Rear Cap Repairs

[R Brownlow]

My wife and I purchased a 2016 Forester in February from a large RV dealer here in So Cal. This is our third new RV in 17 years. After we signed the contract we walked back out to admire our new purchase and discovered the rear cap had noticeable dents in it. The salesman and a service representative together assured me that they could have it fixed before I picked it up in a few days. Well, it wasn't fixed but they again assured me that once they got a part from the manufacturer it would be fixed under warranty and they would call me as soon as they were able to fix it. A month or so later and no call. So when the black water drain handle came off in my hand I decided to take it back for warranty work.
Because I wanted the motor home back on the promised completion date, they did a rushed, repair on the rear cap and said I'd have to bring it back for an extended period of time because they didn't quite know how they were going to approach the problem of fixing it. They would have to check with the manufacturer on a "repair plan" to fix it.

So my problem now is I have little faith in their ability to make the repair and I'm afraid if I go somewhere else for warranty repair I will be met with resistance from the manufacturer. Anybody have a similar experience or suggestions for getting it repaired under warranty?

I'll attach pictures of how it looks now after the most recent attempt to repair it.

[CJ7365]

Originally Posted by R Brownlow

My wife and I purchased a 2016 Forester in February from a large RV dealer here in So Cal. This is our third new RV in 17 years. After we signed the contract we walked back out to admire our new purchase and discovered the rear cap had noticeable dents in it. The salesman and a service representative together assured me that they could have it fixed before I picked it up in a few days. Well, it wasn't fixed but they again assured me that once they got a part from the manufacturer it would be fixed under warranty and they would call me as soon as they were able to fix it. A month or so later and no call. So when the black water drain handle came off in my hand I decided to take it back for warranty work.
Because I wanted the motor home back on the promised completion date, they did a rushed, repair on the rear cap and said I'd have to bring it back for an extended period of time because they didn't quite know how they were going to approach the problem of fixing it. They would have to check with the manufacturer on a "repair plan" to fix it.

So my problem now is I have little faith in their ability to make the repair and I'm afraid if I go somewhere else for warranty repair I will be met with resistance from the manufacturer. Anybody have a similar experience or suggestions for getting it repaired under warranty?

I'll attach pictures of how it looks now after the most recent attempt to repair it.

Wow, sorry but that looks terrible, wonder how it left the factory messed up.

There is no way I would let a local dealership deal with that, not sure where the manufacturer is located, but imo that needs to go back to the factory.


The Dealer should of never accepted that unit.

[Arch Hoagland]

Have you yourself sent pictures of that damage to Forester main office?

That looks like a real problem and I too am curious how that could occur. Did the dealer mention how it got that way?

[WILDEBILL308]

That is not fixed. Tell the dealer you want it totally repaired. If he can't do it tell him to get you a different coach.
Bill

[R Brownlow]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Have you yourself sent pictures of that damage to Forester main office?

That looks like a real problem and I too am curious how that could occur. Did the dealer mention how it got that way?

What you see here in the pictures is the result of the second attempt by dealer at trying to smooth out the compound radius on the rear cap. It wasn't nearly this bad before the dealer worked on it. Because the rear cap has a slight compound curve to it the flat material has to stretch/shrink in two directions to get a smooth transition.

I have not yet sent pictures to Forest River in Indiana. I feel like I should go back to the dealer and give them a chance to straighten this out. But they have a large backlog of work which means I have to leave it with them and I have plans to use it this summer. And I don't trust the dealer to do a good job.

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by R Brownlow

What you see here in the pictures is the result of the second attempt by dealer at trying to smooth out the compound radius on the rear cap. It wasn't nearly this bad before the dealer worked on it. Because the rear cap has a slight compound curve to it the flat material has to stretch/shrink in two directions to get a smooth transition.

I have not yet sent pictures to Forest River in Indiana. I feel like I should go back to the dealer and give them a chance to straighten this out. But they have a large backlog of work which means I have to leave it with them and I have plans to use it this summer. And I don't trust the dealer to do a good job.

I really think you should notify Forest River. There is something seriously wrong with that coach.

[n-e-d]

Totally agree with Arch contact Forrest River it sure looks like that rear cap should be replaced by factory personnel

[Electra 225]

Absolutely agree with above posts. My fear for you is, if you let the dealer continue to mess with it, the factory could be less interested in helping you. They could say the dealer, (or anyone else) messed it up, and therefore damaged your warranty. I may be paranoid, but I'd just go straight to the top pronto.

Best to you,
W.D.

[milasman]

Why did you drive that out of the lot to begin with?

[R Brownlow]

Originally Posted by milasman

Why did you drive that out of the lot to begin with?

It did not look nearly this bad when I drove it off the lot. Really, what you see here is the result of the failed repair process. My perfect hindsight says I should have stopped right there and refused to take it without a proper repair but I believed the dealer could and would fix it. I guess I will take the advice of most everyone here and begin a dialogue with the manufacturer.

I should add that this is so much worse than the original problem that it just made me sick when I climbed up on top and looked at the botched repair.

[Electra 225]

Sure hope this works out for you. So sorry you have to deal with such things.....you shouldn't that's for sure.

Let us know what happens, prayerfully it's positive.

Regards,
W.D.

[milasman]

Hope it all works out.

[azpete]

as a former winnebago dealership service manager, i can tell you that you have to get forest river involved in this if you ever are going to get it fixed right.
call forest river and request a meeting with their regional service rep. that should be okay with forest river since their service rep visits each dealership on a regular basis.
if you can, send the rep photos of the problem area before and after the repair.
request that the cap either be replaced, or repaired by a reqular body shop.
i did that all the time. if it was too complicated job for the dealership,and they did not want to sublet the repair, offer to take it to the factory.
if you cant get a good solution from the rep, you know the routine from there.
use this as a last resort. every manufacturer wants satisfied customers.and will go to great lengths to keep them.

[Mich F]

Looking at the third picture, I'd be surprised if you don't have some serious leaks.