Quality control (again!)

[lcv800]

I had great luck with General RV in Huntley Il. last time with an emergency no repair service visit. Have an 18 point punch list before we go to Florida for 6 months (mainly all small items, other than a leaking airbag on my hitch, that I could probably fix myself), so we went back. Dropped it off yesterday. 2 weeks to wait for an appointment and promised back in less than a month (due to waiting for warranty approval). Keeping my fingers crossed.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by lcv800

I had great luck with General RV in Huntley Il. last time with an emergency no repair service visit. Have an 18 point punch list before we go to Florida for 6 months (mainly all small items, other than a leaking airbag on my hitch, that I could probably fix myself), so we went back. Dropped it off yesterday. 2 weeks to wait for an appointment and promised back in less than a month (due to waiting for warranty approval). Keeping my fingers crossed.

The waiting for warranty approval is what sticks in my craw. Four weeks seems to be the minimum turn around time, with six weeks not being uncommon. In my book that is unacceptable, then after they approve the warranty the dealer has to order parts, that is another 2-3 week wait, if the parts are readily available. You are now pushing two months plus with your rig not available for use. At my local CW there was one large 5ver in with the main slide pulled completely out, it spent over 6 months sitting in the dealer's bay waiting on warranty approval and parts. Hell it may still be there for all I know. Can't move it until it is fixed. If I were a dealer and had a bay tied up for that long I would be looking for a different line of product to be selling.


Aaron

[RVNevada]

Rusty We will see which one of our RV's get done first, since we both took them in Yesterday
LOL..

[Thom]

And don't forget, the "appointment" is just your drop off appointment, not when the tech finally looks at your rig, So take what Aaron said and add 1-2 weeks on the front end before any approval waiting game even starts.

[lcv800]

RVNevada, you're on! Winner gets a choice of "beverage". FYI., we have a lab also, "Ranger" (as well as two cats, Harley and Sadie that travel with us as well). The only thing that may jam me up was they "burnt" my paint when they buffed out my ramp. Hoping it comes out without a re-paint.
Rusty

[DesertRat]

Sure glad I didn't have any major warranty issues. Only thing that failed was the water pump. Why waste $ on fuel to take it to be repaired? They would only replace it with the cheap OEM it came with. I replaced it with a ShurFlo that cost way less then the fuel would have cost me to tow it to my dealer. Plus I have better &
quitter one that puts out more pressure & GPM then the junk OEM one.

[3wheeler]

Ditto on the water pump. Went camping 2 weeks ago and when I got set up and tried the water pump, it blew a fuse. It would run with a 20 amp fuse but sounded terrible. Got on my wifes smartphone and ordered a ShurFlo. Once I installed it, I couldn't believe how much quieter it is. Funny thing is, the shurflo was only about $13 higher than the offbrand pump that it came with. I believe if I was building a $50000+ rv, I would spring for the extra $13 and put a quality pump in it.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by 3wheeler

Ditto on the water pump. Went camping 2 weeks ago and when I got set up and tried the water pump, it blew a fuse. It would run with a 20 amp fuse but sounded terrible. Got on my wifes smartphone and ordered a ShurFlo. Once I installed it, I couldn't believe how much quieter it is. Funny thing is, the shurflo was only about $13 higher than the offbrand pump that it came with. I believe if I was building a $50000+ rv, I would spring for the extra $13 and put a quality pump in it.

$13 times 10,000 units is $130,000 that is profit and profits take priority! There actually are some manufacturers that take the time to research and put in dependable, more expensive things. But they are few and far between.

Just as an interesting side note; Airstreams are expensive, ranging from a low MSRP of ~$46,000 for the 16' Bambi up to ~$135,000 for Classic 31'. They still use a cheap POS two stage converter that will boil a battery dry in a heart beat. Last time I looked they were using a low end water pump too, not Shurflo. Profits baby, profits! Many of the same parts that are used by Dutchmen are used in Airstreams. How to you think those people feel?

Aaron

[Thom]

Well today makes day 234 out that my camper is in the shop for repairs of 312 days I have owned my 3950. here is my ever growing list of things that need to be or have been repaired:

2014 Voltage Model 3950 faults.pdf

I know I could have fixed Most of these issues myself but I decided early on in ownnership to make Dutchmen pay to fix it so I have stuck to that.

Sure wish Florida had a lemon law worth a when it comes to RV's.

[thompwil]

Thom, Your list looks a lot like mine with several of the same items. Ninety days total in the shop in the past nine months, and still trying to get legitimate items fixed that were noted at pre-delivery check out. My dealer is holding about a 30% success rate on repairs with many things they work on becoming even worse after they touched them. I think I've figured out what has happened though. When the factory advertised for "Craftsmen" their auto-correct changed it to "crackheads" and there you have it.

