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John Kaehms · 05-06-2024, 08:12 PM

Last year we bought a 2023 Entegra Vision 36C XL from LaMesa RV in Sacramento, CA. Like most new coaches it has had its share of bugs to work out. However, after a recent trip, we had an incident that goes far beyond a typical new vehicle “bug” and must be considered a MAJOR safety hazard.

When we returned from our trip, we found that the 10 gallon “Dometic” water heater had ripped from it’s mount. The water heater had only been screwed to the coach by the face frame. The heater fell into the water heater compartment box. The control board was ripped and bent. The heater had bounced around in the heater box and damaged the box floor. Fortunately the propane line was not damaged or there might have been a fire or explosion. All this because Entegra had not installed any sort of support under the heater tank.

Owners should inspect their own water heaters to determine if a support for the water heater tank was installed as per installation instructions from Dometic. We would like to know how many coaches were built without proper support for the water heater tank. Our coach got a new water heater and a heavy duty saddle support with hold down straps for the water heater.

Stay safe out there and inspect your water heater.
JK

jrleen · 02-13-2025, 02:50 PM

Just dropped mine off Monday with exact issue. Ours split the mounting frame at top and I caught it before it dropped totally away. Brand 2024 new August and I suspect it had been slowly spliting away over our last two-three trips. Took pics before dropping it off just in case we got push back. We bought this unit built on a ford 550 diesel so we could park-camp in boonies. But we have not yet had it leave pavement.

Bought from La Mesa RV here Mesa,AZ. Still waiting to hear from them and I will refer to your posting to show it is not a total fluke of a claim.

Did dealer/Entegra make good on your repair?

brobox · 02-14-2025, 04:56 AM

Has anyone contacted Entegra/Jayco about this apparent design flaw? What did they say? They will want to know if it a problem so they can issue a TSB for all like coaches.

ransil · 02-14-2025, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Has anyone contacted Entegra/Jayco about this apparent design flaw? What did they say? They will want to know if it a problem so they can issue a TSB.

They will say " we never seen that before"

d23haynes57 · 02-14-2025, 05:07 AM

Hard to believe this design or installation error, as made. Not a fist. Had the same problem with my 04 Tropi-Cal.

brobox · 02-14-2025, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransil

They will say " we never seen that before"

After owning 3 Entegras, I have heard that before, pictures don't lie. I have never seen Entegra let a problem with several coach slide. Everyone here purchased an Entegra because of reputation, Entegra works hard to keep that.
I have been involved with "we've never seen that before", but Entegra stepped up and got the manufactures involved. I have several long documented post regarding those issues, last one being the battery charging issue on late model Class A's. Not even the manufacture had head of that, but there it was. You've got to start somewhere.

John Kaehms · 02-14-2025, 11:01 AM

This is an up date on my earlier post.
I took lots of photos when the water heater fell off. I called LaMesa RV Service Center in Davis, CA. to arrange for repair under warranty. Their earliest repair date was two months away. They said it might take as long as two additional months to diagnose, get approvals, order parts and actually fix the coach. Their proposal was not acceptable and told them to cancel the appointment.

Being a contractor and a very good mechanic, I called Jayco/Entegra and spoke to Brook. I explained the problem and got approval to repair the water heater myself. Brook agreed to pay for the parts but not the labor. Consequently, I ordered a new water heater from Amazon and had it deliver in 5 days. While waiting for the new heater I removed the old heater and used it to construct a proper saddle mount with tie downs. I also reinforced the water heater box with steel saddles under the box. New heater arrived and work was completed in about 10 days. Much much better than a LaMesa repair.

However, the biggest problem with the coach was the parking brake. The parking brake would drag, overheat, burn the paint off the drum, burn the wire loom above the drum, damage the pinion shaft oil seal causing a major oil leak on to the hot drum. Huge fire safety hazard. The coach apparently had this problem as Service Repair Orders show before it was sent to LaMesa RV. The coach has been in for service on the parking brake at least 6 times and is still at Future Ford Fleet Service in Roseville, CA.

brobox · 02-14-2025, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kaehms

This is an up date on my earlier post.
I took lots of photos when the water heater fell off. I called LaMesa RV Service Center in Davis, CA. to arrange for repair under warranty. Their earliest repair date was two months away. They said it might take as long as two additional months to diagnose, get approvals, order parts and actually fix the coach. Their proposal was not acceptable and told them to cancel the appointment.

Being a contractor and a very good mechanic, I called Jayco/Entegra and spoke to Brook. I explained the problem and got approval to repair the water heater myself. Brook agreed to pay for the parts but not the labor. Consequently, I ordered a new water heater from Amazon and had it deliver in 5 days. While waiting for the new heater I removed the old heater and used it to construct a proper saddle mount with tie downs. I also reinforced the water heater box with steel saddles under the box. New heater arrived and work was completed in about 10 days. Much much better than a LaMesa repair.

However, the biggest problem with the coach was the parking brake. The parking brake would drag, overheat, burn the paint off the drum, burn the wire loom above the drum, damage the pinion shaft oil seal causing a major oil leak on to the hot drum. Huge fire safety hazard. The coach apparently had this problem as Service Repair Orders show before it was sent to LaMesa RV. The coach has been in for service on the parking brake at least 6 times and is still at Future Ford Fleet Service in Roseville, CA.

Sounds like Entegra worked with you to your satisfaction, much better than LaMesa. . The Ford problem they cannot help with as they just purchase the chassis from Ford. There was a post awhile back with another Ford brake problem, might want to use the search function and see if it had a remedy.

Bowman1 · 02-14-2025, 12:47 PM

Sounds like La Mesa is still as bad as they were 15 years ago.

shepardmike · 02-14-2025, 01:40 PM

La Mesa in South FL tried to stiff me on a deposit. Never ever would I set foot on their lots...

jrleen · 02-26-2025, 11:01 AM

Update on my unit regarding repairs under warranty. 1) Hot water unit/tank detaching- they have ordered a new waterheater/unit. 2) Front loft shade hung up- ordered new motor. 3) Mud flap on front side of rear wheel detaching/damaged- ordered new parts. 4) DEF filler does not allow a proper fill. Filler line was installed dead flat- they fabricated a new bracket with proper pitch. 5) Dining shade does not retract- ordered new part. They are expecting it all in by March 10th +/- and expect to have it ready within a week afterwards.

I expected push back on the waterheater so I sent them in advance copies of this thread and others that had same issue on the water heater detaching. Plus pics I took, vids and install manuel from mfr detailing the need for proper support that was missing. So far no cost to me just delayed from use for what I expect will to be roughly 1.5 months. I am still not even a year into the warranty(6 months). Fingers crossed.

John Kaehms · 02-27-2025, 09:11 AM

I also had a long list of problems with my Entegra Vision 36C. Numerous items would not work such as the dash AC unit, and the televisions. The dash panel broke free from the coach frame. I could go on for pages.

When you have the water heater replaced make sure they install metal hangars under the ABS plastic box that holds the heater. The box is only held to the frame with a few small screws. The strength of the box is insufficient to support the weight of the water heater as built. Repair facilities may just try to put a support under the heater without reinforcing the box.

For those owners who have gas coaches built on the Ford F53 frame, make sure you inspect your parking brake.

Stay safe out there.
JK