Fleetwood Quality

[gdetty]

I got back into camping just two years ago by buying a 2010 Jayco Melbourne. I love the coach but I was told you buy your first RV when you get your 2nd RV. Meaning now that you know what you're lacking, you go ahead and upgrade to what is more tolerable.I use tolerable because price is a factor. My first problem was going to the Dealer to look at a floor plan I liked, in a 2014 Bounder 35K. I do like the coach but I don't know if the quality is there in the Bounder. Jayco has been great for customer support but on the forums I see disgruntled RV owners complaining about Bounder's Customer Support. As with all discussions, some love a Bounder and Some would never own another one. Some say they are made well and some say they are junk. I wouldn't lock anyone's answer in stone but should I work out a deal or keep looking? I do like gas powered and I know I would not get the same gas mileage I do with the sleek-nosed Jayco (@10 towing a Jeep). But some things I will compromise on - however quality and constant repairs and things breaking or not working I don't want to go there. So I don't want to add the saying you get your best coach when you buy your third after making the mistakes you did with your second. Is Fleetwood a reputable company and do they make quality coaches? If I had the money I would opt for an Entegra but that's not in my future right now and I want a coach that will last (not full timing) for 5 - 10 years.

[becks]

Have you thought about buying used, gas or diesel?

[ARTWERKE]

I can't speak for 2014, but when I bought my Dutch Star last Jan. my 1989 Fleetwood Southwind was still going strong, We debated upgrading it, but one ride in the Dutch Star, sealed the deal on a newer coach.

[mikey52]

We bought a new 2013 Fleetwood Discovery and are so far very pleased with the quality. We took it out for a 30 day maiden voyage and came back with some minor issues that the dealer has either fixed or is waiting on some parts from Fleetwood. This is our fourth RV and I am very impressed with the quality that went into building our coach. So far Fleetwood is on my good guy list.

[Clayobx]

Gdetty, welcome to the forum. I am really surprised their are negative post regarding FW customer relations. I would suggest your post be moved to the FW owners forum where your question will be exposed to many Bounder owners living or traveling in the exact coach you reference. As for DW and I we are on our second FW coach, one pre ASV and now our 2012 Providence. As with ALL manufacturers new coaches both gas and diesel are subject to issues. I call it the first year break in, after that period generally proper maintenance will be sufficient. I and DW will overwhelmingly speak positively as to FW/AC customer relations. As a Fleetwood owner just posted, it would be impossible to receive greater customer support!! As to quality, well we have owned two Class A DP and if our health and wealth stays current we will next purchase our "final" coach, maybe. However, I can assure you it will be the AC Eagle, or Heritage. Best of luck in your search.

[gdetty]

Maybe I started more of stir than I did a discussion. I have no idea if there are problems with Fleetwood or their customer service and by that admission I have no method of comparing two corporations or even more. But in my search for information regarding Fleetwood I did see where some owners posted areas of categorized problems. My father converted four buses into motor homes and he knew the quality that went in them by buying and building what went in them. I, at my very return to camping, am trying to make the best choice based on others experiences, or longevity in the camping arena or from other's wins or losses. I understand there are low-end and top-end and over-the-top RV's and corporations. But just in a general consensus, and not being RV specific but rather A coach - gas I was looking to see if Fleetwood was a good coach for the money.

[AZGypsie]

Keep in mind, that regardless of where they are posted, you always find more complaints than compliments on any given product, whether it be a motorhome or a mop! Unhappy people are louder in general than those that are satisfied. That doesn't answer your question, but hopefully gives you a bit of scale. If four people answered your question positively, that pretty good odds considering there were no majorly negative responses. BTW, we own a FW Flair, its 14 years old, and we are loving it!

[FormerBoater]

Fleetwood has always "over delivered" when I called them.

Even with my old girl!

[mojoracing]

I just bought my "first motorhome". The same bounder you are looking at. My previous MH was in for constant repairs. As far as quality, this Fleetwood is magnificent. It only had two minor adjustment style problems and dealing with Fleetwood customer service has been wonderful. I told my wife that if this new bounder was anything like or last MH that I was done. I cant put into words how happy I am with it. Solid, smooth, no rattles or squeeks. It goes down the road like a dream and everything works and works well. You can see how systems are thought out and the quality of components are better. I feel totally comfortable with my choice of motorhome and with the company that takes care of me.

[mmorgan]

I had a 1997 Discovery for several years and currently have the 2007 Expedition and I am very satisfied with the quality. Any MH will have little issues to resolve and I have called Fleetwood numerous times for information and/or parts and they have been great.

[RVMeister]

Very happy with Fleetwood quality. The first coach I had (other brand) something would always break before a trip. With our excursion we've had no trip interruptions or anxiety. The coach just runs. I did a 4000 mile road trip with no disruption or drama!! Fleetwood factory service are great folks and will take care of you.

[TwelveVolt]

On the phone, Fleetwood / American Coach support is excellent. Debbie handles American Coach questions with prompt, knowledgable responses and documentation. Syndi in parts is very professional and friendly. Both know the products and know how to deal with customers.

The service facility is a whole other story. Hopefully this is temporary as they go through growing pains. The new company, as of last week, is ARG (Allied Recreation Group) pronounced Arrrgggg! by anyone who has had to deal with them. ARG covers American Coach, Fleetwood, Holiday Rambler and Monaco. At the moment, they are trying hard to achieve last place in customer service.

If you call for an appointment, you may be able to get one in two months. You can drop in, plug in on their lot, and be assured that they will get to you somewhere between tomorrow and the end of next week with no more specific commitment than that. Yes, seriously, no exaggeration.

The receptionist does a good job of customer service, which is why the service writers hide behind her skirts. The work environment is stressed and it is rare to see someone smile. Don't expect a smile and a handshake as you would at almost any other facility. Just walk up to the tiny glass window, take a number, sit down and shut up. Maybe start a conversation with one of the other unhappy owners in the dingy waiting room furnished with discarded old RV furniture.

Once inside, you have the luck of the draw as to the competence and attitude of the techs assigned to your job. I ended up with a $99/hr home handyman with a disgruntled attitude who explained how difficult a job it would be and how did I want him to do it. Talking to several other owners, I was not the only one thinking "Please step away from my coach and let me out of here".

Overheard at ARG: "Honey, I don't care what breaks, we are never coming back here."

This is written in the positive hope that someone pays attention and turns ARG into the industry leader it can and should be.

[JMonroe]

First, the chassis will be shared in common with almost every other brand of the same year, and it will be serviced by the chassis manufacturer. The difference is how well will you be taken care of should you have a problem with the "house"?

Quality control is an industry wide problem. The big difference is how the manufacturer deals with the inevitable warranty issues. I say manufacturer as getting good dealer service after the sale is a real crap shoot with some outstanding dealers out there, but most not really equipped for service and repairs. No matter what you end up with, be prepared for the worst and pleasantly surprised if you get "lucky".

The vast majority of testimonials I see on the new Fleetwood (post bankruptcy, which is now years behind us) is extremely positive. Ours is in that category. We had what I considered far more than our share of warranty issues, but the factory service department was patient and diligent in getting all of them worked out. They even took care of a few problems after the written warranty had expired (although you're more likely to get that kind of consideration at the factory center and NOT at a dealer).

As for the Bounder, I think it's one of the better values in the market today, backed up by very good manufacturer support.

Good luck!

[edgray]

Where is this ARG service facility located?