2003 Fleetwood sold as a 2004, any recourse?

[sluggermike]

I purchased a MH that was listed on craigslist as a 2004.  I've had a lot of trouble with it.  I'm aware I purchased it "as is".  When I bought it the seller told me that it was made in 2003, but it was a 2004 model and that it was first purchased in 2004.  The registration that I received from DMV lists it as a 2003.  I haven't been able to find the difference in the Blue Book value for the 2003 vs the 2004.
Has anyone had a similar experience, and do you know if there is any recourse?

[DonTom]

I purchased a MH that was listed on craigslist as a 2004.  I've had a lot of trouble with it.  I'm aware I purchased it "as is".  When I bought it the seller told me that it was made in 2003, but it was a 2004 model and that it was first purchased in 2004.  The registration that I received from DMV lists it as a 2003.  I haven't been able to find the difference in the Blue Book value for the 2003 vs the 2004.
Has anyone had a similar experience, and do you know if there is any recourse?

Class C RV?

That's quite common. My year 2000 registered RV wasn't first sold until 2001 when the "Express Cutaway" was made into a Class C RV. The RV stuff, where there's a date, all says 2001. But the chassis and engine etc., as well as the registration, is all year 2000.

Most likely, Your RV stuff is year 2004, but your chassis 2003.

It was considered new in year 2004, IMO. Perhaps it was not even ready to be sold as a RV at any time in year 2003.

BTW, what type of trouble have you been having?

-Don- SF, CA

[PancakeBill]

Chassis and house can have different dates, some states require that you register the chassis date.  Most states use the mfg model year.  You may be in one of the chasis states?  It is even possible to have a 2 year span.  Not likely, but possible.

This all has vrtually nothing to do with any issues you may be having.  So, what are the issues? 

Craigslist and other private sales.  Not much recourse, but you usually get a much lower price.  Knoiw why?  Cuz there is little to no recourse.

[Jim Dick]

Check to see if you have a data plate on the RV. Mine is next to the driver's seat. Ours was built 12/99 but it's a 2000 model. RV manufacturing is similar to automobiles. They start building the next model year early. Chassis' can be older as they order them ahead of time and some sit on the lot for long periods.

[RV Roamer]

The others have explained that the chassis VIN may indicate an earlier date than the model year of the RV, but that's irrelevant if the title you received says a different year than what was advertised.  Is the registration you received the original one he had (endorsed over to you as buyer) or a new one that you received in your name?   I ask because it is not uncommon for the DMV to go by the chassis VIN but that is improper procedure. By federal law, the correct model year is designated by the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin rather than the VIN.  If the RV was truly a 2004, the original MCO will have said 2004 and the title should reflect that. You can get it changed if the DMV made a mistake.

But if the sellers title also said 2003, then he advertised falsely and your recourse is to sue him to get your money back or a suitable adjustment for the price difference (your choice).  You can check the vlaue difference at www.nadaguides.com - all the Fleetwood brands are listed there.

[WhiteEagle]

Bought my MH as dealer stated was a 2007 Voyage... later discovered Chassis was manufactured 10-06 as a 2006 but Winnebago made MH in 12-06 as a 2007 ...
All's well but ... dealer in WI is obligated by law to inform buyers of the "split year" model - in my case they had not clue and when I pointed that out, they could dare less but it doesn't change anything - so be it...
Do have issue yet however in that DMV registered it as a 2006 and insurance papers show it as 2007...........VIN number on chassis shows it as a 2006 model so that's what it has to be registered as per the DMV......
First MH we ever bought.... just another something we learned.....

[JNewkirk77]

Our 2000 Jayco was built on a '99 Ford chassis, but Oklahoma and Kentucky both titled it as a 2000 model.  Only Ford considers it a '99, but oddly enough, all of the manuals that came with it (from Ford) are for a 2000.

[PatrioticStabilist]

My 1991 Holiday Rambler motorhome has a 1990 Ford E-350 chassis.  It's common far as I know.

[RV Roamer]

White Eagle,
Your DMV clerk is wrong - see this article for further info:

http://www.rvia.org/Content/NavigationMenu/LegislationAdvocacy/StateFederalIssues/Motorhome_Titling.htm

I've even researched the federal laws on which the RVIA article is based and they are correct.

[JNewkirk77]

Gary,

Thank you for that information.  It certainly clears up the confusion I had!

[WhiteEagle]

RV Roamer....Agree you are correct on all of that... I got the title back out and it is shown as a 2007 Winnebago Voyage in the upper box for Make / Model...
The part that threw me is that they then have typed in '2006 Ford incomplete chassis " in a description box on the title....
As this chassis was manufactured in 10/06 and then the Winnebago maufactured in 12/06 as a 2007 model, all that is correct.... guess I had my previous opinion because the typed in statement ' 2006 Ford incomplete chassis" is bolder and more prevalent on the title that the make and model in the upper box......
In any case all is well and the WI title is correct......