Forum Discussion

yellow_dog's avatar
yellow_dog
Explorer
Jun 12, 2022

Cedar Creek rear cap cracks

We purchased a 2018 Cedar Creek new, and shortly after taking delivery noticed spider cracks in the upper corner of the rear fiberglass cap. We spoke with our dealer about this, and our dealer made arrangements with a local fiberglass repair company to repair the cap. We recently noticed that the area that was repaired has discolored (dulled out) and the clear coat is peeling. I contacted our dealer who told us this problem is now between us as the owners and the fiberglass repair company as we are now out of warranty. I stated to the dealer that I wasn't the one that chose this company the dealer did, and I was hoping the dealer would stand by me with this to get it rectified. Although out of warranty this repair should have lasted more then 4 years. They didn't want to hear of it. I next called Forest River who basically told me the same thing....any thoughts??? I must say not the response I expected from a premium 5th wheel company.
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2022
    You said you spoke w/ FR. Was it FR or Cedar Creek? CC used to have awesome customer service, but sadly times may have changed since we owned one. If no luck there. just my $.02, but insurance or lawyer time?
  • yellow_dog's avatar
    yellow_dog
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2022
    When I searched for a contact number for Cedar Creek, the only thing that kept coming up was a message stating to contact your dealer for any questions / issues. I then looked in a manual for a contact number, the only number I found was a contact number for Forest River.
  • yellow_dog's avatar
    yellow_dog
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2022
    We previously had a Jayco Eagle 5th wheel (2008), that had issues arise just out of warranty. I contacted my dealer, who worked with me contacting Jayco directly, and they stood behind their product. The difference is, the issue with Cedar Creek happened while it was new. Manufacturers that stand behind their product line is what keeps people coming back.
  • Camper445's avatar
    Camper445
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2022
    yellow dog wrote:
    We previously had a Jayco Eagle 5th wheel (2008), that had issues arise just out of warranty. I contacted my dealer, who worked with me contacting Jayco directly, and they stood behind their product. The difference is, the issue with Cedar Creek happened while it was new. Manufacturers that stand behind their product line is what keeps people coming back.


    Forest River does not stand behind their products as I have personally found out twice, and are the reasons I will not go back. I wish you luck dealing with them. Don't get your hopes up.
  • Gooma's avatar
    Gooma
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2022
    Have you even contacted the company that did the work? Didi
    they warrantee their work? How much will it cost for repairs if they didn't?
  • way2roll's avatar
    way2roll
    Navigator II
    Jun 12, 2022
    Camper445 wrote:
    yellow dog wrote:
    We previously had a Jayco Eagle 5th wheel (2008), that had issues arise just out of warranty. I contacted my dealer, who worked with me contacting Jayco directly, and they stood behind their product. The difference is, the issue with Cedar Creek happened while it was new. Manufacturers that stand behind their product line is what keeps people coming back.


    Forest River does not stand behind their products as I have personally found out twice, and are the reasons I will not go back. I wish you luck dealing with them. Don't get your hopes up.


    My experience has been the exact opposite. I've had great support from FR.
  • yellow_dog's avatar
    yellow_dog
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2022
    I have a call into the company that did the repair. I have not heard back yet.
  • dedmiston's avatar
    dedmiston
    Moderator
    Jun 12, 2022
    way2roll wrote:
    Camper445 wrote:
    Forest River does not stand behind their products as I have personally found out twice, and are the reasons I will not go back. I wish you luck dealing with them. Don't get your hopes up.


    My experience has been the exact opposite. I've had great support from FR.


    Maybe you were more polite than him.
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Jun 12, 2022
    yellow dog wrote:
    Snip...Although out of warranty this repair should have lasted more then 4 years. They didn't want to hear of it. I next called Forest River who basically told me the same thing....any thoughts??? Snip....

    I am not surprised at their response. After all it had been four years.
    Most fiberglass surfaces will deteriorate after time and sun exposure - especially those on the front and back caps.

    I would try to buff it out and apply a good wax or other preservative.
    Spider cracks are not unusual in the corners of the thick caps and are usually just left alone. I have some on my trailer that have been there for about 15 years or more. You probably would have been best off to just leave them alone originally.
    Good luck.
    Barney
  • yellow_dog's avatar
    yellow_dog
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2022
    Barney - Four years to me is unacceptable. I've machine polished my vehicles regularly, so the issue is not maintenance related, as the clear coat is peeling. After looking into this more, I've come to find out the gelcoat wasn't prepped properly before the repair.

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