Hello...So we bought a new travel trailer back in March. We have spent a total of 13 nights in it thus far and have been having nothing but troubles with it. We just got home and this past trip was the icing on the cake sorta speak.As soon as we brought it home in March, we had issues with some of the trim, and was noted and let the dealer know. The electric in the both slides continue to blow fuses and on top of that, I have a major leak that I believe is from the main slide, but possibly caused by the bunk house slide. The main slide, the roof on the slide sags about 1" in the middle from the ends. I believe this is where my water issues are, as I believe the water is pooling on the roof and then running down the seal and into the camper. This past trip we noticed the floor in the bunk house tore from the slide coming in and is rippled at the other end. The floor feels "lumpy" at spots. There have been a few other minor things that I have fixed, but it's just one major thing after another. In fact last night, my awning broke... Buckled right in the middle from some rain, even though I had a tilt on the awning - my dealer just told me this is an insurance claim that he tells everyone to roll thier awnings up when it rains... Anyway, my new RV is heading back to the manufacture this week sometime to have these items addressed so it will have about 1200 miles or so of towing wear and tear on it just to get it there and back. Not to mention the fact we aren't expected it back until the end of next month, so we can't even use it during the time as planned. Has anyone else dealt with this? I feel like I just want them to give me a new camper. Very frustrating as I feel I will basically get a factory reburbished camper, but paid for a "new" camper. One of the reasons I pulled the trigger on a 'new' camper is so I didn't need to deal with this stuff. I'm concerned I have water damage on the floor (the lumpyness) and I'm concerned you are going to be able to tell the flooring in the rear was replaced, because of the rip, but if/when I resell, a buyer may think this was caused by something else... I feel like these major repairs are taking value away from my RV.Any thoughts or advice on this would be greatly appreciated...Thanks...LJ

It happens occassionally. You didn't mention make and model, might help others.

Wow, I can't imagine how upset I'd be if my brand new camper had even problems like that. I'm not sure where I'd start if it was mine, but here's some thoughts.I would be sure that all your concerns are documented on some kind of work order before you let it out of your sight. If you're concerned about the potential sag in the slide roof, then definitely make sure it's noted. Likewise for the lumpy carpet as it's probably water damage. Don't be shy to add items to the list that even you might have caused. It's likely that if the factory sees the damage, they'll probably just fix it so let them know where to look.You might want to even take pictures of the inside and outside of the trailer showing no damage anywhere before you turn it over. I have read on here that people who had factory repairs done were extremely happy with the outcome. Hopefully your experience is also the same or better than the other posts I've read.As far as being refurbished, you've got a valid concern to a point. On the positive side I can't see any future buyers asking "Was this trailer ever sent back to the factory and refurbished." It's not like it was wrecked and rebuilt by the wrecking yard and carries a salvage title.

My 2007 Keystone Cougar spent 2-1/2 months of the first three months I owned in the shop getting constant repairs. I still own it, but call it the "$500" per trip FW. Every trip we spend about $500 in repairs on things that break.

Returned RV'sDocument, document, documnet.....work through dealer and manufactuer!Good luck, hope all issues fixed.Markiemark

Sorry to hear about your problems....Document everything, if this continues, you might utilize the Lemon Law if applicable...

New Travel Trailer Every Day NEW Problems | Good Sam Community

66 Replies

nolra
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I just googled "RV rain test", got a lot of info such as this..

http://www.goevergreenrv.com/page/118/EverGreen-Testing
LJ4174
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Crawfordville wrote:
Wow - That update is very unfortunate. I can only imagine your frustration level.

I would continue to press for a number for trade from dealer. I would be very concerned about manufacturer's ability to get the job done correctly even if they did extend the warranty. In your estimation how much of the work is complete? How much of the completed work is done correctly?

I don't know what you wrote that needed to be deleted but I would ramp up efforts down that path.

Problem is, don't really want to trade it with this dealer as they don't have anything I'm interested in. Also with the way much of this was handled, would rather just cut ties with them all together. I get the fact this is technically "used" however it was "used" for 13 nights and I towed it probably less then 600 miles, even taking into consideration the 2-3 hour drive home where I bought it. In fact it was towed more to and from the factory then from us using it. Anyway, my point with that is, I get it's "used" but these are quality issues that are no doing of my own. I can't take an offer of 2/3 what I paid for it or something ridiculous.

Anyway, how much work was complete? I guess all of it, and all of it was completed poorly at best. The quality of the work is lacking, it appears they re-used some of the used materials when it was put back together, things that should have been replaced. Such as seals. There are 3 major things, floor, leaking and a slide hitting some trim on the ceiling. I still have these same 3 issues, plus some additional ones that weren't there when it left 2 months ago, and if they were I certainly didn't notice, but just the point that this team of experts going over this with a fine tooth comb "should" have seen and fixed.

I'm still trying to give the dealer and the manufacture the benefit of doubt in hopes they will do the right thing here, however my patience is wearing extremely thin and I'm getting very tired of literally loosing sleep over it...

