Warranty or not??

[wowens79]

As we were packing to leave the campground tonight my daughter put her knee in the middle of the dinette cushion to close the blinds, and had all her weight on that knee, and the "plywood" under the cushion gave way. I haven't looked to see if there was a support piece missing/broken. I figured I'd dive into it next weekend.

The camper is new, less than 6 months old. Is this something the warranty should cover?? It's a 2016 Heritage Glen 29BH.

I honestly have very little confidence in my dealer, and think I could do a better repair myself.

What would y'all do?? My wife wants me to fix it, and replace all the wood on the top of the dinette seats.

[hohenwald48]

djgarcia wrote:


Call your extended Warranty policy call center. If you question your dealer, stay far away or check for other RV dealers, call them and then go talk with the manager face to face. Go to RV.net and ask other RVer's about repair facilities in your area.

Very few people make the mistake of purchasing an extended warranty and the OP made no mention of it. I think he was talking about the manufacturers warranty.

I would make the repair myself. I've owned 10 RVs and not a single one has ever been back to the dealer for anything. If I have a problem with an OEM component I call that manufacturer and they have never failed to provide me with needed parts under warranty. If I have a problem with the RV itself I can always do a better repair job than the "tech" at any dealer. I'm sure there are some good ones out there but I've never met him.

[12thgenusa]

Same thing happened to me, put a knee right through it. The manufacturer had just used the same Luan that is on the walls. I replaced both seats with tempered hardboard (Masonite). Easy-peasy.

[bid_time]

I would replace it myself. The thing is it probably broke because it is not thick enough. And if you use a thicker piece it won't be flat across the top, it will stick up that extra thickness. So I would use the same thickness but reinforce it on the bottom side by either bonding another piece of plywood to the bottom (but smaller all around then the original so it still lays even), or putting some stiffeners on the bottom.

[mtofell1]

Another vote for fixing yourself - and it's a good time to build it better. I'd use thicker plywood and/or skin the other areas so this doesn't happen again. I can totally see how that would break in that situation. Among the numerous ways these trailers are cheaply made.

[fla-gypsy]

For sure do it your self and improve it. Won't cost but a few bucks and much better then dealing with a dealer over a minor issue

[colliehauler]

I would also replace the thin plywood on the other side while I was at it. I have seen them use Luan for dinette and bottoms of bunks. You don't have to go overboard either. Just the next step up from what you have in it now. For a fee they will cut it to size where you purchase it.

[MFL]

I found that using heavier plywood under cushion, was not the problem, but adding a couple extra supports, that were sturdier worked well. I also used L-shaped brackets, with screws, for attachment.

Good luck,
Jerry

[BuckyBadger]

Smart thinking of fixing it your self.

[wowens79]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts. I'll fix it myself. It will be easier, and definatley quicker.

We had a popup for 9 years before this TT, and we never had any issues with it. This thing is definatley not built as well.

And it's not an extended warranty issue, it is only 5 months old.

[gbopp]

Fix it yourself.

If the warranty does cover it, the RV will sit at the dealers for weeks or months. When you pick it up it will not be repaired or, poorly repaired. And, there may be other damage from sitting on the dealers lot.

You'll be frustrated and upset with the dealer.

Then you'll fix it yourself and do it right. 🙂

[colliehauler]

What would I do? I would get a piece of plywood and fix it. Thicker then the one that broke. No way would I waste my time taking it back to a dealer for minor things.

[TUCQUALA]

Where did the OP ever state anything about an extended warranty??? He's asking about the factory warranty on a 6 mo old unit!!! SHEESH!!!!

[kalynzoo]

I would fix it myself. On a new RV I would write the manufacturer and tell them about the flaw, what I found and how I affected a repair. If they wish to reimburse you for your efforts so much the better. The extended warranty will have a $50 to 100 deductible. The repair should be less than that. The dealer, who you are not comfortable with, will keep the RV to a couple of weeks until some general tech has time to make a repair, and perhaps repair rather than replacing the offending wood. I'd guess that there was a void in the X grade plywood. Replacing with a nice grade Baltic ply will certainly be an improvement you can be comfortable with. Happy Trails.

[coolmom42]

IMHO it is a factory defect, the seat should be sturdy enough to hold a person's entire weight plus some.

But not worth the hassle of taking it back to the dealer. Just cut some new bases out of plywood. And check the construction on the beds and bunks while you are at it. They probably could use some help.