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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.












  • well heard from the dealer today. They forwarded coachmen all my pics.

    They all feel bad and are sending me a $500 backup camera on coachmens tab..

    The dealer stated coachmen wouldnt have paid them the 4 hours labor to fix this issue.

    Well at least I get a camera to mount in the factory prep area that coachment installs on the travel trailers..
  • 1. You will NOT get paid for your labor. They will reimburse you for the parts and sealants you used.
    2. The PDI by the dealer should include a flood test. That means they run all the water systems and then fill to when the water comes up in both the toilet and the shower. The water should NOT leak out when the flood test is done. THAT would have shown the P trap leak. Both the Flood test and the running of water in the sinks/shower/tub would also have shown the leak
    3. The roof, well not always common but it does happen. It is ALWAYS a good idea to do this type inspection BEFORE you leave the lot. The reason? A LOT of OEM's will not pay warranty to seal windows/moldings and roof top areas. They state it is maintenance and up to the Dealer to do that before it is sold. This is NOT written in stone, as a lot will pay, but the cheaper RV makers will not pay. That is where a GOOD dealer steps up. So, you go over the RV and if you find sealant issues just tell them you will pay and pick it up once those items are done.
    4. As to the limit switch, It is NORMAL for the limit switch to kick out, especially in warm/hot weather. It is also normal if the unit slightly overheats in colder weather. That is the function of the hi Limit switch. But, you cannot really do a good test if it is above 40 or 50 degrees outside. Doug
  • 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
  • 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...
  • 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..
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    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.
  • part 2

    Last 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. Nope

    Took 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..



















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