[Thom]

Originally Posted by thompwil

I think I've figured out what has happened though. When the factory advertised for "Craftsmen" their auto-correct changed it to "crackheads" and there you have it.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by Thom

Well today makes day 234 out that my camper is in the shop for repairs of 312 days I have owned my 3950. here is my ever growing list of things that need to be or have been repaired:

Attachment 2613

I know I could have fixed Most of these issues myself but I decided early on in ownership to make Dutchmen pay to fix it so I have stuck to that.

Sure wish Florida had a lemon law worth a when it comes to RV's.

Lets see have it out of service for 234 days of 321 & be frustrated or fix it myself & use it. I'll pick the fix it myself option.

[thompwil]

I chose to fix many problems myself when possible, some at my own expense. When expensive parts/repairs are involved, that changes the game.

[RVNevada]

So Far my RV has only been in the shop 2 times, I do fix most of the small items, adjust the door, adjust a drawer etc. The 2 times its been in the shop is (1) Water Pump, Recall on steps, (2) Side Plastic Molding Shrunk and came loose, All were replaced and changed to Rubber and I had one of the Jacks replaced due to a Leak. I have checked all the water lines and Electric connections, and made sure they were ok. I don't like the Lippert in wall Slide-out system, it to hard to get to the motors for repair or lube and a lot of others are having trouble with the system! I think we should do a class action on the Tires, since so many have had Blow outs, or just changed them early! We all know from our messages here, that Dutchman has NO qualified workers to build these RV's All you can hope for is your Dealer has qualified workers and they fight for you to get your repairs approved and the main thing is to get it back sooner!! I have had 5 RV's over 20 years, from Truck Camper to my Voltage and have been Lucky on most, but I am pissed off about how much MONEY we put into these RV's, just so we can have a couple nice days away from the every day BS we go thru. I have been Lucky, I haven't had to many Items go bad, that I wasn't able to repair, but I have friends, that have been, sometimes not able to get the RV back home until it can get repaired.....Some of you on this POST, have had too many items go bad and THOM has had his in the shop for 231 DAYS, is just WRONG, I wish I was younger, because I would start a business just for repairs, but I passed that time in my life....I'm glad that I have a good Dealer, who has repaired the 2 Items that would have cost me a few extra dollars. It just takes so long to get in for repairs and sooooo long to get approval.. That's enough said...For the time we enjoy our RV's Have a beer on me....

[Thom]

Does anyone know who makes the roof membrane on the toy haulers?
I just received word that Keystone is denying work on my roof for the two screws that are pushing up the membrane (items 8 & 54 on my list) because they have not penitrated the roof membrane. I was told by Keystone not to worry though because the roof has a 12 year warrenty on the membrane.
I already see how this is going to play out... When I finally do have the penitration, it will be denied by roof manufacturer because it was not a defective membrane that failed, and of course Keystone will say... we are sorry, but your 1 year warrenty ran out because your unit was in repair shop for over 200 days....
The other part that bothers me is what part do those screws play in the integrity of the roof trusses (stringers is probably more accurate) as they are about 2 feet apart from each other.

[lcv800]

I'm thinking I'd make sure there was penetration before my warranty is up. Although I imagine they will only patch and not replace so maybe not a good idea. Perhaps you lay patch or sealant on it?
Rusty

[wahoonc]

Probably the Carlisle/Dicor stuff. it is most likely a TPO, but that is about all I can tell you. It isn't too hard to fix. Just back the screws out (I assume they probably didn't hit anything or are stripped) and slap a piece of eternabond on them. Is it done right from the factory? Oh Hell No, but with the eternabond at least it will be fixed and done with.

Aaron

[Thom]

Originally Posted by lcv800

I'm thinking I'd make sure there was penetration before my warranty is up. Although I imagine they will only patch and not replace so maybe not a good idea. Perhaps you lay patch or sealant on it?
Rusty

That is what was done during my PDI but Keystone made my new repair center remove the sealant to inspect for the (lack of) penetration, don't know if they reapplied it yet.

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Probably the Carlisle/Dicor stuff. it is most likely a TPO, but that is about all I can tell you. It isn't too hard to fix. Just back the screws out (I assume they probably didn't hit anything or are stripped) and slap a piece of eternabond on them. Is it done right from the factory? Oh Hell No, but with the eternabond at least it will be fixed and done with.

Aaron

Thanks for the info, and of course reading their warranty info, I was right on how this will play out:

4.Seller shall not be responsible for the structural integrity of the roof.
5. Seller will not be responsible for any damages incurred as a result of a structural failure.

[TomW]

Desert rat.
Looking at your list of issues. My bedroom side exhibited the same traits as yours. The techs discovered that the inside lower carpet skirt on the slide was catching on the floor carpet, 1" off the skirt with a table saw pretty much fixed the problem with the lower edge sticking out when the slide is in.. Just sayin'

[DesertRat]

TomW
Mine doesn't have any issues, well Major issues that is. Worst thing on mine was leaking water pump. I replaced that even though warranty would have covered it.
You were looking at Thom with the issues.