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mikakuja's avatar
mikakuja
Explorer
Oct 13, 2016

Our new trailer is junk.....

I am really starting to regret buying our 2016 Cruiser MPG 2400BH. This trailer has been a POS from day one. I really love the look and the options but at what point do I quit finding issues... To start things off the electrical system was riddled with bad connections which I ended up fixing myself. We are talking issues that would have caused the unit to potentially catch fire if left unnoticed. I have no idea how it even got through inspection. Next was the spring perches.... I wouldn't have even noticed this issue if I hadn't been under the trailer running wiring for my inverter. All of the spring perches were welded onto the frame on an angle. The drivers side all leaning toward the outside and the passenger side all leaning inward putting all sorts of sideways strain on the suspension. Next issue was the front cap which started to pull away from the trailer leaving the siding exposed to the elements after only two weeks of use. I won't even get into the stupid fit and finish issues which I see on all new units..
Fast forward to now.... The trailer has been in the shop since the beginning of Sept, and it is still not fixed. Just got off the phone with the service dept and they say they have done quite a few repairs but have run into an issue. They believe the trailer has deeper issues which have caused the trim to pull away and also cause the front cap to shift. So now they are at a stand still and tell me the trailer needs to be returned to the manufacturer in Indiana, however they still haven't got any approval from the factory.
I am told that the quickest turnaround I could expect once the trailer is sent in would be minimum 2 months but realistically it would be longer with the upcoming holiday season.
I have asked that the trailer be replaced with a new one but we will see where that goes...

Anyone else dealt with similar issues? I would love to hear what you have done to resolve them.

Thanks

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  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2016
    mikakuja wrote:
    All of the spring perches were welded onto the frame on an angle. The drivers side all leaning toward the outside and the passenger side all leaning inward putting all sorts of sideways strain on the suspension.

    Anyone else dealt with similar issues? I would love to hear what you have done to resolve them.


    On a previous TT that we bought new, the very next day we got it we discovered issues with the frame as the photos below show. The spring hangers were bent to one side and out by about 1/2" (maybe more, I can't recall) top to bottom. The lower chord of the truss (the lower horiz. piece) was badly distorted due to constant movement. The frame was the type that had I-beams made from 3 pieces of 1/8" steel welded together and it was VERY flimsy. I strapped a camcorder underneath and found the the spring hangers would flex left/right like a pendulum every time I did a tight 90 degree corner (like when turning at an intersection). I took the frame to a good gov't certified frame shop and got a report done. The end result was that the manufacturer took the TT back. The frame shop said it was the worst trailer frame they'd ever seen and there was nothing that could be done to it to make it like it should be. Interestingly, at first Lippert came back and said that the frame was "within spec". So much for any kind of QC control program Lippert may have if they are still building frames with bent spring hangers. Do NOT accept that they are okay like they are. The hangers in your photo are bent more than ours were.

    I have found a lot of bad electrical connections/splices in our current TT and one recept. that had reverse polarity. The wiring is supposed to be done in accordance with the NEC but there is no process for a gov't inspector (or anyone else) to check the work, unlike in building construction.

    For other issues, perhaps it would help to have a good independent RV tech. inspect the TT and make a report. I'd forget about the dealer helping much, if at all. Send any documentation to the manufacturer and find the right person there to send it to.

  • shfd739's avatar
    shfd739
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2016
    I hate to see you having these issues. Weve got a 2017 Shadow Cruiser 240BHS which is a twin to your MPG and I think there have only been 5 things to be corrected and none were major..Ill have to take a closer look at my front cap and suspension tomorrow just to see if there's anything wrong that we've not seen yet. Weve got a few interior trim pieces that have come loose/broke, TV was connected to the DVD player wrong, the under dinette LED lights had a bad crimp as did the charging center in the bedroom. Dealer fixed the under dinette lights and 2 trim pieces. I fixed the other trim with wood glue and staples along with the charging center wire and the TV connection(just had to move RCA plugs to the right plug).

    Good luck in getting it taken care of.
  • mikakuja's avatar
    mikakuja
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2016
    Here are a few of the pics of the trim side view, and suspension. I don't currently have any other pics on my computer.
    I don't know if the pics show well but the suspension leans to the right.
    You can see the front cap trim pulled away on the passenger side and starting to pull away on the drivers. Top passenger side by the gutter appears that the siding was cut short. I don't have pics of the front cap at the moment.





  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2016
    I have bought two Cruiser trailers and they were both great. But I do not doubt for a minute that the OP has had trouble -- every maker produces a few lemons. The real test is how the company and the dealer respond to problems.

    Hang in there, and let us know how it's going!!
  • gmw_photos's avatar
    gmw_photos
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2016
    To the OP, any closeup pictures of the problem areas you'd care to share with us ?
  • xteacher's avatar
    xteacher
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2016
    I'm so sorry to hear this. We had a similar experience (different issues, but junk trailer that had been at the dealer for months) with a new Passport many years ago. It ended up going back to the factory, and they forgot about it on their back lot for months... Contact the factory yourself and be polite but firm. If you are accusatory, they will be less likely to help you. The good news is that we finally got our trailer fixed and back to us. Good luck!
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Oct 13, 2016
    I'm so sorry to hear all this. I can't imagine springing for a great new toy only to be dissapointed by the company.
    Sotries like this make me affraid to get a new rig!
  • Santa_Fe's avatar
    Santa_Fe
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2016
    Keep us posted on how this situation turns out and how Cruiser RV customer service treats you. My good friends have the MPG at the top of their list to purchase in January.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2016
    Call the maker yourself and be firm but courteous and start the conversation with them not the dealer. The dealer is getting paid pennies on the dollar to fix their mess. He didn't build it and wants it out of his hair too.

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