New 5th wheel purchase. I think we have a lemon, need advice

[rjs3118]

We just purchased a BRAND NEW 5th wheel in Feb of this year from large and reputable dealer. I won't mention the name of the manufacturer but they are very well know and are advertised as "one of the most popular". Well, we custom ordered our trailer and was told it would be available in April/May. We picked up the trailer literally 3 hours after it arrived at the dealer (no one other than the salesman and lot employee who does the "walk through" was even in it). From the very first night we noticed a few problem, nothing crazy, we just started to make a list. However, with each day this list has grown and grown to things that should have never made it out of the manufacturers plant. Mind you, no one else even went through this so all of these issues came straight from the manufacturer.

Our issues range from:
a black water tank level that won't stay closed (yep, you guess right. Found that one out the hard way at the dump station!)
2 windows that are literally installed crooked on our slide out
every window blind being slanted
a screen door that won't stay shut
a recyliner that wont extend
stitching that is coming out of the couch
a huge water leak under the sink that required us to use all of our shower towels to soak up (the water ran down under all the wood in the kitchen, under the carpet, into the register, etc.)
a drawer that came out during travel causing the wooden framing to be broken away from the wall
a skinned propane tank cord
missing and/or crooked screws, bent metal, and so on and so on.
Mind you, we have spent 7 nights in this trailer.

We have since called our dealer and requested to speak to the manufacturer rep that they work with to show them the many issues. We were told that "that's not how it works, that all concerns have to go through them". However, on the back of the terms of sale in the "Warranty" section, it states that "it's my responsibility to contact the manufacturer to arrange for any repairs" So, now we have an appointment to walk through the unit with the dealer but we do not want to settle for secondary repairs that won't even bring this trailer to the level that it should've been when we agreed to purchased it. Also, the repairs don't even address any future water damage that may/may not show up for years.

Has anyone had a similar issue and how did you resolve it? Did you ask/receive a re-issue or re-purchase? Should we contact a lawyer to assist in this matter?

Thank you so much in advance!

[prstlk]

Once you sign you are no longer in the driver's seat. Get a copy of the pdi check list prior to delivery. When making a deal you can cheaply put 10k in escrow to be paid after first use. Dealer won't agree.....find another dealer. Once they get the money they don't know you.

[SabreCanuck]

bgum wrote:
Gee the windows were installed crooked in the slide when you took possession.
Gee the window blinds were slanted when you took possession.
Gee there were missing and crooked screws when you took possession.

Drawers come out during travel due to your driving and our wonderful roads and the dealer and manufacturing can hardly be held responsible.

Take your rig in for the items to be fixed. Be aware that it will take a long time. Better yet learn how to fix the little things.

LOL.. I agree but I'm sure you'll get blasted for that one..

To the OP - ALL mfgs require any repairs to start at the dealer level and then get escalated from there if they can't be resolved. Some dealers/mechanics/wash bay boys are better/faster at fixing items than others which is where the term "better be a good dealer" comes into play. In my opinion, your first response of the two threats of contacting a) the manufacturer or b) my lawyer will get you nowhere except the back of the line if I was at that dealership. Your list is not even remotely close to what would be called a "lemon" so forget the lawyer talk.

You will save yourself a lot of headache and time by getting the toolkit out and fixing it yourself. I know I have. Or you can go through the process of waiting, watching and possibly paying someone else do it for you. It should also be noted that our last 2 brand new rigs have never made their way back to the dealer for warranty issues that are waaay worse than anything on your list.

I know it's brand new but things are gonna come loose and need adjusting. You really want to wait for two weeks for someone else to straighten your blinds and tighten some screws? choice is yours but I know where I would prefer to have my camper and that is well... camping..

Wish you well.

[bgum]

Gee the windows were installed crooked in the slide when you took possession.
Gee the window blinds were slanted when you took possession.
Gee there were missing and crooked screws when you took possession.

