Blue Ridge Lemon

[mike06081969]

Haven't posted here in a while. Have any of you had any experience applying the federal Magnuson-Moss Act in the case of a lemon RV? I have lost all confidence that I will ever take my Blue Ridge 3705BH fifth wheel out without a major problem. I will be taking it back to the dealer for the 8th time (and second in as many trips for the furnace malfunctioning). I bought it new in April 2011 and it has spent approximately 8 weeks in the shop for repairs since then. One problem was the rinse line connection on the black tank broke. They had to order a new black tank, which took nearly two months to arrive. We had a vacation to Lancaster County, PA planned, which is a 16 hour trip from where we live and had to take it with the black tank questionable as to whether it would leak. We have had numerous electrical problems, one being with the front A/C unit. That particular time was a loose wire in the breaker panel which had actually gotten hot enough that it burned the insulation. I am a patient man, but I've had it. I'm to the point that I don't believe this will ever be a reliable unit. I don't have the money to have to constantly have it repaired after the warranty runs out. Add to that the fact that it is over an hour one way to the dealer, which means 100 dollar bill shot on diesel fuel every time I have to take it to the shop. I am just livid. The dealer keeps saying, "Oh, it's normal to have to work the kinks out of them the first year." I say that's BS. This is the third new camper I've owned and the first I've had any trouble with. If anyone reading this is considering a Blue Ridge or Cardinal (same RV, different color schemes), you'd better reconsider. Apparently, quality control is non-existent.

[herk7769]

Sorry to hear of your troubles.
While it is "normal" for there to be some "breaking in" issues, it seems yours might be a little over the top.

[Triguy]

Also sorry to hear about the issues you have experienced. Sounds frustrating.

As for the Magnuson-Moss Act, I caution you in looking for legal help from the internet on a trailer site (you get what you pay for). If you are looking to see if others have done this, personally, I've read a few accounts from others who have considered it but have yet to hear a detailed account from anyone who successfully prevailed using that law. But, you can do your own search.

I also suggest that you read through your state's lemon law. For instance, I live in Wisconsin and part of their definition from the WI DOT website states ... The law covers any new car, truck, motorcycle or motor home (does not include mopeds, semi-trailers, trailers or non-motorized RVs) you buy or lease... TN might be different, however.

I wish you well.

[mike06081969]

Thanks, guys. Unfortunately, Tennessee's state lemon law does not cover RVs, but I intend to talk with a local attorney about whether the federal law applies in my case. This thing was way too expensive (for me) to have to deal with this mess. I can't even use the thing. I will probably contact FR first, but from what I've read, they aren't very forthcoming with backing up their product. We'll see.

[donn]

Instead of a lawyer at this time, I would contact FR. Give them explicit details of every problem, how long it took to get it fixed and a detailed list of current problems. Don't get nasty, just give them details, pictures if you have any and ask them for help in resolving the problems. From my experiences and this is totally dependent on the FR branch your RV was built in, they have been very good about resolving customer issues. Many people have had their trailers taken back to the factory at FR's expense to do major repairs and they have always come back with more fixed than what was on the list.
BTW as far as I know there is no such a thing as a lemon law on any Towable product.

[mike06081969]

Originally Posted by donn

Instead of a lawyer at this time, I would contact FR. Give them explicit details of every problem, how long it took to get it fixed and a detailed list of current problems. Don't get nasty, just give them details, pictures if you have any and ask them for help in resolving the problems. From my experiences and this is totally dependent on the FR branch your RV was built in, they have been very good about resolving customer issues. Many people have had their trailers taken back to the factory at FR's expense to do major repairs and they have always come back with more fixed than what was on the list.
BTW as far as I know there is no such a thing as a lemon law on any Towable product.

I appreciate the advice. I was fuming mad when I made the original post here, and I'm still pretty put out, but a cooler head needs to prevail. I hate to make it sound like my dealer has done nothing, because they've made every effort in the world to make this right and stuff is tearing up faster than they can keep it fixed. At any rate, I will be contacting FR customer service with a complaint. I hope you are right about FR, because I've read several bad reviews on FR corporate customer service and I hope they prove to be wrong. My ultimate desire would be to be able to use my camper without constant problems, because I love the unit. Thanks again!

[sherdep]

I am also sorry to hear about your issue's

Like stated above - keep a cool head no matter if they make you mad and I would refrain from saying anything about a lawyer.

If you have Documentation on each issue - I would write a list so when you call and talk to someone you will have all the info in front of you and not miss a thing.

the two times I have called the Factory - they were pretty helpful but my issue's were no where near close to what you are having.
Good Luck

[rockwood06]

Originally Posted by mike06081969

I appreciate the advice. I was fuming mad when I made the original post here, and I'm still pretty put out, but a cooler head needs to prevail. I hate to make it sound like my dealer has done nothing, because they've made every effort in the world to make this right and stuff is tearing up faster than they can keep it fixed. At any rate, I will be contacting FR customer service with a complaint. I hope you are right about FR, because I've read several bad reviews on FR corporate customer service and I hope they prove to be wrong. My ultimate desire would be to be able to use my camper without constant problems, because I love the unit. Thanks again!

I fell your pain, we are having a hard time deciding if we should put out the money again for another new camper, although we had many issues with our Rockwood the camper was totaled from Harricane Irene while we were living in it til our house was built, so that toke care of our Rockwood problems, so now the question is do I want to take that money and give it back to the RV industy for the same quality but at a higher price and then worry if it is going to hold up everytime we take it out, or just keep it in my pocket.

[mike06081969]

Originally Posted by rockwood06

I fell your pain, we are having a hard time deciding if we should put out the money again for another new camper, although we had many issues with our Rockwood the camper was totaled from Harricane Irene while we were living in it til our house was built, so that toke care of our Rockwood problems, so now the question is do I want to take that money and give it back to the RV industy for the same quality but at a higher price and then worry if it is going to hold up everytime we take it out, or just keep it in my pocket.

If I had my time to do over, I would hunt around and buy a good late model used camper. You can buy a pretty good one for half the cost of a new one. Since they are going to give trouble anyway, might as well save the dough. The only drawback is it might be hard to find the exact floor plan you want, but it might be worth the work around. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[Danimal]

my Rockwood spent most of the summer at the dealer for all kinds of things, but the warranty covered everything and i think i got all of the bugs out so next summer will be better
i say stick with it, there is only so much that can go wrong with a camper and now you know whats been replaced, if you buy a new one most likely you will have to do it all over again,

dan