Purchased 2018 Starcraft Satellite in February and took first trip this past weekend. After returning home Sunday, one of the rear stabilizers got stuck a few inches from the ground (would not go up or down), due to weather, decided to leave it until Tuesday. On Tuesday, after attempting to raise/lower to see what was wrong, the bar that connects tool to the threaded rod snapped - Now there is no way to raise/lower it - it must be removed.Purchasing dealer will replace stabilizer under warranty- but here is my question/concern: (1) I tow TT with stabilizer lowered - i'm not confortable with this option.(2) I can remove the stabilizer myself , take it to dealer and they will swap it out under warranty. I go back home and install it myself - I'm now an RV tech! (Can I submit them a bill? ;) )(3) Starcraft will cover $50 or $125 service call (tech needs to call in to starcraft to get authorization to do any work - part covered, but I'm out $75 for warrrantied part.(4) extended warranty will cover mobile tech, but only if part is covered - stabilizer is not in this case. (5) I call roadside assistance, they tow with stabilizer down - I'm even more concerned about this option than myself towing as I've seen how some tow drivers operate!I was expecting warranty to cover all parts and labor and for them to come to my home to do work since I can't tow unit to dealer. Am I expecting too much?My bigger conern is two fold:(1) What about other 3 stabilizers?(2) If this happened while not at home, I would not have access to tools to remove the stabilizer - and i'd be out money to fix a warrantied part and have no choice but to pay!I am thinking in terms of auto warranties. If my new warrantied autmobile breaks down, manufacturer tows for free and covers all warrantied repairs for both parts and labor.Dan

An RV`er should know how to fix little things. And also carry basic tools with them. I`ll bet you also don't have the right size lug wrench for the lug nuts? you may also not have a way to jack up the trailer to change a flat!take it off and get it fixed, why make it out to be a big problem?

Standard issues with new RV's.Go out in the next couple months and make sure to use and exercise everything as much as possible, so you can find the problems early. Then put a list together and plan not to have the unit for a month or two while they get around to fixing it.You can spend a lot of time and effort carping at them and might get them to send a tech out to fix it but probably less effort just to pull it, go get the new part from them if you feel capable. (you would be in the right to make them come out but is it worth the hassle)This is why I like used. A lot of these little issues are sorted by the previous owner and if I do have to repair something, I saved more than enough to cover it.

I would go with option 2 that you noted above, but don't submit them a bill-LOL! I would just expect to do many repairs on your own and have tools with you when away from home. Make sure to lube the other 3 stabilizers. I have found that it takes too long to get trailers in for any repairs in my area, so, I learn to fix things myself and have stopped buying the extended warranties.

DM6156 wrote:I was expecting warranty to cover all parts and labor and for them to come to my home to do work since I can't tow unit to dealer. Am I expecting too much?I am thinking in terms of auto warranties. If my new warrantied autmobile breaks down, manufacturer tows for free and covers all warrantied repairs for both parts and labor.Absolutely you're expecting too much. You're also making the mistake of relating the RV industry to the automobile industry which are entirely different one from the other. If you want to be an RV owner the reality is you need to be willing to do some DIY repairs yourself from time-to-time, especially with something as simple as a stab repair / replacement.

dodge guy wrote:An RV`er should know how to fix little things. And also carry basic tools with them. I`ll bet you also don't have the right size lug wrench for the lug nuts? you may also not have a way to jack up the trailer to change a flat! you lose the bet. What do I win? An appology?dodge guy wrote: take it off and get it fixed, why make it out to be a big problem? re-read my post for the answer to that.

Broken stabilizer - am i expecting too much? | Good Sam Community

45 Replies

DM6156
Explorer
Apr 19, 2018
dodge guy wrote:
An RV`er should know how to fix little things. And also carry basic tools with them. I`ll bet you also don't have the right size lug wrench for the lug nuts? you may also not have a way to jack up the trailer to change a flat!

you lose the bet. What do I win? An appology?

dodge guy wrote:
take it off and get it fixed, why make it out to be a big problem?

re-read my post for the answer to that.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 19, 2018
DM6156 wrote:
I was expecting warranty to cover all parts and labor and for them to come to my home to do work since I can't tow unit to dealer.

Am I expecting too much?

I am thinking in terms of auto warranties. If my new warrantied autmobile breaks down, manufacturer tows for free and covers all warrantied repairs for both parts and labor.

Absolutely you're expecting too much. You're also making the mistake of relating the RV industry to the automobile industry which are entirely different one from the other. If you want to be an RV owner the reality is you need to be willing to do some DIY repairs yourself from time-to-time, especially with something as simple as a stab repair / replacement.
campinia
Explorer
Apr 19, 2018
I would go with option 2 that you noted above, but don't submit them a bill-LOL! I would just expect to do many repairs on your own and have tools with you when away from home. Make sure to lube the other 3 stabilizers. I have found that it takes too long to get trailers in for any repairs in my area, so, I learn to fix things myself and have stopped buying the extended warranties.
valhalla360
Navigator
Apr 19, 2018
Standard issues with new RV's.

Go out in the next couple months and make sure to use and exercise everything as much as possible, so you can find the problems early. Then put a list together and plan not to have the unit for a month or two while they get around to fixing it.

You can spend a lot of time and effort carping at them and might get them to send a tech out to fix it but probably less effort just to pull it, go get the new part from them if you feel capable. (you would be in the right to make them come out but is it worth the hassle)

This is why I like used. A lot of these little issues are sorted by the previous owner and if I do have to repair something, I saved more than enough to cover it.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 19, 2018
An RV`er should know how to fix little things. And also carry basic tools with them. I`ll bet you also don't have the right size lug wrench for the lug nuts? you may also not have a way to jack up the trailer to change a flat!

take it off and get it fixed, why make it out to be a big problem?

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Broken stabilizer - am i expecting too much?

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