Drawers come out during travel due to your driving and our wonderful roads and the dealer and manufacturing can hardly be held responsible.

Take your rig in for the items to be fixed. Be aware that it will take a long time. Better yet learn how to fix the little things.

[laknox]

Roger10378 wrote:
OP also has a poor understanding of Lemon Law. In most places it doesn't come into affect until the dealer has tried 3 times to fix a problem. Trying to call something a lemon without giving the dealer a chance to even see the problem is never going to get you anything. Wanting to get the factory involved even before the dealer has a chance hasn't improved your standing with the dealer. You have been labeled as a trouble maker. It is a little late but a little nice gets you a lot farther in life.

Most states only have lemon laws that apply to =powered= vehicles, not anything that's towed...and that's where the problem is and why people end up having to invoke a =Federal= regulation for what should be a state issue.

Lyle

[laknox]

"Dealer prep" simply means the the dealer has to literally finish building the 90% finished junk they toss off the lines. The fact that you drove off with it 3 hours after delivery, is one =huge= alert, right there. From everything I've read, most RVs need at least 1-2 weeks =after= delivery for the dealers to finish "building" them and fix any damage that the delivery drivers may have caused. After that, it's up to the customer to plan on a =minimum= of a 2 hour PDI, and take 3-4 if you feel that's what's needed. Videoing the entire thing can't hurt, either. After that, plan on =another= 1-2 weeks for the dealer to fix the stuff you found, that they missed or simply neglected, after they took delivery. A decent dealer will often allow you to "camp" on their property for a day so you can actually =use= it and get a feel for operating everything, more time to do inspections and come up with any other questions.

Lyle

[larry_barnhart]

During alpenlite rally's for several years I talked to a man that did the check up when a new alpenlite arrived at their dealership. He checked everything and if needed back to the factory if needed. We still feel lucky to have our great fifth going on 17 years old. times have changed.

chevman

[Roger10378]

OP also has a poor understanding of Lemon Law. In most places it doesn't come into affect until the dealer has tried 3 times to fix a problem. Trying to call something a lemon without giving the dealer a chance to even see the problem is never going to get you anything. Wanting to get the factory involved even before the dealer has a chance hasn't improved your standing with the dealer. You have been labeled as a trouble maker. It is a little late but a little nice gets you a lot farther in life.

[mudmaker]

sch911 wrote:
I'm sorry you didn't find those things during the PDI. And if it were me and I somehow ended up with those issues. I would fix as many as I could myself. None of them seem to be anything more than fit and finish. And I would know that they were fixed right. My thoughts about RV ownership include fixing thing myself. Even under warranty. It makes the whole process of ownership more sustainable IMHO...

Exactly. I fix a lot of things myself. Dealer had my camper for three weeks this spring to replace the fridge and run down a short. New fridge has the same issue as the other and I fixed the short inside of two hours after I got it back home. No sir, I don't like dropping it off to sit for weeks and then still having to do the work myself.
An electrical part broke last weekend and by Monday at noon I had talked to the dealer, factory, and the manufacturer of the part. Got a new one shipped to me from the factory that I installed and ordered an extra from Amazon should it ever go bad again so I don't have to wait for someone to make a decision and send another. Never did call the dealer back after they insisted the part had its own serial number and the needed it.
No sir, warranties to me are no better than the paper they are printed on. If you can't do some of it yourself then plan on increasing the initial investment of your rv for whatever you may find that your willing to pay someone else to do.
My advice is be diligent about checking spots where problems have been known to occur. New or used pipes will leak and thing will fail to function.
If it's built by humans it's gonna break.

[pickjare]

Yes even the black tank valve would have been caught/corrected during a proper pdi. They pressurize the entire fresh water system and verify no leaks. Obviously drains aren't pressurized, I don't know the procedure but it sounds like quite a leak under the sink, I'll say that may/may not have been caught during pdi. All the screws and loose parts should have been caught.

