Here it is… the story of the maiden voyage – that wasn’t? Buying an RV should be all fun and excitement, right? Well, yes. But let’s be real, it’s also kind of stressful. Hutch had a more grounded view of the whole process. He calls himself a “Sithy pessimist.” Me? I’m the kid-in-a-candy-store type of optimist. And that contrast definitely came into play on delivery day.
After the Inspection…
I already shared our inspection experience. All in all, it went pretty well. We handed our fix-it list to the dealership, and they scheduled our delivery for the following week.
On delivery day we were told to expect a full walkthrough of our RV, a driving lesson, paperwork, and then we’d finally be taking our new rig home. Our appointment was set for 1 PM. That felt perfect since we had to drive from St. Petersburg to Ocala (about 1.5 to 2 hours with traffic). I’m not exactly a morning person, so a non-stressful lazy start to the day was a bonus.
We figured we’d be on the road home by 4, no problem! Spoiler alert: we were wrong.
The Pups, the Rain, and a Little Chaos
Knowing the day could stretch out, we packed up the dogs and hit the road. Better safe than sorry, right? We didn’t want to feel rushed heading home, especially since it would be our first time driving a 40-foot RV and parking it in a tight storage facility.
But then came the traffic. We hit a jam and showed up a tad late. Still, the staff gave us a warm welcome and walked us to our RV, which was parked in their maintenance garage due to recent roof resealing (and the rain).
We settled the dogs inside and got started outside. A few minutes in, we heard shouting… “Dog!” Sure enough, Fallon had escaped. He jumped off the bed, down the RV stairs, and into the garage to find us. Poor guy! From then on, both dogs watched the rest of the walkthrough from our arms.
The Walkthrough (Mostly)
Our walkthrough guide was friendly and knowledgeable, but oddly unfamiliar with our Jayco Seneca Super C, which was surprising since it’s just a couple years old and sold by the same dealership.
He took us through the exterior (storage bays, generator, wet bay, engine) and interior (control panel, HVAC, lighting, slides). But things started going downhill when we reviewed our repair list.
Entry stairs? Still needed help.
Roof sealant? Possibly not cured.
Battery bay drawer slide? Still not functioning well.
A few other inspection-related repairs? Unfinished.
We were starting to stress.
Add-Ons & Extras (Cue the Sales Pitch)
By 4 PM, with a 6 PM closing time approaching, we were running out of daylight – literally and emotionally. We met with the General Manager to sign paperwork and were hit with the “add-on pitch.” Luckily, we were prepared, thanks to YouTube.
Here’s what was offered:
- Ceramic Coating: We were already considering this and had quotes, so we knew the dealership’s offer was competitive, and it came with a warranty for both the exterior and interior.
- Tyron Wheel Safety Bands: Another product we’d researched and had already planned to install. For first-time RVers, it made sense. These bands help keep your rig stable in the event of a blowout.
- Extended Warranty: Ah, the classic. We approached this one with caution. It’s a personal choice – worth it for some, not for others. Our advice? Do your homework and weigh the pros, cons, and costs.
Decision Time
By now, it was after 5 PM. We were tired, hungry, and overwhelmed. The repairs weren’t done. The driving lesson hadn’t happened. And we were looking at a rainy, stressful two-hour drive home.
So Hutch made the call: We were done for the day. We’d come back Saturday instead. That gave them three full days to wrap everything up.
We packed up the pups, grabbed some guilty-pleasure Burger King, and hit the road.
Fingers Crossed for Take Two
We’re hoping that when we go back, she’ll finally be ready to come home – for real this time. Your turn! What was your RV delivery day like? Smooth sailing or bumpy ride? Share your story in the comments – we’d love to hear it!
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