Coachmen: Quality again, lower body panels

[Roll]

Yesterday afternoon I laid on my back looking up inside the front wheel well to see how I might best anchor a loose fender on our Encounter. I found the strap intended to hold the front wheel lip solid and in line with the basement doors. It was attached at the top on the basement structure and at the bottom of the fender just behind the front drivers side wheel. What was needed was another two screws to hold it solid. The holes were there but not the screws. After finding suitable screws I tightened it all up.

Today I realized this was at least the 4th time I had sheet body work anchored or strapped down to keep it from hanging out or flopping around on the road.

If you are considering a Forest River product and especially Coachmen, be sure to test all the lower body panels for a secure fit and look down the line to be sure everything looks properly lined up.

It appears as if Coachmen picks up whatever may be handy when anchoring the body work. They seem to use different shapes and types of metal and an array of different screws.

I can’t say if this is Standard Operating Procedure for all manufacturers or just FR/Coachmen.

[Nick-B]

Hey Roll,

If you still need spare screws, start pulling pulling out drawers and digging behind cabinets on your coach.

Shortly after I got my "vintage" Coachmen, I wanted to get behind the cabinets and all the little nooks and crannies to make sure there were no mouse hotels buried anywhere and while the areas were clean of rodent domiciles I found a fist-full of dropped / discarded screws and fasteners. Apparently, it is easier for the assemblers to simply grab another screw from the package than stoop down and pick up a dropped one.

[bluepill]

Originally Posted by Nick-B

Hey Roll,

If you still need spare screws, start pulling pulling out drawers and digging behind cabinets on your coach.

Shortly after I got my "vintage" Coachmen, I wanted to get behind the cabinets and all the little nooks and crannies to make sure there were no mouse hotels buried anywhere and while the areas were clean of rodent domiciles I found a fist-full of dropped / discarded screws and fasteners. Apparently, it is easier for the assemblers to simply grab another screw from the package than stoop down and pick up a dropped one.

Ditto on my Itasca. I guess it's better than the legendary Coke bottle welded inside the auto frame by unhappy UAW workers.

[Roll]

Originally Posted by Nick-B

Hey Roll,

If you still need spare screws, start pulling pulling out drawers and digging behind cabinets on your coach.

Shortly after I got my "vintage" Coachmen, I wanted to get behind the cabinets and all the little nooks and crannies to make sure there were no mouse hotels buried anywhere and while the areas were clean of rodent domiciles I found a fist-full of dropped / discarded screws and fasteners. Apparently, it is easier for the assemblers to simply grab another screw from the package than stoop down and pick up a dropped one.

Thanks Gents, Another task for me to do. Filling my spare screw and misc parts drawer with the loot I find behind the cabinets. LOL

[campclan]

When I took delivery of mine I found the TV near the dinette was missing 6 screws. I opened all cabinets and pulled out drawers along with cushions from dinette and couch. I also crawled under coach and had a technician from the dealership with me as I looked for things like what you described Roll. The only issues I found were screws on the TV, emergency exit screen, decals needed relief cuts, privacy curtain velcro was mismatched, switch bezel crooked in the bathroom and caulking around shower base needed redone. After the 5th trip the DVD player in the top bunk started freezing up and the regulator for the propane tank froze up due to moisture ( temps were around 20deg) I feel like I should thank my lucky stars at the sounds of things that others are experiencing. An old saying I used to hear in the car business was to never buy a car built on a monday or a friday. Sorry you've had so many issues.

[Roll]

Originally Posted by campclan

When I took delivery of mine I found the TV near the dinette was missing 6 screws. Sorry you've had so many issues.

Thanks Camp. It's a mixed bag. I was told before I got a coach that fix and repair is just part of ownership. I just didn't realize it would start the day I drove it out of the lot.

Gary

[campclan]

Glad to see you have a positive attitude about things. Hope the Coach gives you trouble free operation from now on.