New Fifth Wheel

[RickandLou]

On June 21, 2014 we purchased a 2015 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 343 RLTS. It is beautiful but in the 30 days that we have owned it, we have found numerous issues. Kitchen faucet spewed water everywhere, shower leaked into the floor, both sets of landing gear broke when we brought it home and parked it. There is a small hole in the corner of the main slide at the floor when slid in. The worst thing is after bringing it home yesterday from the dealer(repairs), driving in rain, when we got home and slid out, we had water inside on the floors and the slide carpet was wet. I am sick about the money we spent on this rv and the problems we have already encountered. Has anyone else experienced this many problems in a new rv??

[Slufoot01]

We certainly feel for you....we bought a 2014 Bay Hill 5th wheel last Nov. We have replaced the microwave, fresh water tank,fireplace,big TV, central vac, and changed out the tankless hot water tank with a regular one.....had the rig back to LaMesa in Yuma
4 times ( they tore up more than they fixed ) also, it spent 2 months at Camping World in
Grain Valley, Mo.
And my husband fixed other things......isn't it a shame there is no Quality Control....
We have had it with customer serv. reps....we just go straight to the venders....
We hope to actually use it soon !

[rugermark2]

ddschuman wrote:
I still think some of the issues are due to lack if dealer prep. The reason I say that is because when we were looking, we saw several units that our dealer told us where not actually ready to show. They said some things come from factory unfinished and they have to finish on site before showing

In my opinion this is exactly what is wrong with all the manufactures. They need be sure when they finish building a unit that it is fit for use. Until they develop a culture of quality over quantity this will continue to occur. So many of the problems I have seen could be prevented before it even leaves the factory.

But since the factories can't build one correct you have the responsibility to yourself to do a detailed PDI.

[ddschuman]

This really surprises me about Joe at Coachmen. I have called them on two different occasions and they were extremely helpful both times. I guess maybe I was just lucky...I don't know but I was pleased with service. Again, we have had no warranty issues with our Coachmen Chaparral Signature 343RLTS in the 1.5 years we've owned it so I don't think it is brand related. I still think some of the issues are due to lack if dealer prep. The reason I say that is because when we were looking, we saw several units that our dealer told us where not actually ready to show. They said some things come from factory unfinished and they have to finish on site before showing. Our PDI was very thorough too.

It's aweful you are having such problems with your new 5er. If you ever get your issues resolved, I am sure you will enjoy you 5er. We sure do! Good luck to you.

[laknox]

RickandLou wrote:
They are so quick to take your money and then you become a problem if you have an issue. HAHA--our dealer's motto is "Don't throw your money away". Printed right on the key chain. I am afraid we just did.

I think you, first, need to get an appointment and talk to the dealership's owner/President/CEO and tell them of your experience. Let =them= know that you will be taking this to FR management, if necessary. Next, get hold of the head of Coachmen's CS department and inform =them= on how you've been treated by his minions and that you will be taking your complaint to Mike Bear, GM of Coachmen and then to Lisa Gladstone, CEO of FR, if you have to. Be professional and courteous at all times, even when the minions are being a smart-a$$ and/or rude to you. Again, document everything you can. Were I getting this treatment, I would likely start recording my phone calls and inform management that I had these recordings for "education and training purposes" and would be happy to send them copies.

Lyle

FWIW, here is a list of corporate governance of FR, Inc. https://connect.data.com/directory/company/list/gYzELFWJJVM_e7hZK-pBRw/forest-river

[robrose1]

I believe that they build them fast and if there are no major issues send it to the dealers and let them fix them. Unfortunately the dealers are not skilled enough to fix some of the issues. I dealt with the Winnebago rep on some of my issues and he was a real jerk. I believe its an across the board crappy attitude of the builders.

[RickandLou]

They are so quick to take your money and then you become a problem if you have an issue. HAHA--our dealer's motto is "Don't throw your money away". Printed right on the key chain. I am afraid we just did.

[Sharps45120]

Jiminy Christmas, that's awful.

We have had horrible issues with the service department at the dealer we bought our Coachmen as well. DH is fed up and has decided to live with the problems. I, on the other hand, will be calling Forest River myself.

But he will not let the dealer's service people touch our RV again, that's for sure. He just wants the parts that they are saying can no longer be ordered (for a 2013?!). We'll see.

[RickandLou]

Also, get this---Coachmen won't reimburse our dealer fully for coming to get our rv. Guess what Joe's (the infamous service manager at Coachmen) answer to my husband asking if they would pay for it to be picked up. "It's not our fault you bought one from a dealer 60 miles away." WOW!! It's not like there is an rv dealer on every corner.

[RickandLou]

It has made me ill, too!! I hope that your Cougar is problem free and you can enjoy it immensely!!

[davosfam]

This makes me ill. We purchased a 2015 Cougar and have had no issues. HOWEVER, we haven't towed it anywhere yet. It was delivered to our camping lot and has been there since. Makes me very afraid of what awaits us when we start towing it ourselves. I'm so sorry for what you're going through. Keep fighting for what is right!

[ReneeG]

RickandLou wrote:
Quote of the day from service/warranty manager at Coachmen: "You are putting an awful lot of pressure on your service department by only being able to take it in on a Saturday." Never mind the pressure on us by having a brand new unusable rv in our driveway. If this rv had been built right and tested, we wouldn't have to take it in for service any day. Took it last Saturday and attempted to have shower fixed. Still leaks. Still have hole in the corner of the slide when slid in. I really hate being a complainer but these issues are really bothering me.

What?! I'd be pissed. Too bad on putting pressure on them. That's their job and another point on how important the dealer is.

[rugermark2]

RickandLou keep hammering the service department. They can fix it when you want it to be done, don't go off there schedule. Just stay on them until you are satisfied.

[RickandLou]

Quote of the day from service/warranty manager at Coachmen: "You are putting an awful lot of pressure on your service department by only being able to take it in on a Saturday." Never mind the pressure on us by having a brand new unusable rv in our driveway. If this rv had been built right and tested, we wouldn't have to take it in for service any day. Took it last Saturday and attempted to have shower fixed. Still leaks. Still have hole in the corner of the slide when slid in. I really hate being a complainer but these issues are really bothering me.

[ddschuman]

That sucks! We have the exact model and have had no issues that required warranty repair. I wish all trailers came ready to go camping straight off the assembly line but it doesn't always happen. I sometimes think dealer prep or lack thereof has a lot to do with issues after the sale.

Sorry you are having so many issues and I hope you get everything corrected soon and to your satisfaction. If you ever need to contact Coachmen, they are very helpful.

[ReneeG]

This doesn't happen with all brands. We bought our Heartland Bighorn in 2010 and still love it. The worst thing we had a problem with was one cupboard popping off the hinge. Never have had a leak in the slides en route or when setup.