2018 coachmen 261bh issues so far.

part 2

Last but not least. I decided to take a shower in the camper before my trip. Wanted to make sure the pump worked and all and shower pressure was good cause I put a better shower head on.

Low and behold got out of shower and there was a river running down bathroom floor. Dripping out and under camper. WTF!!!!!

I am so pissed.

Took diverter off wall to see if it was water line. Nope

Took panel off for trap access and HWH access panel.

The trap was totally disconnected from the strainer. All other nuts were loose. This is unacceptable.

Good thing I am a plumber and am able to fix these things. I removed the whole trap, doped it up and reinstalled. I have a complaint in and want reimbursement for this one.

My time I estimate @ 4 hours. What did I save the dealer by doing this work? Whats my compensation for potential water damage and/or mold that may develop?

I get $125 an hr as a plumber. Whats the dealer get an hour?

So I just e mailed the warranty department on this one. we will see..

Unreal! Nothing will change until we stop buying the junk RV manufacturers are putting out the door, or until real competition from foreign manufacturers with good quality come into the market.

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..

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...

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

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

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..

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

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 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.