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Oscar Mike · 11-12-2012, 01:34 PM

I just purchased my new Fleetwood Bounder 33U from Findlay RV in Las Vegas. I am the consummate pessimistic and so during the sales portion of the deal I was always looking for the sales guy to throw me a curve ball. I have been pleasantly surprised in that here have been no surprises to date.

Today begins the real test...the after the sales promise "Take the coach for a couple of weeks, figure out what's wrong and we'll get it taken care of..." Today I dropped off my motor home. Long story short, I have an 11 item list, mostly stuff, well...all stuff that should have been picked up in the PDI. The Service Adviser noted that he was short handed and that he need at least a week to correct my list.

There is no power to the outside stereo
Water heater light does not come on
Exterior Body Trim, Driver’s Side has popped out
Oil leak from the generator oil filter, technician error
Shades at the dining table need to be adjusted to stay up
Water leak at water heater bypass
Heater igniter clicks, and does not ignite the furnace in rear
Bathroom Screen has a small tear
Noisy water pump
“Nail Pop” adjacent to the Passenger Side Couch window a. My concern is the long-term effect on the fiberglass skin. This is a manufacturing defect.
b Cab A/C does not blow cold
There is a loud hum when plugged into shore power.

I'll know more at the end of the week...if the promises of service are kept I'll proudly write the Owner's a letter of thanks...well anyway that's what I am hoping happens.

SarahW · 11-12-2012, 05:49 PM

Just one comment about your water heater light. It will not come on unless the heater fails to ignite. It's a "warning light", not an "on" light. We had to learn that the hard way.

Oscar Mike · 11-13-2012, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

Just one comment about your water heater light. It will not come on unless the heater fails to ignite. It's a "warning light", not an "on" light. We had to learn that the hard way.

I wonder why the service manager did not know that...makes perfect sense to me though...looks like I'll be reading about my water heater in the manual...thanks Sarah for the tip.

Wayne M · 11-13-2012, 09:21 AM

John,
There are two principles to work by.

WAG and SWAG

WAG = Wild A$* Guess

When you add the "S" in front of it, and you read the manual, it becomes a "Scientific," WAG.

It sounds like you are on the right track in getting it taken care of, now let's hope they do live up to their end of the bargain.

Happy trails.

NURSECAMPER · 11-13-2012, 11:12 PM

wow- that's a lot of things wrong to fix in something you just purchased; i'd be kinda leary; makes me think i need to purchase a new camper now- i've been debating

Nitrohorse · 11-14-2012, 03:06 AM

I was thinking the same thing...there's too much wrong with a brand new MH. Out of all the issues, the nail pops would be my biggest concern as they will impact the integrity of the fiberglass. I would ask for that issue to be documented in writing for future reference .

Oscar Mike · 11-14-2012, 07:35 AM

The "nail pop" that is visible only from the outside and standing so that the light reflects just right is a HUGE concern of mine. It is entirely possible that I would use our state's lemon law successfully if I need to in the coming days. I have reported the problem to the dealer, which is the first stop along the way in something like this. I will take some very good photos of the area when I get the coach the back and email or send them to Fleetwood just to be on the safe side of documenting the issue.
Had I seen this "nail pop" before the sale, I doubt if I would have made the purchase.

SarahW · 11-14-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmbeard

I wonder why the service manager did not know that...makes perfect sense to me though...looks like I'll be reading about my water heater in the manual...thanks Sarah for the tip.

You'll be amazed at what the service manager doesn't know.

Truth be told, your punch list is very reasonable compared to what some people have. I hope they get it all fixed up to your satisfaction.

topdownman · 11-14-2012, 10:53 AM

I seriously doubt that's a nail pop. I think think they'd be using nails in the sides. Mostly likely a screw that wasn't screwed completely down.

Oscar Mike · 11-14-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topdownman

I seriously doubt that's a nail pop. I think think they'd be using nails in the sides. Mostly likely a screw that wasn't screwed completely down.

Whatever it may be it will be a source of "skin disease" down the road, so the best thing for us is to get it taken care of now rather than later. I'll post a photo when I get the MH back from the service department, for opinions and feedback later.

George Schweikle · 11-14-2012, 04:47 PM

Ah, er, maybe read all of the manuals?

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmbeard

...looks like I'll be reading about my water heater in the manual...

Oscar Mike · 11-14-2012, 04:54 PM

Reading spec manuals is on an "as-needed" basis...

Life has more to offer than reading specification manuals...IMHO...

wincrasher · 11-14-2012, 05:36 PM

Not surprising at all. It's a Bounder after all. You'll need to be patient with the service techs, as they will be about as bad as you can get. My pop sent 2 Bounders back to Fleetwood under the Lemon Law. I suggest you get all your work requests (work orders) in and out, and make sure they are dated correctly. They like to make up their own days as these are counted in a Lemon Law dispute.

Good luck!

Oscar Mike · 11-18-2012, 06:16 AM

So, after nearly a week I called my service adviser at Findlay RV in Las Vegas, NV and lo and behold my coach was still sitting in the queue waiting for the PDI items to be attended to. His excuse, and I am sure this is heard year round, I have two guys on vacation, then it was I have two guys in training, whichever it was, my new coach was sitting in the dealer's lot.

I wound up, writing the General Manager, Sales Manager, Finance Manager and my Sales Associate a lengthy email. Long story short, I was able to get the Service Manager to call me back...Since on the dealer's web page all of the email addresses are listed, with the exception of the Service Manager, I could not include him on my original rant.

I now have a commitment from the Service Manager to document the protrusion in the exterior skin and inform Fleetwood (I have already informed Fleetwood in an email). A "Skilled Technician" will be assigned to my coach on Monday, 11/19/2012... and with any luck we'll get our motor home back in time to go out this holiday weekend.