New 2018 but w/Corroded Battery Compartment

[dkoldman]

I have been looking at Thor's ACE units. I saw one today that I thought I like but, the factory batteries (Worldwide Dec 2017) in a brand new ACE with only 1100 miles looked really bad. (See the pictures)

What I would like to know from experienced RV'ers is what should I do?

1. Run and walk away from the deal as there is something wrong?
2. Trust the RV Dealer to clean up compartment and keep same batteries?
3. Insist the RV Dealer cleans up compartment replacing hardware and batteries (maybe upgrade to Group 31s?
4. Buy as is as this is normal and nothing to be alarmed about?
5. Some other option?

Incidentally, they had another unit but not the color I wanted, but that battery compartment looked very clean and not corroded. (See the last picture) They both were 2018s; so it makes it harder for me to accept whatever could have possibly happened with the unit I wanted to buy?

[Metalman]

The amount of corrosion is not normal. I suspect that either a battery exploded or cracked, or boiled over. It's possible that there is damage to the hydraulic pump and probably many other components and devices in the compartment. The cause of the corrosion is disconcerting. A thorough evaluation of the charging circuits is in order. I'd get the dealer to replace everything that has any corrosion, clean the compartment, replace the batteries, and give you some type of extended warranty.

[Radioradio]

Originally Posted by Metalman

The amount of corrosion is not normal. I suspect that either a battery exploded or cracked, or boiled over. It's possible that there is damage to the hydraulic pump and probably many other components and devices in the compartment. The cause of the corrosion is disconcerting. A thorough evaluation of the charging circuits is in order. I'd get the dealer to replace everything that has any corrosion, clean the compartment, replace the batteries, and give you some type of extended warranty.

I have similar corrosion on my 2018 Ace that I just bought 3 mo ago. I’ve washed it out and oiled it but there is a problem. Interesting that we have the same batteries and date stamp.
Maybe it’s a battery problem. I’m sure Thor charged them and kept them charged after they were built in the Winter and were parked till they were driven away.............sure. I was suspecting a cracked battery.

[lug]

Skip it! Damage should have been corrected before it got to this point.

[Joe-FL]

It is hard to tell from the photos exactly how much corrosion is present. Keep in mind that wet batteries "breath" and will create some of what you see when enclosed in compartments that don't have much air movement. I would certainly have the dealer clean the area with the proper battery acid solvent cleaner and have all the batteries tested.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Joe-FL

It is hard to tell from the photos exactly how much corrosion is present. Keep in mind that wet batteries "breath" and will create some of what you see when enclosed in compartments that don't have much air movement. I would certainly have the dealer clean the area with the proper battery acid solvent cleaner and have all the batteries tested.

Of course I could not move the batteries etc., the pictures were taken of all of the visible areas I could see corrosion. It is a brand new never sold 2018 RV and I was close to buying. I took these pictures because that it looked really bad compared to the others. I was talking to salesman and I had to stop my self because I almost said I could not expect it to perfect, but then it is supposed to be brand new. If it was used, then you start the conversation of what may be normal. If I bought then when I sale, I would take a really big hit because it would be used with damaged.

From what I have read thus far, there is no way I accept the existing batteries anymore. Oddly a sticking point on the sale before I saw all of this was I had spoken to Worldwide battery who had encouraged me to get the dealers to upgrade both of my house batteries to their Group 31. Reason being is I have two inverters on same bank of batteries and they felt I could increase the reserve. RV dealer would not do, stating they don't change what comes from the mfg.

[Peterrrr]

Being a new unit the dealer needed to perform the PDI work that they are paid for from Thor. Crap happens, but you correct it. They needed to determine the cause of the excessive corrosion and correct it . They needed to document it with Thor.
I think it was something the dealer should have done way before they even allowed a potential customer to view the unit. The fact that it sat with them without any correction and they are showing it to customers, means it is a dealer that I would not be confident in dealing with. Is there a reason why they have not fixed it? Do they need the customer to assist them with Thor. I do not think Thor would even be happy about the way the dealer is representing their product.
You gave the options to us for help in deciding, thus you should walk away. If you buy the corroded unit, or the unit in the color you did not want, you are going to have second thoughts further down the road. Thoughts you do not need when you make a purchase of a new item.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Metalman

The amount of corrosion is not normal. I suspect that either a battery exploded or cracked, or boiled over. It's possible that there is damage to the hydraulic pump and probably many other components and devices in the compartment. The cause of the corrosion is disconcerting. A thorough evaluation of the charging circuits is in order. I'd get the dealer to replace everything that has any corrosion, clean the compartment, replace the batteries, and give you some type of extended warranty.

