Part 1Well I have not even camped in the trailer yet but in the driveway. Getting ready next week for a one month trip to Disney and the east coast states.So here is what I found so far and im livid about the leak.1. They changed to a sf 30 furnace which requires only 3 ducts per suburban. So the one they eliminated was the duct under the couch. (2017's had a SF35 with the 4 ducts)I may have a high limit issue but we will wait and see)Dealer sent me duct kit @ no charge and I added the duct.There is no way 3 ducts will heat that trailer properly or timely IMO. I may add a 5th ducts next to the one I added but will wait until the cooler months.2. Roof. I did a closer inspection when I got it home.. I counted 8 screws that did not have caulk around them fully. Potential leaks? I submitted my reimbursement for two tubes of lap sealant.as well as bubbles gaps from caulk that did not settle. I busted the bubbles with my fingernail and re caulked..The majority of them were under the reefer vent. I had to remove the vent and good thing I did. They had the mounting holes filled with caulk..And skylight really lifted in the corner.

part 2Last but not least. I decided to take a shower in the camper before my trip. Wanted to make sure the pump worked and all and shower pressure was good cause I put a better shower head on.Low and behold got out of shower and there was a river running down bathroom floor. Dripping out and under camper. WTF!!!!!I am so pissed.Took diverter off wall to see if it was water line. NopeTook panel off for trap access and HWH access panel.The trap was totally disconnected from the strainer. All other nuts were loose. This is unacceptable.Good thing I am a plumber and am able to fix these things. I removed the whole trap, doped it up and reinstalled. I have a complaint in and want reimbursement for this one.My time I estimate @ 4 hours. What did I save the dealer by doing this work? Whats my compensation for potential water damage and/or mold that may develop?I get $125 an hr as a plumber. Whats the dealer get an hour?So I just e mailed the warranty department on this one. we will see..

Unreal! Nothing will change until we stop buying the junk RV manufacturers are putting out the door, or until real competition from foreign manufacturers with good quality come into the market.

Sounds and looks like QA is either lacking or none at all...I always check a unit out (everything top to bottom) when first purchased..

nineoaks2004 wrote:Sounds and looks like QA is either lacking or none at all...I always check a unit out (everything top to bottom) when first purchased..Yup Thats what Im doing basically checking top to bottom.. I fixed all the other traps as they were easy to access. They were not tp bad on tightness.But I figured the tub trap would be a PITA to check so I put it off.Ill get a pic of the kitchen sink tomorrow. I dont like the angle and will need to cut an elbow out and replace to get it and the vent pitched right and square...

When we did our PDI at the dealer I had them turn on everything, kitchen sink, both bathroom sinks, shower an let them run while I checked for water leaks under an around the sinks an the shower ...I ask for a creeper (Tech said that was a 1st time anyone had ask for a creeper to look under a trailer since he worked there 6 years)to look under the 5th wheel while the water was running, I had them light the stove oven, all the burners, open and close all the drawers a few dozen times as well a cabinet doors. Ask for a lift to inspect the roof, didn't want to climb ladder even thought it has one, checked all the hydraulic lines for leaks while they lowered and lifted the leveling jacks ...All in all it took over 4 hours of opening, closing, looking, asking questions, taking video of everything and I still missed two things which I fixed. One thing I didn't know how to do/operate which was the awning tilt, I was shown such by a good friend while camping this last trip when looking at his RV that had the same awning as us. I knew how to open an close the awnings I just didn't know how to tilt the darn things, (button on the side of the support arm) Ugh ...Safe Travels

2018 coachmen 261bh issues so far. | Good Sam Community

lawrosa
Explorer
Sep 07, 2017
dougrainer wrote:
Go to the VIN sticker on the side of the RV and look at the build date. I would like to know how OLD the RV was before you purchased it. Doug

It was a custom made trailer made for me... So fresh off assembly line..
j-d
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2017
OP - Glad you did this pre-flight. Glad shower "Leaked" and didn't just "Drip" since it drove you to investigate and correct it. Floor is probably OSB and won't last long wet.

