Shakedown Blues

[ACE3263]

We just took our brand new ACE 29.3 out on a "shakedown". After three days, we sadly drove back to Camper's World wirh a bullet list of problems. They explained it could be months before the warranty work was addressed, due to the holidays and lengthy wait time for parts. We already experienced a two month delay in using the coach due to waiting for a tv and other parts for the "new" coach. Wow. How does the industry thrive under these circumstances? We are disillusioned already after one trip. Any words of encouragement out there?

[larry.chenkin]

Unfortunately all I can suggest is patience (goes hand in hand with frustration). My 16 30.2 also has a long list. I was told when it goes in the average time in the shop is 21 days. The rv industry is not like the auto industry where warranty issues are fixed pretty much right away. They have to be diagnosed, written up, submitted to Thor, thor might want more info, approved. Then parts are ordered which can take a week or 2 to be received.
There has to be a better way!

[mcr1010]

If your coach is usable, I would ask CW to put me on the appointment list and use your coach until your appointment date. I would not let it sit at the dealers. It should not be this way, but seems to be common place. I would bet if you if you had handed them the list before the $$, your list would be completed within a few days.
Also, if you are handy, there may be some items on your punch list you can attend to even better than the dealer . Most of us here have small and large problems with our coaches in and out of warranty. If there is something specific you have question about, there is probably a good answer on the forum. Just know that you are not alone in having these problems. I usually have a list of minor problems or improvements on my coach after each trip.
Like Larry mentioned, patience.

[larry.chenkin]

We had a non functional toilet, so it had to go in to camping world. We have a december date for the rest of the repairs, and we took it back for a trip to new orleans, where we are now. A lot of the approvals are done, and parts will be there for december.

[EA37TS]

I found that with small items such as drawer or cabinet catches and slide seals Thor is willing to send the parts to the owner so they can perform the repair themselves. With other items, in my case the radio intermittently loosing power, Thor wants the dealer to verify if the issue is a loose wire or the radio itself.

Unfortunately some dealers' service departments get backed up during the late spring through early winter. Also, some dealers unfortunately place a lower priority of warranty work than they do on off the street efforts.

If you want to try something interesting call you dealer, Camping World, and tell them you are interested in upgrading your refrigerator to a larger model and ask them how long it would take to complete the installation.

[davidgebo]

We found, with our 2014 Vegas 24.1. that many of the issues were better and more quickly repaired by me. CW is slow to schedule, Thor is slow to send approval for repairs, sometimes incorrect parts were sent, the CW techs were unfamiliar with the new model coach, and were sometimes unable to find the problem or correct it. After a year of ownership, the problems have been resolved, some minor irritants, some major safety issues. In all fairness, Thor warranty did their best to make things right, but being what they are, a huge corporation, resolution and identification of problems takes a long time. Many of the issues we had were cosmetic and quality control problems, as well as very poor design and manufacturing details. After getting the front-end aligned, installing a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer, getting the driveshafts replaced, repairing the shower walls, cabinet doors, tail-light assemblies, getting the rear view mirrors replaced, short-circuits in the dashboard addressed, tire valve extenders replaced, bath door latch replaced after wife was trapped in bathroom, windshield washer motor replaced, loose hanging wires beneath the coach secured, replacing some of the exterior graphics, repairing finger-tight connections at the water pump, which were leaking, Tightened the Studor venting valve under the bath sink, which allowed sewer odors into the coach, replaced cheap shower head, and tightened or replaced many nuts, bolts screws all around the coach, inside and out, I think we finally have a coach we can confidently travel in. And we have traveled a lot, and enjoyed the Vegas. It handles well, now, is nimble, and easy to drive thru parking lots and campgrounds, is reasonably comfortable to live in, looks cool, and gets about 10 MPG towing our PT Cruiser. Overall, the growing pains were extremely aggravating and not expected, but I am pleased with the coach now.