You bring up great points, since the corrosion is prevalent on hydraulic pump, it had to explode or have very strong acid vapors within that compartment. They may have already replaced the batteries (DEC 2017 no telling what was there before if truly replaced?), so I can't see anything odd by looking at the top of the batteries. I do know that while the batteries appear to work okay, the salesman was quick to get it plugged up to shore power.

This was not the only major issue as the full side slide would only extend/retract about 3 inches if it moved at all. However the manual override worked each time. The dealer did not know about the manual override, as I learned that on this site At one point the controller on the slide gave error of too much current on motor 1.

[Bob Denman]

I don't like what I'm seeing at all...
Find another rig: at another dealership.

Good luck!

[jb1911]

There are tons of RVs for sale out there. Go find another one.

[jnschnit]

This dealer should have caught this and corrected it before they showed it. That is their job! I would walk away and find another dealer. No telling how they would treat you after you walk out the door.

[Mlleml]

Run, don’t walk and don’t look back. You’ll never trust that RV or dealer.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by jb1911

There are tons of RVs for sale out there. Go find another one.

While I know you guys are right, it may be easier for you to say there are tons out there; because you live in Indiana, the RV Capital of the World.

Theoretically the salesman claim to only learn about this yesterday, so I look forward to reporting back what course of action they take. I was actually making a punch list before I bought to ensure they agreed to fix all I had on my punch list before giving deposit etc.

I live in Dallas area; so not very many Thor dealers around. Winnebagos are all around me.

For what I was wanting to do with an RV, the ACE 29.3 fits the best. But if I give up some of those things, you are right there are plenty of other options.

What I am looking for.
1. Class A under 30 feet
2. Bedroom that does not require a slide to use, sliding door not curtain for privacy
3. Bathroom that does not require you to go into bedroom to use
4. Residential Refrigerator, 2 ACs, 5500KW, AGS, Dropdown Bunk,
5. Outside Entertainment package, with fridge & sink
6. 3 Total TV's
7. 1 wall slide on Driver side
8. Tow Package of 5000lbs or higher. ACE has 8000lbs. My boat when filled with gas and water is around 5500lbs

When I first started looking I wanted the Quantum 28Z, was ready to get until my wife noticed issues with leg room while sitting in passenger seat. I don't know how Class C owners tolerate that configuration as it was very uncomfortable for me sitting in that seat for few minutes.

Then we moved to Freedom Traveler, but we hated the way the bed folded up. Not to mention CW was a pain to work with. If I recall, they force you to Finance with them or pay $5k more. I have not gone back.

Being in Texas the heat is king. Getting 2 ACs is a very essential nice to have :-) I wish to boondock alot so the AGS is also great.

But if I could find a dealer to sell me this unit new, or used if in good shape, I will drive to Indiana or any other place to go get. I have only used rvtrader.com to find RV's nationwide for sale, and I don't see any of what I just described online? Thor referred me directly to dealer in Kentucky but it was for brand new 2019 they had just shipped and dealer wanted almost $30k more it over the 2018s I have been looking at.

[Metalman]

Do you want a driver's side slide out so you can pull to the side of the road and extend with slide out without fear of encroaching on traffic? I had an RV with a driver's side slide out and the legroom for the driver was severely restricted when the slide out was retracted. When I test drove it, the few miles while I was in the driver's seat didn't tax my legs and knees, but once I owned it and sat for hours behind the wheel, I was very uncomfortable. The best I could do was to lift the seat four inches, which helped quite a bit.

[TurnerFam]

my two 'sense' is that it probably matters not, in the long run, as long as the battery(s) are good, and hold a charge - the 'look' of the compartment is not going to affect your enjoyment of RVing... my own battery compartment, which houses 4 6v House batteries and 2 12v Chassis batteries, along with some cutoff switches and other small devices, does not 'look' great - never has. But, the batteries are the same 'stock' batteries that came with the motorcoach, even as it sat at the dealer for over 6 months before we purchased it, and have performed very well over 85,000 miles in 4 years and lot of dry-camping, overnight bookdocking, and all the road grime, snow and ice, and temperatures that you could throw at it.
My house batteries grow 'hair' like crazy, and I've tried to minimize it by cleaning them periodically and applying all sorts of cleaners and preventative sprays, but the batteries themselves perform like they should, no matter WHAT they look like.
Most would like in my battery bay and proclaim that I certainly need to 'change' my batteries, just because of what they look like, but if they are performing the way they should, there's no need to. Maybe one day, but not today.

