnebago, we paid around $1200 for a 3 year 'service contract'. And about 12 days before it expired, the AC quit working, and the generator started messing up. Dealer fixed both no questions asked. The service bill they had me sign was just over $500 for the AC and just over $700 to fix the genny, so we broke even.

And we won't be driving it a LOT, probably less than 2000 miles a year. And it'll be several years before we get to do any cross-country driving. We plan on this being our last motorhome. As long as I can shield it from the elements, there's no reason it won't last 20 more years.

Good plan on the oil analysis...

Sounds like more than the three years. Plus...this is a different vehicle, different time...do not base your decision on what happened to you in the past. PASS on the contract.

What if you get busy and there is a year you can't even use the MoHo? Then it is really wasted money. I presume, if your business took a dive so you would have more time to use it you would need to sell it anyway so the contract would also be of zero value.

Thanks guys, I was leaning towards no, I just needed a push!

And the admiral agrees--

In all my purchases of electronics, appliances or cars I've only ever bought one extended warranty.
I have not regretted any of those decisions in that the only thing that I actually needed it on was my first big purchase as an adult, a 1985 S-10 Blazer. That truck was fun and served us well for 16 years, but what a nightmare the engine was. We made our money back on the warranty, then just kept the thing running until the Admiral got up close and personal with a telephone pole in an Ice storm.
I figure the reason the sellers try so hard to sell them is that they are a HIGH profit item, which means the cards are stacked heavily in their favor. I am no good at gambling, especially against the house, so why give them the profit when I can keep it in my pocket.
Good decision FR.
Still awaiting real pictures of the new Home.