Sandpiper Problems

[kaptnsmooth]

I purchased a 2015 Sandpiper 377flik. Since August 2015 it has been in shop for several things. A/C duct with holes ..not allowing it to cool below 80 last summer. Duct work on heat that had no end cap so we spent 2 bottles of propane and not heated over 68 inside. Auto level popping fuse after fuse. Leaky shower due to no caulk. And now the roof has bubbles on edge where flashing is lifting it. And also I discovered 2-3 inch by 1 inch gaps on front cap at roof. My dealer is working on the problems still....but at what point do I throw in towel and say this is a lemon. What are my choices? I am still waiting to see how much water damage there is under the front cap. It's been in shop 4 months of the first 7. HELP!!!

[chiro]

I had a 2013 Piper with worse problems. From your list it sounds like some "normal" new rv punch items.
I know you didn't want to hear it. Quality control is horrible on rvs. That no matter what brand you purchase.

Work with the dealer if you think they are compitent to fix it. ask to have it shipped back to the factory and fixed if you don't.

[Dinostop]

I had a 2015 Keystone Sprinter and had about 15 or so issues. Took me most of last summer to get most of the issues fixed which I luckily was able to fix myself. Finally got so fed up I took a $10,000 hit and traded it in. Every time I took it out something new broke. Warranty was up and I just gave up and through my hands up. I do have to agree that quality control is horrible especially for the amount of money we spend on these things.


Eastlake, Ohio
2013 F-350 Turbo Diesel
2016 Heritage Glen 368rlbh

[Sierra360PDEK]

The leaky cap and roof bubbles along edge has been a known issue on the Sandpiper and Sierra lines. I had these same issues on my 360PDEK. I repaired the leaking cap by using Eternabond along the edge of the cap and roof line and re-caulked the seams down the side of the cap and side of the fiver. FR said the bubbles are cosmetic only but it is noted by dealer so if I have issues in the future I can fight it.

The water should I'm the cap should not damage anything as it just sits in the cap not touching anything. No problems see in mine.

Most units have problems hopefully you have a good dealer who will take care of them or just repair it yourself.

[Mikele]

I've got 16 Rebh 371, and could write a book on all the issues so far. Only saving grace is I'm a handy guy and everything so far has been easy fixes but still annoying. Such as the shower leaking.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Sierra360PDEK

The leaky cap and roof bubbles along edge has been a known issue on the Sandpiper and Sierra lines. I had these same issues on my 360PDEK. I repaired the leaking cap by using Eternabond along the edge of the cap and roof line and re-caulked the seams down the side of the cap and side of the fiver. FR said the bubbles are cosmetic only but it is noted by dealer so if I have issues in the future I can fight it.

The water should I'm the cap should not damage anything as it just sits in the cap not touching anything. No problems see in mine.

Most units have problems hopefully you have a good dealer who will take care of them or just repair it yourself.

how could they say the bubbles are cosmetic? I would think that the glue is letting go. It took me over 2 years to get repairs done to mine. That's what stop me from buying a new unit. It seems we all have to go through this on any new trailer anymore....My wife like the Sandpiper line, but this makes you stop and wounder. that's terrible that you buy a new unit and it's in the shop more time then being used, hope they get the OP'S fixed once and for all.

[AquaMan]

Had a Sierra for 4yrs and it never saw the dealership. I still would buy another one if I ever get back into the fifth wheel market.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[fincher]

Stay on your dealer. Be pushy. Call Forest River directly and make yourself know to them. I have a 2013 Sandpiper Select 32QBBS. I complained so much to Forest River with all the problems I got a 3rd year of warranty. It just went out of warranty the end of January and I'm still getting things fixed under warranty.

The first 2 years we had ours it spent most of the summers and all of the winters at the dealer waiting for parts and warranty.

[JanHurt]

Originally Posted by fincher

Stay on your dealer. Be pushy. Call Forest River directly and make yourself know to them. I have a 2013 Sandpiper Select 32QBBS. I complained so much to Forest River with all the problems I got a 3rd year of warranty. It just went out of warranty the end of January and I'm still getting things fixed under warranty.

The first 2 years we had ours it spent most of the summers and all of the winters at the dealer waiting for parts and warranty.

