New Trailer Heat Ducts Not Hooked Up

[Mike21]

I just purchased a new 2023 Boost 21XLRX 7 hours from home. Got home and turned the heater on. 2 of 5 vents were working. The two under the refrigerator had no ducts at all and the plenum knock outs were still in place. Most concerning is the bathroom vent, which is on the other side of the trailer from the furnace is not blowing air. Looks like a duct is hooked up to the vent but who knows how it is routed (under the floor?). The trailer is 2 weeks old so have a warranty. There is a local dealer that does FR warranty work. Anybody have this problem before or know how the bathroom duct vent is routed? Really hoping not to have a huge invasive repair on a brand new trailer I haven’t even got to use yet.

[Flybob]

The problem may be one or more of several issues. Sometimes manufacturers use smaller ducts to some areas ( with full size vents). There are also instances of the flex ducts being crushed. I had one that was smashed buy the Romex being pulled too tight.

[Mr. Dan]

Looks like it might have been a good idea to try the furnace before you towed it home. Were you not allowed to test anything?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Mike21

I just purchased a new 2023 Boost 21XLRX 7 hours from home. Got home and turned the heater on. 2 of 5 vents were working. The two under the refrigerator had no ducts at all and the plenum knock outs were still in place. Most concerning is the bathroom vent, which is on the other side of the trailer from the furnace is not blowing air. Looks like a duct is hooked up to the vent but who knows how it is routed (under the floor?). The trailer is 2 weeks old so have a warranty. There is a local dealer that does FR warranty work. Anybody have this problem before or know how the bathroom duct vent is routed? Really hoping not to have a huge invasive repair on a brand new trailer I haven’t even got to use yet.

Did you have the dealer demonstrate the furnace, during the PDI/walk-through? The dealer should have demonstrated all the important systems, to show they worked correctly.

[Bob K4TAX]

Make a list in writing of everything that doesn't work, doesn't work correctly, or is not satisfactory in performance and appearance. Don't hesitate to nit-pick top to bottom, front to back. Then make arrangements for either local to do the repairs or take it back to the selling dealer. Give them a copy of the written and dated list. This eliminates the "you never told me" story. