I'm now on the THOR sucks bandwagon

[alindsay]

Well, the coolant leak is getting out of hand. The repair center who is an authorized Freightliner and Cummins repair facility, is telling me this isn't covered under warranty for Cummins since it was some hose fitting that was loose.

It shouldn't be my responsibility to determine if it is an engine, chassis or other repair. This run around is not acceptable and needs to be addressed by Thor.

OK, just had to vent but this situation isn't going very well from my perspective.

I will let EVERYONE I know in on this...maybe when THOR loses business they will take notice and come up with a better solution for us owners.

Allan

[Crabby Mike]

So, your "Thor sucks" title does a great job of denigrating the manufacturer and decreasing the value of our coaches, but after reading this post (and going back to the earlier one where you actually explain the original problem), I haven't seen where you even gave Thor a CHANCE to help you resolve this issue.

I agree that it shouldn't be up to us as owners to figure out whose warranty should cover an issue on a new coach (which obviously should be covered by someone), but the first place you should raise the issue is with Thor, not here. I'm not surprised that it wouldn't be a Cummins issue, since they supply only the engine, and presumably not the integrated cooling system, but I would have thought it would be Freightliner before Thor. In any case, I'd suggest you call Thor at (877) 855-2867 (if you haven't already) and explain your issue. Personally, I've always found them helpful, and this is my second Thor diesel coach.

[bdpreece]

Although not a Thor lover, I can see no reason for the rant against Thor. All coaches go through a shake out period and that is why it is important to purchase from a reputable dealer who you return to when you have problems. It is then the dealer who either fixes it or has it repaired by the correct shop. When we bought our last coach our dealer took it to Freightliner on two occasions and at least once to a Cat shop. Never any argument over who was to pay and I never saw a bill.

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by alindsay

Well, the coolant leak is getting out of hand. The repair center who is an authorized Freightliner and Cummins repair facility, is telling me this isn't covered under warranty for Cummins since it was some hose fitting that was loose.

It shouldn't be my responsibility to determine if it is an engine, chassis or other repair. This run around is not acceptable and needs to be addressed by Thor.

OK, just had to vent but this situation isn't going very well from my perspective.

I will let EVERYONE I know in on this...maybe when THOR loses business they will take notice and come up with a better solution for us owners.

Allan

It would appear to me that it is a Freightliner problem and I would give them a call. I had an issue with a fuel gage and they sent me to a local Freightliner shop, they gave me a claim number and I gave it to the shop, I was in and out in a day. Freightliner and Thor has always treated me fair and I am happy with their customer service.

[patch-y]

Originally Posted by alindsay

Well, the coolant leak is getting out of hand. The repair center who is an authorized Freightliner and Cummins repair facility, is telling me this isn't covered under warranty for Cummins since it was some hose fitting that was loose.

It shouldn't be my responsibility to determine if it is an engine, chassis or other repair. This run around is not acceptable and needs to be addressed by Thor.

OK, just had to vent but this situation isn't going very well from my perspective.

I will let EVERYONE I know in on this...maybe when THOR loses business they will take notice and come up with a better solution for us owners.

Allan

so it seems they found the problem and it was a loose fitting or connection....did they fix it?? you say the 'problem is getting out of hand' what does that mean? is the problem getting worse? BTW....what was the estimate or cost of the fix??

did you call THOR and advise the cost and they refused to pay....?? more details would be helpful......

and as far as THOR.....well......I'm sure you know that the freightliner/cummins combo is used by many manufacturers........are you saying that the problem on your rig frame-engine(on the freight liner/cummins combo) only happens on THOR products??

It seems Crabby Mike may have some valid comments......

Call THOR is good advise from C. Mike

rich

[alindsay]

Well, I do have a right to complain - as you have a right to respond.

Cummins and Freightliner are trying their best to help. Sounds like from more discussion with the repair facility that it was a THOR installed item.

Yes I did call the dealer I bought it from and even though she said she would get in touch with someone and have them call me today, nothing yet.

Again, I do have a right to complain and am doing just that.

