Forum Discussion

pmlevine's avatar
pmlevine
Explorer
Oct 05, 2016

2nd Chance at TT Prep

Hi All,
First of all, I am very grateful this forum exists, and as a "new" TT owner want to thank forum members who have chimed in on posts/questions I have had.
My wife and I bought a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106FBS last June, and have been enjoying the RV life immensely.
We have experienced some issues related to poor dealer prep.
No need to go into details other than to say YES, do indeed plan on taking your time to go over all essential TT functions before driving off with said TT.
So we are bringing our TT back to the dealer for a routine accessory install, and I want to request the dealer to "go over" essential items which may have been overlooked at the time of the original TT prep.
I understand TT axle lubrication is one essential item, my question to forum members is:
What other essential prep details should I request the dealer double check? All TT functions are now operational, but I would like to cover the bases by requesting all essential safety related items be looked at one more time.
thanks all,
Phil
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Oct 07, 2016
    pmlevine wrote:
    Thanks All,
    Good advice - will have brakes checked/adjusted as needed - I understand this will be at my expense.
    Good point regarding learning about my TT and doing my own maintenance whenever possible.
    However here is the detail regarding what the dealer NEVER prepped:
    - The multi media center DVD did not work from day 1 THAT WAS A MANUFACTURER SCREW UP.- dealer replaced the whole multi media center "box". So it was never tested by the dealer - we had simply turned on the radio and tv during our check at pick up day.
    - Initially the hot water only worked for 5 seconds, then was cold (makes for interesting, quick showers). Of three water valves governing hot water, TWO were shut off.THIS WAS THE DEALERS FAULT Turning them on (located under plywood kick out panel), resolved the hot water issue. A big thank you to my step-son for resolving that one.
    - We have taken a total of 4 trips in our TT thus far, on trip #3 our two full propane tanks became empty on the third day. Yes I smelled propane, thought it was tank #1, so shut off the tank main valve and turned on and switched to tank #2. I still smelled propane and started looking at regulator and hose connections, but did not find the leak. I brought the TT to the dealer - the leak was in the main hose UNDER the TT - the brass screw on coupling was hand tight, and so loose, it was ready to come completely undone.THIS IS A MANUFACTURER SCREW UP
    - Trip #4, we are currently camping with are TT up in Maine, we had just set up and used the sink to wash some dishes. We were sitting outside enjoying the sights when I noticed significant water dripping from the bottom of the trailer. Turns out the pipe elbow under the kitchen sink was completely separated from the sink pipe, so water went on the floor and down into the sub floor, and dripped out the bottom of the TT. I found the elbow coupling compression fitting used to secure the elbow to to sink drain pipe was very loose - dare I say it - it was never looked at during prep - there is no way this fitting could have loosened up that much during travel.THIS IS A MANUFACTURER SCREW UP

    So I removed all under the counter plywood covering, soaked up all the water I could, and I am leaving the plywood covers under the counter removed, and have been running the heater furnace to help dry out what water I cannot reach.
    F.Y.I. MY WIFE AND I LOVE OUR TT, THERE HAVE NO QUALITY COMPONENT OR FACTORY INSTALL ISSUES, THE ONLY DOWNSIDES HAVE BEEN DUE TO DEALER "NO PREP". :). :R
    Phil

    OF THE FOUR ISSUES YOU LISTED, THREE OF THEM WERE THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT.
    THE DEALER PREP SHOULD NOT INCLUDE FINISHING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
  • bpounds's avatar
    bpounds
    Nomad
    Oct 06, 2016
    My bet is that your dealer will take you to the cleaners on the inspection, and not do any better job than they did the first time. They will just suck up that easy money.

    I think you've probably worked out a lot of the bugs that all trailers start out with. But if you want a good honest inspection, I would suggest finding a local mobile RV service guy and have him come to you. You should be able to follow him around and ask questions, and learn about the systems. You don't want to pester him too much, but if you get a good one you can learn a ton. At least you will be able to see that he is working instead of sitting around whacking off in your trailer.
  • RedRocket204's avatar
    RedRocket204
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2016
    You will probably find that the dealer will blame the loose gas/sink fittings on the manufacturer as I doubt those are things that get checked at a dealer. When I bought my TT, I do recall the salesman pointing out to periodically check all fittings for continually being re-tightened as travelling vibrations will eventually loosen those.

