Frustrated Beyond Belief

[marksil]

Not sure the OP was actually looking any help, just complaining…most of us just get things fixed ourselves so we can enjoy our RV. As you noted, life is too short…

I understand the need to learn how to maintain your own RV. But As a new RV’r, I didn’t know I would need to be responsible for my own REPAIRS on a brand new $110,000. camper. If you have the time, aptitude and tools, sure but you should not need to be a mechanic to own a camper. However, after a few years with my Tellaro, trying to get it right and being abused by my dealer (La Mesa, and now after reading Forum for a while, I see every dealer sucks) I think the best advice is to negotiate your best price, and then say “Sold, but since you do not inspect your own vehicles before sale, I’ll be hiring my own before I take delivery, and that cost will be deducted from the price we just agreed upon. And then, after I leave without my camper to let them do all the repair work discovered by an expert, I would hire them again on my return to pick up, and see that dealer actually did repairs properly. That vehicle would not leave the repair center until it was done right. Because if you are a rookie, you don’t know what you don’t know. My experience with my Tellaro, once it was fixed right, it stayed fixed.

 

[ducksface]

Add in
Three hours of

Front of the line, no excuses, service hours for the unseen but later found problems.

It costs the dealer nothing, has great value to you, and is a strong indicator of who the dealer really is based on their excuses to not happily do this.

 

[Thorn-THOR]

I bought a new 2023 Thor Tellaro 20L in March 2023 from Camping World in Tallahassee, Florida. I have owned it 22 months. During that time, it has been in the repair shop at Camping World for 12 months and at the local Ram Dealership for 2 months. 55% of the time I've owned it it's been "in the shop". Plus I took it to Camping World October 1, 2024 (with an appointment) with a list of several warranty items and I'm still waiting for them to repair those. All of this has been for warranty repairs, i.e. failures of practically new components, not any problem I caused. Some of this has caused me to cancel significant planned trips with money outlaid on reservations. The list of essential components they've replaced is incredibly long.

Every time I take it in, I get weeks and months of excuses. I have contacted the Presidents of Thor and of Camping World. I have talked to lawyers. I have begged the Local Camping World General Manager. All I get is "Welcome to the world of RV'ing".
Is this really typical of service to RVs? Am I missing some secret on how to deal with the RV industry? Does anyone have any advice for me, other than never buy from Thor or Camping World?

I believe Florida has a two year Lemon Law. You are almost out of time, so act fast. Get a Lemon Law Lawyer (which usually Thor and Stellantis will have to pay, at least they do in California), and explain your situation and make a decision on either totally claiming the RV as a "Lemon", or sue both companies for compensation. If you sue for compensation, your case will more than likely resolve quicker than returning the RV.
I did this in California and ended up 25k richer and no fees or taxes, which more than covered my heartaches and missed vacations.

 

[16ACE27]

I believe Florida has a two year Lemon Law. You are almost out of time, so act fast. Get a Lemon Law Lawyer (which usually Thor and Stellantis will have to pay, at least they do in California), and explain your situation and make a decision on either totally claiming the RV as a "Lemon", or sue both companies for compensation. If you sue for compensation, your case will more than likely resolve quicker than returning the RV.
I did this in California and ended up 25k richer and no fees or taxes, which more than covered my heartaches and missed vacations.

Florida's Lemon Law does not apply to the "Living facilities", only the vehicle chassis and components.

Purchasers of new or demonstrator recreation vehicles (not van or truck conversions) should be provided with the "Consumer Guide to the Florida Lemon Law" by their selling dealer at the time of purchase. The Consumer Guide contains a section that explains Lemon Law coverage for recreation vehicles. If you did not receive a Consumer Guide when you purchased your vehicle, call the Lemon Law Hotline at 1-800-321-5366 (1-850-414-3500 if outside Florida) to request a Guide. Recreation vehicle manufacturers are also required to inform consumers how and where to file a claim with the RV Mediation/Arbitration Program. This information must be provided in writing at the time of acquisition of the recreation vehicle.

Certain parts or components of recreation vehicles are NOT COVERED under Florida’s Lemon Law. These are referred to in the law as the "living facilities," which are defined as portions of the vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily as living quarters, such as the flooring, plumbing system and fixtures, roof air conditioner, furnace, generator, electrical systems other than automotive circuits, the side entrance door, exterior components and windows other than the windshield and driver and front passenger windows. This is not a complete list.

