Exterior and Interior Wall Cracking -Help!?

[Ram36BHQ]

All,

I finished my 2600 mile trip. I did not abuse the coach or hit any low spots in road. After my first 1300 miles there was a 6-8 inch crack on the outside above my rear slide and a matching one on the inside, both vertical. On the last 1300 miles, with the exterior crack tapped with extrabond, it cracked up to 12 inches and then the interior started cracking horizontally. Also my wood moulding on the interior top of the slide seems to be popping out on one corner. There is no binding, grinding, or issue during slide operation.

What the hell is going on? Forest River has agreed to have it looked at under warranty. The coach is a 2019 Sabre 36BHQ in excellent condition minus this…… i suspect the frame or studs are damaged.

See photos. Help!

[Kimber45]

is that a stock camper? most units are nothing but cheap paneling that would not crack. Sorry for the issues. Hope others more educated on your unit chime in

[flyflotrtim]

Yikes!! Looks like a factory warranty matter for sure.

[Ram36BHQ]

Yes it is, 2019 FR sabre 36BHQ. The photos some how got turned side ways.

[CaptnJohn]

Worse than most I’ve seen and 1st interior following crack I’ve heard of. Best guess until inside panel is removed is a stud weld broke.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Yikes! Obviously it's something FR believes it needs to fix under warranty.
Please let us know what you find out.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Ram36BHQ

Yes it is, 2019 FR sabre 36BHQ. The photos some how got turned side ways.

Always take pictures for posting by rotating the phone/tablet so the button is on the right. Not top, bottom, or left.

I can explain the technical reason for this if you like.

[Phreak480]

I'd wager there is some broken framing in that area that allowed this to happen, on a new unit definitely a warranty claim.

[Ram36BHQ]

Forest River is now ignoring me after its been at Campers World sitting in que. Campers World is stating they do not have bodyshop technicans to repair so they are trying to reject the work. Both parties agreed to proceed and started changing their tune. Im very displeased with forest river and how they back their products. Both Chad and Cheyenne are not communicating. I am going to escalate this to BBB and AG by weeks end.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Ram36BHQ

Forest River is now ignoring me after its been at Campers World sitting in que. Campers World is stating they do not have bodyshop technicans to repair so they are trying to reject the work. Both parties agreed to proceed and started changing their tune. Im very displeased with forest river and how they back their products. Both Chad and Cheyenne are not communicating. I am going to escalate this to BBB and AG by weeks end.

The relationship between factory and dealers is NOT the same as with car/truck factory and dealers. Forest River has no control over its dealers.

Don't even push for a dealer repair. It's clear that they will mess it up further.

You have two options:

1. Push for Forest River to take it back to the factory for repair.
2. Find a local, independent repair shop that you trust to do the job right. It would be pretty easy to push Forest River to cut a check for the repair--that's easy for them. Taking factory workers off the line for a repair is hard.

I recommend finding a local repairman yourself and letting him make the claim. If they agree to pay for the repair, you may have to pay the repairman out of pocket and wait for the reimbursement check. That's how the system works.

[Ram36BHQ]

Thank you Larry. The current issue is that FR will not do anything without it being evaluated by an authorized dealer hence the reason its at the closest one from me (1.5 hours away). I want them to take it back to factory but they have become unresponsive.

[Aussieguy]

Originally Posted by Ram36BHQ

Thank you Larry. The current issue is that FR will not do anything without it being evaluated by an authorized dealer hence the reason its at the closest one from me (1.5 hours away). I want them to take it back to factory but they have become unresponsive.

yup...
not unusual that they need to have someone inspect it to make sure it is covered by warranty!


they are not going to spend the extra money to send the unit back to the factory unless there is absolutely no other choice.
If you want it to go to the factory... you'll have to pay the $$$ to ship it.



First thing I did after I bought my trailer is

locate a service place near me.


Forrest river gave me a list of local companies they work with.
Had a small warranty claim at that time..


