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Arivacahip's avatar
Arivacahip
Explorer
May 22, 2014

Bigfoot

Sadly I am writing about the experiences I have had with my second Bigfoot truck camper. I used to feel that the Bigfoot campers were the "Cadillac" of campers but my second Bigfoot turned me into someone who believes they sell "lemons".
My first Bigfoot was superior in every way with outstanding customer service and support. The customer always came first with no questions asked...they even shipped my rig from Colorado to British Columbia at their expense because both they and the dealer felt that a particular issue could better be dealt with by the factory rather than the dealership!
My second Bigfoot was a completely opposite experience. Many issues arose after less than a year of ownership (while still under warranty) but regrettably the company allegedly went bankrupt and when they came out of bankruptcy miraculously they had new owners and would do nothing about all the defects I experienced. Hiding behind bankruptcy has become a new way to avoid any responsibility for shoddy products and workmanship.
Let me list just some of the defects I experienced. I should note that the two nearest dealers were a thousand miles away and would have had to plan a trip specifically to the dealer. Their old warranty allowed you to take the rig into any certified dealer for repairs.
Let me list just some of the defects:
1. The headliner started to become unbonded from the the inferior substrate under the roof fiberglass and humps up into long wrinkles and expands and contracts with the weather. Note: absolutely no water damage to the headliner or roof.
2. The support step up to the bed was poorly framed and has had to be repeatedly reframed in order to support the weight of both a 105# female and 150# male.
3. The bumper hose carrier was never secured properly and as a result moves around. Note: in order to access the hardware that secures the bumper to the frame of the rig I would have to cut into the interior wall of the rig!
4. The Sunview windows are an inferior product; the finish started to peel within months! Bigfoot in the past installed Heur windows but like everything else about this rig they decided to go cheap! Additionally, the bottom track of the largest window was not installed properly and leaks.
5. Wiring of the lights to either side of the bed were not wired properly and fixtures had to be removed to troubleshoot and fix the lights. Another example of a lack of attention to detail!
6.The cabinet between the refrigerator and breakfast nook was not installed level and plumb and therefore anything placed on the countertop rolls!
7. The door to the bathroom was not hung properly and required exceptional carpentry to allow it to close and latch properly.
There are too many more issues to mention...
If you read all the posts about Bigfoot defects you will discern that these headaches are not isolated incidents. For a company to put profit above brand loyalty or customer satisfaction is beyond my comprehension. I suspect the bankruptcy occurred when they started receiving many, many warranty complaints and decided to "hide" behind bankruptcy.
Note that when I received no satisfaction about warranty issues I went into a large RV dealership and had them estimate what it would cost to make the repairs they replied that it would be thousands of dollars just to fix the headliner(if it could be repaired).
Think twice about buying a Bigfoot: inferior quality, no customer service or customer loyalty. Look at any other brand but avoid this brand unless you enjoy headaches and aggravation!
I will be posting pictures of the defects soon on youtube: look for "Bigfoot Truck Camper Defects".
Thanks for reading this post!
  • I have a 2003 Bigfoot 29sl. (29 feet with slide). After the first 100k miles and an interior refirb (lost the booth and carpet, gained "wood" floors and Amish "fireplace"), I'm poised for my next 200k miles. I've looked at new rigs, can't seem to part with my jewel. Sorry your's didn't work out. Six years? Time for you to move on and buy a rig that you're happy with.
  • It could not have been all that bad if it took you 6 years to write about it. I FIND THIS POST HARD TO BELIEVE?

    Paul
  • Arivacahip wrote:
    I suspect the bankruptcy occurred when they started receiving many, many warranty complaints and decided to "hide" behind bankruptcy.


    Wow! You are way out of line on that one, fella!

    You will have a hard sell to get your rant to stick with other Bigfoot owners.

    I have a Bigfoot 2002 9.6 camper that I bought new, and have no problems with it other than the dual pane Sunline window seals slowly sucking into the vacuum space over the years, which was a Sunline problem with the seal material they used being deteriorated by UV. This was not Bigfoot "going cheap".

    I also have a Bigfoot 2009 25.5 trailer that I bought new in Apr 2009. I tow it over 2500 miles round trip every spring snow birding, and live in it for 3 months while in Arizona. I just completed my 5th trip south with it and it is a winner. Not a single thing to complain about.

    You should know that this trailer had a production date of Aug 2008, and was one of the last trailers built before Bigfoot suddenly went into receivership. I bought it for dealer invoice price because they were being cleared out, and there was no warranty because Bigfoot had closed their doors. After owning my Bigfoot camper for 7 years, I had no hesitation in buying the Bigfoot trailer with no warranty.

    Like I said, in my opinion, you are way out of line with your accusation.
  • Quote 1 " My second Bigfoot was a completely opposite experience. Many issues arose after less than a year of ownership (while still under warranty) but regrettably the company allegedly went bankrupt and when they came out of bankruptcy miraculously they had new owners and would do nothing about all the defects I experienced. Hiding behind bankruptcy has become a new way to avoid any responsibility for shoddy products and workmanship."




    Bigfoot went bankrupt in 2008 and your complaining now ?????:h

    Quote 2 If you read all the posts about Bigfoot defects you will discern that these headaches are not isolated incidents.



    I've been active on this and other forums over ten years and feel safe stating complaints against Bigfoot quality have been fairly rare
  • What year and model is your past and present camper. My 2005 9.6 2500 series was a lemon, most issues are now fixed, my 1993 import size camper was built well.
  • I "heard" some compliments on the first Big Foot TC he owned and he was relating his bad experiences with his second TC. Always wondered why they went bankrupt with such a great TC. Keep building them like the second one and they'll be back again.

    Just sayin...........
  • It's considered really bad form to come on board RV.Net and with your first post slam a manufacturer.

    Just sayin....