Forum Discussion

TugCamp's avatar
TugCamp
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014

Am I Expecting Too Much?

Traded in the 5er last January for a Winnebago Vista 32K bunk model. I really dealt until the dealership gave me a better price than anyone other dealership in Southern California. Since I have taken delivery I have had issues with the wallboard covering (wallpaper) There are at least 10 areas where the paper has bunched and wrinkled around slides, windows, the shower fixtures, etc. In the bathroom, where the dealership attempted a repair on an area that was really bad the paper is not loose in other areas near the repair. Recently the paper on the entry door has started to peel and bunch so the problem is getting worse. I have had the motorhome to the dealership twice, the first time for nearly 7 weeks and the second time for nearly 6 weeks. I seems that they wait till I call them for the motorhome because we have a trip planned, they tell me everything is finished and I pick it up only to find the work has not been done and the wallpaper issues do not get addressed. I'm a working man with kids, DW is a teacher so we use the motorhome when DW and the kids are off. The factory warranty is ending at the end of January and these problems still exist despite several calls to Winnebago Customer Service and Giant RV Service Center in Corona, CA. I did not have this issue on my Fleetwood Wilderness Advantage 5th Wheel so it was not something I was overly concerned with when I took delivery other than pointing it out to the service manager during the walk through.
At this point I am wondering if this is an issue in all motorhomes and I am being overly picky. I was happy with my 5th wheel prior to this purchase but we needed something we could tow the boat with and not have to rely on others. This brings me to my nest concern, we spend much of the summer at resorts in the Lake Havasu area where the heat regularly reaches 115 degrees. I'm worried that the wall paper will get worse in time and I will be stuck with this problem long after Winnebago writes this off. I email Winnebago and proposed the following remedies. 1) To repair all areas and offer a warranty on the areas repaired for an additional 5 years. 2) Replace all the wallboard in the motorhome me a 1 year warranty on the wallboard installation. 3) Refund me the purchase price of the motorhome minus 10% for the 1 year of use and I will purchase another brand and cut my losses.
Thanks again for taking the time to read this and give me advice. I just don't want problems patched now that will become big problems in the future.
Class A
  • Nowitall's avatar
    Nowitall
    Explorer
    Jan 05, 2014
    Our 2004 Southwind has had the same wallpaper issues as you are having since it was a baby, as well as foggy windows, and other stuff. A dealer in Houston replaced an entire wall of wallpaper, and yep, it began peeling, buckling, separating, too. Other areas also are coming off the walls. I just live with it for now. I may find a good wallpaper hanger to give it a go later.

    Fooey on motorhome warranties because, well, there's always something else going wrong. Houses aren't really meant to move down highways, so I just consider it a part of the hobby. Otherwise I'd be mad all the time!
  • fredbon's avatar
    fredbon
    Explorer
    Jan 05, 2014
    Interesting, our 1999 Mini Winnie had wallpaper problems.

    Fred
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Jan 05, 2014
    You certainly are not being too picky about the wall paper and you absolutely should get the repairs done. It is my personal opinion that none of the 3 options you have suggested gives anyone any ability to help. I am sure you already know that you are not getting any money back. You are not going to get new wallboard as this means a complete removal replacement of all walls plus every cabinet on that wall. You are not going to get a 5 year warranty on anything that normally falls under 1 year warranty.
    It is my suggestion that you work with the dealer and Winnebago to get the wall paper repaired/replaced in a timely manner without making any unrealistic demands. If you are not able to come to an agreement about how and when the repairs will be done I would contact your lawyer or have him recommend a good warranty lawyer since the warranty claim does not end solely based upon time if the issue has been stated and acknowledged by the seller.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Jan 04, 2014
    better get hold of winnie tomorrow tell them the history ,get the name of the person you talk to and write down the confrence. for future use.
  • mena661's avatar
    mena661
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2014
    I don't think you're being overly picky. Ours doesn't have wallpaper issues. I really don't understand why you aren't getting any resolution when you're under warranty though. We bought ours used and the dealer had a shop replace all the laminate flooring (removing some carpeting, reupholstered the chair and sofa and redid all the window treatments). Well the flooring started bubbling up a couple months after we bought it. The dealer had a warranty on the flooring (rig is out of warranty) and replaced it no questions asked. The replacement flooring FAR exceeds the first.
  • TugCamp's avatar
    TugCamp
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2014
    I know its unlikely I would get any king of refund from Winnebago and I know it seems like a minor problem and if they would warranty in writing the problem would not worsen I would be ok with it. Im afraid in 3,4,5 years this minor problem will become a huge problem. I understand that the wallboard is manufactured with the covering on it, Winnebago buys it in sheets from their supplier and template cuts it, installs it, and then installs fixtures and windows. Its not something that is installed after the coach is built. Like I say, its a minor problem now that is getting worse and I cant imagine how bad the coach would look if the problem gets really bad.
  • revump's avatar
    revump
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2014
    It is amazing how quickly they forget the customer ... it is truely buyer beware
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 04, 2014
    I would try and make arrangements with Winnebago to take it back to the factory. With that many wall board problems it sounds like it might have had/has water leaks at some point in time. Do you have access or can you rent a moisture meter and start checking wall moisture content.
  • 2bzy2c's avatar
    2bzy2c
    Explorer II
    Jan 04, 2014
    Refund of your RV due to wall paper peeling? Not very likely.

    Seems like a pretty minor issue, though I am certain in your mind
    it is a pretty big deal, especially since it seems you have been jacked
    around for quite a while.

    First off, shame on the dealership for treating you that way.
    Second, what has been Winnebago's response been? Can you get authorization to take it somewhere else? Maybe as a last resort, have a professional wall paper guy replace the wallpaper, the you could sue for recovery. Seems like you have done all you can dealership wise.

    I hate to see people having to take legal action to get things done, but in most cases, once a company has been served with a summons, things generally get done.

    FWIW, add a few paragraphs, makes for easier reading.

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