Toilet suggestion: Install a Shark Bite type plastic shutoff valve for it. Toilets can develop various issues, and the valve lets you shut it off and still use water in the rest of the RV.
dougrainer
Nomad
Jun 16, 2017
Go to the VIN sticker on the side of the RV and look at the build date. I would like to know how OLD the RV was before you purchased it. Doug
dougrainer
Nomad
Jun 16, 2017
lawrosa wrote:
Lantley wrote:
Just typical stuff if an extensive PDI would have been performed at the dealer's lot before signing papers most of this stuff would have been found.
Instead you performed the rest of the PDI in your driveway, which is fine but now you get to complete the repairs.

I did a pretty extensive pdi when I picked it up. There are many details you cant catch it all. I went on the roof( Yes they got me a ladder) I glanced quickly at the caulking. you cant catch everything.

I ran the water everywhere, and only in shower to verify H/C water. Very breif.

I crawled under the trailer checked the tanks, supports, frame, mounting points

All windows, blinds for proper operation,

I checked all outlets with my tester to verify polarity.

I ran reefer on propane and watched it ignite as well as water heater.

ran a/c..

Radio, speakers, couch bed function,

Drawers, screws, doors, cabinets, looked for scratches... etc..

awning in and out...

I mean what more could I have done?

I guess you did not do as good a job as the PDI tech that was supposed to do the job:B.
dougrainer
Nomad
Jun 16, 2017
njtony wrote:
first mistake. Didn't check t.v. net. 2Nd you bought a coachman. I did too. It spent 6 weeks back at manufacturer in Indiana , they say the Amish do great work, must have been the last generation. At least my roof does'nt leak. I think! Just cheap all around.

I don't get why a lot of people think Amish/Mennonites build RV's in Michiana. 40 years ago, there were a lot of Amish/Mennonites building RV's WITH REGULAR PEOPLE. The plants are NOT all Amish. They have their share, but MOST are regular people. Yes, I KNOW what I am talking about. I BUILT RV's in Middlebury from 1973 until 1978 for Coachmen. This was WAY before Forest River purchased Coachmen and started the slide towards mediocrity. Yes, the Amish still work in various plants, but are the MINORITY of workers. Doug
njtony
Explorer
Jun 16, 2017
first mistake. Didn't check t.v. net. 2Nd you bought a coachman. I did too. It spent 6 weeks back at manufacturer in Indiana , they say the Amish do great work, must have been the last generation. At least my roof does'nt leak. I think! Just cheap all around.
lawrosa
Explorer
Jun 15, 2017
Lantley wrote:
Just typical stuff if an extensive PDI would have been performed at the dealer's lot before signing papers most of this stuff would have been found.
Instead you performed the rest of the PDI in your driveway, which is fine but now you get to complete the repairs.

I did a pretty extensive pdi when I picked it up. There are many details you cant catch it all. I went on the roof( Yes they got me a ladder) I glanced quickly at the caulking. you cant catch everything.

I ran the water everywhere, and only in shower to verify H/C water. Very breif.

I crawled under the trailer checked the tanks, supports, frame, mounting points

All windows, blinds for proper operation,

I checked all outlets with my tester to verify polarity.

I ran reefer on propane and watched it ignite as well as water heater.

ran a/c..

Radio, speakers, couch bed function,

Drawers, screws, doors, cabinets, looked for scratches... etc..

awning in and out...

I mean what more could I have done?
lawrosa
Explorer
Jun 15, 2017
Camper G wrote:
Wow, sorry to read this Mike. That's not good at all or acceptable. I'd be very upset. As to others who don't know, Mike bought this rig at keystone, rv in greencastle, pa so it would be a major hike to get it back there for repair, so i don't blame him one bit for taking care of it himself. He should be compensated for his time on a brand new, special ordered rig though

Thanks G... Yes thats the issue with not buying local. But Id rather do all repairs myself as I am kind of OCD and dont trust others.

If it came down to I ever need to bring to the dealer I would call coachmen and see if a local warranty place will do it.
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 15, 2017
Just typical stuff if an extensive PDI would have been performed at the dealer's lot before signing papers most of this stuff would have been found.
Instead you performed the rest of the PDI in your driveway, which is fine but now you get to complete the repairs.
Camper_G
Explorer
Jun 15, 2017
Wow, sorry to read this Mike. That's not good at all or acceptable. I'd be very upset. As to others who don't know, Mike bought this rig at keystone, rv in greencastle, pa so it would be a major hike to get it back there for repair, so i don't blame him one bit for taking care of it himself. He should be compensated for his time on a brand new, special ordered rig though