2018 coachmen 261bh issues so far.

[lawrosa]

Part 1


Well I have not even camped in the trailer yet but in the driveway. Getting ready next week for a one month trip to Disney and the east coast states.

So here is what I found so far and im livid about the leak.

1. They changed to a sf 30 furnace which requires only 3 ducts per suburban. So the one they eliminated was the duct under the couch. (2017's had a SF35 with the 4 ducts)

I may have a high limit issue but we will wait and see)

Dealer sent me duct kit @ no charge and I added the duct.

There is no way 3 ducts will heat that trailer properly or timely IMO. I may add a 5th ducts next to the one I added but will wait until the cooler months.








2. Roof. I did a closer inspection when I got it home.. I counted 8 screws that did not have caulk around them fully. Potential leaks? I submitted my reimbursement for two tubes of lap sealant.

as well as bubbles gaps from caulk that did not settle. I busted the bubbles with my fingernail and re caulked..

The majority of them were under the reefer vent. I had to remove the vent and good thing I did. They had the mounting holes filled with caulk..

And skylight really lifted in the corner.

[lawrosa]

dougrainer wrote:
Go to the VIN sticker on the side of the RV and look at the build date. I would like to know how OLD the RV was before you purchased it. Doug

It was a custom made trailer made for me... So fresh off assembly line..

[j-d]

OP - Glad you did this pre-flight. Glad shower "Leaked" and didn't just "Drip" since it drove you to investigate and correct it. Floor is probably OSB and won't last long wet.

Toilet suggestion: Install a Shark Bite type plastic shutoff valve for it. Toilets can develop various issues, and the valve lets you shut it off and still use water in the rest of the RV.

[dougrainer]

Go to the VIN sticker on the side of the RV and look at the build date. I would like to know how OLD the RV was before you purchased it. Doug

[dougrainer]

lawrosa wrote:

Lantley wrote:
Just typical stuff if an extensive PDI would have been performed at the dealer's lot before signing papers most of this stuff would have been found.
Instead you performed the rest of the PDI in your driveway, which is fine but now you get to complete the repairs.

I did a pretty extensive pdi when I picked it up. There are many details you cant catch it all. I went on the roof( Yes they got me a ladder) I glanced quickly at the caulking. you cant catch everything.

I ran the water everywhere, and only in shower to verify H/C water. Very breif.

I crawled under the trailer checked the tanks, supports, frame, mounting points

All windows, blinds for proper operation,

I checked all outlets with my tester to verify polarity.

I ran reefer on propane and watched it ignite as well as water heater.

ran a/c..

Radio, speakers, couch bed function,

Drawers, screws, doors, cabinets, looked for scratches... etc..

awning in and out...

I mean what more could I have done?

I guess you did not do as good a job as the PDI tech that was supposed to do the job:B.

[dougrainer]

njtony wrote:
first mistake. Didn't check t.v. net. 2Nd you bought a coachman. I did too. It spent 6 weeks back at manufacturer in Indiana , they say the Amish do great work, must have been the last generation. At least my roof does'nt leak. I think! Just cheap all around.

I don't get why a lot of people think Amish/Mennonites build RV's in Michiana. 40 years ago, there were a lot of Amish/Mennonites building RV's WITH REGULAR PEOPLE. The plants are NOT all Amish. They have their share, but MOST are regular people. Yes, I KNOW what I am talking about. I BUILT RV's in Middlebury from 1973 until 1978 for Coachmen. This was WAY before Forest River purchased Coachmen and started the slide towards mediocrity. Yes, the Amish still work in various plants, but are the MINORITY of workers. Doug

[njtony]

first mistake. Didn't check t.v. net. 2Nd you bought a coachman. I did too. It spent 6 weeks back at manufacturer in Indiana , they say the Amish do great work, must have been the last generation. At least my roof does'nt leak. I think! Just cheap all around.

[lawrosa]

Lantley wrote:
Just typical stuff if an extensive PDI would have been performed at the dealer's lot before signing papers most of this stuff would have been found.
Instead you performed the rest of the PDI in your driveway, which is fine but now you get to complete the repairs.

I did a pretty extensive pdi when I picked it up. There are many details you cant catch it all. I went on the roof( Yes they got me a ladder) I glanced quickly at the caulking. you cant catch everything.

I ran the water everywhere, and only in shower to verify H/C water. Very breif.