Anyone have any idea about the rain booth test and how it's done?

Thanks...

LJ
Crawfordville
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Wow - That update is very unfortunate. I can only imagine your frustration level.

I would continue to press for a number for trade from dealer. I would be very concerned about manufacturer's ability to get the job done correctly even if they did extend the warranty. In your estimation how much of the work is complete? How much of the completed work is done correctly?

I don't know what you wrote that needed to be deleted but I would ramp up efforts down that path.
LJ4174
Explorer
Oct 13, 2013
Wasn't aware I couldn't mention that... Sorry...

Anyway... I know it was at the factory, the transport company picked it up from my house. I've had dealings with the customer service folks from the man ufacture when they feel like responding or answering a question. Getting the run around from them too...

LJ
texasclarks
Explorer
Oct 13, 2013
LJ: Have you talked with anyone at the manufacturer directly or are you just talking with the local dealer?

I know when I had a problem I talked to both the dealer and the manufacturer. I am sorry you are going through all these problems!

Good luck and keep us posted because curious minds want to know...just don't mention the "legal" word so the moderator isn't forced to close it!
camperforlife
Explorer
Oct 13, 2013
LJ,

Call the factory yourself and see if it ever went back for repairs. It sounds like the dealer is blowing smoke and it never left their lot.
Shavano
Explorer
Oct 13, 2013
After edits/deletions, I'm allowing this thread to remain open. If legal action is mentioned again, I'll have to close it.

"Posts are not allowed in which a local, state, or federal consumer action board and/or legal counsel is/have been involved. This includes posts related to future, ongoing or past lawsuits."
LJ4174
Explorer
Oct 13, 2013
So I told everyone I would provide updates, so here we go...

I got my camper back on this past Tuesday after being at the Factory for all but 2 months. I wished I had some positive news to report, but unfortunatly I don't. My camper is pretty much in the same shape as when it left, in fact probably it's worse.

The dealer is supposed to call the factory again tomorrow however very discouraged with the repairs. Even thought I was told over and over it would be better than new when it was returned... Again, had it 5 months before it spent 2 months at the factory. They will not extent my warrenty, was told they might, but haven't heard anything about it. They also will not or have not given me the report of the repairs and the rain booth test signed by the tech who did it. I was told this would be in the camper when it was returned. I asked for this when my camper was dropped off and they didn't have it, but were supposed to get it for me. Have asked for this 2 times since it was returned as well and still don't have it.

The dealer also insisted if I wasn't happy they would buy it back at close to what I paid for it. Well, you can imagine how that conversation is going. I have asked for a number 2 or 3 times so far. The dealer also told me if the camper was returned and still had issues they would push to get me a new one. Again, nothing on that so far... Maybe that's what they are going to talk to the factory about tomorrow... : \

Here's the kicker, we got some decent rain and guess what? Camper still leaking at the same spot. Floor still has ripples as well as numerous other things.

Again, trying to work this out with the dealer and manufacture, but not getting anywhere at this point. I know everyone askes what brand it is. I will share this sooner or later I promise, I just need to ensure I'm protecting myself with this. If they insist the camper is the way it should be, they shouldn't mind me sharing pictures and videos... I have tons!!!

Any thoughts or suggestions would be very helpful and appreciated, kinda at my wits end with it...

Thanks...

LJ

P.S. The rain booth test, how is that done? I'm not sure it was even done on my unit. It looks like they might have just taken a pressure washer over all the caulk spots on the roof.
ReferDog
Explorer
Aug 26, 2013
Just got rid of one like that, 500 a trip. It just turns everything about a new rig sour. Had a Flagstaff, (Forest River) many problem's interior doors falling off you name and it broke , just got rid of it, had lick wounds and get out!
dadmomh
Explorer
Aug 26, 2013
So sorry you're having an experience like this when you fully expected just the opposite.

OK, so you've been polite, firm, discussed your problems and expectations and they've responded...sorta. Having toured the factory where our previous camper was built, this idea of just lifting if off the floor is NOT the reverse of how it was built. Enough things can get loose, wobbly, off kilter just towing it down the road. This is a whole different thing and I'd not be agreeable to it. Don't suppose you have any personal time at your job that you could use and make a trip to the factory for a face to face discussion. To your credit...I think.... you've not done any name calling and have not given specifics on the manufacturer, but maybe a link to this thread would be interesting to those who make the decisions. A situation like this can put a real dent on their sales and that's the last thing they want.

I hope you have documented, documented and then documented everything, pictures, phone calls, emails.....you may need them. Has your dealer been involved in this situation at all?? If they're not aware of it, they need to be...effects their sales of that manufacturer, too.

Agree completely that they could and should have just replaced your camper with a new one, extended their sincere apologies and then you could say that you had received prompt, satisfactory service from ___________. Hope this can be resolved to your satisfaction and PDQ. At this point, I think I would schedule a brief meeting to see where you stand and what your options are. Good luck. This is one nasty mess and I hope you'll be able to look back and feel that you ultimately received the service you deserve.

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