Mobile Tech came out replaced the faulty part... no cost to me!
your situation is a lot more complicated.... but you still should spend the time looking at local companies that could do the repair.


That way you'll have someone to work with after the warranty runs out.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

yup...
not unusual that they need to have someone inspect it to make sure it is covered by warranty!


they are not going to spend the extra money to send the unit back to the factory unless there is absolutely no other choice.
If you want it to go to the factory... you'll have to pay the $$$ to ship it.



First thing I did after I bought my trailer is

locate a service place near me.


Forrest river gave me a list of local companies they work with.
Had a small warranty claim at that time..


Mobile Tech came out replaced the faulty part... no cost to me!
your situation is a lot more complicated.... but you still should spend the time looking at local companies that could do the repair.


That way you'll have someone to work with after the warranty runs out.

first off he is past his warranty and all contact should be with factory not dealers and their incompetent techs . If forest river agrees to fix unit they need to pay and will pay shipping both ways .

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Ram36BHQ

Thank you Larry. The current issue is that FR will not do anything without it being evaluated by an authorized dealer hence the reason its at the closest one from me (1.5 hours away). I want them to take it back to factory but they have become unresponsive.

head on up the ladder at FR there is no reason a dealer needs to see this . take more pictures , take off the trim and more pictures . clearly this is not a dealer fix issue as most likely the framing has given way . keep pushing FR they should step up to the plate . Their reputation is on thin ground as it is .

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

is that a stock camper? most units are nothing but cheap paneling that would not crack. Sorry for the issues. Hope others more educated on your unit chime in

Cheap paneling that won't crack ? you can see in the pic it's the same 1/8 luan that covers most all units inside and it cracks depending on the force applied .

[Ram36BHQ]

Update: I submitted a formal letter to FR, BBB, NYS AG, and Camping World as everyone was ignoring me and my camper has been sitting for months at Camping World. FR has agreed to return the unit back to the factory and is scheduling the pick-up soon. Camping World performed a non-intrusive inspection measuring the frame.

FR is claiming this is a good will inspection and pending the outcome they will perform repairs on frame with lippert and the RV exterior/interior walls as a good will.

Any thoughts?

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by Ram36BHQ

Update: I submitted a formal letter to FR, BBB, NYS AG, and Camping World as everyone was ignoring me and my camper has been sitting for months at Camping World. FR has agreed to return the unit back to the factory and is scheduling the pick-up soon. Camping World performed a non-intrusive inspection measuring the frame.

FR is claiming this is a good will inspection and pending the outcome they will perform repairs on frame with lippert and the RV exterior/interior walls as a good will.

Any thoughts?

Yes. You won the lottery.

[bikendan]

Nearly 100% of owners here, that had their rigs taken back to the factory, have been very happy. Most got extra things thrown in.
And yes, you won the lottery.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Ram36BHQ

Update: I submitted a formal letter to FR, BBB, NYS AG, and Camping World as everyone was ignoring me and my camper has been sitting for months at Camping World. FR has agreed to return the unit back to the factory and is scheduling the pick-up soon. Camping World performed a non-intrusive inspection measuring the frame.

FR is claiming this is a good will inspection and pending the outcome they will perform repairs on frame with lippert and the RV exterior/interior walls as a good will.

Any thoughts?

Yes the only way to get it fixed right will be at the factory . the goodwill part is legalize so they don't admit fault . now about that 100% satisfaction from the factory don't get your hopes up to high get a repaired camper back you can use and be happy , forget about all the time you lost out from using it or the extra time and costs getting it ready to be picked up or the 2 or 3 months it will be gone . but in the end this is the only way .

[MR.M]

Hardly a lottery winner forget about the months of non use and the many more months of waiting to get the unit back . Lucky the factory /FR is stepping up to correct the issue and get a usable camper back to a owner that seems to have lost months of use all ready . Lucky maybe , lottery winner not even close . FR is doing what they should do is no lottery winner