Sad Commentary

[Rollingdunder1]

While it is a gracious act, it is also a sad commentary on our industry that in order to get warranty-type service on our rigs a FROG has to travel thousands of miles and "camp" with a thousand other people in order to vie for an opportunity to have work done. Wouldn't it be nice if we could get reliable service done at a dealer's shop so that a national rally could be a true fun-fest rather than a competition to get service done. Just sayin'.

[Mr. Dan]

I didn't notice any competition last year.

[Witch Doctor]

I have never seen any competition and I have been to 3 of them. You fill out the list they will review it and do the best they can to accommodate you. Remember this for non maintenance problems. It up to you the owner to do that but if there is a defect they will bend over backwards to help you. Thank-you FR for all you do for us.....

[BandJCarm]

We've never been. We really want to go this time. But, I'd offer another view of your post, which is simply my opinion, based on no experience with this whatsoever.

We can go to our dealers and get warranty work anytime. If they won't do it, or do it poorly, that is not FR's direct responsibility. Choosing viable retailers may be their job to some degree, but fixing one warranty issue begins with the dealer, not the manufacturer. I don't expect to take my GMC truck back to Flint, MI to get warranty work done. I doubt they'd do warranty work that way. No, this isn't a direct analogy since both industries work differently, but still.....

I see it the other way. I see it as.......I can go to my dealer and get warranty work done, even if I have to hassle with either them or the manufacturer. Nothing is stopping me. But this manufacturer is agreeing to send techs to one location to fix dozens of sub-brands, as best they can. I would liken this to Ford and GMC and Ram sending techs to this venue to fix any tow vehicle's warranty issues, in addition to respective dealer warranty work. It's an addition, not in lieu of.

I'm impressed that they do it.

Just my opinion.

[OldCoot]

Keep in mind that FR is also doing repairs on units far out of warranty for free which no other mfg does, including Ford, GM or Dodge. Saw them put a new refrigerator in a 7 yr old unit free of charge the 1st time I was at the Goshen Rally which was 3 yrs ago.

[Crusadernoob]

We would like to attend, and will one year. Would like to spend the time at the factory, and with other owner's. I would think it is a huge benefit to get some thing's fixed while we are there.

[asquared]

Having been last year, I can tell you it is a fun fest. You get to participate in seminars, tours, and hanging out with new friends while the work is done. We met the techs and service manager as well as got to see the factory where our trailer was built. Kinda cool.

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by Rollingdunder1

While it is a gracious act, it is also a sad commentary on our industry that in order to get warranty-type service on our rigs a FROG has to travel thousands of miles and "camp" with a thousand other people in order to vie for an opportunity to have work done. Wouldn't it be nice if we could get reliable service done at a dealer's shop so that a national rally could be a true fun-fest rather than a competition to get service done. Just sayin'.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. What I struggle with is the QC issues from the factory, the dealer warranty service "lottery" (some dealers are great, others lousy) and the finger pointing that goes on between FR and the dealers. It is wonderful that you can get warranty-like service long after the warranty expires. I would have been thrilled with decent dealer warranty service when the warranty was in force.

Be careful though - you may be flamed for not loving either FR or your servicing dealer.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Rollingdunder1

While it is a gracious act, it is also a sad commentary on our industry that in order to get warranty-type service on our rigs a FROG has to travel thousands of miles and "camp" with a thousand other people in order to vie for an opportunity to have work done. Wouldn't it be nice if we could get reliable service done at a dealer's shop so that a national rally could be a true fun-fest rather than a competition to get service done. Just sayin'.

We never been to a national rally but would like to........ but our dealer fixed all the warranty service issues we had with no question, No issues just great service from our dealer Just Sayin..........

[Ford Idaho]

It is a 3600 mile round trip -/+ for me, it would be way less expensive for me to let the dealer repair any problem the lite might have and just pay out of pocket.

I am sure the rally is nice for those that do live close enough to make the trip worth it.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

It is a 3600 mile round trip -/+ for me, it would be way less expensive for me to let the dealer repair any problem the lite might have and just pay out of pocket.

I am sure the rally is nice for those that do live close enough to make the trip worth it.

x2!

What would be nice of FR to do, would be to have the same thing available at their Oregon factories, so those of us 2000 miles away, could have the same opportunity.

[Cowracer]

if you go to the rally specifically to get warranty work done, I think you are missing the entire point.

Tim

[B and B]

Originally Posted by asquared

Having been last year, I can tell you it is a fun fest. You get to participate in seminars, tours, and hanging out with new friends while the work is done. We met the techs and service manager as well as got to see the factory where our trailer was built. Kinda cool.

X 3...We were at our second year at Goshen and added to the Fun last year helping with parking and registration. We met some new friends and reconnected with other friends. It's what you make of it.

Fortunately were parked away from Glen and Youroo so things were very quiet! Even saw the Ghost of Turbs on Friday Night floating around!

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by bikendan

x2!

What would be nice of FR to do, would be to have the same thing available at their Oregon factories, so those of us 2000 miles away, could have the same opportunity.

So I'm curious, is there a campground in Oregon near the factories that would be willing to set aside a few hundred sites for a rally?

[JohnF]

We didn’t know about the service techs the first year we went. Anything they’ve done for us has been minor. It is nice to have a factory tech to answer questions about your unit and show you how things work. it’s just an added bonus in my opinion. We would attend either way.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by B and B

X 3...We were at our second year at Goshen and added to the Fun last year helping with parking and registration. We met some new friends and reconnected with other friends. It's what you make of it.



Fortunately were parked away from Glen and Youroo so things were very quiet! Even saw the Ghost of Turbs on Friday Night floating around!

What about the beer tasting event two years ago?
Do you remember the Canadian beer I liked?

[elkabong]

It's a RALLY!

The service issues are a bonus! I have a good dealer, but I need to make an appointment and leave my unit for...?

Last year they fixed a gas line, a minor slide out issue, put on a new air conditioner and replaced the entire front cap of my 5th wheel. All of this over two days while I was able to watch and live in the unit. Try that at ANY dealership.

And for me, my first time there last year was one of my best and most fun trips. I don't even have any service issues this year and can't wait to register for this year.
BTW it's a 2600 mile round trip for me

Ken

[B and B]

Originally Posted by TURBS

What about the beer tasting event two years ago?
Do you remember the Canadian beer I liked?

Yes. It will be he a king list. Now we need to get registration and the PPST camping group together.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Oakman

So I'm curious, is there a campground in Oregon near the factories that would be willing to set aside a few hundred sites for a rally?

Probably but someone from that area could answer that better.

[Jim34RL]

We were at the rally last year and observed several different manufactures working on various campers for no charge. Lippert LCI was there working on frames and such along with Dexter Axle Components working on axles and braking systems. Most of these units were more than a couple of years out of warranty.


The camper next to us had a brake issue for over two years; the owner felt that the brakes were not engaging correctly. He had been to his dealer and they claim that the braking system was working correctly. So he asked Dexter Axle Components to check his brakes for him. The Dexter tech checked the system and told him that he needed a complete new brake kit for each wheel. These were replaced at no charge.