F'Liner vs Forest River CS

boowho · 05-08-2014, 12:26 PM

FL could take a lesson from Forest River, IMHO.

Twice in the last few months, my whole computer has shut down whist going down the road at 60 MPH. Speedo, Tach, every gauge goes to zero. Engine stops running as well.

First indication that something is awry, is a beeping and the display says I should apply the parking brake. If I turn off the ignition, wait a few seconds then turn it back on, everything resets and I'm good to go.

Since it's VERY intermittent, I figured I'd give a heads up to FL because it probably wouldn't completely fail until after my warranty runs out in August of this year.

HA!! FL couldn't have been less concerned, telling me that unless I could make it fail in the presense of FL dealership rep before August, it would be tough **** for me. They would not do a thing under warranty.

Maybe I'm wrong on this, but I think they should stand behind the product when something happens very intermittently before warranty expiration (but is definitely a defect), but does not fail "hard" until afterward. I suspect it may be either the computer itself, or a sensor throwing a false alarm somewhere.

Either way, it would be VERY expensive to fix, I'd bet.

Boowho??

frankatp · 05-08-2014, 02:13 PM

Hey Boo, do you have to shift to neutral or just turn the key on and off? Frank

tmmar · 05-08-2014, 03:49 PM

When I had my '08 Berkshire, there was an issue with the fan hub on the engine that was installed and it had only 4 bolts. The bolts had a tendency to back out which would cause the fan to crash into the radiator and send shrapnel flying and possibly cutting vital lines to the brakes, etc. Since my coach was around 4 years old with way less than 100k miles, I called Freightliner and asked that I wanted they install the new, 5 bolt version under the 5 year warranty. They said that since it was an installed item that is on the engine, it was only covered for 1 year. I complained to them and said that it was a safety issue and if it let go it could cause me to have an accident or possibly another vehicle around me to be hit with any flying debris and would like it repaired before this happened. They said that they would only repair it only after the part failed and if it was less than 5 years. I contacted several government agencies and they contacted Daimler and I finally go the part replaced.

jcowles3 · 05-08-2014, 04:55 PM

I've also had the computer turn off while driving in heavy wind. Wow freaked me out. I may install a dash can to catch it if it happens again. It did come back on line by its self and no loss of control of the vehicle, just my bowel! Mine's a 2014 400bh-60.

tmmar · 05-08-2014, 05:06 PM

I had the same thing happen to me while traveling home this past February. I was also doing about 60-65 and everything shut down for a second and came right back on. I didn't have to do anything but it was very unsettling. Mine is a also a 2014- A Berkshire 390 bh.

boowho · 05-08-2014, 05:40 PM

And lets see..... The dude that sent me the email, has NO idea that this may be a latent defect of some component. Right!!! Unlike FR, it seems that FL's only reaction is to hide their head in the sand.

I wonder if Forest River would "run interference" for us on this issue, if several of us that have experienced this would mention it to Randy?

FR may be able to apply more pressure (as a HUGE customer of FL) than a little peon like myself.

Boowho??

jcowles3 · 05-08-2014, 09:56 PM

Sent an email to Mitch and randy asking why such a dangerous event could happen and how they are going to fix it. Really is shocking.

boowho · 05-09-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcowles3

Sent an email to Mitch and randy asking why such a dangerous event could happen and how they are going to fix it. Really is shocking.

I will try that after I check other options. My FR warranty is long ago expired..... IMHO, this is a FL issue, and I still have warranty until August. But again, FR may have more influence than I do.

I'm going to talk to the FL shop in Farmington, NM which is only about 50 miles from me. If they think they can diagnose the problem (error code log in the computer or some such) then I'll then I'll run it down there next week.

Boowho??

jcowles3 · 05-09-2014, 06:26 PM

I"ll update this when I have something...

boowho · 05-09-2014, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcowles3

I"ll update this when I have something...

Thanks, I'll be waiting to see if they can maybe improve F'Liner's attitude.

If you need, feel free to tell them that at least one other person (me) has experienced the isssue. Plus, I'll probably contact Randy directly.

Boowho??

tmmar · 05-10-2014, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boowho

Thanks, I'll be waiting to see if they can maybe improve F'Liner's attitude.

If you need, feel free to tell them that at least one other person (me) has experienced the isssue. Plus, I'll probably contact Randy directly.

Boowho??

X2!! Same here!

TURBS · 05-10-2014, 09:30 AM

Hey I have no fancy motor home but I do have a pontiac solstice that "could" shut off for no reason because of the key falling out of the switch or maybe it wont fall out but the car could still shut off..... AND you know how big a recall that is !

I would get the ball rolling with the NTSB A>S>A>P !
This could be a safety HAZARD !

all it takes is a complaint and then another and then another till that little snowball is the size of well a freight-liner !

tmmar · 05-10-2014, 09:37 AM

I don't think that the NTSB will get involved until there is an accident of some sort caused by the problem. That is what i was told when I tried going that route when there was an issue with the fan hub falling off the engine because the bolts used to hold it on were too short and not strong enough to withstand the torque.

jcowles3 · 05-13-2014, 10:22 AM

This is what randy got from freight liner ...

Randy ,
Sounds like the dash lost power or data. Could be a loose connection at the back of the lightbar like the last one we dealt with. The dash not operating will cause nothing detrimental to happen to the coach.

Sincerely,
Steven Horton
FCCC Representative

boowho · 05-14-2014, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcowles3

This is what randy got from freight liner ...

Randy ,
Sounds like the dash lost power or data. Could be a loose connection at the back of the lightbar like the last one we dealt with. The dash not operating will cause nothing detrimental to happen to the coach.

Sincerely,
Steven Horton
FCCC Representative

Poppycock!!!! When the engine stops mid-trip on the highway, THAT could certainly be detrimental, no? Was Randy aware that your engine had stopped running (if it did)?

I'm taking mine to a FL dealer early next month. Will post any/all info I get then.

Boowho??

jcowles3 · 05-14-2014, 10:17 AM

No my engine did not stop...

tmmar · 05-14-2014, 10:22 AM

I'm not sure if my engine stopped. It happened so quickly and for such a short period of time that I was sort of stunned and didn't notice if the engine stopped. Hopefully it won't happen again but if it does, I will need to be more aware of what is going on at the time of the problem.

jcowles3 · 05-14-2014, 10:39 AM

I agree

bud1249 · 05-20-2014, 07:05 AM

I have a 2014 390 Berkshire an this has happen to me twice and I have been told the
same thing. You would think they could plug in to engine and see what is going on, when you are going down the road at 60 or 65 this is no fun.

Campin Cajun · 05-20-2014, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bud1249

I have a 2014 390 Berkshire an this has happen to me twice and I have been told the
same thing. You would think they could plug in to engine and see what is going on, when you are going down the road at 60 or 65 this is no fun.

Another LA guy, I knew we had a few on the road.

Welcome to the forum. I haven't had this happen to me yet and I hope it never does. But it does seem like it's common.

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