Winnebago Destination 37FL Rust

[seaduced2]

I purchased from La Mesa RV in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, a brand new, ordered, 5th wheel from Winnebago. The trailer did not come in as ordered so, La Mesa incorrectly installed a washer and dryer and second air conditioner. Those items have finally been corrected to the best of the repair persons ability. The main problem is a rusted frame from Lippert Compenents. I will try to add photos from my phone to this post later. Has anyone had this problem. I want Winnebago to replace my unit. I believe that I custom ordered a new trailer and I want a new trailer. I do not believe a rusty frame constitutes a new trailer. Winnebago service manager has told me, "What do I want, it's only an RV". Yes its an RV with a MSRP of over $!!),000. I want a RV that is not rusted. I have called Johnny Martinez, president of Winnebago Towables, no return call. I have called Randy Potts, president of Winnebago International, no return call. PLEASE HELP. We are retired, 71 years old and wanted to travel in a great 5th wheel to see what we can before we are too old to do so. I fell horrible that this is what I got from Winnebago. I feel cheated and lied to by representatives of Winnebago.

[fj12ryder]

It's really hard to say for sure without seeing pictures of how bad the rust is. You may be getting upset over surface rust which is no big deal and easy to fix. Some pictures would help immensely.

[TXiceman]

B.O. Plenty wrote:
I have yet to see a 5th wheel frame that doesn't have some rust after a year or so. It's not going to hurt anything. Wouldn't matter to me. Spray on some paint and go camping...

B.O.

Our 2013 HitchHiker has a powder coated fram and no visible rust. Tell Winnebago to fix it properly.

Ken

[klassic]

The frame rust on the Jayco that I posted a link to above had a favourable outcome as Jayco is covering it under warranty.

[Learjet]

klassic wrote:
There's a thread Here with a picture of the same problem on a new Lippert frame.

ouch that is ugly rust :(...glad I have the BAL frame

[klassic]

There's a thread Here with a picture of the same problem on a new Lippert frame.

[shepstone]

Some pics sure would be good.

[12th_Man_Fan]

I have the same problem with my 2015 DRV. I think it depends on when it was delivered. If it was pulled through salted winter roads the receiving dealer is supposed to flush the undercarriage with a neutralizing spray and I doubt it gets done most of the time.

[SamWar3]

Same problem on my 2015 Forest River Grey Wolf Limited. The entire frame has rust blisters. The dealership has been giving me the run around for 7 months.

[pcm1959]

I certainly believe you are entitle to feel that your coach should have arrived with no rust. However, I don't think that its a concern over the life of the coach. I certainly don't think that its worth the agony you are putting yourself through.
Our 2014 Lifestyle was ordered and delivered to the dealer in FL in March of 2014. It was built during the awful winter of 2014. So it had to be pulled through the salty road slush to get out of Indiana to FL.
It arrived filthy underneath. The dealer cleaned it up and it has not worsened to this day.
I was at the Tampa RV Super Show last year and saw many, many RV's that obviously had been pulled through the Indiana road slush that had a lot of "rust" on the under carriages. Axles are delivered to the manufactures and set outside getting rust on them and pitting for months until a rig is built.
I think a lot of this is just the nature of the RV industry and does not mean a quality issue.
I sincerely encourage you to move along on this issue and focus on enjoying the rig and the years ahead with it. My biggest concern is Winnebago standing behind their product and any other issues that might arise that are far more important (in my opinion) like leaks, structural integrity, etc. Good luck and safe travels. Phillip

[B_O__Plenty]

My coach is a Big Country. Plenty of rust along the bottom of the frame. I could paint it if I felt it was a problem..It will never rust enough to create a problem. I had my springs replaced a couple years ago. I put several coats of Rustolem on the new springs, yup they're starting to rust. It's the nature of the beast. Sorry I think you're beating a dead horse...

B.O.

[seaduced2]

Thanks for all of your comments. This week has not earned any phone calls from Winnebago. I looked at other 5th wheels and found no rust on Montana, or Big Country. No rust on Fusion either. This coach is a disgrace to the Winnebago name. This was and is my last new coach. If I could dump it and not lose 25K, I would. We are full time and volunteer at state parks. I have not seen but 3 other Winnebago Towables at John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, Florida over the last 2 1/2 months. Only 1 owner said they we OK with their Minnie trailer. I will not give up.

[mudmaker]

I have no idea really but I would highly doubt it is powder coated. I haven't seen one built lately that has a decent coating on it. Probably just a quick spray job and out the door it goes. Heck, take a close look at the welds on a Lippert frame. I've seen better welds in high school welding class.
Also, is it worth the fight to try and get a new camper when this could be remedied with a little spray paint? All the stress and ultimately "non use" of the present unit only to possibly get another with the same or different problems to boot? I say no. Go out and enjoy yourself and worry over the big things. The little ones will get fixed and the thought of them will fade away. Don't sweat the small stuff.
I think you are in a mindset that you will look for every little thing based on the past history on the unit.
Winnebago only threw their name on the front of another unit that was already being built. That's about as far as the namesake quality goes.
Good luck

[Ford_Man]

Surface rust will not hurt anything. Get some good black paint and spray over it.

[Dave_H_M]

B.O. Plenty wrote:
I have yet to see a 5th wheel frame that doesn't have some rust after a year or so. It's not going to hurt anything. Wouldn't matter to me. Spray on some paint and go camping...

B.O.

Same here. Maybe look at some other new ones on the lot.

Bet they are all grody under there. As far as using sand paper under there, I don't think I will live long enough to get that done.

Besides I think it kinda matches some of the rusty under carriage areas on my TV. :W