I am having problems with my unit. Send pictures to the dealer for three weeks in a row and the service manager says he is forwarding them to Forest River. The only contact I can find for the Sandpiper is Jeff Johnson and he does not respond to calls. Who else do I contact? I want to make sure all my issues are documented with Forest River.

[stevewise]

You are lucky I cannot get a dealer to work on mine as I travel with it (I know that sounds strange with a RV) and dealers only want to work on units they sell.

[chop249]

Originally Posted by JanHurt

I am having problems with my unit. Send pictures to the dealer for three weeks in a row and the service manager says he is forwarding them to Forest River. The only contact I can find for the Sandpiper is Jeff Johnson and he does not respond to calls. Who else do I contact? I want to make sure all my issues are documented with Forest River.

Try Scott Hundt 574-533-3193 shundt @ forestriverinc . com That's who I talked to. When I left a message or emailed I usually got a response that day or the next business day.

Originally Posted by stevewise

You are lucky I cannot get a dealer to work on mine as I travel with it (I know that sounds strange with a RV) and dealers only want to work on units they sell.

I too found this to be the case with a couple dealers but I was able to find 2 local to me (I drove 1000 miles 1 way to buy mine) that would work on it even though I didn't buy from them.

[Bryon80]

I have also had issues with my Sandpiper 30iok. I have had it less than a year 1/2 and so far I have had it repaired for delamination issues that took about 2 months to repair, my shower leaked, my awning pulled away from the side (not due to weather issues), crack in the roof that the dealer said water was getting in, and just recently my AC unit went out. Seems it's been in the repair shop more than I have used it. I'm almost to the point of trading it in and going with a different brand. Frustrated

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Bryon80

I have also had issues with my Sandpiper 30iok. I have had it less than a year 1/2 and so far I have had it repaired for delamination issues that took about 2 months to repair, my shower leaked, my awning pulled away from the side (not due to weather issues), crack in the roof that the dealer said water was getting in, and just recently my AC unit went out. Seems it's been in the repair shop more than I have used it. I'm almost to the point of trading it in and going with a different brand. Frustrated

Sorry to here about so many problems, I would check that area on the roof, I didn't know a branch or something hit my roof a put a very small hole in it, my service guy found it when they were checking my seals on the roof, the wood under it delaminated. Now it's going back to FR for a new roof at the tune of 5400.00 dollars...

[Seasonal]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

Sorry to here about so many problems, I would check that area on the roof, I didn't know a branch or something hit my roof a put a very small hole in it, my service guy found it when they were checking my seals on the roof, the wood under it delaminated. Now it's going back to FR for a new roof at the tune of 5400.00 dollars...

Is this covered under trailer or auto insurance?

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by my_crib_too

Is this covered under trailer or auto insurance?

My trailer is on my Auto policy like a 3rd car would be, they are covering it under my Comprehensive minus my deductible of $500.00... I have my TV, car and trailer under one policy with AARP Hartford...

[tone100]

I had a 2014 376BHOK that I took a $4000 hit on trade. I had lots of small things breeak and took the dealer forever to fix. Final straw was a crack in teh sidewall by the bedroom slide. Went back and forth with Sandpiper for 3 months and the finally said if you bring it to Indiana in June we will fix it. Looks like someone just bought it so hopefully they will have better luck.

[GrumpyOldGoat]

I have a Sandpiper T38BHDS with a sliding front door.

A power surge from shore power fried my electrical panel, the fridge and the microwave.

HOW do I remove the sliding portion of the door to replace the fridge?

Tried lifting but it won't clear the track.
No 'anti lift block' in the top track to remove. Nothing works anything like a normal sliding patio door on a house.

Any ideas besides "Sledge Hammer"?

[jsalty]

Have they figured out your AC issue? I am finding it impossible to cool below 80 here in North Carolina this month.. it is my first summer with it.. the AC vents (ducted) feel weak with flow and some are almost zero.

Also, I took off a light cover in the hall in ceiling and felt cold air coming through.. ..
Is there a known problem FR has with the ducting? Also can I fix it without a dealer as they suck.

[GrumpyOldGoat]

Do you have good flow in the mornings before it warms up?

I'm in Jasper, GA and my system froze up this afternoon.

Humidity condenses on the coils and blocks the flow.

I shut mine down for a half hour then turned it back on to ful flow.

[jsalty]

I don't know.. I will try it..
Can I "see" if it is frozen up like I can on my home unit?