[Baddad53]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

While I know you guys are right, it may be easier for you to say there are tons out there; because you live in Indiana, the RV Capital of the World.

Theoretically the salesman claim to only learn about this yesterday, so I look forward to reporting back what course of action they take. I was actually making a punch list before I bought to ensure they agreed to fix all I had on my punch list before giving deposit etc.

I live in Dallas area; so not very many Thor dealers around. Winnebagos are all around me.

For what I was wanting to do with an RV, the ACE 29.3 fits the best. But if I give up some of those things, you are right there are plenty of other options.

What I am looking for.
1. Class A under 30 feet
2. Bedroom that does not require a slide to use, sliding door not curtain for privacy
3. Bathroom that does not require you to go into bedroom to use
4. Residential Refrigerator, 2 ACs, 5500KW, AGS, Dropdown Bunk,
5. Outside Entertainment package, with fridge & sink
6. 3 Total TV's
7. 1 wall slide on Driver side
8. Tow Package of 5000lbs or higher. ACE has 8000lbs. My boat when filled with gas and water is around 5500lbs

When I first started looking I wanted the Quantum 28Z, was ready to get until my wife noticed issues with leg room while sitting in passenger seat. I don't know how Class C owners tolerate that configuration as it was very uncomfortable for me sitting in that seat for few minutes.

Then we moved to Freedom Traveler, but we hated the way the bed folded up. Not to mention CW was a pain to work with. If I recall, they force you to Finance with them or pay $5k more. I have not gone back.

Being in Texas the heat is king. Getting 2 ACs is a very essential nice to have :-) I wish to boondock alot so the AGS is also great.

But if I could find a dealer to sell me this unit new, or used if in good shape, I will drive to Indiana or any other place to go get. I have only used rvtrader.com to find RV's nationwide for sale, and I don't see any of what I just described online? Thor referred me directly to dealer in Kentucky but it was for brand new 2019 they had just shipped and dealer wanted almost $30k more it over the 2018s I have been looking at.

DW and I went to the California RV show in Pomona a few weeks ago. Just looking. We really like ACE 30.4. At the show, Giant RV price was in the high 80's. When I got home looked online for price comparison and Motor Home Specialist in the Dallas area was the same, they have pretty straightforward price quoting on their website. Just a suggestion since you are in Texas. To me, where you buy from and where get it serviced, are never the same location. If you buy used - get independent inspection prior to buying. Have dealer correct anything you find to your satisfaction. After the sale the unit is warrantied by the Thor and service location can be local at trusted location. I purchased my unit at Quartzsite (dealer was from Flagstaff AZ) and Thor has been great reminiscing my local repair place in Ventura, CA.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Metalman

Do you want a driver's side slide out so you can pull to the side of the road and extend with slide out without fear of encroaching on traffic?

I want a driver side slide out because I plan to store at my house in driveway next to my fence. Picture pulling into a driveway for 2 car garage. To the left I have improved surface where I store my 24' boat. To the right imagine a 4th lane, I intend to back in my future RV. My subpanel for 50 amps will be mounted on fence. I will have the option of opening slide and leaving it opened without impacting the two main lanes for car / SUV going in or out of garage.

If I am parked on street or just temporarily parked, I don't propose to use the slide. That the reason why I want bed that does not require slide out. If I must park overnight on a street and wanted the slide out, I would simply put out my cones or park on wrong side of street so slide is over grass.

I have noticed the driver space with slide retracted. It was not an issue yesterday, but I did have to move seat. I will look at that closer next time. I am 6'0" so it may not be an issue for me.

[Lt Keefer]

Skip the coach and buy a Winnebago or Fleetwood that comes closest to fitting your needs. You'll thank me in the long run.

[Long & Winding road]

Yeah if your seeing more than one major problem with this coach already then find another one you like. For ever thing you find wrong now you will have 10 more problems later.

I know its hard sometimes - esp when you find the right floor plan at the right price but unless they knock another 10K off the price IMO its not worth the hassle.

[The Gritz Carlton]

"It is hard to tell from the photos exactly how much corrosion is present."

Not for me, it isn't. This is trash as batteries have been boiled over from-charging. Forget this unit at any cost...and pictures need to be sent to Thor for their input and safety from having to cover any issues this dealer may cost them down the road.