tent ends of Hybrids.
Ok… for anyone with tent issues…first my story… I have a 2013 Kodiak 210 ES by Dutchmen. On our last trip out, the stitching was coming out of the tent end where it mounts to the camper. We took it to camping world (place we bought it) and was told the tent ends need replaced. I’m looking at over $1200 for this repair) The camper is 2 years old and there is no way this should happen. So we’ve been back and forth with Keystone/Dutchmen and so far they have offered up to pay 50% of the parts but no labor. So I told Keystone at this point I don’t know what I’m paying 50% of as I had not received a quote. Lisa at Keystone told me the least expensive tent end is $250 and most expensive is $450. I said ok, so I’m looking at paying ½ of $500 - $900? Which she confirmed. Now I get the call from Camping World, and am told the parts alone are $660 each end. I said that’s funny, I just got off the phone with Keystone and told her what they told me. There was silence on the other end and I said, so there’s a markup on parts, huh? The service writer confirmed that as well… I’m also looking at about 4-6 hours in labor at $100+/hour…so $1800+ for this repair. As you know I’m not a happy camper!
PS I picked it from camping world without being repaired this past Friday as we are headed to the Adirondacks this Thursday (7/2) figured I put tarps over the tent ends to help keep rain out….
Now…for all you hybrid owners… while cleaning out all the electric appliances (toaster, George Forman, etc.) and searching for the dogs rabies records, I found the tent manufacturer in my owner’s manual. So I called Top Stitch Inc. in Elkhart Indiana. I spoke to a wonderful woman named Candy… when I told her what was going on, before I could say it was the corners, she asked if it was the corners. I confirmed… so here is her explanation. The J-Lock failed because the bunk board is not adjusted correctly. The tents are not made to handle the weight of people, so my cables either stretched or it was assembled incorrectly. If I were to replace the tent ends and not adjust the cable they would fail again. NOW the best part…. It will cost me, $158 + shipping one way to remove the tent ends, Top Stitch will sew new J-lock on and send them back in 2-3 days of receiving. That’s quite a difference from the $1800+ I was looking at.
So if your tents are starting to fail, bypass the manufacturer of the unit and go straight to the tent manufacturer.
In April of this year, the roof membrane glue failed and I had a big air pillow on top of the camper… as a good will gesture, Keystone said they will reimburse me for ½ of that bill, which was $400.
So now the technical question I’m not sure how to remove the tent end from the bunk, removing from inside of the camper is a snap, it’s just a few screws and all set… the tent end is attached “permanently” attached. I’m currently at work and have not had a chance to look it over…
PS I picked it from camping world without being repaired this past Friday as we are headed to the Adirondacks this Thursday (7/2) figured I put tarps over the tent ends to help keep rain out….
Now…for all you hybrid owners… while cleaning out all the electric appliances (toaster, George Forman, etc.) and searching for the dogs rabies records, I found the tent manufacturer in my owner’s manual. So I called Top Stitch Inc. in Elkhart Indiana. I spoke to a wonderful woman named Candy… when I told her what was going on, before I could say it was the corners, she asked if it was the corners. I confirmed… so here is her explanation. The J-Lock failed because the bunk board is not adjusted correctly. The tents are not made to handle the weight of people, so my cables either stretched or it was assembled incorrectly. If I were to replace the tent ends and not adjust the cable they would fail again. NOW the best part…. It will cost me, $158 + shipping one way to remove the tent ends, Top Stitch will sew new J-lock on and send them back in 2-3 days of receiving. That’s quite a difference from the $1800+ I was looking at.
So if your tents are starting to fail, bypass the manufacturer of the unit and go straight to the tent manufacturer.
In April of this year, the roof membrane glue failed and I had a big air pillow on top of the camper… as a good will gesture, Keystone said they will reimburse me for ½ of that bill, which was $400.
So now the technical question I’m not sure how to remove the tent end from the bunk, removing from inside of the camper is a snap, it’s just a few screws and all set… the tent end is attached “permanently” attached. I’m currently at work and have not had a chance to look it over…