The Lemon Law rights period for recreation vehicles is 24 months from the date of delivery, just like for other motor vehicles; however, other time periods are different and consumers should read the Consumer Guide for more information.

 

[dkoldman]

I understand the need to learn how to maintain your own RV. But As a new RV’r, I didn’t know I would need to be responsible for my own REPAIRS on a brand new $110,000. camper. If you have the time, aptitude and tools, sure but you should not need to be a mechanic to own a camper. However, after a few years with my Tellaro, trying to get it right and being abused by my dealer (La Mesa, and now after reading Forum for a while, I see every dealer sucks) I think the best advice is to negotiate your best price, and then say “Sold, but since you do not inspect your own vehicles before sale, I’ll be hiring my own before I take delivery, and that cost will be deducted from the price we just agreed upon. And then, after I leave without my camper to let them do all the repair work discovered by an expert, I would hire them again on my return to pick up, and see that dealer actually did repairs properly. That vehicle would not leave the repair center until it was done right. Because if you are a rookie, you don’t know what you don’t know. My experience with my Tellaro, once it was fixed right, it stayed fixed.

It is all perspective. I have only had one RV and it has been awesome. I boughtit 6 years ago at a La Mesa in Port St. Lucie Florida, 1500 miles from home. Never an issue with them although their Service dept did not know how to drain to my fresh water tank. The instructions they gave me over the phone did not work, I was a newbie and I am sure they thought I was an idiot. One call to the Mfg and it turned out they had provided me with a wrong version of my manual. They sent me a new manual that accurately shows how to drain that tank.

La Mesa still reaches out to me twice a year, once on my birthdate that I lied about, and then again on the day I bought the RV. I have even talked with my Sales lady a few times who is still there. Anybody want a hook up send me a PM, excuse me a Conversation

My view is it all comes down to the PDI. I had had 3 RVs fail my PDI and I was a newbie, I had this site to help guide me though. By the time I got to La Mesa it may have been as I had owned 3 RVs, I told them everything that I was skittish about, sent them my PDI list before going and had them confirm BEFORE we went down to look. I don't trust an Inspector (certified or not) but if I just didn't know anything or buying something user maybe I would pay the cost. We spent 6 hours doing our PDI, found nothing wrong, no list. We bought and drove back to Dallas.

But something I will never understand, even when I buy a car, new or used, I check it out. I may not spend 6 hours but I drive it and make certain everything works. A RV has a lot more moving parts.

 

[FLYINGPIG]

So sorry about the troubles- as you can see I have over 80 mods on my 2022 Tellaro 20L. I bought after owning a 20AT with poor floor plan for us- I decided that I could fix anything TMC threw at me, so I got the twin beds, and stuff starting falling off on the way off the lot. Not surprised. It's not just Thor either- many others have issues too.
Problem with selling is the need to disclose problems- dealer will be the only avenue, and then you're back to square one. So let's fix it!!
They tried to sell me the 'tissue of lies' $10k extended warranty and feigned being insulted when I declined.
I knew i was on my own from day one, but had already rebuilt another RV, so I have the chops to do it to this one, and now it's nearly perfect.
You can send PM via 'conversations' and we can exchange emails- I can help you thru this hopefully. I do all my own repairs. A mobile tech is your best alternate option- if you bought that extended warranty- cancel it and get a refund.
sCam-King Whirled is the worst to deal with from what I have seen/read. I'll never use them. Let's see if we can get yours straightened out- where are you?
Mark

Mark54,
Can you email me? I have some issue and need your help.
flyingpig187@gmail.com

 

[Mark54]

Mark54,
Can you email me? I have some issue and need your help.
flyingpig187@gmail.com

email just sent- will look at tomorrow

 

[professorkx]

I understand the need to learn how to maintain your own RV. But As a new RV’r, I didn’t know I would need to be responsible for my own REPAIRS on a brand new $110,000. camper. If you have the time, aptitude and tools, sure but you should not need to be a mechanic to own a camper. However, after a few years with my Tellaro, trying to get it right and being abused by my dealer (La Mesa, and now after reading Forum for a while, I see every dealer sucks) I think the best advice is to negotiate your best price, and then say “Sold, but since you do not inspect your own vehicles before sale, I’ll be hiring my own before I take delivery, and that cost will be deducted from the price we just agreed upon. And then, after I leave without my camper to let them do all the repair work discovered by an expert, I would hire them again on my return to pick up, and see that dealer actually did repairs properly. That vehicle would not leave the repair center until it was done right. Because if you are a rookie, you don’t know what you don’t know. My experience with my Tellaro, once it was fixed right, it stayed fixed.

