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!

[Lwiddis]

"won't mention the name of the manufacturer but they are very well know" (sic)

Why? If if you wish to stand up and speak out, then do so.

[fj12ryder]

Did you discover any of these issues at the PDI, Pre Delivery Inspection? Most of these issues should have been fixed before it even pulled out of the lot. It might have been better to wait a couple days before picking it up to allow the dealer to do a thorough walk through and fix the obvious stuff. Then do a PDI yourself, and pick it up after the dealer has repaired all items on the list.

However that is all water under the bridge. All you can do now is work with the dealer and builder and make sure they do everything exactly the way you want it. But since the dealer has your money, you can only hope that they are a reputable dealer and will stand behind their work, and their product. You did say they were, so hope for the best.

Good luck, and post back as the saga unwinds. 🙂

[kerrlakeRoo]

I know you were anxious to get your new trailer, but did you and the dealers rep walk through the unit looking for problems prior to you accepting delivery?
Having documented those items then and having them fixed would have solved a lot of questions later, and yes I know this is a "if your foresight was as good as your hindsight" type of question but you didnt say how detailed your walk through was.