Broken stabilizer - am i expecting too much?

[DM6156]

Purchased 2018 Starcraft Satellite in February and took first trip this past weekend. After returning home Sunday, one of the rear stabilizers got stuck a few inches from the ground (would not go up or down), due to weather, decided to leave it until Tuesday. On Tuesday, after attempting to raise/lower to see what was wrong, the bar that connects tool to the threaded rod snapped - Now there is no way to raise/lower it - it must be removed.

Purchasing dealer will replace stabilizer under warranty- but here is my question/concern:

(1) I tow TT with stabilizer lowered - i'm not confortable with this option.
(2) I can remove the stabilizer myself , take it to dealer and they will swap it out under warranty. I go back home and install it myself - I'm now an RV tech! (Can I submit them a bill? 😉 )
(3) Starcraft will cover $50 or $125 service call (tech needs to call in to starcraft to get authorization to do any work - part covered, but I'm out $75 for warrrantied part.
(4) extended warranty will cover mobile tech, but only if part is covered - stabilizer is not in this case.
(5) I call roadside assistance, they tow with stabilizer down - I'm even more concerned about this option than myself towing as I've seen how some tow drivers operate!

I was expecting warranty to cover all parts and labor and for them to come to my home to do work since I can't tow unit to dealer.

Am I expecting too much?

My bigger conern is two fold:
(1) What about other 3 stabilizers?
(2) If this happened while not at home, I would not have access to tools to remove the stabilizer - and i'd be out money to fix a warrantied part and have no choice but to pay!

I am thinking in terms of auto warranties. If my new warrantied autmobile breaks down, manufacturer tows for free and covers all warrantied repairs for both parts and labor.

Dan

[Huntindog]

What happened to the stabilizer to make it inoperable?
They are pretty simple devices. It should be obvious what is wrong. You have 3 working ones to compare it to.

The most likely thing to have happened is you put too much pressure on it and over loaded it.

Being as you seem to be new at this.... That is my guess.

That would make it a non warranty repair. It is important to know this for two reasons.

1. to keep it from happening again.
2. If it was your fault, the dealer will likely deny coverage upon inspection... Meaning that all the trouble of getting the unit to him, or the part etc. was a waste of time.

Don't get offended about this. Many Many people misunderstand how to properly use stabilizers (and many other RV systems) if this is the case, then it is a small mistake, easily fixed, and you are now on a board where you can learn a lot to keep from making other mistakes.

[Lantley]

"Just didn't expect to be doing any repairs, let alone repairs myself, after only 2 months and 1 trip of ownership."

That is your first mistake.
Your RV will need constant repairs and maintenance. Getting it sorted out when new is all part of the process.
Taking it in to the dealer is often more trouble than it's worth.
Especially for a simple repair.
Towing it back and forth often takes more time than just completing the repair yourself.
Consider the whole episode a learning experience.
Now you know!

[drsteve]

Warranty service on RVs is generally poor. Dealers are independent businesses rather than franchisees like auto dealers. Often, untrained seasonal help with little experience or skill are the ones performing the work, with scant supervision from anyone who knows what they are doing.

Dealers make money by selling RVs and profitable add-ons like fabric protection and slide toppers.

I'd go with option 2.

[Huntindog]

1995brave wrote:
Include in your tool kit some duck tape, WD-40, volt meter, and grease. Make sure you keep everything oiled or greased.

You forgot the instruction manual for your tool kit:
If it moves and shouldn't- Duct tape.
If it doesn't move and should- WD40 or grease.

[rhagfo]

gbopp wrote:

troubledwaters wrote:

1) Hitch it up, take it to the dealer, unhitch and drop it off. Come back a week later and repeat the whole process.

You're assuming the dealer will have it fixed in a week :@

Yea, right lucky if they even look at in a week!!
I am with BarneyS on this one, option #2, you will need to do minor repairs as an RVer! DON’T take the whole trailer back to dealer might be the end of the season before you get back!!!

[DavidP]

shum02 wrote:
My DW took one of my rear ones off on a railway crossing after not being able to get it up all the way and just drove it the way it was.

Sheared it right off. Easy-peasy it's removed!

delete

[shum02]

My DW took one of my rear ones off on a railway crossing after not being able to get it up all the way and just drove it the way it was.

Sheared it right off. Easy-peasy it's removed!

Used and carry self tapping lag screws to put these and a few other items back on. $50/pair for scissor type levelers on sale. Cheaper than dragging it to the dealer.

[Jebby14]

DM6156 wrote:

BarneyS wrote:
I think you will find that the warranties are generally useless most of the time. You are far better off learning to become your own RV mechanic and doing run of the mill repairs yourself. I would go with option #2. 🙂
Barney

indeed, that is most viable option. Just didn't expect to be doing any repairs, let alone repairs myself, after only 2 months and 1 trip of ownership.

guessing you didn't do much homework before buying? shake down period on the garbage they sell now combined with poor dealer service is no secret

[Jebby14]

take it off, get a new one for free and put it back on. also put some basic tools in the camper.

[ependydad]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Take the old one off yourself so you can transport the camper. Then take the camper back to your dealer and let warranty pay for the replacement.

This is what I would do.

[SoundGuy]

BarneyS wrote:
I think you will find that the warranties are generally useless most of the time. You are far better off learning to become your own RV mechanic and doing run of the mill repairs yourself. I would go with option #2. 🙂

DM6156 wrote:
indeed, that is most viable option. Just didn't expect to be doing any repairs, let alone repairs myself, after only 2 months and 1 trip of ownership.

Welcome to the world of RV ownership. :W

[mbopp]

#2 & forget about billing them.

[ScottG]

Unless you have a Northwood product, they are normally just screwed on so I would remove it.
NW see's fit to weld them on for some reason.

[1995brave]

Include in your tool kit some duck tape, WD-40, volt meter, and grease. Make sure you keep everything oiled or greased.

[gbopp]

troubledwaters wrote:

1) Hitch it up, take it to the dealer, unhitch and drop it off. Come back a week later and repeat the whole process.

You're assuming the dealer will have it fixed in a week :@