Beginning DRV nightmare

[weredoingit]

Originally Posted by Lola1946

I have an update regarding our DRV Mobile Suites.
My husband received a call this AM from dealership who informed him that DRV was sending two specialists to Them to fix the bent frame issue. Do not know what the specialists will do, but This is excellent news. Have not heard from DRV, but I hope we do. If the “plate” fix is what is done, we certainly want them welded,I assume? Then all we have to get fixed is the paint job on the door side slide, and the DRV will be as perfect as we thought it was When we purchased it!

This is HORRIBLE! I'm so sorry, people lay out a lot of $$$ for new RV'S and get this kind of shoddy workmanship. I read to many stories like yours, good luck!

[wingnut60]

In the meantime, get busy looking for a frame shop that can verify that the repair is done and correctly.
Be sure and document ALL conversations and with WHO--hate to say this, but you may need all the help you can get after the 'specialists' leave. Also, might want to find out from them their capabilities/background while talking with them.
All DRV frames are Lippert (LCI) as are a majority of other mfgs frames--sometimes the volume of manufacturing will lead to a big mistake somewhere in the frame-building process. Sounds like you got one, unfortunately.
By the way--what is the DRV model you have?

And still wondering WHO at DRV told you a bent frame is 'common?"

[RoadEyePie]

Lola1946, That's good news. Stay positive because this is a good development. DRV is now involve in the resolution with the dealer. Try to establish some communication with DRV directly. I would want to know from them (not dealer), that if the fix is not to your satisfaction, are they offering you any recourse? I hope all this works out for you...it can only be good that you now have the manufacturer engaged. They have skin in this game too.

[Barlow46]

In addition to wingnut60's recommendations, I would suggest that you do as much communicating as possible through written format such as email or snail mail. Sometimes documented phone conversations are misinterpreted by both parties. Phone calls can document date and time. I also try to get the persons name I am talking with on the phone and their email address. I then immediately send them an email thanking them for their time with me on the phone. Gives me at least documentation that a phone call with a specific person occurred.
Another thing that some do not understand is that Lippert builds frames according to the manufacturers specifications. Some manufacturers spec the lowest cost frame that they can get by with while others select a more robust frame.
DRV has the following frame specs for Lippert.
"DRV’s custom-engineered 15" triple box tube frame measures 101" wide – the largest, most rigid fifth wheel frame in the industry. This design eliminates flex around the pin box, and allows us to frame even the upper deck with steel to open up the storage compartment, providing you with space to fit all your personal belongings." http://www.drvsuites.com/mobile-suit...dvantages.html
This printed statement in their brochure can help you with further discussion if needed.
Good luck but I think you will feel better after a decision to repair (if necessary) is made.

Also (like wingnut60) would like to know who made the statement about "bent frame is common".

[rollondown]

Go visit your dealer and politely ask for all the correspondence that they have had with DRV. Get put in the loop. It is your rig and have a right to know who, what, when, and where. Don't leave without contact numbers for the DRV side.
Ask to talk to the General Manager himself not the sales guy or service guy. Request meetings or conference calls with all parties weekly.
Call the bank, explain the situation to them and see if they will stop payment until the unit is fixed.

[Mr_D]

Bank won't care about your troubles, they just want their payment. They have a contract with you, not the dealer. Don't pay and it goes against your credit, not the dealers.

[ALLOY]

Take before and after video/pictures.

[Butch50]

Originally Posted by Barlow46

In addition to wingnut60's recommendations, I would suggest that you do as much communicating as possible through written format such as email or snail mail. Sometimes documented phone conversations are misinterpreted by both parties. Phone calls can document date and time. I also try to get the persons name I am talking with on the phone and their email address. I then immediately send them an email thanking them for their time with me on the phone.

I agree with the email, in my past working life after a call that could come back and bite me in the backside I followed it up with an email stating what we had discussed and what the resolution was as I understood it. If I didn't get an email back stating different then to me it was as I stated it in the email.

I won't go into the problems I had with my new Elite Suites a few years back and had it less than a year before getting rid of it.

[Clomok]

Originally Posted by Lola1946

We purchased(or, are paying for)a DRV Mobile Suites in March 2018. Guaranty RV, Junction City, OR. One trip with it home 200 miles). One camping trip (160 Miles x 2). Total of less than 700 highway miles on the rig. A trip to Guaranty on April 30th for issues with kitchen plumbing leaks, slide covers. 11 hours into warranty work, turns out the FROM the FACTORY, the frame is bent on one side, causing the door side slide to be uneven,which caused the slide to leak into rig.When the rig was jacked in the back as far as it could go, the slide evened out but the painted accent stripes are now off one inch. Guaranty RV has told us they have done as much as they can, and the frame issue is DRV and frame builders’ problem. DRV says the bent frame is common and fix is to put plates on the frame. And possibly take our RV to Idaho for the fix. And possibly this will take months. No one has addressed the now uneven paint job on one side of the 5th wheel.

With knowledge of the “bent frame” issue, and that this has happened before, why hasn’t DRV gone to another frame manufacturer?

So far, GUARANTY RV, JUNCTION CITY, OR and DRV SUITES, are not taking responsibility for FACTORY defects. Anyone out there a lawyer?

I work for a RV repair facility in Albany, sad to say every RV in our shop has a guaranty sticker on it.....i have friends the have bought trailers from them with HORRIBLE results, I wouldn’t recommend them to my worst enemy.

[Khk4823]

I have a purchased new DRV 38RSB3 that has been nothing but problems. DRV has been only ok to deal with mainly saying the problem is with the equipment manufacture ie lippert etc. I am in the design phase of a big sticker for my front cap and rear window advising DRV is not the quality they claim to be.

[Khk4823]

For the price I paid I truly wish I wouldn’t have purchased a DRV. I would not buy another one and would really like it if they would buy mine back.

[weredoingit]

Originally Posted by Khk4823

. I am in the design phase of a big sticker for my front cap and rear window advising DRV is not the quality they claim to be.

Submit a picture when your done with the design. I'd like to see it. Maybe if everyone who bought a new RV with substantial problems, wrapped it with details about how bad the manufacture is, it might get the manufacturers attention. A rolling Billboard.

[Cumminsfan]

How about if everyone knew full well that buying RV's is a crap shoot then expectations would be lowered. I think too many expect a darn near perfect RV cause they spend $$$. It's the same labor force and the same outdated assembly practices done at all manufacturing plants.
You roll the dice IMO. Does this help the OP. Heck no. But why does everyone get so worked up about the crappy built RV's and yet they go out and buy another?

[Bob_C]

Would never buy one that I couldn't fix myself....