Runaround is not acceptable in my mind. We should have a contact point and from there it should be handled. If you want to futz around and call multiple people, go ahead...I expect the manufacturer to be the point person for all my repairs.

I also found out that the dealer didn't register my warranty yet...I find that unacceptable too.

Yes I'm upset...not a reason in my book why I would need to call around and get someone to help me. So, at this point, THOR still sucks.

Allan

[Ernie Ekberg]

if I had a fitting that needed to be tightened- I'd be getting out my tools and fixing it- and get back on the road

[Winepress]

The OP states "I expect the manufacturer to be the point person for all my repairs."
I understand the point, but I have found that I get better service going directly to the manufacturer of the component. If I have a chassis problem, I would go to Freightliner before Thor. I've just found that it is an easier fix.
Bought a house a few years ago. Had a problem with the AC not getting cold. I could have called the builder, but it called Trane. Problem fixed the next day, builder would have taken weeks.


Try and live up to your dogs opinion of you.

[RKL]

God forbid that you don't have something worse than a loose hose clamp. Learn your machine and inspect it frequently. Most small problems are easier to fix that trying to figure out who is responsible for the problem. Good luck Rkl

[Ernie Ekberg]

Originally Posted by RKL

God forbid that you don't have something worse than a loose hose clamp. Learn your machine and inspect it frequently. Most small problems are easier to fix that trying to figure out who is responsible for the problem. Good luck Rkl

currently, I have a tranny hose fitting that needs attention.
gonna dig out my work clothes, tools and simple green and get it fixed
simple green gets the crud off me

[UFO Pilot]

I feel for you. My 1st MH no one told me that I had to deal with Fleetwood and Workhorse for warranty work. I knew that when I bought my current Winnebago / Workhorse combo but it can still be frustrating. The chassis AC for example is part Workhorse and part Winnebago, obtaining parts and repairs can be difficult.

We need to remember not everybody has the skills or physical ability to work on their RV. I fractured my back last year and now have to depend others to do things I easily did a year ago.

[Crabby Mike]

Originally Posted by alindsay

Well, I do have a right to complain - as you have a right to respond.

Cummins and Freightliner are trying their best to help. Sounds like from more discussion with the repair facility that it was a THOR installed item.

Yes I did call the dealer I bought it from and even though she said she would get in touch with someone and have them call me today, nothing yet.

Again, I do have a right to complain and am doing just that.

Runaround is not acceptable in my mind. We should have a contact point and from there it should be handled. If you want to futz around and call multiple people, go ahead...I expect the manufacturer to be the point person for all my repairs.

I also found out that the dealer didn't register my warranty yet...I find that unacceptable too.

Yes I'm upset...not a reason in my book why I would need to call around and get someone to help me. So, at this point, THOR still sucks.

Allan

Allan -- of course you have a right to complain -- but just make sure you focus your complaint at the right party. It appears that you called your dealer, but not Thor (correct me if I'm wrong here). Yet you're blaming Thor for the lack of response, when they may not even be aware of your problem!

I understand that you don't want to have to "call around" to get help, but your first call should have been to Thor Motor Coach Customer Care at the number I gave you. I suspect that's what it says in your Owner's Manual too.

[alindsay]

Originally Posted by Crabby Mike

Allan -- of course you have a right to complain -- but just make sure you focus your complaint at the right party. It appears that you called your dealer, but not Thor (correct me if I'm wrong here). Yet you're blaming Thor for the lack of response, when they may not even be aware of your problem!

I understand that you don't want to have to "call around" to get help, but your first call should have been to Thor Motor Coach Customer Care at the number I gave you. I suspect that's what it says in your Owner's Manual too.

Fair enough...I called who I thought was able to help. Maybe the complaint should be towards the Dealer? Not really sure since in hindsight, I should have pushed the dealer on how I should resolve issues. I also had the impression the dealer called the appropriate party and they (Thor?) didn't call me back.

I am usually very handy and don't mind at all fixing my own things. In this case I tried but just don't have the facility or ability to climb under the unit and fix it.

