[Updated] Wow...Delam on New Jayco Eagle

[pbohart]

[See Updated At The Bottom Of This Post]

Last summer I purchased a 2012 Jayco Eagle 314BDS.

I am still within year one of the two year warranty.

I was sitting by the campfire over memorial day weekend when I noticed some tiny bubbles in the fiberglass right below the rain gutter that spans across the top of the outdoor kitchen.

It certainly appears as if one of the screws that mounts the rain gutter is leaking - and water has dribbled down between the kitchen and the read bathroom door and caused some minor delam. I have read several threads here about this happening on Keystone trailers (Cougar and Outback) but never on a Jayco.

Before folks bash Jayco and/or anyone alters their purchasing plans - couple things to mention:

1. Jayco is jumping in to take care of the issue. They mentioned they would look at everything from repairing the damaged fiberglass and drying it out to repalcing the entire side wall. Since we are talking about a very small area (6'' x 2'' area) and since there is no dry rot (caught it very early) I would prefer the repair option vs. ripping apart my entire trailer...but they will get it back to new condition - this they gaurantee.

2. When I orginally got the trailer a couple of the rain gutters were not level and this resulted in water not flowing properly to the downspouts. It is possible that the leak was created by the dealer repairing the gutter vs. a Jayco manufacturing error....but we'll never know.


I will keep folks updated here on the repair and my experience dealing with Jayco. If nothing else we can use this as a data point to guage customer commitment of Jayco and experience with a fiarly significant issue with a product under warranty.


AND - YOU NEED TO THOROUGHLY CHECK YOUR TRAILER FOR LEAKS SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR!!!! EVEN IF IT IS BRAND NEW!!!

There...I have done my public service for the day 😉

[Udpate]

I just got a call from CampingWorld who is the Jayco authorized reapair facility in my area.

Jayco authorized repair of the damaged fiberglass and repair of the leak (obviously).

CW believes they can repair the damage so that it is almost unnoticeable...but admits that since the fiberglass is textured it is possible that the repair could be noticeable if you get the light just right.

The only other option is to replace the entire sidewall - essentially ripping the trailer apart.

Since the area is so small I am not thrilled about a body/repair shop attempting to replicate what the Jayco factory is designed to do...so I feel like the repair is the only valid option...but I am not thrilled with the idea of a noticeable repair. I am not anal...but worry about diminished value if I have to explain to a potential buyer what happened.

Anyway...I am going to get the work done. Just kind of wish I hadnt had to.

[limbery]

thib2722 wrote:
Even new units could have defects. That's why they have warranties. I don't know about you guys, but I've owned MANY new cars, and I've never had one that didn't have to go back to the dealer for adjustment and repair. Anytime you build something so complicated and complex, there will be issues.

Gee, I've owned five new cars and the only one I've had warranty work will be me current one I bought three months ago.... I guess until now I've been lucky...(BTW, this is the first new North American built car I've ever owned)

[pbohart]

Anyone have any experience with this type of repair?

[BarneyS]

LeBout wrote:
Snip... Problem is...if something comes up now, there's now no TT division of Fleetwood to go back to. I'm on my own.

I suspect that with a 5 year old trailer you would be on your own anyway.
Barney

[LeBout]

Frankly this issue of delamination was one of the things that gave me pause before buying our present TT. But I heard that Fleetwood had a good reputation for excellent builds. Problem is...if something comes up now, there's now no TT division of Fleetwood to go back to. I'm on my own.

[thib2722]

Even new units could have defects. That's why they have warranties. I don't know about you guys, but I've owned MANY new cars, and I've never had one that didn't have to go back to the dealer for adjustment and repair. Anytime you build something so complicated and complex, there will be issues.

[pbohart]

Seriously - I was lucky that the water damage was right in plain sight, on the side of the trailer that where I normally sit, right at eye level.

Had it been on the back side, hidden by a slide, high up, etc. - the damage could have been MUCH worse before I noticed.

[Roadrash450]

pbohart wrote:


AND - YOU NEED TO THOROUGHLY CHECK YOUR TRAILER FOR LEAKS SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR!!!! EVEN IF IT IS BRAND NEW!!!

There...I have done my public service for the day 😉

This statement should be a manditory pop up everytime someone visits RV.net

[Bird_Freak]

Glad to see they are stepping up and taking care of it.

[certified106]

Sorry to hear about your frustration with the leak but it can happen to any of the hundreds of great camper brands. Sounds like they are going to make it right and their customer service is right on top of it though so that is extremely positive!

[brirene]

Jayco has that reputation for excellent customer service. Keep us posted, I'm sure they'll make you happy.