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Are you looking to buy a new-to-you RV anytime soon? Whether it’s a classic Airstream from the ‘80s or a modern toy hauler that’s just a couple of years old, you don’t want to head out on your first camping trip without the owner’s manuals.
Finding old RV owner’s manuals can be tricky, but you must have a copy. If the seller doesn’t provide one for you, you’ll have to do your own research.
But we’re here to help you! It’s not too difficult to find an old RV owner’s manual, so let’s dive in and learn more!
What Is An RV Owner’s Manual?
Just like a car has an owner’s manual, an RV does, too. RV owner’s manuals come in handy when you need to troubleshoot a problem with a system.
While you hope this never happens, RVs aren’t built very well, and it’s more likely than not that you’ll experience some kind of problem during RV ownership.
RV owner’s manuals also have details about your particular rig. You’ll find a description of the location and operation of all controls. If you bought your RV in the summer, it’s likely you haven’t used the furnace yet. So when late fall comes, you might need to refer to your owner’s manual to learn a bit more about this system.
An RV owner’s manual also has a schedule and descriptions of maintenance required. This is critical for the overall care of your rig.
The manufacturer likely has explained the types of products you should use to clean the roof or how often you should change the oil.
For new owners, not following these guidelines could result in a voided warranty. If you have a used rig, you’ll still want to adhere to these instructions for proper care.
Why Is It Important To Have An RV Owner’s Manual?
Without an owner’s manual, you might find yourself dealing with a problem repeatedly because you don’t know how to fix it properly. For example, the water pump doesn’t sound like it’s operating efficiently.
You mess around with it until it appears to function correctly. But the next time you go camping, the strange sound begins again.
An RV owner’s manual can easily direct you to a website or provide a phone number for troubleshooting if it doesn’t lay out specific instructions in the manual.
Another reason to have an RV owner’s manual is to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs. You might have to call a technician or take your RV into a repair shop for what could have been an easy fix had you just looked in the manual.
Not only will you feel embarrassed when you’re told what the problem is, but you’ll be forking out money that could have been spent on something else – like another weekend camping trip to the beach!
Do Used RVs Come With An RV Owner’s Manual?
Sometimes, used RVs will come with an owner’s manual. It all depends on the previous owner. Folks who have taken good care of their rig will likely have the owner’s manual in a drawer where it’s easily accessible.
Other RVers might not have referred to the owner’s manual during their entire ownership. Therefore, you may have to do your own research to locate an old RV owner’s manual.
Where Can You Find Old RV Owner’s Manuals?
You’re not out of luck if you’ve purchased a used RV and can’t find the owner’s manual.
With technology today, you can easily find an old RV owner’s manual. We highly suggest you do this sooner rather than later.
You don’t want to run into a problem and not have the owner’s manual on hand.
Manufacturer Websites
Some manufacturers post owner’s manuals online, even old models.
For example, if your RV is made by Forest River or one of its subsidiaries (Palomino, Dynamax, Coachmen, East to West, Shasta, or Prime Time Manufacturing), you can find owner’s manuals dating back ten years.
Keystone provides online manuals dating back over 20 years.
Tiffin manuals go back even further. You can find Allegro Bay owner’s manuals from the 1990s. So check your manufacturer’s website first when looking for an old RV owner’s manual.
Winnebago offers manuals all the way back to 1981.
Lance Campers also has its manuals available online.
RV Discussion Boards
If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the manufacturer’s website, another good online resource is RV discussion boards.
These communities are full of RVers willing to help other RVers. Before posting, you might have to register or create an account, but these forums are excellent places to ask questions.
You can see if anyone can direct you where to find your old RV owner’s manual.
You might even find someone with the same make, model, and year you have who can consult their owner’s manual to help you troubleshoot a problem.
Owner’s Clubs
Like discussion boards, owner’s clubs are excellent resources to find RVers helping RVers. But these are more specific to certain manufacturers, which means you’ll chat with people who own RVs similar to yours.
For example, if you own an older Airstream, join the Airstream International Club to connect with other “Streamers.” Someone likely has the same make, model, and year unit and can help you locate the owner’s manual or give instructions from their owner’s manual.
Online Marketplaces
While we consider online marketplaces a last resort, they do provide alternatives when searching for old RV owner’s manuals.
We think you’ll have better luck searching the manufacturer’s website or joining RV forums and owner’s clubs.
But if you’re running into brick walls, head over to eBay or Craigslist. These marketplaces might have old manuals for sale.
Do Manufacturers Have Old RV Owner’s Manuals?
If all else fails, contact the manufacturer directly. If you have a 2008 Jayco Greyhawk, you won’t find the manual online because Jayco only has owner’s manuals dating back 7-8 years.
However, on the website, the company states, “If you don’t see the manual you need please contact us and we’ll email you a copy.”
Most brands operate with the same philosophy. So contact the manufacturer directly to get a copy of your old RV owner’s manual.
Whether It’s In Print Or Online, Find Your Old RV Owner’s Manual
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for you to have a copy of your owner’s manual. Whether you save the file to your laptop or put a print copy in a drawer, you want this manual handy. Routinely check it for maintenance instructions. When you need troubleshooting help, the manual is the first place you should turn.
So if you’re in the market for a new-to-you RV, don’t forget to ensure you find the RV owner’s manual – either from the seller or by doing your own research!
