Old new Open Range

[bacmb]

Just picked up a 2015 3x349rls. New to fivers, and traveled s long ways to get this one. I believe (operative word is 'believe') i got a good deal, but there are a couple of concerns I'd appreciate feedback on. First, there are cracks in the edge seal/ caulk on the roof. The corners are very poorly done, owner swore whatever was done was by dealer. I'm not terribly worried about those, just not sure whether to strip off and start clean, ourcaulk over. Pictures attached.

The second is a much larger concern. I found a bubble about the size of a hand in the corner of the pin area, on the door side. Sent this to open range (heartland?), and got a pretty quick response that the tech was pretty certain this was frame flex, not delamination. He gave me a measuring test to try, and RV had to stay under 1/8" difference to pass. Measure between spot on pin and spot on jack while jacked and while hooked up on tow vehicle, weight off of jacks. It appears to be between 1/16 and 1/8. I'm thinking I should pull down to dick Gore and let them evaluate.

Am I being overly cautious? Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any input!

Chuck

Link to photos

[Twain]

I had/have the same issue with the front cap. The dealer re-screwed the cap down and added 4 more screws. That was last June. Last month I discovered the gap is returning, but the sealant has yet to separate (and the dealer put a ton on it, looking like a mess). Now I'm waiting to get it back into the dealer at the end of this month.

Maybe their "frame flex" is pushing the cap up???

[bacmb]

Just to update everyone;
The old owner purchased in October of 2014, so technically the warranty is over (2 years). However, it IS indeed transferable to a 2nd owner. Have to have camper inspected by a certified dealer (not necessarily OR), and send them $250, within 15 days of purchase. I have about five days left, so I'm taking to a local dealer on Wednesday. Not sure if it will do any good encouraging them to do any work under warranty, but it's a step.

I've been emailing back and two with someone in Open Range (Thor?) support who's been advising me, and I've left voicemails for both gentlemen referenced here (service manager and service advisor). I'm still not sure if I have delamination or frame flex. As mentioned, when I did the frame flex test, it seemed to be within tolerance. Hopefully, the inspection on Wednesday will nail this down.

Any other suggestions or thoughts are welcome! Thanks for those who have advised so far!

Chuck

[carpetguy2]

The dealership did a flex test on mine and said it was good to use this season.But had to be sent back to Manufacturer.But after everything we been through we got a lawyer involved.Seen a lot of issues on OR forum and the Facebook forum.One guy had to pay almost 20k to fix his out of warrant.For a well known issue.It's been a headache for awile.But try this guy and hope you can get it figured out.

 Brandon SeitzService AdvisorHighland Ridge RV955 N Tuscany Dr.Shipshewana, IN 46565Phone: (260) 768-7771  Ext 5138Fax: (260) 768-4461  

[HouseApe]

Lantley wrote:

bacmb wrote:
HouseApe - thanks for catching that warranty note; we're a few months past the expiration, but it can't hurt to ask. That information came from the manufacturer, but it's obviously conflicting with the book.

Carpetguy2 - that's not great news, especially since mine's NOT under warranty. Not sure how eager they will be to replace the sidewall on a camper six mints out of warranty, owned by a second owner, at their expense.

Wagonqueen - I really don't know, but am getting out checked out. The wall doesn't sound hollow, there's no sign of any leak, and so on.

Prior to the purchase the original Open Range Company may have taken care of you and extended the warranty period to cover your issue. Now that Thor has purchased OR it is unlikely you will get any warranty consideration. Lately there have been more people posting of denials

That might be the new culture, but as always the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I would be making lots of noise. They know about this issue internally and they should do the right thing. This is not a simple reair to the finerglass, it's a wall to pinbox frame issue. That's why they want him to do a " flex test".

Try calling Eric Burns 260-768-7771 x182 warranty manager.

Also there is a former OR tech now in Texas if you somehow have to foot the bill I'd be taking it to him.

