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TugCamp's avatar
TugCamp
Explorer
May 22, 2013

I Need to Vent!!!

Purchased our new 2012 Winnebago Vista 32K in January 2013. When we picked it up from the dealership there were some areas on the wallboard covering that were wrinkled and a spot above the entry doo that was peeling. I pointed it out to the service manager when we did our walk through and he noted it. I did take the motorhome home that night because I wanted to use it, make a list of items needing to be addressed and bring it back to have everything fixed (I knew there would be other things come up). So, this is where my dealer service experience started going South. When I was on my way home 75 miles from the dealer to my house, I could hardly keep this thing on the road, it was terrifying to drive and I have experience driving big trucks so im not entirely new to this. The nest morning after reading the forums I figured I would check the tire pressure. To my suprise, I found 54 PSI on the drivers front and 110 psi on the pas front (max rated sidewall is 95 PSI). I thought to my self, how in the heck coould thay say they did a PDI and not check this out (scary). I adjusted the pressure, it made a world of differeice. I called Winnebago and asked about the correct pressure, they were great, they informed me 82 PSI all around.
Fastforward, have been really impressed with the quality of this motorhome and Winnebago's customer service and with only a few minor issues I figured this warranty visit would be a snap. I took the motorhome to the dealer on April 2nd, they said they were backed up but they would start on it the following Monday. Service calls Friday to update me that its going into the shop to be worked on. I hear nothing for a week, I call on April 16th and am told they are waiting on a EMS panel. Call back on April 30 get a voice mail no response, 2 days later I get a call saying everything is done and perfect but still waiting on the EMS panel. I call Winnebago on May 14th and they inform me the dealer didnt order the panel till May 10th! Winnebago calls the dealer for me and was told everything was fixed and is perfect, the panel would be installed when I would be informed as soon as the panel get to the dealer. I get a call yesterday that everything is done. I ask the service writer to personnaly check the work before I make the 70 mile trip and he asures me its perfect. I get to the dealer to find that they only repaired a small portion of the wall board covering, ant the glue was still wet, the service people had lunch in the motorhome there were food wrappers and crumbs all over it and NOTHING else was done in the MONTH and A HALF it was there.
The service advisor tells me they went from 10 techs to 3 techs and apologized offered to keep it and get it done right which I refused! Before I left I asked if they could check the tire pressure, a kid somes out and starts filling the tires. I ask what PSI he said 95 PSI, I told him that Winnebago said to use the PSI on they printed on the sticker and he rudly said Winnebago does not know tires, the dealer fill to the max on the sidewall and if I want anything different I would have to do it myself. I go in and ask to talk to the service manager and guess what...no service manager! Anyway, I fell really screwed by the dealer, really makes what is supposed to be a fun activity and experience into a stressful and resentful ordeal...Oh well...just venting.

37 Replies

  • Sounds to Me that You need to find another place to take Your RV.
    I do 90% of My own servicing and have a reliable Heavy Duty Truck Repair Shop who do the heavy work.

    The House Repairs I do myself . I realize that there are many owners who are uncomfortable doing this sort of thing ,but it really isn't that difficult to take care of most things that need tweaking or adjusting on an RV.

    You already know how to adjust the Air Pressure . Fixing some wallpaper wrinkles should be a snap!
  • Perhaps the tire pressure was fine when it made the trip Iowa to CA but this unit im sure sat on the dealer lot of for almost 9 months prior to me purchasing it.
  • IMHO you have every right to VENT. The "service" this Dealer is giving you is totally unacceptable. My first steps would be to call both the Dealership AND Winnebago. I'd want to talk to the owner, or at least the General manager of the Dealership and someone at Winnebago with some authority. Ask Winnebago where else you can take your mh to have the issues corrected. Too bad you do not live close to the Plant in Forest City, Ia, I know they would take good care of you there.
    Again, find another Winnebago approved dealer to fix your coach and spread the word on the internet and by word of mouth for folks to run away from the Dealership you bought your mh from. You have every right to be treated like a valued customer with honesty and integrity by the people that sold you the unit.
    Kinda makes you wonder why they went from so many Tech's to just a few doesn't it. Either the bottom has fallen out of their business because of the way they treat their Tech, and/or their customers, or BOTH!
  • I would write a letter to Winnebago.....and I guess you could make a copy of what you wrote above...and send a CC to the Dealership!
    I would think that Winnebago would not be to happy with their slack approach to the way they deal with Winnebago customers.
  • Strange about the tires, it was driven over a thousand miles to get it to California from Iowa.
  • welcome,seems theres stories everyday on here like yours. learn to do your own work. after the sale seems no one has time for you.
  • From all the bad experiences I hear about dealers (I have not found the ones here very friendly unless dollar bills fall of me like that Gieco commercial) I wonder if there is a market for someone to fix these motorhomes without all the bull**** the give you. I like Winnebago and I hear a lot of good things about their customer service. I would ask them since it is I assume under warranty, if there is anywhere else to take it to?