Did I Buy a Dutchmen LEMON?

[dreamoffields]

Since purchasing a new 2014 Denali 34' TT from Camping World (CW), I've had major issues. During the first 12 months, rig has been at CW for over 3 months total for repairs. This being my first new rig, I'm wondering if I got a poorly designed and manufactured unit. Below issues (save the tire blowout) have been covered under my initial 1 year Mfr Warranty or my extended warranty. Here's my issues to date:

• Main Air Conditioner not cooling x 3 repair requests (Unit eventually replaced)
• Brake seals leaking -- although I made x 2 repair requests before travel, at 3rd repair request, CW discovered I had driven to AZ and back to Texas with no Brakes (complete brake system repaired)
• Black Water valve won't open/close x4 repair requests (valve cables and fittings eventually replaced)
• Shower floor had no support (floor supports installed)
• Bedroom Window Leak x 3 repair requests (window removed and resealed)
• Stove - 2 Gas jets improperly installed and melted plastic fittings (two burner units replaced)
• High Rise Pullout Faucet /Hose Mounting Insecure - no fix available
• Awning x 3 repair requests (lubricated and adjusted x 3; still sticks on deployment)
• Pleated Nightshades broken (off site repair)
• Cavern Baggage Compartment Slam Latches can't open x 2 repair requests (adjusted)
• Akuret ST225/75R15 Tire Blowout resulting $1,500 underbelly and skirt damage (tires were 12-14 months old at purchase per DOT dates); Although I provided all required photos (DOT #s, Date codes, and tire damage) and Lionshead told me I didn't have to actually submit the tire (pics would suffice) they did not honor their warranty so I replaced all four tires at my expense
  
• Currently rig is at CW x 1-2 months for following repairs:
  • Dinette/Living Room Slide x 3 repair requests (lubed x2 by Camping World; lack of complete diagnosis and early repair resulted in full catastrophic failure of entire Swintek slide rail and motor system); parts now on order -- must wait 6 -8 weeks to receive due to Lippert manufacturing backlog
  • Result: I'm now unable to make a 2 month trip I've planned for over 6 months while CW deals with warranty approvals and gets back-ordered slide parts.
    
  • Grey Water tank and valve obstruction caused by manufacturing debris (valve cables and fittings replaced)
  • Refrigerator Exhaust Valve Obstructed - Major safety issue; caused heat buildup damage to adjacent cabinet walls (obstruction cleared, vent sealed and insulation packing installed)

As new rig owner, who do I speak with at Dutchmen to lodge a complaint? What resolution can I expect/demand?

Any ideas greatly appreciated. Unhappy in Texas.

[wahoonc]

Sounds about average for the warranty repair times. Good luck finding anyone at Dutchmen to talk to, much less respond.

The stove issue I believe was covered under a recall. The tires are a known issue and you have to take it up with the tire manufacturer, but I have yet to hear of anyone getting satisfaction on that.

The way Dutchmen warranty works: you take the unit into a dealer, the dealer writes up the warranty and submits it to Dutchmen. They allow or deny; if allowed the dealer has to order parts, then when the parts arrive, they schedule the install. From what I gather the average turn around time from write up to answer is 2-3 weeks. In the meantime your unit sits. If Dutchmen only allows part of the warranty the process may start over. Your only hope is that you have a good dealer that will go to bat for you. If not it is a painful process.

Good luck on getting things worked out. And it isn't just Dutchmen. ALL manufacturers seem to have issues, I think because of the volume that Dutchmen puts out, as well as their apparent lack of QC that they may have a few more issues than some other brands.

Aaron

[sundancer 87]

Did you buy a Dutchman lemon, nah, you just bought an RV that was built, inspected and tested by blind employees and backed by a company that believes a dealer and the consumer will make repairs as needed.
You can't make lemonade out of crap..............

[azdryheat]

Welcome to the club.

[ewacowboy]

No, I don't think you purchased a lemon. I believe all of us have had issues under warranty. Mine just expired this week (one year) and I think I finally got everything addressed/fixed. I have heard issues with some CW repair facilities. Maybe you can find another Keystone dealer that will do a better job. That's what we finally did and we're happy with their work. It's a frustrating experience. If you let it bother you then you'll never go out and have fun with your new coach. Hopefully all the issues will be resolved and you can maintain the rest as time permits. Remember, these are houses on wheels that roll and bend so a bit of maintenance will be required. I hope you can start enjoying your efforts soon.

[Camper2b]

I could make a long boring list of stuff I've fixed myself so I won't! Did a thorough walk through before deal was made and a list of things were adresses before I took procession. Since then, I've made all other repairs.... hopefully, the bugs are worked out... I do keep a close watch on the high tech slideout components

[cmarkj]

Dutchman, lemon, same thing. The only difference is that most dutchmans are not yellow.
I was just in another country 700 miles away from home and the on the rod that pushes out my dining slide had the weld break where it attaches to the slide bracket. I bought it last year NEW. Well, low and behold, this had already been repaired at least once before I bought it. Just another thing from the get go that was wrong from the factory. Incomplete plumbing that the mfg would not believe even with pictures, bad closures, bad furnace, the list goes on. I should have listened to my inner self and not bought a Dutchman. Most of all this could have and would have been overlooked if the mfg gave even one iota about their customers, but alas, they don't. Good luck with your lemon.

[RVNevada]

I think your like the rest of us, I have had a Truck Camper, 24ft Trailer, 32ft Montana, 39ft Fuzion and now the 43ft Voltage over 20 years, because these RV's have to ride on our nice roads, that we pay Gas Tax on.....which even kill me when we drive, things are going to come loose, break, etc. Most of us fix what we can and try to enjoy the fun times and NOT let everything get to us, time is to short and I think of the times, when your sitting in the clean air, looking at the sights, having a cold one, and saying THIS is the life...Good Luck on your repairs, I hope things work out for you.....