Peterson Industries Waranty Policy

[jaycmpng]

We purchased a Winslow by Excel DT33RLE Travel Trailer at the Hershey Show this past year. The first weekend I received the trailer, while setting up, the front driver side stabilizer jack bent (not the actual leg, the two support braces started to bow out). I immediately let our dealer know about it with pictures. We dropped the trailer off to the dealer in November for this and other warranty issues. I just received a phone call from the dealer that Peterson Ind. would not cover this under warranty as stabilizer jacks should not bend and it must have been due to improper usage. I have been camping for 40+ years and do kinda know what I am doing. I contacted Peterson Ind. and was told by the service guy that their policy is "they will not cover items that they do not manufacture once the dealer receives the unit and confirms every thing is ok." I have never heard of such crap. I have tried to contact Bryan Tillett, who was at the show and was instrumental in our purchase, however, he has not returned my phone call. I don't know what this rant will accomplish, just wanted to vent and let everyone know how well a $70,000 trailer is covered under warranty.

The dealer is supposed to be contacting Lippert to see what they will say, but I would think Peterson Ind. would make good on this and they would deal with Lippert. Just my thoughts.!

[BDunlap]

jaycmpng,

I also have a Winslow but have never had any problems other over-heating a circuit breaker - after it cooled down, everything was ok.

Perhaps you could post some picture of what happened with your stabilizer jack including the bowed support brackets. Someone on the forum might have some ideas after looking at the pictures.

Please keep us up to date on what happens.

Bill Dunlap
Mammoth Lakes, CA

[jaycmpng]

This is not the only problem we have with the brand new trailer. This model has a closet slide in the bedroom that leaks. The black tank sensors do not appear to have been hooked up, they never registered anything at all. The glass door to the DVD player broke, the bracket was too tight. There were several screws not installed on the outside trim and several minor problems.

I have tried to attach the picture that I emailed to the dealer. (Hopefully it works.) I am hoping that Lippert will take care of the problem (since it appears Peterson Ind. does not want to do anything). I have not heard back from the dealer, but will update when I do.

[chief02]

Hard to tell in the pic but it looks like both side supports bowed out equally? If so could there have been more weight on them then designed for? On a former TT of mine I collaped a rear sabilizer when I raised the tonuge after the rear satbilzer was down. another time the TT rolled a bit and folded a satbilizer that was planted. BTW this was in my learning curve years.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief02 Hard to tell in the pic but it looks like both side supports bowed out equally? If so could there have been more weight on them then designed for? On a former TT of mine I collapsed a rear stabilizer when I raised the tongue after the rear stabilizer was down. another time the TT rolled a bit and folded a stabilizer that was planted. BTW this was in my learning curve years.

I agree, looks to have been an overload condition to bend it that way. OP, were you using it to level the rig rather than just stabilize it? If that's the case then it isn't a warranty item.

As to the tank sensors, the dealer should have checked them out before delivery. Now they should get them working for you if still under warranty EXCEPT if they did work at delivery and are just covered in debris then that's an owner maintenance issue and not covered.

As to the glass door: Don't you have a screwdriver? If it's not right then don't use it or adjust it yourself.

Buy some screws and put them in yourself, it's really easy to do.

But that's only my opinion after 55 years of RV'ing

[jaycmpng]

Mr_D, as indicated in the OP, I have been camping for 40+ years & kinda know about as much as you must know. I do not believe that the jacks were overloaded (but if you think so, I must be wrong).

As stated in OP, the tank sensors never worked from day one that we had the trailer, if it had started out reading any level, I would not have said they must not have been connected.

We did not notice that the DVD door screws were to tight until the Dam thing broke! So it was too late for a screwdriver.

Like I said, it's a 70,000 dollar trailer, I would think things would be a little better made or checked out.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaycmpng Mr_D, as indicated in the OP, I have been camping for 40+ years & kinda know about as much as you must know. I do not believe that the jacks were overloaded (but if you think so, I must be wrong). As stated in OP, the tank sensors never worked from day one that we had the trailer, if it had started out reading any level, I would not have said they must not have been connected. We did not notice that the DVD door screws were to tight until the Dam thing broke! So it was too late for a screwdriver. Like I said, it's a 70,000 dollar trailer, I would think things would be a little better made or checked out.

I don't know anywhere as much as you jay since I've only been FTing for 7 years, but when I bent my rear jack (ouch almost $500. for the part) I stepped up and took care of it myself. And on the other stuff, if you've been RVing for all those years you already know these units are not perfect and it's always something, no matter who builds it. They take quite a beating running up and down the road. If those gauges didn't work from day one.....why wasn't this caught on the new unit walkaround? Just my thoughts.....oh yeah, I wished my coach only cost $70,000!