Everyone handles problems differently and in this case, I felt a coolant leak should be handled buy an expert since my initial look didn't show anything obvious to me.

BUT

Let's get realistic about quality. There are a lot of items getting out of the factory and dealers that looks like shoddy work and not just human error. That is what disturbs me. From all the reading I did before my purchase, I felt the culture at THOR was one of quality workmanship. I still think that is true to a large degree (I like my coach) but loose fittings on coolant lines? That's shoddy work in my opinion and unacceptable. It only takes one crappy worker to give all a bad name.

So, I'm going to call THOR in the morning and see how to get this resolved. If I need to eat crow, I'll do so.

Allan

PS I have added THORs # to my contact list and it will be the first number I call in the future.

[JamesKB]

Originally Posted by alindsay

Fair enough...I called who I thought was able to help. Maybe the complaint should be towards the Dealer? Not really sure since in hindsight, I should have pushed the dealer on how I should resolve issues. I also had the impression the dealer called the appropriate party and they (Thor?) didn't call me back.

I am usually very handy and don't mind at all fixing my own things. In this case I tried but just don't have the facility or ability to climb under the unit and fix it.

Everyone handles problems differently and in this case, I felt a coolant leak should be handled buy an expert since my initial look didn't show anything obvious to me.

BUT

Let's get realistic about quality. There are a lot of items getting out of the factory and dealers that looks like shoddy work and not just human error. That is what disturbs me. From all the reading I did before my purchase, I felt the culture at THOR was one of quality workmanship. I still think that is true to a large degree (I like my coach) but loose fittings on coolant lines? That's shoddy work in my opinion and unacceptable. It only takes one crappy worker to give all a bad name.

So, I'm going to call THOR in the morning and see how to get this resolved. If I need to eat crow, I'll do so.

Allan

PS I have added THORs # to my contact list and it will be the first number I call in the future.

I hope calling works, and pelase post if it does. I, on the other hand, have sent and will re-send a registered w/ return reciept letter to Thor and will continue to do so for a foreseeable time until my problems with my Brand New Thor Palazzo 33.2 are fixed. I am sorry, but I have to agree and may have to take it a step further that Thor has made my particular RV with incredible substandard parts. Everything about my RV seems to be made with the cheapest possible parts, almost reminiscent of a "going to the lowest bidder" philosophy.

I have a Brand New Thor Palazzo, purchased in March of this year, 2014 and have had problems with it from Day 1. No kidding and no exaggeration. The reason I have resorted to writing and want to add on to your frustration is actually a very important lesson learned from Camping World. They refuse to answer any of my emails in any way whatsoever and only resorts to calling me on the phone. I suspect that they do not want any paper trail that would incur any liability or responsibility as they seem to have no real knowledge of the problems at hand and according to many posts on the net about the current "Thor."

From the very first drive to the first detsination I ever made, which happens to have only been a 3 hour drive, the DASH air conditioning system in the vehicle was not working, it went out within the first few minutes of driving. This was not the living space, this was the actual dash unit used while driving. This RV is Brand Spankin New! The water also leaks from the roof, both driver and passenger side from the cieling, so much so that a great deal of water penetrated from the bottom of the sliding door in to the RV itself; the roof paint started to peel less than a month into my purchase, the auto step stopped working on the first trip, this RV does not have a drain gutter from the roof air conditioner, it also does not have a drain water devoter and drains everywhere! There is a huge gap under the right slide out large enough for INSECTS to penetrate. We looked looked like a viral case out of a movie from so many bug bites after one night, I felt horrible for my wife. The curtains do NOT work behind the sofa…ughhh, the list just seems to run forever. I am going to write Thor via Registered Mail with Return Receipt until all of this gets resolved. The sad thing is, there were several other issues that I have already fixed myself after reading a few reviews prior to my purchase. I have already been to CAMPING WORLD, where the RV was purchased, multiple times and I just can not stand it any more... I had the air conditioner supposedly fixed, and on my way home from picking it up today, it FAILED again! Now I have to cancel another trip. This is just horrible, just horrible.