Reimbursed for traveling to manufacturer?
Has anyone ever been reimbursed by their manufacture of coach, for traveling a distance of over 1000 miles to have them repair it, because local service didn't?
Forum Discussion
mema/poppop wrote:
Our brand new 2016 Itasca by Winnebago has had the little minor issues you would expect. I won't go into those . We had to take it back to Camping World 3 times to fix automatic leveler . We have had it out only 3 times. The first time out when we pulled the slide in it was raining so we figured the water on the floor was from that. The second time out our slide went out crooked about a foot. Camping world never got back to us after 2 calls, so we called Winnebago and they said toggle switch to bring back in and take to service. We did service supposedly fixed it. Third time out to visit our daughter 750 miles away starts to rain and water on floor again while driving with slide in. We know many have water issues. But get to destination and same fixed slide goes out about 6" and stops. We have yet to watch the big screen TV because the slide covers it up. Toggle switch doesn't bring it back in. Go to sleep and smell something burning. Air condition on at this point. Realize spell coming from electric panel, lift bed and it is the wires we spell burning. My husband quickly unplugged electric from source outside. There are layers and layers of wires in there. Winnebago says their tech are master techs that only certain work on slides, certain work on electrical etc. Dealers work on different types you know Jack of all trades and master of none. So do we want to travel another 1000 miles to hopefully get it fixed properly. Problem. They have rally there now. Told us they didn't know when they could get to us. I could go on and on, but I won't. Hope this clears up for you
2012 Itasca here, Winnebago gave us an option for fixes. Let the local camping world repair it even though they've tried numerous times to fix it. Have me drive it 6 hours, drop it off, drive 6 hours back home, then drive 6 hours to pick it up and then drive 6 hours home with no reimbursement. Or me drive 1000 miles to the factory, back and forth and back and forth again.. They finally offered to have a driver come pick it up and drop it off. But, no reimbursement for cost or mileage. Plus I'd have to go to the factory and point out what was wrong with it.
BTW, I also have leveler issues that have been worked on numerous times.Fla Tom wrote:
icanon wrote:
a defect on a motor home (unrepairable by local dealer) would not be covered by any auto/motorhome insurance company."not saying the op is a liar" tells me you have not owned many/any motor homes or been blessed by Luck with your motor homes and or dealers.rgatijnet1 wrote:
icanon wrote:
You can try a claim to your insurance co. I know mine will pay.
Are you saying your insurance company will pay for a manufacturers mistakes that are under warranty? What company is that and what type of insurance do you have?
No saying they will pay for manufacturers mistake but I'm saying my co. will pay for break downs causing me to stay put someway therefore I can claim car rental hotel etc. I find it hard to believe, not saying the OP is a liar, that there are no authorized repair shops within a reasonable distance of break down.
I think that icanon was talking reimbursement by his insurer as it pertained to breakdowns rather than as is the case here with warranty issues.
I had a delamination issue with a Coachman unit a few years ago and the dealer worked with the factory to get them to replace the sidewall. Unit was just a few months out of warranty and Coachman had no real obligation to make the repairs, but offered to do so if I would bring the coach to Indiana. At that point I was more than happy to do so, and did. I was just glad I didn't have to pay for the repair or just let it continue to get worse and suffer the extra depreciation going forward.
As for the question posed by the OP, you can't get anything you don't ask for. All the manufacturer can do is say no.mema/poppop wrote:
Has anyone ever been reimbursed by their manufacture of coach, for traveling a distance of over 1000 miles to have them repair it, because local service didn't?
Yes, Fleetwood. My previous coach had a factory defect which I had to take to them to get fixed, after the warranty expired. They reimbursed me for 1,500 miles worth of fuel.hooligan wrote:
That was the good old days I guess,would be nice if all the current manufacturers would act like that.
My 2000 Georgie Boy Landau, 36' DP- Needed to go to the factory in Edwardsburg Michigan. Sidewalls delaminated due problem with factory bonding,(All sidewalls replaced), roof membrane was replaced, awning fabric replaced. Missing undercoat re done. Storage compartments repainted.
Georgie Boy offered me the option of driving rig- Florida to factory, all expenses enroute, airline both ways or using factory driver for p/u and return. Used factory driver due to my scheduling. (dang)
My dealer here and the factory were great. Repairs were all completed in 3 weeks. Coach warranty was extended for a year. I traded that RV in June 2015.icanon wrote:
a defect on a motor home (unrepairable by local dealer) would not be covered by any auto/motorhome insurance company."not saying the op is a liar" tells me you have not owned many/any motor homes or been blessed by Luck with your motor homes and or dealers.rgatijnet1 wrote:
icanon wrote:
You can try a claim to your insurance co. I know mine will pay.
Are you saying your insurance company will pay for a manufacturers mistakes that are under warranty? What company is that and what type of insurance do you have?
No saying they will pay for manufacturers mistake but I'm saying my co. will pay for break downs causing me to stay put someway therefore I can claim car rental hotel etc. I find it hard to believe, not saying the OP is a liar, that there are no authorized repair shops within a reasonable distance of break down.- Since the OP has a 2016 and has already taken it to Camping World 3x, I certainly would make a trip to the factory to get it done right whether they pay for it or not - especially a water issue.
SoCalDesertRider wrote:
It seems to me that the best way to have a new RV is to lease it, rather than buy it. Regardless of whatever manufacturer warranty issues it has that the manufacturer won't fix, just return it at the end of the lease term and try another one!
Who leases Motorhomes like Automobiles? Doug- My 2000 Georgie Boy Landau, 36' DP- Needed to go to the factory in Edwardsburg Michigan. Sidewalls delaminated due problem with factory bonding,(All sidewalls replaced), roof membrane was replaced, awning fabric replaced. Missing undercoat re done. Storage compartments repainted.
Georgie Boy offered me the option of driving rig- Florida to factory, all expenses enroute, airline both ways or using factory driver for p/u and return. Used factory driver due to my scheduling. (dang)
My dealer here and the factory were great. Repairs were all completed in 3 weeks. Coach warranty was extended for a year. I traded that RV in June 2015. - It seems to me that the best way to have a new RV is to lease it, rather than buy it. Regardless of whatever manufacturer warranty issues it has that the manufacturer won't fix, just return it at the end of the lease term and try another one!
- After 37 years and still repairing motorhomes, this is how I would handle ANY factory warranty repair.
1. Call the factory and fax them a list and pics after finding out the appropriate person that will be taking care of me
2. After going over the list with the Factory service center advisor, I would then find out when the unit could be scheduled and repairs done
3. Once that is done I would tell them I expect them to pay for my Airplane ticket HOME and a return Ticket when repairs have been completed. Plus transportation to the Airport from the factory and from the Airport to the Factory when repairs are completed
4. Once they call me and state repairs are completed, I would go over the list on the phone. Then, once I am at the factory, I will expect that all items be inspected by me with a service rep. Once I sign off on all repairs I will then leave.
5. Odds are, not all repairs may be done to my satisfaction. I will let them know prior to me picking up that if the repairs are not completed to my satisfaction, they will get on the needed repairs that day or next day and they will pay for my hotel and transport until it is done.
6. Doing it this way, there are no problems between you and the factory. Being AT the factory before they start the repairs and showing them and labeling everything that is wrong and needs to be fixed with pictures makes sure there are no dropped items on the list.
COMMUNICATION and writing down who and when you talked to the various people at the factory makes it a smoother operation and is the key to getting all repairs done to your satisfaction. Doug
