5 Ways to Void Your RV Warranty
RV warranties can provide a sense of security for many RVers. However, they’re not cheap, and there are a few situations that could result in the voiding of your RV warranty.
Today, we’ll share a handful of things you can do to void your warranty.
We hope this list helps you make an informed decision regarding your RV warranty.
Let’s take a look!
5 Ways to Void Your RV’s Warranty
You may not realize it, but there are a handful of things that could void your RV’s warranty.
Let’s take a look so you can keep your RV warranty as long as possible.
1. Live in Your RV Full-Time or Semi-Permanently
You may not realize it, but most manufacturers will void any warranty on your RV if you live in it full-time or semi-permanently.
It may be a tough pill to swallow, especially with premium prices becoming routine, but most RVs aren’t capable of handling much more than weekend adventures.
Keep in mind: This RV Technician reveals exactly how many uses an RV is meant to have before breaking.
When you’re living in your RV full-time, it’s normal to have more stuff in your RV than if you only use it occasionally. When manufacturers examine your RV’s damage or warranty claim, they may deny your claim if it appears that you’re using your RV in a way it wasn’t designed for.
It may be frustrating, but many manufacturers are likely to find any excuse possible not to cover a warranty claim.
Creating content about your travels is the evidence an RV warranty company needs to prove your full-time RV use. Be careful what you share publicly.
Also, we bought an Alliance RV because they’re one of the few RV manufacturers that don’t void a warranty for full-time use.
2. Not Using Warranty-Approved RV Service Centers
Many RVers get frustrated with the delay when they go to their dealer for warranty work. Instead of waiting, they take their RV to another dealer. They don’t realize that this could void their RV’s warranty.
You may not have any option but to wait to avoid ruining your RV warranty.
Many RV warranties require you to take your rig to specific service centers. So the most convenient or cheap option may ultimately cost you a lot more frustration than you anticipated.
Pro Tip: Wait times due to warranty work aren’t the only downside of RV service. We got to the bottom of The Dirty Truth of RV Service.
3. Modifying Systems or Appliances
Your RV has many systems that make RVing easier and more comfortable. Finding ways to modify some of these systems to enhance your RVing experience may seem like a great idea.
However, many warranties don’t let you change the systems or appliances in your RV.
Many of the systems and appliances are made by companies with decades of experience in the RV industry. They’ve modified and optimized their systems and appliances based on user feedback and tons of research and development.
Typically, changing these items will cause the manufacturer to void the warranty.
This can include adding solar panels or batteries to your RV. It’s a common upgrade, but unless a certified installer completes the task, you may void a warranty.
4. Making Electrical Upgrades or Additions
To build on the previous section, you might want more power out of your RV and tools. However, making major electrical upgrades or additions to your RV can void your warranty.
RV warranties typically cover the work done by the original manufacturer.
When you start messing with their work, you’re also messing with your warranty. Make sure that your electrical upgrade or addition is worth it and that you won’t be depending on your warranty in the future.
5. Renovating or Remodeling
That beautifully renovated or remodeled RV may get tons of likes on social media, but your RV warranty provider isn’t going to like it.
By remodeling your RV, you’re completely changing it. While painting and other projects likely won’t void your warranty, making drastic changes to the layout or removing walls can void your warranty.
Make sure you consult your warranty before you get your inner Joanna Gaines on in your RV.
Keep in Mind: Voiding your RV warranty is a lot easier than you would expect! This is how to avoid this RV Nightmare.
How to Avoid Voiding Your RV Warranty
Here are a few things you can do to ensure you don’t find yourself voiding your warranty.
Let’s take a look at what you can do to keep your RV covered under warranty.
Familiarize Yourself with Your Warranty
It’s easy to get in a hurry while buying your RV and not fully read the warranty’s stipulations. If you’ve already signed the papers for your RV, you need to get that paperwork and read through your warranty coverage.
Some warranties require an annual inspection by an authorized dealer and possibly even annual documentation for the warranty provider.
These stipulations are loopholes that RV warranty providers will use to avoid a warranty claim.
Ensure you’re aware of what you need to do to get the most out of your warranty, or at least avoid voiding it.
Don’t Choose an Extended Warranty that Doesn’t Cover What You Need
RV warranties are massive profit makers for RV dealerships. Some finance advisors in dealerships will use scare tactics or take advantage of ignorance to make a few extra bucks. Some will even sell you coverage, knowing that you’re never likely to use or need it.
It’s your responsibility to make an informed decision when purchasing any extended warranties.
Sometimes, these warranties make sense, but you should always ensure it’s beneficial to you and not just the dealer.
Research Service Centers Ahead of Time
If your warranty requires a specific service center, do the research ahead of time. Find a favorite service center that you know can get the job done without voiding your warranty.
You don’t want to have to battle a warranty provider or a rejected warranty claim because you chose the wrong service center.
Do yourself a favor and make a list of service centers that you can utilize for a warranty claim. It’s not a question of “if” you’ll need them, but “when.”
Almost everyone who has RVed for a decent amount of time has had to find a good RV service center.
It’s Easy to Accidentally Void Your RV Warranty
You may think you’re making the right choice by picking a certain service center or doing a modification or renovation to your RV.
However, ignorance of the limitations of your RV warranty can result in voiding your warranty and being stuck with an expensive repair that’s not covered.
Have you ever had an RV warranty voided?
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My father voided the engine warranty on his 2006 Navion. He had a 2006 Navion built on a Dodge Sprinter Chassis powered by a 3.0L turbo charged Mercedes diesel engine. He had problems with the Mercedes engine in that they used a plastic polymer resin as the intercooler which would Crack with the pressures and heat coming off the turbo. He had a 100K warranty but after the 3rd intercooler, neither Dodge or Mercedes wanted to pay to have it replaced; they told him that his 93K class C motorhome was NOT built to run the way he was running it. He was driving upto Rhode Island to visit his daughter (my sister) twice a year. After the 1st trip, things broke on every trip. He replaced the intercooler with an aftermarket aluminum one and stopped having any engine problems. He loved that motorhome even with its problems; he got 17mpg most of the time, sometimes 18 and 19mpg.
we voided the warranty on our axles (!) by not having them “inspected” 1x year. There was nothing in the literature about that and there is no definition of what or who constitutes an “inspection or inspector” or if photos or any documentation is required. (this is typical we are finding out).
The brakes seized up on us during the trek down vail pass and damaged the hub. It is all one unit so we have to replace the entire $1K axle.
We have had the trailer out a total of 5x in 1.5 years. I am beginning to think warranties mean nothing, though we did buy an “extended warranty” when we purchased the new trailer and it so far has paid for a new water heater and towards an upgrade on the black and gray water valves. Now we wait 4-12 weeks for an axle because they are “custom made”. So more time that we cannot use our trailer.
@Dwight Smith, wow. what an experience! and one would think Dodge and Mercedes to be more responsive and open to repairing the issue causing the problems. I am glad he got to the root of the problem in spite of the warranty situation. It’s really something how these manufacturers will stop short of nothing in order NOT to honor warranties. I am glad he is up and running again.
Our Tiffin has had issues and we go to Alabama to have it serviced. People question why we drive all the way to Alabama instead of having it serviced locally. Tiffin has never given us any grief about our solar panels or lithium batteries and in some cases have repaired / replaced items that are out of warranty at no cost to us. In my opinion they are one of the best at providing excellent customer service. As an extra bonus, there are companies there that can do anything you may want in way of upgrades or repairs.