If considering a Solaire 317 BHSK...please read

[Kbosch74]

All,

I am pasting this from another thread as it deserves attention if you're considering this unit.

I received a reply for the sales rep...he confirmed that not only is the grey water tank now 38 gallons instead of the advertised 76, but the fresh water tank is now 24 and not 32 as advertised. These bigger tanks were the biggest reason I settled on this unit!

This is complete, 100% bullsh*t. If I bought a car advertised as an 8 cyl and it turned out to be a 6 cyl...well, that'd never happen. Buy a 4 bedroom home, move in and it's only 3 bedrooms, again, would never happen. But in the world of RVs, this is acceptable and apparently normal behavior? Uh, I won't be standing for this. I will demand and raise hell to have this unit retrofitted with what I paid for or I'll return it for full refund.

[Jeff 1429]

Kbosch74:
I'm considering a Forest River product and am curious as to what they did to correct the problem you reported in July - installed the advertised tanks or gave you a refund?
Jeff L.

[Kbosch74]

Jeff,

I didn't report this in July...I just found out this weekend (that was my join date for the forum). My sales rep is contacting FR and I'll see what their response is. I doubt it will be favorable, at which time I'll call them directly myself. I'll be sure to report any conclusions.

[ependydad]

The freshwater advertisement is a non-issue and is standard industry practice as far as I can tell (to include the water heater tank in the advertised amount).

The missing gray tank at half its size is a different issue. I understand in the other thread that there was some kind of building code violation with the second gray tank and that caused the change. It's covered under the generous "we can change anything at any time", but for dry campers- this is a huge change.

[ependydad]

It has been pointed out that the missing gray tank only previously served the outside kitchen. Nothing else in the camper fed into that.

It doesn't sound like your usability has changed drastically. But- I'm not on the receiving end of a discrepancy such as this.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by Kbosch74

All,

I am pasting this from another thread as it deserves attention if you're considering this unit.

I received a reply for the sales rep...he confirmed that not only is the grey water tank now 38 gallons instead of the advertised 76, but the fresh water tank is now 24 and not 32 as advertised. These bigger tanks were the biggest reason I settled on this unit!

This is complete, 100% bullsh*t. If I bought a car advertised as an 8 cyl and it turned out to be a 6 cyl...well, that'd never happen. Buy a 4 bedroom home, move in and it's only 3 bedrooms, again, would never happen. But in the world of RVs, this is acceptable and apparently normal behavior? Uh, I won't be standing for this. I will demand and raise hell to have this unit retrofitted with what I paid for or I'll return it for full refund.

At the very least, maybe you can get a complementary portable tank. Its not the same but may help with dry camping. Best of luck to you.

[Kbosch74]

Originally Posted by ependydad

It has been pointed out that the missing gray tank only previously served the outside kitchen. Nothing else in the camper fed into that.

It doesn't sound like your usability has changed drastically. But- I'm not on the receiving end of a discrepancy such as this.

I read that as well about the 2 nd tank only being for the outside side. Assuming that's true, it's still very misleading to advertise the TT as having 76 gallons of grey water, but leaving it up to the consumer to have any inkling of an idea that that (a) this is comprised of two separate tanks and (b) that they would serve different areas of the TT.

[BarryD0706]

Originally Posted by Kbosch74

I read that as well about the 2 nd tank only being for the outside side. Assuming that's true, it's still very misleading to advertise the TT as having 76 gallons of grey water, but leaving it up to the consumer to have any inkling of an idea that that (a) this is comprised of two separate tanks and (b) that they would serve different areas of the TT.

Disagree. It's standard practice to split the grey water up into separate usage areas but quote only the total capacity.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Kbosch74

I read that as well about the 2 nd tank only being for the outside side. Assuming that's true, it's still very misleading to advertise the TT as having 76 gallons of grey water, but leaving it up to the consumer to have any inkling of an idea that that (a) this is comprised of two separate tanks and (b) that they would serve different areas of the TT.

I disagree. I have 3 x 42gallon tanks. It would be silly for me to think that I had a single 126 gallon tank than everything flows into.

I'm sorry that you didn't understand it was 2 tanks- but that seems to be the normal.

[Kash76]

The interesting post is that their updated site still shows the higher capacity.

[Kbosch74]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

Disagree. It's standard practice to split the grey water up into separate usage areas but quote only the total capacity.

Huh? A general consumer is supposed to know "standard industry practice"? I'm sure you knew all about this stuff before you entered this world. Very common knowledge.

I respectfully disagree.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Kbosch74

Huh? A general consumer is supposed to know "standard industry practice"? I'm sure you knew all about this stuff before you entered this world. Very common knowledge.

I respectfully disagree.

Lots of things in the RVing world need to be learned, but I hardly fault the manufacturer for using 2 tanks instead of one and advertising the combined capacity.

It would be like me being mad at Sabre for the fact that I can't run both of my air conditioners at the same time when I'm on a 30amp site. Common knowledge, that I've learned since owning it, says that it's too many amps. I didn't know that before, but I know it now.