And so far I've broken 2 of the entertainment center glasses (on 2 different units). Hit them with my hard head and broke them. Just part of life.

Are you sure you don't have a little "buyer remorse" going on here? rockin'

[jaycmpng]

I'm very sorry for posting anything on this forum. I didn't realize that everyone on here was so perfect! No, I do not have buyers remorse, I actually love the Excel. It does appear to be a well made trailer. I am just a little upset that these problems exist.

As I said from the start, the gauges have never worked from day one. Have you ever had a dealer fill the tanks during a new unit walk around to ensure the sensors work?

The glass door is not really a big deal, however, for a brand new trailer, why should I have to fix it myself for the first time? That is what a warranty is for, isn't it?

Just my thoughts...also, I guess I'm not rich enough to be on this forum, since my coach is only worth $70,000.

I want to thank this forum and all of the elite for nothing.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaycmpng I'm very sorry for posting anything on this forum. I didn't realize that everyone on here was so perfect! No, I do not have buyers remorse, I actually love the Excel. It does appear to be a well made trailer. I am just a little upset that these problems exist. As I said from the start, the gauges have never worked from day one. Have you ever had a dealer fill the tanks during a new unit walk around to ensure the sensors work? The glass door is not really a big deal, however, for a brand new trailer, why should I have to fix it myself for the first time? That is what a warranty is for, isn't it? Just my thoughts...also, I guess I'm not rich enough to be on this forum, since my coach is only worth $70,000. I want to thank this forum and all of the elite for nothing.

Your welcome......come back real soon....ya hear? rockin'

[redcow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Your welcome......come back real soon....ya hear? rockin'

I have felt the same way sometimes jaycmpng. I also have a Winslow and love it but feel like I live "on the wrong side of the tracks" from some.

There are several on this forum that are friends and several that are very helpful so hang in there. Seems we all get a little "testy" at times.

red

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcow I have felt the same way sometimes jaycmpng. I also have a Winslow and love it but feel like I live "on the wrong side of the tracks" from some. There are several on this forum that are friends and several that are very helpful so hang in there. Seems we all get a little "testy" at times. red

Boy....do you have that right!!!! Thanks for admitting it!!! BTW...I owe you and Gloria lunch.....no hiding out in the bathroom when the bill comes this time!!! rockin'

[sidkaye]

Jaycmpng, I don't know what stabilizers you have but oftentimes, the mfg will make it right.
You should contact them.
If you have to pay for it, depending on the model, the struts/arms may be available as separate parts and should not be very expensive.
A conversation with their tech support will be helpful.

This forum is very good when useful information is posted and can be a great help in resolving the many issues that occur in our Excel's.

If you post the model and mfg of the stabilizer, it would help.

Sidney

[Workshop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaycmpng As I said from the start, the gauges have never worked from day one. Have you ever had a dealer fill the tanks during a new unit walk around to ensure the sensors work?

Thanks for the suggestion....We will be looking at a 29 ft Alpenlite Valhalla tomorrow, wonder if they will fill the tanks if I ask them too!

I've never bought a new RV so don't know what a warranty is....I just suffer through, figure it out and cut enough wood to make it work again.

I don't have a problem with an owner venting an issue, I can only think of one or two current members that haven't since I've been a member....with some of the issues I've dealt with over the years, were they cause by the construction of the unit or the prior owners....would have to say both.

I can't speak to the jacks, trying to figure out what make they are as the photo doesn't show much detail. I can understand from looking at the photo how one would get the 'first impression' that it must be operator error....but know that sometimes thing are what they seem and sometimes not. But it's not my position to judge but to help as several have offered.

If I had glass doors on my unit I would remove them.

jaycmpng, come back and post again if you feel there is something that someone can help you with. Who knows what the next visit will bring.


workhorse

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaycmpng Mr_D, as indicated in the OP, I have been camping for 40+ years & kinda know about as much as you must know. I do not believe that the jacks were overloaded (but if you think so, I must be wrong). As stated in OP, the tank sensors never worked from day one that we had the trailer, if it had started out reading any level, I would not have said they must not have been connected. We did not notice that the DVD door screws were too tight until the Damn thing broke! So it was too late for a screwdriver. Like I said, it's a 70,000 dollar trailer, I would think things would be a little better made or checked out.

Well, 20 years of engineering with the equiv of a Masters in it and an AA in Computer Managed Information Systems, 10 years of managing servers, setting up Freightliners SAN and other IT work along with RV'ing since 1957 does give one some insight into what causes problems and how to take care of them. Guess I should also add that we ran our own business too so I've been on both sides of the "counter"
You came here to "vent" and found that people didn't take your side.
Now, get the problems fixed and enjoy your rig.
BTW, I did bend a stabilizer like that, and it was from trying to level the rig with it. I knew it was my fault so I straightened the arms and kept using it.