It’s natural for anyone shopping RVs to ask: Who are the top RV warranty companies in the industry? Up front, a warranty represents a brand’s willingness to both stand behind their work and serve their customer. But, as with so many wonderful things in the RV world, it’s complicated. (Because RVs usually have multiple warranties.)
But just because listing an RV’s many warranties may be exhausting, that doesn’t mean it should be difficult to get a short list of RV brands whose warranty coverage is above average. (Not with the internet and everything, right?)
So, let’s get you started — first with a little warranty brush up, and then a short list of the top RV warranty companies in the business.
So, What Does an RV Warranty Cover? (Asking for a Friend)
When looking at the warranty coverage on any RV, there are a few things to look for in the coverage itself. Technically, RVs are recreational vehicles with many RV manufacturers assuming that you’ll only use them occasionally. So, if you’re a full-time RVer, you should check to make sure that the coverage includes using the RV full-time. Many motorhomes’ coverage and the coverage on some fifth wheels does allow for full-time use. (So ask.) Coverage in many RVs only includes the occasional use that typifies RVing.
Very few RV warranties will include use of a mobile tech. (You know, as opposed to taking it back to the selling dealership.) If you’re shopping far from home to get a better price, consider how that might affect warranty coverage. Some RV warranties are only valid at the selling dealership. (So, if you travel for the purchase, you’ll also have to travel for a claim.)
This is especially important if your RV is being transported to a permanent site. It can be very disappointing to have an RV that is in a permanent spot only to discover that it has to be hauled back to the selling dealership.
Another thing to be aware of is that RV dealers are not franchise dealers. So the RV companies cannot dictate that they have to handle your warranty claim if you didn’t buy it at that dealership. While some dealerships and even some independent shops will gladly perform warranty service your rig, you need to be aware that that’s not universally true.
Hidden Warranties
Did you know that even if your RV’s warranty coverage is shorter, some of the components in your RV may have longer coverage? For example, many appliances in the RV including the air conditioner have a two-year warranty on them.
When you first get your RV, if it’s not in the manual, write down all the manufacturers and serial numbers of the various components in the RV. Things like air conditioners, water heaters, stoves, refrigerators, and other items that would have a serial number. This also applies to things like axles on towable RVs.
If you do have an issue with one of these components, and it’s outside the RV builder’s warranty period, you may still be covered.
Other Warranties
If you bought a motorized RV, often times the chassis and running gear on that RV are covered by a separate warranty from the portions built by the RV manufacturer.
For example, Mercedes-Benz, who manufactures the Sprinter platform, has a five year/75,000 mile warranty on their chassis with the diesel engine being covered for five years or 100,000 miles. If Ford made the chassis, it’s covered for five years or 60,000 miles. Be aware of all those “hidden” warranties on your RV.
Also, know that many RV companies are now providing lifetime warranties on roofing. It is a legitimate claim, but what is not covered are all the seals. Generally most RV warranties exclude the sealant used on roofs and walls and brake pads as well. These items are considered to be maintenance items of consumable products rather than structural items, per se.
OK! So Who Are the Top RV Warranty Companies?
No. 1: Pleasure Way
Without a doubt, the best warranty that we know of comes from Canadian motorhome manufacturer Pleasure Way. Pleasure Way warrants all the components that they’ve placed on the rig for five years or 60,000 miles. This is exceptional.
Further, Pleasure Way also warrants their installed lithium battery systems for the same five years or 60,000 miles.
But this warranty is also for recreational use of the RV. And, like most motorhome makers, the chassis of the RV is warranted by the manufacturer of the chassis and serviced by them. Pleasure Way takes responsibility for the RV portion of the rig. (Be advised though: The warranty is not transferrable.
No. 2: Airstream
As you might expect, one of the top RV warranty companies in the business is Airstream. This iconic brand stands behind their RVs in multiple ways. And the warranty term is three years. Even better, it’s transferrable should you choose to move on from your Airstream.
Another nice thing about Airstream’s coverage is that it includes three years of Coachnet roadside assistance.
What About Brands with Two-Year Warranties?
While most RV builders have a one-year warranty some of them do offer a bit longer warranty with two year being a pretty standard benchmark. Here are some RVs that have these longer warranty periods.
Newell Coach
If you’re shopping for a Newell Coach, you are a member of a small but elite family of RV owners. Newell Coaches can come in well over $2 million. (Plus, they are generally customized for and by the owner.)
So, t’s no surprise their warranty is a bit better at two years or 24,000 miles. But the interesting thing is that, if you buy a used Newell from the company, it’s also covered for two years. (You read that correctly!) Newell tends to get a lot of repeat buyers and some of the Newell models can be sold multiple times through the company.
Another interesting thing. I have heard multiple times of Newell factory team members traveling to Newell when something isn’t right. The company also offers a 24/7 concierge-type service.
Entegra Coach
Entegra, a premium RV member of the THOR Industries family, offers two year or 24,000 mile warranties on their coaches as well. To that, they also add a five year structural warranty on their diesel pushers and three years on Entegra’s other offerings. (That includes Odyssey, Esteem, Qwest, Vision, Vision XL, Emblem, Accolade, Reatta, and Reatta XL).
Ember RV
Relative newcomer Ember RV has a good warranty system that is two years overall on their travel trailers. But, notably, it also includes a three year structural warranty. Something unusual about Ember’s warranty is that it also allows for a one-time transfer to a new owner should you choose to trade your Ember.
Jayco
Jayco offers a two-year general warranty on their RVs but with a three-year structural warranty.
Oliver and Escape
Canadian RV companies Oliver and Escape both make the fiberglass-egg-style trailers. And both offer two-year comprehensive warranties as well.
Oliver’s warranty goes on to cover their products for five years for structural. Escape’s statement is that you get lifetime support from the company. Both brands have a very loyal following.
What About Honorable Mentions?
Keystone RV
When I was selling RVs, we sold Keystone products. Around that time, the company upped their structural warranty to three years and had a sticker on their RVs that announced that fact. That warranty was a strong selling point at our dealership.
Grand Design
Recently, Grand Design has found itself in the news quite a bit with claims of structural issues with the frames of some of their trailers and other challenges. While the company was slow to respond to the claims publicly, they ultimately did and upped their warranty coverage.
The unusual thing about Grand Design’s warranty is that it’s transferable to the next owner within the warranty period.
Grand Design’s base warranty is still only one year, but they upped their structural warranty to three years and five years on the frames of their towable RVs. Interestingly when the company made this announcement, they also made it retroactive to existing owners.
Anything Else I Should Know About RV Warranties?
Whether it’s for your vehicle or your RV, it’s never a bad idea to keep track of any maintenance or repairs you do along the way. I know of a few cases where there were claims for leaks in the exterior of RVs that were denied by the manufacturer who claimed that the owner didn’t do routine inspections of the seals.
So, part of doing any routine maintenance might include taking photos along the way. Having this documentation could go a long way to getting your RV warranty claim covered.
Also, know that the caliber of the dealership or repair facility you choose to take your RV to for repairs makes a big difference. I was the warranty administrator at the dealership I worked at, and how I filed those claims often influenced how they were addressed by the RV manufacturer.
RV companies tend to be fairly forthcoming with handling of warranty claims that are filed by the dealership properly. Some of these warranties are pretty great, so we hope this article helps in your decision making on your next new RV.
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