    Just seems like dealers are mostly interested in RVs that show up on their lot in good "viewable" condition. So, they would do a walk-around to make sure it looks like it is not damaged from transport and will be a good unit to get sold quickly. Do they do independent PDIs when they come in to make sure everything is tight and working and ready to go? I seriously doubt it.
  • pmlevine's avatar
    pmlevine
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2016
    Thanks All,
    Good advice - will have brakes checked/adjusted as needed - I understand this will be at my expense.
    Good point regarding learning about my TT and doing my own maintenance whenever possible.
    However here is the detail regarding what the dealer NEVER prepped:
    - The multi media center DVD did not work from day 1 - dealer replaced the whole multi media center "box". So it was never tested by the dealer - we had simply turned on the radio and tv during our check at pick up day.
    - Initially the hot water only worked for 5 seconds, then was cold (makes for interesting, quick showers). Of three water valves governing hot water, TWO were shut off. Turning them on (located under plywood kick out panel), resolved the hot water issue. A big thank you to my step-son for resolving that one.
    - We have taken a total of 4 trips in our TT thus far, on trip #3 our two full propane tanks became empty on the third day. Yes I smelled propane, thought it was tank #1, so shut off the tank main valve and turned on and switched to tank #2. I still smelled propane and started looking at regulator and hose connections, but did not find the leak. I brought the TT to the dealer - the leak was in the main hose UNDER the TT - the brass screw on coupling was hand tight, and so loose, it was ready to come completely undone.
    - Trip #4, we are currently camping with are TT up in Maine, we had just set up and used the sink to wash some dishes. We were sitting outside enjoying the sights when I noticed significant water dripping from the bottom of the trailer. Turns out the pipe elbow under the kitchen sink was completely separated from the sink pipe, so water went on the floor and down into the sub floor, and dripped out the bottom of the TT. I found the elbow coupling compression fitting used to secure the elbow to to sink drain pipe was very loose - dare I say it - it was never looked at during prep - there is no way this fitting could have loosened up that much during travel.

    So I removed all under the counter plywood covering, soaked up all the water I could, and I am leaving the plywood covers under the counter removed, and have been running the heater furnace to help dry out what water I cannot reach.
    F.Y.I. MY WIFE AND I LOVE OUR TT, THERE HAVE NO QUALITY COMPONENT OR FACTORY INSTALL ISSUES, THE ONLY DOWNSIDES HAVE BEEN DUE TO DEALER "NO PREP". :). :R
    Phil
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2016
    ScottG wrote:
    westend wrote:
    I think your time and energy would be better spent on learning the incidental maintenance tasks rather than trusting a dealer to keep everything correct. If you're unable to do maintenance, find a trusted independent mobile RV technician to perform the tasks.
    It occurs to me that if service was done within the service intervals, a dealer's service department may just wave a wand over those items. There is no incentive for a dealer's service dept. to "go over" items they have previously checked. Unless, that is, they can make more money from the customer.


    This is really good advice.
    I have found that dealerships and even shops will give the job of repacking bearings to the lowest person in the shop. That person may have no experience and WILL screw the job up - BTDT!
    I hate repacking but since I can't trust any body else to do it, I have to do it myself. Adjusting the brakes is another story; it's easy and clean to do so I am happy to do that.

    Grease is good for your skin. :B
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Oct 06, 2016
    westend wrote:
    I think your time and energy would be better spent on learning the incidental maintenance tasks rather than trusting a dealer to keep everything correct. If you're unable to do maintenance, find a trusted independent mobile RV technician to perform the tasks.
    It occurs to me that if service was done within the service intervals, a dealer's service department may just wave a wand over those items. There is no incentive for a dealer's service dept. to "go over" items they have previously checked. Unless, that is, they can make more money from the customer.


    This is really good advice.
    I have found that dealerships and even shops will give the job of repacking bearings to the lowest person in the shop. That person may have no experience and WILL screw the job up - BTDT!
    I hate repacking but since I can't trust any body else to do it, I have to do it myself. Adjusting the brakes is another story; it's easy and clean to do so I am happy to do that.
  • bartlettj's avatar
    bartlettj
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2016
    Please do get the brakes adjusted and the bearings checked. I let mine go for two seasons, and found that the wheel bearings were set so loose that they wore out the grease seals from the play and took the brake pads with them. Fortunately the bearing races weren't harmed.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2016
    I think your time and energy would be better spent on learning the incidental maintenance tasks rather than trusting a dealer to keep everything correct. If you're unable to do maintenance, find a trusted independent mobile RV technician to perform the tasks.
    It occurs to me that if service was done within the service intervals, a dealer's service department may just wave a wand over those items. There is no incentive for a dealer's service dept. to "go over" items they have previously checked. Unless, that is, they can make more money from the customer.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Oct 05, 2016
    It's worth checking the bearings and adjusting the brakes but of course, dont expect them to do this labor intensive service for free.
  • Boband4's avatar
    Boband4
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2016
    Think of it as a second PDI. Walk the trailer from back to front looking at all of the components and functions. Write down a list, you wont remember everything. Now that you have used it a few times note anything that isnt working. Expect to have to pay for a PDI, and any repairs to stuff that is working but you want to work better.

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