Windshield wiper arm

[CarterL]

I have a 2023 Thor Freedom Traveler that I purchased from Camping World and have called them about a windshield wiper arm that is stripped and does not function properly. In one rain storm, the driver’s wiper bumped into the passenger’s wiper and now extends beyond the driver’s side windshield. That wiper arm seems to be stripped, and there are no gears in the wiper arm. This is an Almity arm model “21J27” - but neither Camping World, Thor or Ford (F53 chassis) seem to be interested in telling me anything about where this part came from or who warranties it for a 2023 vehicle. It seems to me that a 2023 vehicle with a 2023 part in the year 2023 should not be on me to replace - particularly for a safety part like a windshield wiper arm.

Before I reach out to government agencies on this seeming safety issue, has anyone here had any luck determining who exactly I should be dealing with here? My wife is ready to go to the news with it…

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Try calling Thor... be persistent that you want the issue escalated. Be civil, be reasonable, but be VERY persistent. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, keep going up the chain. This method has served me well.

 

[Bob Nodine]

I have a 2023 Thor Freedom Traveler that I purchased from Camping World and have called them about a windshield wiper arm that is stripped and does not function properly. In one rain storm, the driver’s wiper bumped into the passenger’s wiper and now extends beyond the driver’s side windshield. That wiper arm seems to be stripped, and there are no gears in the wiper arm. This is an Almity arm model “21J27” - but neither Camping World, Thor or Ford (F53 chassis) seem to be interested in telling me anything about where this part came from or who warranties it for a 2023 vehicle. It seems to me that a 2023 vehicle with a 2023 part in the year 2023 should not be on me to replace - particularly for a safety part like a windshield wiper arm.

Before I reach out to government agencies on this seeming safety issue, has anyone here had any luck determining who exactly I should be dealing with here? My wife is ready to go to the news with it…

It is a Class A motorhome so Ford would not be responsible for the wipers or know where they came from. The wipers would be Thor's responsibility. Camping World has a terrible reputation for service. They once installed a generator in a 5th wheel for me and did not cut a hole so I could drain the oil when it came time to change it. I had to take it back and make them remove the generator and cut a hole for the drain.

Often on Class A motorhomes you have to loosen a bolt or nut that holds the wiper assembly to the turret post and move the wiper to the proper position. You then have to tighten the nut back firmly. I once had a Class A that the wiper would loose position while driving in the rain. I had to pull over and re-sync it. It did not have splines on the turret post like many automobiles do. You may be facing the same problem. If the wiper assembly is ok but just out of sync, then I would find a friend who is mechanically inclined and have them look at it. Even through Camping World and Thor should be responsible it may be a simple fix and you could avoid all the frustration of dealing with them.

 

[CarterL]

Thank you Chateau_Nomad and Bob, for your replies to my windshield wiper arm quandary.

I am quickly becoming fed up with the finger pointing in the RV industry, in which the various companies claim no responsibility for what are obvious warranty repairs. I removed the wiper arm from the rig last night. Inside, where there should be splines that engage with the wiper motor’s drive shaft, it is a smooth bore. I have been looking for a replacement with no luck. Thor can’t even tell me anything about the part that they clearly installed.

While I will find a way to get it operational again, it’s unbelievable that in 2023 we have companies like this in the RV industry. Litigation and regulation have served to clean up similar practices in other corners of the automotive industry.

Thank you for the help!

 

[Cwalther]

Thank you Chateau_Nomad and Bob, for your replies to my windshield wiper arm quandary.

I am quickly becoming fed up with the finger pointing in the RV industry, in which the various companies claim no responsibility for what are obvious warranty repairs. I removed the wiper arm from the rig last night. Inside, where there should be splines that engage with the wiper motor’s drive shaft, it is a smooth bore. I have been looking for a replacement with no luck. Thor can’t even tell me anything about the part that they clearly installed.

While I will find a way to get it operational again, it’s unbelievable that in 2023 we have companies like this in the RV industry. Litigation and regulation have served to clean up similar practices in other corners of the automotive industry.

Thank you for the help!

My 2023 Thor Miramar 35.2 had a similar issue in our first rainstorm, the drivers side wiper went completely off the windshield to the left. It ended up just being a loose nut on the post that holds the wiper on. Don't be afraid to crank it down.