When you buy a new RV, you will get a warranty — in fact, you will get several. Included with your purchase will be a bag or an envelope that contains the warranties and manuals that cover the construction and systems on your RV. If you purchase a motorhome, you will probably have a separate warranty for the chassis and drive train. While it may look like a daunting task, you should look though all of this material right away. Your RV manufacturer almost never manufactures the systems and appliances you find in your RV; most come from companies that produce specific RV parts. Dometic may make the refrigerator and the toilet may be from Thetford. The RV manufacturer usually provides and warranties the construction and installation of these separate parts, but each system or appliance will have its own warranty, terms of use, and restrictions. Reading thorough the material after you buy the rig and before you take a major trip may help avoid unpleasant surprises along the way. You may find that you have a system that breaks down far from home but also comes with a warranty restriction that requires a specific piece of paperwork that is sitting at home. Not reading the information could be costly in both money and time.

RV dealers are required to provide a written copy of all warranties before the sale is completed; do not depend on verbal promises from the dealer, as they are not binding. If the dealer will not put promises in writing, you might want to think twice about the purchase you are about to make.

Be sure to make note of the warranty terms, how long the item is covered, and how and where it gets fixed. If the warranty states that you have to ship the covered unit to a service center rather than take it to the dealer, look around. Your dealer should be able to handle all warranty work in-house. Ask other RV owners for their recommendations on service. You may have found the perfect RV, but if the dealer cannot follow up with great service, you may just be buying a headache.

Warranties on used RVs through private sales are usually not available, unless you are buying a repossessed unit with remaining time on the factory warranty. Some dealers may offer a type of extended warranty on used RVs. Read the fine print closely, as it may not be worth the money it costs.

Don't forget to get it in writing if any towing or assistance with accommodations is available should your motorhome break down when you are traveling. Towing charges can be very expensive and the nightly charges even for Motel 6 can add up if your RV ends up in the shop for any length of time.