Forum Discussion

mcshelll's avatar
mcshelll
Explorer
May 29, 2015

Trouble with slide outs getting repaired

My husband and I bought a used fifth wheel (2007 Heartland Big Country) in early May only to find it has some issues with the hydraulics of the slide outs. We bought this rv to go on a big trip in July. We purchased it in another state so the dealer authorized repair at a local dealer. The problem is we waited two weeks for an appointment and took it then, May 20th. They checked it out for 4 hours and then pulled it out of the shop to wait for diagnostics equipment to be sent form the manufacturer. It has been sitting and will still be sitting until June 8th when they will look at it again. They will try to diagnose the issue that day, but then we have to wait for parts and again wait for another appointment. This all seems really wrong to me but my husband seems to think this is how a really place has to handle it. I don't think our rv will be fixed at this rate by July. I have not even set up thing in this rv and we have not done a test run before our big trip. This is our very first rv so I would like to know if this is what others experience when repairs are needed?
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    May 29, 2015
    I would call the mfg and see if they could recommend a Mobil service tech or take it back to the selling dealer.

    Your local dealer sounds incompetent.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2015
    Diagnose a hydraulic system? That I dont understand. Hydraulics are so simple even Joe Dufus should be able to diagnose it. Hydraulic pressure in one direction forces the cylinder out, hydraulic pressure in the opposite direction forces the cylinder closed. I just dont get it????

    But getting put on the bottom of the list when bringing an RV to a non selling dealer is totally normal. Sadly from your description it sounds to me like the dealer you chose is clueless.
  • mcshelll's avatar
    mcshelll
    Explorer
    May 29, 2015
    The problem is we are in a rural area and it is the only place that works on them for miles around. I think we are going to drive it back to Tulsa (4hours away) and let the dealer fix it. I just wanted to know if this is how things work in the rv world for some reason? I think they are being unreasonable. The thing with the diagnostic equipment is what we are told the manufacturer told them to do. It seems funny to me too.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    May 29, 2015
    Diagnostics equipment? I'm not being smart mouth but it's not a space craft. Unless it's some fancy module that automatically puts the slides, stabilizers and awning out on it's own I can't see them needing a whole lot more than a digital volt meter. Something sounds wrong and maybe you need to move on to some other shop.

    The pump pushes oil out into cylinders to create movement. Some basic hydraulic tests as simple as cracking open a connection can tell a lot. System pressure is checked with a $10.00 hydraulic gauge. This is very simple stuff.

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