I crawled under the trailer checked the tanks, supports, frame, mounting points

All windows, blinds for proper operation,

I checked all outlets with my tester to verify polarity.

I ran reefer on propane and watched it ignite as well as water heater.

ran a/c..

Radio, speakers, couch bed function,

Drawers, screws, doors, cabinets, looked for scratches... etc..

awning in and out...

I mean what more could I have done?

[lawrosa]

Camper G wrote:
Wow, sorry to read this Mike. That's not good at all or acceptable. I'd be very upset. As to others who don't know, Mike bought this rig at keystone, rv in greencastle, pa so it would be a major hike to get it back there for repair, so i don't blame him one bit for taking care of it himself. He should be compensated for his time on a brand new, special ordered rig though

Thanks G... Yes thats the issue with not buying local. But Id rather do all repairs myself as I am kind of OCD and dont trust others.

If it came down to I ever need to bring to the dealer I would call coachmen and see if a local warranty place will do it.

[Lantley]

Just typical stuff if an extensive PDI would have been performed at the dealer's lot before signing papers most of this stuff would have been found.
Instead you performed the rest of the PDI in your driveway, which is fine but now you get to complete the repairs.

[Camper_G]

Wow, sorry to read this Mike. That's not good at all or acceptable. I'd be very upset. As to others who don't know, Mike bought this rig at keystone, rv in greencastle, pa so it would be a major hike to get it back there for repair, so i don't blame him one bit for taking care of it himself. He should be compensated for his time on a brand new, special ordered rig though

[lawrosa]

well heard from the dealer today. They forwarded coachmen all my pics.

They all feel bad and are sending me a $500 backup camera on coachmens tab..

The dealer stated coachmen wouldnt have paid them the 4 hours labor to fix this issue.

Well at least I get a camera to mount in the factory prep area that coachment installs on the travel trailers..

[dougrainer]

1. You will NOT get paid for your labor. They will reimburse you for the parts and sealants you used.
2. The PDI by the dealer should include a flood test. That means they run all the water systems and then fill to when the water comes up in both the toilet and the shower. The water should NOT leak out when the flood test is done. THAT would have shown the P trap leak. Both the Flood test and the running of water in the sinks/shower/tub would also have shown the leak
3. The roof, well not always common but it does happen. It is ALWAYS a good idea to do this type inspection BEFORE you leave the lot. The reason? A LOT of OEM's will not pay warranty to seal windows/moldings and roof top areas. They state it is maintenance and up to the Dealer to do that before it is sold. This is NOT written in stone, as a lot will pay, but the cheaper RV makers will not pay. That is where a GOOD dealer steps up. So, you go over the RV and if you find sealant issues just tell them you will pay and pick it up once those items are done.
4. As to the limit switch, It is NORMAL for the limit switch to kick out, especially in warm/hot weather. It is also normal if the unit slightly overheats in colder weather. That is the function of the hi Limit switch. But, you cannot really do a good test if it is above 40 or 50 degrees outside. Doug

[ChuckV1]

When we did our PDI at the dealer I had them turn on everything, kitchen sink, both bathroom sinks, shower an let them run while I checked for water leaks under an around the sinks an the shower ...

I ask for a creeper (Tech said that was a 1st time anyone had ask for a creeper to look under a trailer since he worked there 6 years)to look under the 5th wheel while the water was running, I had them light the stove oven, all the burners, open and close all the drawers a few dozen times as well a cabinet doors.

Ask for a lift to inspect the roof, didn't want to climb ladder even thought it has one, checked all the hydraulic lines for leaks while they lowered and lifted the leveling jacks ...

All in all it took over 4 hours of opening, closing, looking, asking questions, taking video of everything and I still missed two things which I fixed.

One thing I didn't know how to do/operate which was the awning tilt, I was shown such by a good friend while camping this last trip when looking at his RV that had the same awning as us. I knew how to open an close the awnings I just didn't know how to tilt the darn things, (button on the side of the support arm) Ugh ...

Safe Travels

[lawrosa]

nineoaks2004 wrote:
Sounds and looks like QA is either lacking or none at all...I always check a unit out (everything top to bottom) when first purchased..

Yup Thats what Im doing basically checking top to bottom.. I fixed all the other traps as they were easy to access. They were not tp bad on tightness.

But I figured the tub trap would be a PITA to check so I put it off.

Ill get a pic of the kitchen sink tomorrow. I dont like the angle and will need to cut an elbow out and replace to get it and the vent pitched right and square...