Newmar Grand Star Oh-Oh

[JimMawJake]

Let us start out saying that we love our Newmar Grand Star, but we have found out there may be a major problem. We bought our 08 Grand Star in Michigan last october and promptly drove it to our leased site which is perfectly level. Starting on the road yesterday we stopped at Distant Drums campground in Camp Verde. The site was almost level except for slightly low in the rear. Using our Power Gear auto levelers I brought it to level and then discovered we couldn't open the door of the coach. Finally we had to drop it back on the wheels and turn off the refrigerator. We called Newmar this morning and were told to take it to a servicing dealer. We called World Wide RV in Mesa for an appointment and were told by the service manager there is a problem with the Grand Stars. They had been working on one for a month and couldn't fix it.

We have an appointment to go to Mesa on Tuesday and they are going to try their best but warned us there is a major (major is my feeling) problem and we may have to take is back to the factory for a total fix.

We didn't have any plans to drive over 2000 miles for warranty work and really don't want to spend that kind of money for the gas, let alone the the time.

If any one has any ideas, we're listening.

[JimMawJake]

Let us start out saying that we love our Newmar Grand Star, but we have found out there may be a major problem. We bought our 08 Grand Star in Michigan last october and promptly drove it to our leased site which is perfectly level. Starting on the road yesterday we stopped at Distant Drums campground in Camp Verde. The site was almost level except for slightly low in the rear. Using our Power Gear auto levelers I brought it to level and then discovered we couldn't open the door of the coach. Finally we had to drop it back on the wheels and turn off the refrigerator. We called Newmar this morning and were told to take it to a servicing dealer. We called World Wide RV in Mesa for an appointment and were told by the service manager there is a problem with the Grand Stars. They had been working on one for a month and couldn't fix it.

We have an appointment to go to Mesa on Tuesday and they are going to try their best but warned us there is a major (major is my feeling) problem and we may have to take is back to the factory for a total fix.

We didn't have any plans to drive over 2000 miles for warranty work and really don't want to spend that kind of money for the gas, let alone the the time.

If any one has any ideas, we're listening.

[rebelsbeach]

Post moved to Newmar from MH-Generic Forum.....

[Route 66]

JimMawJake, WELCOME to iRV2.

I suggest a call to Newmar Customer Service.

800.731.8300

["007"]

Welcome JimMawJake to the Newmar Forum and irv2.
When you level on the level surface does your door bind or only when you have to over extend for unlevel surface front or rear.
Look under the main chassis carring rails and see if the frame was extended with larger C channels welded to chassis frame. Check the weld points if thats the case.

[GaryKD]

Hi Jim and welcome to iRV2.

Power Gear levelers on the Grand Star are having problems. Dirk's suggestion is a good one. Also call Power Gear directly. The problems all seem to be connected to the "brain" that controls the levelers. We have some Grand Stars in our NKK club chapters. I've had a round or two with the owners trying to help them out of a jam. As of a month ago the fix had not been determined.

[soricobob]

I think the suggestions made are good ones. The next suggestion I would make, drive to Tucson, and see Joseph at La Mesa RV. I had my coach "serviced" at World Wide, and then went to La Mesa, Tucson; it saved me a trip to the factory!

[Magic]

Hi Jim,
Let me second moving your RV from World Wide. Last year I had a cracked cabinet and they had 2 1/2 months while I was in the area to get a new one. They, after a month and a half additted they forgot to order it DAVE

[JimMawJake]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GaryKD:
Hi Jim and welcome to iRV2.

Power Gear levelers on the Grand Star are having problems. Dirk's suggestion is a good one. Also call Power Gear directly. The problems all seem to be connected to the "brain" that controls the levelers. We have some Grand Stars in our NKK club chapters. I've had a round or two with the owners trying to help them out of a jam. As of a month ago the fix had not been determined. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hello Gary KD
We are members of the Newmar Klub (18518) but not familiar with using the Klubs services. Could you tell us how to access the information you referred to in your response to our posting?
Thank you,
Jim, Mary Ann, and Toby

[GaryKD]

Whe you took delivery, of the coach, there should have been a considerable amount of books and manuals. The Newmar customer service number is 800-731-8300. You will need your coach number (from your bill of sale) or the last 5 digits of your vehicle identification number (from your state vehicle registration).

Included in the documentation should be a book or manual from Power Gear. Their contact number should be in that documentation.

My comments mean nothing when contacting either of these companies. The source of my information is the owners I have helped get out of jams. They have called Newmar and Power Gear about their problems. Both were trained on how to put the jacks into diagnostic mode and then reset the "brain". This usually gets the jacks to what ever position is required. The problem reoccurs when the jacks are called into action at the next CG.

As a last resort, if you are coming to the NKK International Rally (see the NKK Event Discussion thread) there will be factory techs at the rally servicing warranty problems. When you register, for the rally, your registration package will contain information on how to obtain warranty work. One must follow the instructions and register well in advance for warranty work. If you take this route, consider calling Newmar and encouraging them to bring a set of Power Gear electronics for your coach with them. If they do not have the parts, there will be no repair. The techs arrive with a huge 5ver full of parts.

[JimMawJake]

Thanks Gary, your post is the most useful we've received.
JMJ

[ISLAPP]

I'm just curious from reading these posts. Is this problem only when you try to level using auto mode? Can these jacks be used in a manual mode where you adjust one at a time?
Mike

[GaryKD]

ISLAPP,
The problems I've helped owners with are similar to computer problems. There are all kinds of symptoms. The bottom line is the jacks will not do what the owner wants done. I've never used the auto feature. All my experience is with the manual setting. If the jacks are to be stored, they may not. Or some will and some will not. Extending all the jacks and then trying to store sometimes different jacks will and will not store than in the previous attempt. If trying to level, sometimes nothing happens. Sometimes some jacks extend and others do not.

In all situations, the jack control panel looks like a Christmas tree. Lights blinking all over the place. Looking in the manual, the pattern of blinking lights never matches the choices in the trouble shooting section of the manual.

["007"]

The AUTO feature used on uneven terrain has cracked many a windshield. Use the manual way of lowering of the jacks.