Coach Moulding Strip/Cargo Doors.

cmanno · 04-04-2009, 09:27 PM

It has been a week since we picked up our coach.

There are a lot of little things that Mike can fix quickly on the coach but then there is things like the moulding strip on the D/S that is not strait it is up and down and looks terrible, the moulding strip on the P/S is not as bad as the D/S but it is not strait.

All of the bay doors are crooked and need adjustment.

Has anyone else had this problem? (with the moulding strip) How did you fix it! I would like to get some input on the best way to take care of this problem.

Also the right hand top corner of the black wall at the back of the smart bed on the P/S is hitting the water tank, the bed is also slightly askew when it is closing. The top corner of the back smart bed wall is damaged from this happening. What would be the best way to fix this problem.

Is it possible to get a replacement back wall for the smart bed?

Also there is very little heat comming out of the dash board heater. The blower works fine. Any ideas on what may be wrong?

Since we got the coach and drove it home the little covers that cover the screws on the dash and window posts have fallen out. We picked up some screw covers in beige at Lowes tomarrow will see if they are a good replacement.

Yesterday Mike also noticed that we have a flat tire.

We also had a leak because of improper sealing around the solar panel which caused the vinyl cealing to delaminate, and we also had to replace the windshield.

We are a little upset and wonder what other things could be wrong with the coach. Did we got a lemon.

Thanks
Carol
2008 40' FDQS

Ted III · 04-05-2009, 07:47 AM

Have you considered discussing these issues with your dealer or was it a private purchase or auction or whatever? Have you no recourse with the seller?

cmanno · 04-05-2009, 07:52 AM

Hi Ted & Carol,

We purchased the coach as is.

JWT · 04-05-2009, 10:39 AM

I don't know about the smart bed doors, but the regular bay doors have a adjustment side to side. On the upper top where the doors are hung, in the middle there is a plastic block with a screw,you can move your doors horizonally. On the heater you might check to see if the ducts are connected to the vents on the dash. I used a drop of super glue on some of my screw covers. Hope this helps you.

EngineerMike · 04-05-2009, 11:45 AM

The rear wall of the smart bed is either plywood or particle board (I have both) and can be cut down to miss colliding w/the water tank. I presume it is actually hitting the angle iron support piece that hangs lowest? That too might be adjustable upward, probably by cutting it w/a hacksaw if it is longer than needed.
Hope you got a great deal.
Are you a member of ACA yet?

dgerstel · 04-05-2009, 10:27 PM

I have found that our moulding, panels, doors etc need adjustment on our coach. I have looked and think that they are all fixable. I plan to do this my self when I get a chance.

As to the rear panel of the smart bed I would follow EMikes advice.

I have found that if the dash fan is set on low when driving at highway speeds there is very little air flow. This is due to no air flow thru the nose cap and the air flow off of the cap at speed. If you are getting no flow when sitting still, I would check the ducting under the dash, look for crimped or tubing that is too long and bunched, or as John said, connected.

I always use a small dab of silicone sealer to hold on screw covers, as I want to be able to remove them when I might have to remove the screws in the future.

I had the same problems with improper sealing on many things on the roof. I have since resealed them all.

After fixing these problems I have had very few since. I think that you would find that most new coaches have many problems and then are as trouble free as any house on wheels can be.

cmanno · 04-06-2009, 09:43 AM

Thanks John & Greta for your help. Mike plans to work on the coach next weekend.
We have a list of things that need to be fixed. He plans to get the small things that dont take long done first.

Carol

cmanno · 04-06-2009, 10:07 AM

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it. We know that it is going to take some time to work out all the bugs with our new coach. We are still learning about all the different systems. It is nice to know that we can get in touch with other Alpine Coach owners if we need help. We plan to become members I have mailed in my membership form.

Carol

cmanno · 04-06-2009, 10:21 AM

Thanks Dale for your input. it is much appreciated. I feel a lot better today knowing that if we need help there are nice folks like you and the other Alpine owners who are there to help. I think we have the same thing in common we love our Alpine. Mike loves the way the coach drives. Dispite all the problems which I know we will get fixed we can not think of another coach that we would want.

Carol

EngineerMike · 04-06-2009, 12:25 PM

Carol- reason I asked re: ACA is that with your member number you can email Mark Harrah, formerly w/WRV's tech support staff to get info on repair of PDI issues. He works at another RV mfgr now, but also at that outfit is Izzy, former head of the PDI specialist squad @ WRV. Izzy got our DS molding trim (mostly) straightened out. It was wacky from the factory. I believe they shimmed out the coach pieces, as the slide pieces are sort of necessarily fixed where they rivet to the slide frame trim. Shimming the coach sections out is easier and not that difficult if Mike is handy w/metal.
ACA pays Mark to sift the institutional memory for solutions of this type as a member benefit.