Columbus 5th wheel factory support

[Fire931]

So got a quick question on our 385BH. There's a switch labeled ODS Scare Light. Should stand for opposite door side however there doesn't appear to be any sort of light hooked to it. Am I missing something here?

[joelek]

On my 320RS there are 4 outside lights.
2 yelllow lights for entry steps and entry door
2 white floods which are the scare lights - one on each side of camper
How the switches are marked in the panel is a little hokey but you get used to it. I'm 6'-3" so having all those switches so low to the ground sucks for me. But it is handy when the slides are closed and you open front door to get into the rig. Allows you to open slides as you are low from entry step elevation anyway.

[Fire931]

Well it appears mine doesn't have the scare light on the other side. It does have the amber step lights at each door and it does have the over head amber light at the main door. Then we have the white scare light on the door side at the front but nothing on the other side.

[joelek]

The 385BH is a longer RV for bunk house bed in rear. Slide for this bunk probably took away the ODS scare light. Anway, here is were the ODS scare light is on a 320RS. Upper right on rear of unit.



The door side has it above the S in Columbus by bedroom window.

[SYE]

I purchased a BAL 25035 king pin stabilizer and this my second 5er to use it on. It really helpe with the side to die swaying when you are walking around in it. If you purchase one just remember it is a stabilizer, not a jack!

[sidney]

Christopher Columbus,

I'm looking for more detailed information regarding the construction methods of the Columbus 5th wheels.

Is it similar to the Cedar Creek 16" OC aluminum stud method? Or is it a solid laminate within the aluminum frame?

Are cut away photos available detailing the construction?

I posted this as a new thread as well... would really appreciate a reply from the factory.

The Palomino web site is rather vague:

100" Wide Body
All Welded Aluminum Frame
5-Sided Lamination plus Front Cap
6" Radius Roof w/ Laminated Block Foam
6' 6" Height (Living area slides)
(5) Heat Ducts Out of Traffic Areas
Snap-in Ceiling Molding -
No Staples or Tape
12-Volt Heat Pads on All Holding Tanks
Laminated Floor w/ Astro-Foil Insulation
R-32 Floor Insulation
R-30 Roof Insulation
R-9 Sidewall Insulation

Thanks

[huntr70]

Originally Posted by sidney

Christopher Columbus,

I'm looking for more detailed information regarding the construction methods of the Columbus 5th wheels.

Is it similar to the Cedar Creek 16" OC aluminum stud method? Or is it a solid laminate within the aluminum frame?

Are cut away photos available detailing the construction?

I posted this as a new thread as well... would really appreciate a reply from the factory.

The Palomino web site is rather vague:

100" Wide Body
All Welded Aluminum Frame
5-Sided Lamination plus Front Cap
6" Radius Roof w/ Laminated Block Foam
6' 6" Height (Living area slides)
(5) Heat Ducts Out of Traffic Areas
Snap-in Ceiling Molding -
No Staples or Tape
12-Volt Heat Pads on All Holding Tanks
Laminated Floor w/ Astro-Foil Insulation
R-32 Floor Insulation
R-30 Roof Insulation
R-9 Sidewall Insulation

Thanks

Check your other thread.....

[SYE]

Christopher Columbus.....
It seems like the factory is not supporting my purchase and repair very well (according to my useless dealer) I have had my Columbus at the dealer for over a month now and it is still not fixed. As you might remember I contacted you about it after it was broke into. I was told yesterday that you have a new girl in the parts department that doesn't know her job yet, the front landing gear was ordered, (due to the dealer damaging my unit when I took it in for repair) instead they received the JT Strongarms as the part that they ordered, so I was told that the correct part is now on order. My wife is to the point to where she is going to hire a lawyer to start handling this whole ordeal. The dealer has a check for ~ 6500.00 from my insurance company to fix all of the damages, prior to the landing gear incident, that they ave told me the parts are on order (I am having ha hard time believing anything that they tell me now). Prior to this it took 4 months after my purchase of the camper to receive some other warranty items that were on order as well. I finall made a phone call and talked to Jack and he told me he would take care of it as well, it is now 6 months and I have not seen those items either, I was also told by my dealer that they had those as well. Bottom line is that someone is blowing smoke up my keister it is either the factory, or the dealer, (I tend to believe it is the dealer because Columbus has been good to everyone else on the forum) and we are very sick of the whole situation. If it is the dealer, I do not see how you allow them to continue selling your products let alone keep servicing them, it is a shame that I purchased an extended warranty with them and that is also the only place I am allowed to take it for repair work for the next 7 years. At this npoint I am unhappy that I even own this because it has been nothing but a nightmare since we have bought it. Feel free to contact me by phone if you would like to discuss this further, I all ready sent you my number 1 other time but if you would like it again pleas PM me and I will send it to you again. Thanks for listening

[joelek]

Have your dealer show you were in your extended warranty contract that it states specifically that you have to have your RV fixed at that particular dealer. That will be your first confirmation that dealer is blowing smoke up your ass.

