My fiance and I are thrilled to be part of the camping community! We've been thinking about buying a camper for years, and we finally did! A 2015 Viking V12RBST from Stoltzfus in West Chester, PA. We decided to buy from this company because it is employee owned, and we respect that. We picked up our camper last Saturday and saw a puddle in our driveway Saturday afternoon, from the white water tank.... we called and Stoltzfus said they would fix it because it's under warranty! What?! We just left from the lot!!Well, we went camping with it this past weekend.... and we loved it! Until... the rain was under our mattress and dripping from the A-frame onto the floor. There was condensation around the door, puddling on the floor, and there was condensation all along the frame. We were heartbroken and had to sleep on the dinette. We spoke with our credit card company, and we can dispute the purchase. Stoltzfus says they will fix the issue, but we are skeptical. Why would they ever sell this to us?! Are these issues even fixable? Should we just start the dispute process now?Can anyone give us some advice on what to do? Is this condensation normal? Should there be ANY condensation? Thank you for any help you can give...Marion

DID you do a predelivery inspection where everything was checked BEFORE you paid?

Considering it's brand new, yes! Take it back to the dealer and see what can be done.

We did an inspection yes, but the leak from the tank is a slow, slow drip and the garage where we did the inspection was wet due to the filling of the tank, etc. And the condensation and leaking happened during the rain, so we couldn't see that prior to purchase. We trusted that a new product meant it would be new, no issues. The credit card company said we can dispute and get them to take it back, but we want to have it fixed. Is the leaking problem under the mattress fixable? Is some condensation normal?

Getting mad at the dealer who sold it is not fair. They did not build it and have not even been given the chance to fix it yet. Give them a chance to make it right, if they can't, then you have reason to be mad.

The dealer you bought it from didn't sell it to you that way on purpose and you know they didn't know there was anything wrong with it. They just sell what the manufacturer delivers.RV's are mostly junk and they have stuff wrong with them. So just let them fix it and enjoy camping.

Help Stoltzfus in PA sold us a brand new leaking camper!

Mardevmitch
Explorer
Jul 09, 2015
Hey Doug33. It didn't make sense to us either.... part of me feels they knew... but I'm trying not to be negative. We got a call from the GM early this am saying that the camper is still leaking.... he offered us several different options, one of which was to return it. We are grateful that this won't turn into a credit card dispute, and we are planning to purchase an Aliner instead.
Doug33
Explorer
Jul 09, 2015
How in the world did this just happen after you bought it?? Chances are the unit was sitting on the dealer's lot for at least a few weeks, during which it must have rained. This just makes no sense.
Mardevmitch
Explorer
Jul 09, 2015
Haha. True rjxj. I tent camped this past weekend at Lakota Wolf Preserve in NJ. It rained, and I was dry in my REI tent. I hope I can say the same for the camper in the future.... I've always been a backpacker, but I figured now that I"m over 40, I'd try a camper. The $10K pop up feels like a mansion in comparison, just wish it went smoothly. I guess I'll learn as I go. Thanks to everyone who has helped us along with all the useful info.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jul 09, 2015
You will see condensation. There should not be leaks.
azrving
Explorer
Jul 09, 2015
You should expect to see leaks???? Yeah what the heck do you want for $10,000? Do you mean you actually want to sleep in there without water dripping on your forehead? Pull the covers over your head and stop being a sissy!!!!

Tell those idiots that you would have saved $10,000 and bought a tent.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2015
Mardevmitch wrote:
We'll be picking up the trailer tomorrow from Stoltzfus. We're a bit worried because today we spoke with the GM and found out that they never did the pressure test. They said they don't have the machine that can do that, and most dealers don't use the machines because they don't work well anyway. They said they use a hose to complete the pressure test, basically just spraying the camper. They also said we should expect to see some water when there is a heavy rain. Does this sound accurate to anyone?
I expect to see water every time it rains. But not inside my camper! Pressure test works well on some campers but not all.
To answer you question from a previous post ( I can' believe they did not pressure test it before delivery) Who would you like to pay for the time it takes to do that? Your looking at a few hours to hook up and seal and most of the time their are no leaks.
Mardevmitch
Explorer
Jul 08, 2015
We'll be picking up the trailer tomorrow from Stoltzfus. We're a bit worried because today we spoke with the GM and found out that they never did the pressure test. They said they don't have the machine that can do that, and most dealers don't use the machines because they don't work well anyway. They said they use a hose to complete the pressure test, basically just spraying the camper. They also said we should expect to see some water when there is a heavy rain. Does this sound accurate to anyone?
myrvhasnotv
Explorer
Jul 07, 2015
In 2011, 2012 & 2015 we purchased brand new TT's and every time it's been a hassle. Our 2015 had a leaky slide roof among other issues and the TT's before it have had issues. These TT's (IMO) are not but together all that well or to a tight tolerance. It takes a lot of effort, interaction and keeping an eye on things to keep them in good working order. Remember, the dealer did not make the roof leak that's the manufacturer's fault. Hopefully the dealer will be there for you.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jul 07, 2015
Mardevmitch wrote:
We brought the trailer back to the dealer, and they did a pressure test because I insisted, thanks to someone on this forum. They found several major leaks, not condensation. They are replacing the seals now, and we they have been apologetic and timely. We are hoping that the fix goes smoothly. I just wonder why they wouldn't have done this test prior to our purchase? Now I know to ask....

And, beemerhpile1, these forums are designed for consumers to know who and what they're dealing with. If "slamming" a dealer is stating a fact that a brand new trailer is leaking all over the place then so be it, but I think the consumer has the right to know what they're dealing with. If Stolzfus handles this and fixes it, as they should, then the people on these forums will see that and know that they are a good company.

You owed it to the dealer to give them the opportunity to correct the issues before slandering their name and reputation. It is unethical to slam them for not fixing something they weren't aware of and never had the opportunity to correct.

Have you ever purchased a car that required warrantee work? Would it be fair to criticize the dealer for not fixing something before they have even had the opportunity to fix it?
falconbrother
Explorer II
Jul 07, 2015
Glad you got this fixed. One thing I've learned about RV-ing in 26 years is that stuff happens. Leaks will happen and can always be fixed. I would forget about it at this point and start camping, having fun, cooking over the fire, etc.. If you do this long enough you'll have another leak someday. Be happy..