Forum Discussion

lawrosa's avatar
lawrosa
Explorer
Jun 15, 2017

2018 coachmen 261bh issues so far.

Part 1


Well 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.












  • 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?
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    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 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..