5th wheel teething problems? Or junk?

[beeryboats]

We bought a 2014 Keystone Avalanche brand new and have nothing but problems, all covered under warranty. Our trip over Memorial day weekend may have been the last straw. When we arrived at the campground the escape window was missing. Not broken, gone. I remember latching it after the last use as it was about to rain. The dealer said Keystones have had that happen before, but won't admit the blame. So counting back the few trips we've had, and what's broken or fallen off, we got to thinking if that was normal with a new RV. Five of the last six trips we have arrived with major damage at the campground. Thank goodness there was a campground reviewer at the campground last weekend to lend me a ladder to cover the hole in my wall! He told me he had issues with his big class A until they got them all sorted out. Now we're wondering whether to trade it in or ride this mess out.

[C-Bears]

beeryboats wrote:

C-Bears wrote:
Did the red handled latch break off that rear emergency window also, or did the whole window and frame fall out?

It was the most forward window over the hitch. No broken parts anywhere. I would second guess the latch being over the catch, but I remember latching it the Sunday before as it was going to rain. But I did hit one hell of a pot hole on the way. Go figure, pot holes in Indiana.

Okay, just trying to determine if the short push handle possibly broke and failed, allowing the window to open by itself.

Our new unit did that on one of the first trips out. Keystone RV kept saying they couldn't get the new part to fix it. I had to keep it wired tied shut for over a year. Finally someone else complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute. Between their complaint, my complaint, and others, the Federal government made them "find" the correct replacement parts.

[beeryboats]

C-Bears wrote:
Did the red handled latch break off that rear emergency window also, or did the whole window and frame fall out?

It was the most forward window over the hitch. No broken parts anywhere. I would second guess the latch being over the catch, but I remember latching it the Sunday before as it was going to rain. But I did hit one hell of a pot hole on the way. Go figure, pot holes in Indiana.

[beeryboats]

C Schomer wrote:
We had similar problems til we started buying higher quality/higher priced RVs. 2 of the 3 cheap/light RVs we had were never ending projects. I'd fix one thing and something else broke or fell apart the entire time we owned them. It proved much cheaper in the long run to pay up front rather than keep on trading in junk. Craig

Well, it certainly didn't feel cheap signing the load paperwork. And at 12,000lbs, it doesn't feel light under tow. Or trying to back it into a camp site! We traded in a Jayco, our first trailer, that turned out to have a rotten roof. It had no visible damage inside or out, go figure. So without years of multiple trailer ownership, how do you find a "keeper"? We searched many, many floor plans from many manufacturers until we found the Avalanche. We still love the layout. We, I, just get tired of patching, fixing, or sweeping up broken glass after we get to the camp site. Funny thing, it never breaks on the way home!

[beeryboats]

Chandalen wrote:
My bedroom window (over the hitch) is the single latch push out type. The first trip we had, it opened on its own, and shattered.

I replaced it myself with tinted plexi glass for about $40. The repair place wanted $400.

I have been latching it with twistie ties at the latch, but it worked free again and the frame bent a little.

I think its just a bad design.

That's what I think happened as well. Escape windows in aircraft are secured with brass break away wire, like your twisty ties, and that's what I plan on using. But I may come up with something more robust to used while towing.

[Vulcaneer]

My Open Range gave me nothing but problems since the day I bought it. A real POS from day one. Back to the factory for repairs, and they fixed all that needed repairing. But new problems kept cropping up. Then it got worse.

Finally got rid of it when the payoff crossed below the value.

There are just some real bad trailers out there. Sounds like you got one. Trade it if you can.

[Chandalen]

My bedroom window (over the hitch) is the single latch push out type. The first trip we had, it opened on its own, and shattered.

I replaced it myself with tinted plexi glass for about $40. The repair place wanted $400.

I have been latching it with twistie ties at the latch, but it worked free again and the frame bent a little.

I think its just a bad design.

[C_Schomer]

We had similar problems til we started buying higher quality/higher priced RVs. 2 of the 3 cheap/light RVs we had were never ending projects. I'd fix one thing and something else broke or fell apart the entire time we owned them. It proved much cheaper in the long run to pay up front rather than keep on trading in junk. Craig

[Toolguy5]

We had many issues with our Chapparal as well. Some did not show for a while. Had them all resolved under warranty and so far so good.

We went to the Jayco Factory to watch units being built. They build them so fast things are bound to go wrong.

[JIMNLIN]

BB_TX wrote:
The last thing I would do is give out unsolicited lawyer information.

:B

[tbred]

dbbls wrote:
Trade for another new one and your problems will start all over. Keep fixing them and in a few years you will have a good one.

Best piece of advice on this site.

[C-Bears]

Did the red handled latch break off that rear emergency window also, or did the whole window and frame fall out?

[lillyputz]

Dakota98 wrote:
Too bad there isn't a "Lemon Law" for RV's

There is. It's the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.

Lillyputz

[2112]

dbbls wrote:
Trade for another new one and your problems will start all over. Keep fixing them and in a few years you will have a good one.

X2

[Brockinfla]

Junk

[Randu]

Not really what you want the hear but most of your issues other than the window are minor and related to bouncing down the road. Last year I had the kitchen sink fall out of the counter and this is on a top shelf rig. Randu