The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada (RVDA of Canada) has released the results of its 2008 Warranty and Parts Survey.
The trade group had 97 dealers, nationally, respond to the survey, which examined warranty and labor rates, warranty parts and handling as well as rated manufacturers in terms of their overall support, according to the association’s current newsletter.
In the manufacturer ratings, KZ RV LP, Shipshewana, Ind., got the top score, 82.4, out of 100. Jayco Inc., Middlebury, Ind., was second with a rating of 78.8, while Carriage Inc. of Millersburg, Ind., was third with 76.9.
Rounding out the top 10 were Crossroads RV, Topeka, Ind.; Pleasure-Way Industries Ltd., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Monaco Coach Corp., Coburg, Ore.; Cruiser RV LLC, Howe, Ind.; Coachmen Industries Inc., Middlebury, Ind.; Fleetwood Folding Trailers, Somerset, Pa.; and General Coach West, Oliver, British Columbia.
KZ, Pleasure-Way and General Coach West were the only three firms to rank among the top 10 in all four recent survey years (2008, 2006, 2005 and 2003).
Among the other findings:
The average hourly warranty labor rate varied from $45 to $135 with the national average at $90.16.
The average retail shop rate was $92.50 per hour with a range between $45 and $130.
Warranty parts and handling allowances ranged from 0% to 100% with the national average at 17.2%.
The average parts margin nationally was 37.4%, with a range of 0% to 75%.
The number of technicians varied from one to 16 with the average of five per shop.
Most manufacturers give a handling allowance or mark-up for warranty parts. The majority of manufacturers gave allowances ranging between 10% and 40%.
Dealers also were asked to rate (with 100 tops) the following categories:
Ease of completing the claims, 64%.
Approval of warranty claims, 67%.
Flat rate time allowances, 56%.
Parts availability and supply, 64%.
Overall support, 69%.
Promptness of payment, 65%.
The recent survey had an overall satisfaction of 64.1%, which is higher than the 2006 survey, which received a satisfaction rating of 63.3%.
