The answer to this is a bit complex. If you read the warranty for a new Camper, you will find that there are lots of exceptions. Also, the relationship between an RV dealer and the RV manufacturer is not the same as the one between a car dealer and manufacturer. Typically, if you have a problem, and bring it back to the dealer, they will ask you to leave your camper with them until they can look at it. Depending on the time of year, this can take weeks. They verify the problem that was reported, and contact the manufacturer. Depending on the problem, there can be some finger pointing. A problem with a refrigerator may result in the manufacturer telling the dealer to contact the refrigerator company for parts or replacement. All of this can take time.
If something isn’t quite right when your purchase is new, and it is not picked up before you sign on the dotted line. The warranty game begins, and your season can be delayed by a month or more before it even starts. You have leverage before you sign the papers, so a pre-delivery independent inspection can expose defects before you take delivery. Dealers are much more motivated to take care of a repair quickly before they have collected your money.
Another area where RV dealers are very different from car dealers happens with the transaction is for a pre-owned camper. Dealers sell pre-owned campers ‘as is’, there is no warranty, even for a two-year-old model that was traded in to them by a customer who had upgraded to a newer unit. So, unless you are confident that you can thoroughly look your purchase over from top to bottom on the day you want to sign the papers and pick it up, you are risking having an unknown issue turn into a repair bill, and a major disruption on your first outing. Not to mention the repair bill the will follow in your new purchase, and likely several weeks of downtime.
A private party purchase can make lots of sense, since the price is likely lower than a dealer price, and you won’t get a warranty from a dealer. Of course, there is a ‘buyer beware’ component to this type of purchase, because the seller may not tell you about issues they are aware of, or may not be aware of things like leaks or other damage. This is where an inspection can be the type of investment that can save a huge amount of money, headache, and frustration.