In fact, the RV dealer often sublets delivery to a privately owned trailer transport company that tows every trailer from manufacturer to dealer. Before they tow, transporter walks through and make detailed list of problems. I've seen these list before, and they are so specific, they check them over pretty close because they don't want to be blamed for anything broken. When it arrives at dealer, dealer walks through and anything dealer finds loose/broken/damaged is either transporter fault or manufacturer defect. Like checking in a ups package.

I don't know why there are so many problems with yours but there are many checks in place from manufacturers, transporters, dealers, then customers. I know things get missed by us customers because we are inexperienced at looking for these suddle problems. But it is our responsibility, and if we fail, i don't know that a manufacturer will just deliver you another. The dealer should make you high priority and fix it all for you. Don't miss anything this second time. Spend some serious time checking everything to make sure it is correct.

I am curious, just curious who manufactured this trailer and what model is it?

[K_Charles]

You didn't give them time to do a real PDI. Three times we bought a new trailer and it took 4 or 5 hrs each time. Water in the black tank, water in the sink, tv works, fridge is cold, on and on. Then they get the check. They were glad to do it each time.

[midnightsadie]

X2 and please don,t let your rv sit on there lot all winter. stay on top of things ,

[12th_Man_Fan]

rjs3118 wrote:

12th Man Fan wrote:
I would be real surprised if you have found anywhere near all of the problems yet.

I would recommend that you take it camping and use it the remainder of the summer and use everything in the unit. Check all of the slide wipes and everything that move to see if there is a potential problem.

After you are through camping for the summer take it to the dealer with your list of issues. If it takes them all winter to fix it at least you won't lose any camping time with your family.

As far as a lemon law and contacting a lawer you probably signed some papers in the process that says you can't sue but must go through an arbitration process.

I read today that the RV industry set records this year on the number of new units sold. I assure you, you are not alone with quality issues.

Just keep good notes and document every call you have with the dealer or Mfg.

Good luck and don't give up. thats what they hope you will do.

Thank you so much for the help. In your opinion, should we contact the manufacturer before we meet with our dealer and risk souring our relationship with them or would it be better now that I know that some/most of these problems should have been detected/corrected at the set-up (dealer) level?

To be honest I think I would give the dealer a chance to make the correction. They were paid to do a pre delivery inspect and repair and they obviously did not do one.

I would check up on the progress on a regular basis and if the dealer is close by I would drop in once in awhile to make sure it is being worked on as promised. You will get the old we can't get the parts from the factory etc, and when that happens get the factory reps name and get involved.

Like someone said earlier if you are handy with tools, I would fix all I could myself. That will save you some frustrations and you will know it is done correctly.

I hope your's goes a lot better than mine did a couple of years ago. Just don't give up until you get what you paid for.

[TheCaptKen]

The quality of units coming off the assembly line is poor at best. I bought a new Denali 316RES the first of May. Went back a week later for the PDI. This dealer is two hours away so not a stroll in the park. I noticed a few problems but knew it would need to return. Two major problems was one of the front jacks wouldn't auto deploy and my super slide was binding and tripping the thermal relay.
Scheduled it mid June to spend the month of July in the shop. Figured four weeks was enough. Wrote up a detailed check list and furnished pictures. Especially pictures where the brackets on the slide was pulling out due to the binding.
Picked it up yesterday. Slide was better but forgot the bracket problem. Seems the new jack didn't make it there in time to be installed. They said they needed it back to finish the repairs. Now the super slide needs to be removed to replace the filon panels the brackets have pulled out plus install the jack. Asked the service manager how long they needed it and he said two days. Told him I would schedule a week in September. But for him to understand one thing, he was seeing my nice side. If it didn't get repair correctly, he didn't want to see my other side.

[korbe]

Windows not aligned? Great. Who is gonna fix that?

[rjs3118]

bgum wrote:
Gee wiz why did you ever take possession?

Once again, with the exception of a few crooked screws (which were no big deal in itself) became issues AFTER we took ownership.