Be mad about the inaccurate advertisement (rightfully so- especially if it is still advertised on the manufacturer site this way); but I think you're not on point for being mad about that advertised capacity being split between 2 tanks.

[Kbosch74]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Lots of things in the RVing world need to be learned, but I hardly fault the manufacturer for using 2 tanks instead of one and advertising the combined capacity.

It would be like me being mad at Sabre for the fact that I can't run both of my air conditioners at the same time when I'm on a 30amp site. Common knowledge, that I've learned since owning it, says that it's too many amps. I didn't know that before, but I know it now.

Be mad about the inaccurate advertisement (rightfully so- especially if it is still advertised on the manufacturer site this way); but I think you're not on point for being mad about that advertised capacity being split between 2 tanks.

I mustn't have been clear. Not upset about 76 being split into two tanks...that's irrelevant. Not knowing, though, that one tank would serve the kitchen sink, shower, (ie vast majority) and the other serves only the outside kitchen (which would rarely acumulate much water) instead of all grey water feeding into 76 gallons of grey water tanks (as one, two or whatever...just 76 gallons of capacity)...that should be laid out. At least, in my opinion.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Kbosch74

I mustn't have been clear. Not upset about 76 being split into two tanks...that's irrelevant. Not knowing, though, that one tank would serve the kitchen sink, shower, (ie vast majority) and the other serves only the outside kitchen (which would rarely acumulate much water) instead of all grey water feeding into 76 gallons of grey water tanks (as one, two or whatever...just 76 gallons of capacity)...that should be laid out. At least, in my opinion.

I did misunderstand. I see that you're most upset by the heavily unbalanced distribution between the two tanks and, more specifically, by the lack of advertisement of the fact.

I'd be curious if you know of a good example of who advertises the exact number and distribution/usage of the tanks. Specifically, does Jayco do it? Or any of the Heartland brands?

[MillerTime]

Our Puma 5er we had was the same way, with the outside kitchen sink having its own grey tank. I just got a twist on valve and equilized my grey tanks for added capacity.

Op. My sympathies for your situation.

Im probably one of the few that tanks really dont matter to me that much as long as a black can last a couple days im good. Grey- I really only use full hookups or the cg don't mind if you drain inconspicuously (like at night into the woods). And we never used our fresh water tank or pump except to sanitize when first purchased.

Ps. Doug ive got brochures from about 15 different lines of trailers here and I havent noticed any showing how tanks are split, and some dont say how many dumps

[MillerTime]

Yep. Just looked
-Gateway- by heartland, no mention of tanks at all except inclosed, and black tank flush
-Open Range & Avalanche-by keystone, just show total capacity of fresh, gray and waste.
-Sabre, Sandpiper, Rockwood, Flagstaff, Springdale, Summerland, Montana High Country, Mountaineer-by Montana, Crusader by prime time and Sierra are the same.

-Heritage Glen by Wildwood shows just grey, black and fresh- but has a * saying that capacity includes hot water heater.

Sorry but I see no break down for how many tanks of each or how many valves or dumps on any of them. And most of the 5ers we have looked at have 1.5-2 baths and most have outside kitchens, so I know that there are several tanks for at least the grey and most for black as well.

***im not trying to cause any problems, just stating research from the brochures I have

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I did misunderstand. I see that you're most upset by the heavily unbalanced distribution between the two tanks and, more specifically, by the lack of advertisement of the fact.

I'd be curious if you know of a good example of who advertises the exact number and distribution/usage of the tanks. Specifically, does Jayco do it? Or any of the Heartland brands?

Doug, seems like if operating instructions were obscure or if a type or model of fitting were changed, no big deal. However if a major component is suddenly reduced capacity and halved and still advertised improperly to attract more buyers.....
Any lawyer would take the Ops side "with a grin".

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by VinceU

Doug, seems like if operating instructions were obscure or if a type or model of fitting were changed, no big deal. However if a major component is suddenly reduced capacity and halved and still advertised improperly to attract more buyers..... Any lawyer would take the Ops side "with a grin".

Don't get me wrong - I think the Op is justifiably upset by the missing tank -especially as it sounds like it is still being advertised that way.

Where I think he's off the mark is being upset that the original capacity wasn't advertised as being split the way it is. I don't know of many manufacturers who advertise the number of tanks and I don't know of any who advertise how they're distributed.

It does sound like it's a bit off the mark (for me) to assume that it's not a big deal since the 2nd gray was only for the outside shower given the posts about the easy of plumbing things up to equalize the tanks (heck, it sounds like it is as easy as buying a single valve that has bayonet fittings when there is only 1 sewer hookup on the camper).

[astro boy]

We don't care if there is 1,2, or 20 tanks in the trailer. The problem is that they are advertising it as 70 gallons of grey and nobody is told about the change at the dealer or customer end. As far as im concerned, its false advertising.