How do you know the year of your RV?

[Phoebe3]

I know that VINs for the chassis will be coded as to year of manufacture, but then the upfitter has the chassis for a while and the model years don't change coincidentally. That is, car manufacturers tend to come out with the new model year in Sept/Oct, but RV manufacturers often start earlier, like June or July.

So if I'm buying an RV on a chassis that is coded as 2017, how do I know whether the RV I'm buying is a 2017 or 2018? Is there information on a sticker somewhere? Or do folks just not care. If you are buying a used RV on a 2012-coded chassis, do you care if the seller says the RV is a 2012 or a 2013?

 

[cruising7388]

I know that VINs for the chassis will be coded as to year of manufacture, but then the upfitter has the chassis for a while and the model years don't change coincidentally. That is, car manufacturers tend to come out with the new model year in Sept/Oct, but RV manufacturers often start earlier, like June or July.

So if I'm buying an RV on a chassis that is coded as 2017, how do I know whether the RV I'm buying is a 2017 or 2018? Is there information on a sticker somewhere? Or do folks just not care. If you are buying a used RV on a 2012-coded chassis, do you care if the seller says the RV is a 2012 or a 2013?

I believe the MSRP sticker for a coach will describe both the model year and a chassis year which for larger volume builders seems to typically be a year behind the model year. An exception could be a low volume custom builder like ARV where the model year and chassis year might be the same. For purposes of calculating depreciation, the model year is used.

 

[BBQ-ClassB]

.

The sticker on your RV should show the following:

Chassis manufacturer
Chassis manufacture date
Chassis model year
RV manufacture date
RV model year

At the DMV, you register with the RV model year.

 

[Phoebe3]

Thanks. During my search, I asked three dealers to send me invoice sheets. Although each sheet had the chassis VIN, RV Model and Manufacturer's serial number, none had the RV model year.

Then, when I decided to buy one that is listed on the web as 2018, the paperwork contract from the dealer said 2017. When I questioned it, they changed the year, but now I'm suspicious. Could have been a clerical error; but could be they are trying to pull a fast one. Wish I wasn't so cynical.

Since NONE of the invoice sheets from any of the dealers had a model year, I wondered if there actually was a date or if you just had to "know" the model year based on configuration and appearance.

 

[avanti]

Our erstwhile Airstream Interstate had TWO vins: The one from the chassis OEM and another one (in the same format) assigned by Airstream. I assume that they both contained a date (or at least model year) code. As far as I know, Great West did not assign a VIN.

 

[Davydd]

It is easy for Advanced RV because they custom order the Sprinters based on customer desires. I delayed my order so I could get a 2015 model in 2014 by a couple of months. Also, though I claim my model is 2015 delivered January 2015 in truth Advanced RV does not have model years because they have rolling improvements and developments when they are ready. They have so far bought back their RVs so you don't see them on the market and then they update and refurbish them with the latest developments when feasible. So, for example, a so called 2013 Advanced RV in their stock of previously owned may have improvements my 2015 doesn't have.

 

[mumkin]

.At the DMV, you register with the RV model year.

That depends on the state. Some use the vehicle year.

When you purchase, there should be two forms to take to your DMV... one for the platform and one for the RV conversion.

Also when I bought my RT, I had the option of it being 2015/2015 or 2015/2016. I asked what the difference was... and they said, 'the price and the date.' Didn't seem worth the extra money to me.

 

[Bud-ClassB]

That depends on the state. Some use the vehicle year.

When you purchase, there should be two forms to take to your DMV... one for the platform and one for the RV conversion.

Also when I bought my RT, I had the option of it being 2015/2015 or 2015/2016. I asked what the difference was... and they said, 'the price and the date.' Didn't seem worth the extra money to me.

Hi mumkin,

Some state dmv's screw it up and use the vin number which is incorrect. The 'Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin' determines the rv model year. An example was my 2 year old b titled as an 04. When I titled the rv in another state, I had that corrected, an 05.

If your dmv seems to insists on getting it wrong, you can choose to speak up.

Bud

 

[avanti]

My experience with this kind of thing over the years is that the regulations are far more fuzzy than one might think, and that actual practice is all over the place and often a mess. When more than one state is involved, it is common to encounter situations where regulations directly conflict. It is often best not to ask too many questions.

One random example:
Say you are resident of one state, but have a vacation home in another one where you keep a car full time. Depending on the states involved, you may well discover that, due to residency requirements, safety inspections and so forth, NEITHER state is strictly correct for registration purposes. The best you can do is pick one and trust to bureaucratic inaction (which is usually a safe bet).

 

[Phoebe3]

As Mumkin pointed out, it's all about price. The advertised price for a 2017 is about $10K less than a 2018. I wouldn't mind buying the older vehicle, but I don't want the dealer to charge me 2018 prices for it.

 

[Bud-ClassB]

"As Mumkin pointed out, it's all about price."

Maybe I don't understand. Yes, price is price, but why would someone want their rv titled a year older than it is? I mean, you don't negotiate with the dealer what year rv it is.

Bud

 

[Phoebe3]

"I mean, you don't negotiate with the dealer what year rv it is.

Bud

Agreed, but I can't see the RV until I get there. and in the meantime, the dealer wants me to sign a contract. We have negotiated on a price based on the dealer advertising the RV as a 2018, but the contract states I am buying a 2017. All things being equal, should I pay the same price for a new RV, regardless of the model year? That's not a rhetorical question, BTW... I'm really asking.

If the answer is "no," then my question regarding how to tell what model year the RV really is when I see it becomes germane.

 

[Bud-ClassB]

Agreed, but I can't see the RV until I get there. and in the meantime, the dealer wants me to sign a contract. We have negotiated on a price based on the dealer advertising the RV as a 2018, but the contract states I am buying a 2017. All things being equal, should I pay the same price for a new RV, regardless of the model year? That's not a rhetorical question, BTW... I'm really asking.

If the answer is "no," then my question regarding how to tell what model year the RV really is when I see it becomes germane.

Phoebe3, I suppose there are 2 different questions.

1) What is the rv model year? You asked that initially, and it has been answered.

2) What should one pay for an rv? There are many many factors, one is what rv model and vehicle year or years is the rv. Are there rv dealers that might try to distort, confuse, lie..............? Sure, but the rv model year and chassis years are facts. The rv model year and chassis years are just one factor.

Bud