[bfast54]

Carpet guy thanks-- I kind of figured something like that there's a lot of changes going around in the RV industry in that area forksrv recently shut down and had an auction that was a completely Custom RV place and a place in Elkhart that used to do RV service Master Tech RV... anyway they're completely gone --they got kicked out of their building:E

James the owner is looking for a new location....Got to suck for the employees though--- I meanthe company.. they've been around forever!!!!

[carpetguy2]

Through a lot of communication with HR.They are moving to another facility and going through employee changes.They told me between the move and work they couldn't get my rig in until June sometime.

[bfast54]

To further muddy the mix --Thursday I was in Shipshewana and I drove by where the Open Range service and parts are used to be ---the buildings are completely empty :Eso I have no idea where they went

There were NO NOTES SIGNS ON DOORS ....Telling they moved

I am sure they re located....but no idea where.....( yes I did drive around by the new factory building.).

[Lantley]

bacmb wrote:
HouseApe - thanks for catching that warranty note; we're a few months past the expiration, but it can't hurt to ask. That information came from the manufacturer, but it's obviously conflicting with the book.

Carpetguy2 - that's not great news, especially since mine's NOT under warranty. Not sure how eager they will be to replace the sidewall on a camper six mints out of warranty, owned by a second owner, at their expense.

Wagonqueen - I really don't know, but am getting out checked out. The wall doesn't sound hollow, there's no sign of any leak, and so on.

Prior to the purchase the original Open Range Company may have taken care of you and extended the warranty period to cover your issue. Now that Thor has purchased OR it is unlikely you will get any warranty consideration. Lately there have been more people posting of denials

[bacmb]

HouseApe - thanks for catching that warranty note; we're a few months past the expiration, but it can't hurt to ask. That information came from the manufacturer, but it's obviously conflicting with the book.

Carpetguy2 - that's not great news, especially since mine's NOT under warranty. Not sure how eager they will be to replace the sidewall on a camper six mints out of warranty, owned by a second owner, at their expense.

Wagonqueen - I really don't know, but am getting out checked out. The wall doesn't sound hollow, there's no sign of any leak, and so on.

[carpetguy2]

I have the same issue on my 2016 OR.Same bubble and a lot more issues.I haven't seen my rv since October. dealer sent it out to a body shop to fix as Highland Ridge told them to.After 3 attempts to fix the bubble (delamination issue) they couldnt.Now it has to go to the manufacturer and the whole entry side wall has to be replaced.Been a complete disaster buying this rv..Have 7 pages of work done and only had it in my possession for 3 months.
I have pictures same as yours on open range forum.aswell

[Wagonqueen_Truc]

The caulking is no big deal. Check and re caulk the cracks every other year or so. Self leveling Dicor is the best. Your other issue doesn't look, to me, like delamination ( I had a TT that was a complete loss due to it within 5 years of purchase/new) but I would be concerned to get a professional opinion.

[HouseApe]

bacmb wrote:
Unfortunately (a) OR warranty doesn't cover second owners (I was informed by them), and (b) I think the warranty was only one year... whatever fix has to be paid for, it's all mine!

From the 2015 owners manual

This limited warranty applies to the first consumer purchaser, and the next subsequent owner, only. This limited warranty may be transferred once during the two (2) year warranty period. However, the subsequent owner must submit a warranty transfer form to Highland along with the applicable processing fee to make the warranty transfer effective.

[HouseApe]

The OR warranty is two years bumper to bumper and IS transferable to a second owner.
This is a know issue on the 3X and they will fix it.
Last page of the 2015 owners manual has the warranty transfer form.

https://www.highlandridgerv.com/assets/front-end/pdf/owners-manuals/2015%20Highland%20Ridge%20RV.pdf

[bacmb]

Unfortunately (a) OR warranty doesn't cover second owners (I was informed by them), and (b) I think the warranty was only one year... whatever fix has to be paid for, it's all mine!