A RV owner doesn’t need to repair items themselves, they can use money to effectuate repairs. For example, I used a mobile rv tech to replace an AC on a prior class C with good results, as I didn’t have the equipment to get the AC unit on/off the roof.

As for not picking up an RV after purchasing a new unit until all of the items found during inspection are resolved, IMHO, if the target RV doesn’t pass inspection, the prospective buyer should only provide a nominal deposit, should never sign ANY document and should never consummate the purchase with either a cash payment or financing until all items found during the inspection are resolved. In short, if the inspection exceptions are not addressed in a timely manner, a buyer needs to be able to walk away from their nominal deposit with no further liability.

The reality in the RV industry is that after the sale is consummated, a dealer has zero motivation to complete any repairs found during inspection or after delivery and a buyer is stuck in the warranty death spiral.

Life is just too short to be involved in the warranty death spiral.

 

[dkoldman]

A RV owner doesn’t need to repair items themselves, they can use money to effectuate repairs. For example, I used a mobile rv tech to replace an AC on a prior class C with good results, as I didn’t have the equipment to get the AC unit on/off the roof.

As for not picking up an RV after purchasing a new unit until all of the items found during inspection are resolved, IMHO, if the target RV doesn’t pass inspection, the prospective buyer should only provide a nominal deposit, should never sign ANY document and should never consummate the purchase with either a cash payment or financing until all items found during the inspection are resolved. In short, if the inspection exceptions are not addressed in a timely manner, a buyer needs to be able to walk away from their nominal deposit with no further liability.

The reality in the RV industry is that after the sale is consummated, a dealer has zero motivation to complete any repairs found during inspection or after delivery and a buyer is stuck in the warranty death spiral.

Life is just too short to be involved in the warranty death spiral.

Amen brother, I mean Professor.

I had to walk away from a brand new RV that failed a PDI conducted by me 3 times before I finally got the RV I owned today. One might say I bought the 1st RV that I liked that passed my PDI as that is what happened in my case. I can't tell you how hard it is to tell all and your family that you have decided to buy an RV, put up deposit, go to get it only to be true to myself by looking for at least all of the Kaptain Obvious issue / stuff. One dealer for two of the RVs that I passed on was at least honest enough to tell me they would not fix all the things noted. A quick call to TMC, who said the Dealer was responsible so I just walked.

The sad thing about the Dealer games, I am 100% certain that all 3 of those RVs sold to someone with all the issues I had noted. The new owners were likely on this site years ago complaining about TMC quality. TMC sells to Dealers and Dealers sell to the Public. Out of my long list of defective items across all 3 of the coaches, none were TMC Mfg issues, but rather defects that had occurred while sitting on the Dealers lot. I know has TMC has issues and so does WBGO, but they are few and the Mfg will always 100% adhere to their warranty. I use a Mobile Tech Guy as well. It has been more than 3 years now since I have been back to a Dealer. I have two recalls pending and when fix finally becomes available, I am reluctant to have a dealer do. Neither are pressing issues in my mind, and I don't want my coach at a Dealer that I have little faith in.

 

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

And I was going to B...tch, a piece of the linoleum floor has peeled up around the passenger edge, what am i to do?

 

[Mark54]

And I was going to B...tch, a piece of the linoleum floor has peeled up around the passenger edge, what am i to do?

Clean best possible, and use this- or any other contact adhesive.

https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Clear-Contact-Adhesive-Waterproof/dp/B09TPYT88P/ref=asc_df_B06X6JPZW1?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80470624769001&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584070153060094&th=1

 

[ducksface]

And I was going to B...tch, a piece of the linoleum floor has peeled up around the passenger edge, what am i to do?

You could put it in the shop for months like the OP and a thousands folks just like her.

 

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

I tried glueing overnight, it came right up again...., A visit to Lowe's and a piece of new trim. I actually like this and might expand around the RV....almost a perfect color match...

Evey time i buy Gorilla glue, i use once and the next time i dig it out of my tool bag... Its hard as a rock!!

FYI... notice those LED lights... I put them everywhere in RV. I can instantly detect if i tripped a GFCI breaker, and great at night for low level illumination around the RV and bathroom behind the towel holder....just enough light for those 3 AM visits....