Community Forums

SteveHulland · 07-19-2012, 09:42 PM

My wife and I purchased a 34' 1996 Itasca Suncruiser in May 2012. Took it on a short trip to Big Lake Az to visit friends camping at Rainbow Camp Ground. Great trip except leaving refer door unlatched. Corner + no latch = door came off. I could see it had happened before. Dentist friend and I made new hing pin holder and rebuilt hinges w/JBWeld. Now works and looks very good.

Next trip started on June 9th with 30-45MPH 80-90degree Crosswind from left. Going west on I-10 from Tucson with overnight goal being Blyth CA. Truck went buy very close at high speed and roof came out of J Channel from left front to left rear along with 4sq' section of left front corner and skylight cover over bathroom. Pulled off Interstate and parked near some SP RR workers along frontage road. Wife went to ask them for help. Used some 3/4" self tapping screws and old duct tape to temp. fasten roof down. We cut off the ripped up part fairly evenly then used some self tapping screws and screwed down the roof. Finally covered all exposed area and joints with the their old duct tape. Drove slowly to Casa Grande AZ where we bought the best duct tape they had and some additional screws. End result we got it looking good and firmly fastened. It was 105F when we started working on roof. Took about 4 hours of work. Continued trip to include Pacific Coast Hwy, Redwoods, 4 days in Springfield, Or; Bend Or; Craters of Moon; Yellowstone; Grand Tetons; Bryce Canyon; Flagstaff AZ and got home on June 24th. Did a better temp repair while in Springfield OR.

I am looking to find out as much information about this issue as I can. Our insurance company Progressive said they will not pay for the repair. Found some references that indicate they have made these type repairs in the past. The roof was checked and sealed as required by the dealer we purchased from. Do not know previous history but am writing to the owner to see what he says. Only one previous owner. If you have information, please feel free to email me direct. Especially seeking written Winnebago/Itasca Service Bulletins if they really exist.
Thanks,
Steve

calhyatt · 07-20-2012, 09:23 AM

I did a quick search online and your have a unit that has quite a history of roof problems. Eterna Bond tape on the entire roof seam all around seems to be the fix. One person said Progressive replaced his roof. $6500.00 Google Suncruiser roof tear off. You will get some information there. I am truly sorry you are having this problem. Good luck, Seeya on the road.
Cal

Midniteoyl · 07-20-2012, 09:27 AM

Surprised Progressive wont pay for the repair.. Unless you didnt have full coverage? What was their reason for not doing so?

SteveHulland · 07-23-2012, 01:33 PM

Jim,
Progressive says that the "required" maintenance was not done and that Winnebago/Itasco has put out a service bulletin concerning the roof. Cannot find any such bulletin and neither can a very knowledgeable Winnebago roof technician. Dealer we purchased from stated that the roof had been inspected and sealed as necessary before we paid for the Suncruiser. Will use those and other facts that I have found to dspute Progressive and ask them to reconsider. Also planning on a letter to AZ Attorney General as well as USAA. USAA dose not cover MH's and has their partner cover them. USAA's partner is Progressive. I have full coverage.
Steve

Midniteoyl · 07-23-2012, 06:06 PM

HAve progressive send you a copy, if they have one.

SteveHulland · 07-24-2012, 11:50 AM

Jim,
My intent is to draft and print my letter to Progressive today. Will deliver it to the office in Tucson. I will ask them for a copy of any Winnebago/Itasco Service Bulletin they may have.
Thanks for your help,
Steve

Midniteoyl · 07-24-2012, 12:50 PM

Please keep us informed.. This is interesting and important to alot of people. I have USAA and Progressive too.

SteveHulland · 07-24-2012, 02:52 PM

Will keep everyone informed. One user from the RV2 group said he posted a PDF of a roof service bulletion. His handle is Cruzer but I cannot find the thread concerning Winnebago/Itasca Roof Blow Outs that got me to this forum. Probably doing something wrong in my searches. Anybody have any ideas?
Thanks,
Steve

rgvtexan · 07-24-2012, 04:29 PM

From the WIT club
http://www.winnebagoind.com/resource...%20Sealing.pdf

sbranen · 07-24-2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHulland

My wife and I purchased a 34' 1996 Itasca Suncruiser in May 2012. Took it on a short trip to Big Lake Az to visit friends camping at Rainbow Camp Ground. Great trip except leaving refer door unlatched. Corner + no latch = door came off. I could see it had happened before. Dentist friend and I made new hing pin holder and rebuilt hinges w/JBWeld. Now works and looks very good.

Next trip started on June 9th with 30-45MPH 80-90degree Crosswind from left. Going west on I-10 from Tucson with overnight goal being Blyth CA. Truck went buy very close at high speed and roof came out of J Channel from left front to left rear along with 4sq' section of left front corner and skylight cover over bathroom. Pulled off Interstate and parked near some SP RR workers along frontage road. Wife went to ask them for help. Used some 3/4" self tapping screws and old duct tape to temp. fasten roof down. We cut off the ripped up part fairly evenly then used some self tapping screws and screwed down the roof. Finally covered all exposed area and joints with the their old duct tape. Drove slowly to Casa Grande AZ where we bought the best duct tape they had and some additional screws. End result we got it looking good and firmly fastened. It was 105F when we started working on roof. Took about 4 hours of work. Continued trip to include Pacific Coast Hwy, Redwoods, 4 days in Springfield, Or; Bend Or; Craters of Moon; Yellowstone; Grand Tetons; Bryce Canyon; Flagstaff AZ and got home on June 24th. Did a better temp repair while in Springfield OR.

I am looking to find out as much information about this issue as I can. Our insurance company Progressive said they will not pay for the repair. Found some references that indicate they have made these type repairs in the past. The roof was checked and sealed as required by the dealer we purchased from. Do not know previous history but am writing to the owner to see what he says. Only one previous owner. If you have information, please feel free to email me direct. Especially seeking written Winnebago/Itasca Service Bulletins if they really exist.
Thanks,
Steve

I cannot help you with the roof but I would recommend changing insurance companies. A very close friend of mine strongly suggested I make a move away from Progressive to another insurance company for better service and price. Since we belong to FMCA I decided to look through there magazine for RV insurance advertisements and found one for GMAC. I called them and saved myself over $30.00 a year and have much better coverage.