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paemtp's avatar
paemtp
Explorer
Aug 19, 2013

Workhorse Recall & Damaged RV

Our family is looking for some guidance from our fellow RV'ers.

We purchased a 36 foot class A Holiday Rambler Admiral, new, in 2003. It was on a Workhorse Chassis. After receiving the 2004 Workhorse safety bulletin concerning Bosch brake calipers, we immediately located an authorized dealer that completed the appropriate work.

In, 2007 we suffered a serious right rear brake fire, that nearly spread to the entire coach. Had I not been a trained firefighter, and not had a full tank of water the results would have been much different. We had the coach repaired at an authorized Workhorse service center and the insurance paid for all but the deductible. Unfortunately, the psychological trauma to our young children made them think that every time they smelled that characteristic "hot" engine or brake smell when traveling, that we were on fire again.

In 2009, we had another near brake fire while on our way to Ocean City, MD. Fortunately, this happened shortly after leaving home. Our closest Workhorse service center was over 20 miles away, so Workhorse authorized a local truck center to evaluate the problem. They found the ABS sensor totally melted, and heat damage to all rotors, calipers and pads. We paid $3,000 out of pocket to get the thing back on the road, but were afraid to use it because the 2009 recall work could not be done due to all the various excuses that Workhorse fed to all of its customers.

We were told be Workhorse that we had to wait our turn to have the recall completed, and believe it or not it just got done 3 weeks ago. Since 2009, our RV has sat, unused, while we paid a monthly loan payment. Now we have found that from lack of use we have a number of other mechanical issues, and mold and water intrusion from dry rotted seals.

The bottom line is that our coach is unfit for human habitation. We have serious mold problems, and literally have mushrooms growing along the passenger side seat.

We are still fighting with Workhorse to get our $3,000 back now that the recall is complete. I don't think that our insurance company will cover the water and mold damage (We have the Good Sam Vehicle Insurance), or do I think they should.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
  • X2 and X3 and do not wait and it may still may be to late. Sounds like more was wrong than just the brake problems. The coach unit is self seems to be faulty and they went bankrupt.

    2bzy2c wrote:
    Get a lawyer involved. You have been "Done Dirty".
  • Where was it sitting that it got mushrooms growing? I understand the brake issues, but was it properly stored?
  • Does your State's "lemon Law" cover RV's?
    I know the HR that built your unit is gone, but the chassis manufacturer (I believe Navistar owns workhorse?) may have to step in.
  • Sell it for what you can get out of it is the only think I can think of and that may mean giving it away it the house is beyond affordable repair. Even a good MH that old is not worth a lot of cash.

    This is one reason we got the TST TPMS that would give us a heads up if we have a dragging brake or low tire pressure.

    After all these years the $3000 repair bill is not going to be recovered I expect.

    Sorry you paid for a MH that caused to much fear for your kids. I think this is one of more sad causes I have heard. MH's need to be used and inspected if parked out in the elements for sure.

    Keep us posted on how selling it goes.