New Buyer, This is not fun

[fcwatson]

First let me say, I am not sure if this is the right place to post this point.

I purchased a brand new top of the line Heartland Big Horn 5th wheel, 10/2013. From the moment I walked into to it I have had nothing but problems with it, over 30 warranty issues from the small to the large within 4 months.

I toured the factory right after the coach had been completed, and realized very quickly I had made a very bad choice in an RV company. I wish there was a forum where I could have gone to and found the good, the bad and ugly on various manufacturers.

Seems you only hear the truth after you have purchased one and it's then to late and the info is only by word of mouth. Most forums do not have an outlet for what I would call a Lemon, which is what I believe I have.

I am spending all my time documenting the problem, fixing the problem, finding repair people, arranging for things to be fixed, coordinating repair people etc. There has been nothing fun about spending 1/3 of my savings to do this. If this is the RV life, Im not missing anything.

I am told by Heartland no refund, but do not feel with all my problems this is right. Heartland owes me a new working non fixer upper or a refund, however having seen how they build coaches I do not want another Heartland product.

Companies should be responsible for their actions and if there is no outlet for the consumer to make them responsible then we are the losers in this investment. Why is there no place for future buyers to go.

I want my experience to be heard so that buyers will be made aware and the RV industry will be held responsible.

I have a dedicated Facebook page outlining my experiences with photos, but understand URL's are not allowed in this forum.

Just my thoughts for tonight.

[NC_Hauler]

so....an 01:33 AM post this morning on how terrible the OP's 5er is, and then, went to bed maybe? Curious to hear the follow up...Hey, all manufacturers can make a bad one, but I'd like to have a little more information on the issues and why not fixed if purchased possibly, close to 4 months ago

[ricatic]

There is so much written within the post that is exactly the opposite experience of a huge percentage of Heartland owners. I acknowledge that there are Heartland owners that are unhappy with their purchase. Some have told their stories here. Almost universally, there is a story within the story...and as earlier mentioned, a poor dealership service attitude has been revealed.

Heartland's customer service at the factory has a fantastic reputation for helping owners with quality issues when they are actually made aware of the problem. When a quality issue is brought to their attention, they will get involved...but it does help if the customer approaches the problem with a goal of getting it resolved and not just tearing into the customer service representative. Heartland has a history of allowing an owner to take their unit to "any" rv dealership the customer pleases to get warranty work completed...the dealership does not need to be a Heartland dealer...all Heartland requires is the dealership to discuss repairs with them before continuing...

The Op needs to contact the Heartland Service Department...The phone number is prominently displayed inside the coach...they will help if there is not a "rest of the story"...

Regards

[HappyKayakers]

I bought a Heartland Bighorn in 2006, had a few problems on delivery which the dealer corrected. Had warranty issues 2000 miles from place of purchase and Heartland authorized warranty work at my convenience. I'm still fulltiming in that rig.

BTW, top of the line for Heartland would be the Landmark. Also not sure why you would tour the factory AFTER your 5er was bought and paid for. Was this an impulse buy?

[filthy_beast]

I would like to hear what some of the 30 warranty issues are. I am sure some of the small stuff could be helped by some of the members here.

[Quartermoon]

Bombfixer wrote:
Check with the Attorney General's office in your State of legal residence. Many states have a lemon law that might offer assistance. .

This would be my advice too. In fact, at the recent RV show in Houston, the Dept of Motor Vehicles had a booth and they were talking to people about the Texas Lemon Law. I would think you could get some relief.

[Bombfixer]

Check with the Attorney General's office in your State of legal residence. Many states have a lemon law that might offer assistance. In my case, I had problems with an out of state CW dealership. I used the lemon law of Alabama to get him off his duff to fix my problems.

[newman_fulltime]

The last i checked there are lots of threads on here about how bad keystone product has become.

[mudmaker]

New buyer as in new to rving as well? Possibly expecting Buckingham Palace quality in a camper? First post and rants like this usually add up to not understanding and maybe some embellishments.
Go to your dealer and let them work for you. Make them earn their money.

[Shepherd]

Take it up with your dealer. They should be behind what they sell.:C

[DSteiner51]

I've read enough and heard enough about peoples problems with their rigs, I feel very fortunate. My Coachman Ultralite has been so trouble free I'd be afraid to buy a another rig. In 13 years I've owned mine (15 year old) I've had a frig, a wheel brging, a frig vent, tires, and a fender need replaced. I just took out the carpet and put down vinyl flooring this winter. Does Coachman still have the same quality?

[Markiemark32]

Sorry to hear about your frustrations, yes, RV's and quality control is a mess at times.

Success can lie in how well your dealer supports you, along with company support. Unfortunately, many time finish work needs to be done after the sale.

Heartland Forum

There is a Big Horn section, also a warranty section.

The facebook page, what is it named (Avoid Heartland, Don't buy Big Horn, etc....)

Good luck!
Markiemark:C

[mdamerell]

Heck of a 1st post.

What you describe is not the normal Heartland experience. Heartland does has a owners forum that you can try. Heartland owns and monitors the forums and issues are normally addressed in a timely manor.