Sorry, some of us are beyond the keister point with poor performing dealers.

[SYE]

We were told that we could take it anywhere but at a small fee, it was only at their dealership that it would be covered at 100%.

[jkklops]

were did you buy this trailer from that you are having so much trouble

[joelek]

Again, show were it states that small fee thing in the contract. Sales dolts say things to keep business at their dealership. Also, take contract with you and visit other Forest River dealerships. Ask their service manager if they would honor work from your service contract aka extended warranty. To have your hands tied to one dealership is BS. You travel around the country with an RV. Do you think OMG my RV broke. I have to get it to my selling dealer to have it fixed? Otherwise I have to pay extra to have it fixed someplace else. If it smells like poo, it just might be poo.

Get informed, go visit other dealers. And remember, what you read on internet forums is not always the truth. Some things are just wrong, misinformed, don't know any better, etc. Some things are outright lies. Get informed. Oh I said that already. Again, go visit other Forest River dealers in your area. The Sabre brand is very close to Columbus by the way. I use that brand as my plan B as the working guts of a Sabre are dang near the same thing as a Columbus.

[SYE]

Originally Posted by jkklops

were did you buy this trailer from that you are having so much trouble

Tradewinds RV Clio, MI.
I would not recommend them to anyone buying a RV. I know of another couple that is suing them as well!

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by syencer

Tradewinds RV Clio, MI.
I would not recommend them to anyone buying a RV. I know of another couple that is suing them as well!

Feel for you, I look but will not buy from them idiots... they were much better at their other location, now they are too big just look at the lot.......I drive past everyday and wonder if they are going to take the trees to get more parking.

[Christopher Columbus]

Originally Posted by syencer

Christopher Columbus.....
It seems like the factory is not supporting my purchase and repair very well (according to my useless dealer) I have had my Columbus at the dealer for over a month now and it is still not fixed. As you might remember I contacted you about it after it was broke into. I was told yesterday that you have a new girl in the parts department that doesn't know her job yet, the front landing gear was ordered, (due to the dealer damaging my unit when I took it in for repair) instead they received the JT Strongarms as the part that they ordered, so I was told that the correct part is now on order. My wife is to the point to where she is going to hire a lawyer to start handling this whole ordeal. The dealer has a check for ~ 6500.00 from my insurance company to fix all of the damages, prior to the landing gear incident, that they ave told me the parts are on order (I am having ha hard time believing anything that they tell me now). Prior to this it took 4 months after my purchase of the camper to receive some other warranty items that were on order as well. I finall made a phone call and talked to Jack and he told me he would take care of it as well, it is now 6 months and I have not seen those items either, I was also told by my dealer that they had those as well. Bottom line is that someone is blowing smoke up my keister it is either the factory, or the dealer, (I tend to believe it is the dealer because Columbus has been good to everyone else on the forum) and we are very sick of the whole situation. If it is the dealer, I do not see how you allow them to continue selling your products let alone keep servicing them, it is a shame that I purchased an extended warranty with them and that is also the only place I am allowed to take it for repair work for the next 7 years. At this npoint I am unhappy that I even own this because it has been nothing but a nightmare since we have bought it. Feel free to contact me by phone if you would like to discuss this further, I all ready sent you my number 1 other time but if you would like it again pleas PM me and I will send it to you again. Thanks for listening

Please send the number again. Not understanding why we are having this as an old problem.

[SYE]

Originally Posted by Christopher Columbus

Please send the number again. Not understanding why we are having this as an old problem.

I PM'd it to you.

[SYE]

Christopher,
Here are the photos of the damage that the dealership did to the camper.
I may need your help finding another dealer that I can take this to for future service as I do not want to return to Tradewinds again, but the next closest Columbus dealer is in Grand Rapids over 2 hours away, I would go get it now but I am afraid that I would have to start everything over again and it would be another 4 months before I would get it back. Another reason is that I have no way to hook it up because there is no landing gear to lift it up high enough to get my truck under it. So I am stuck with them doing the repairs for now. We are extremely displeased with the whole ordeal since we bought it and it has been more trouble that it is worth.

[jevanb]

how the heck they do that, no chocks and it rolled???

[SYE]

Originally Posted by jevanb

how the heck they do that, no chocks and it rolled???

I was told that when they moved it and set it down, it was not on level ground and the camper surged forward when it was sat down . Then the sort of blamed me from when I dropped it off from my truck that the legs were out too fat and that is why it happened. So I was pissed off at that as well, I think that they were trying to put the blame on me like I did it. All I know is that it was fine when I left it there!! It happened on their watch!!

[SYE]

And also, none of the campers on their lot are chocked from what I have seen,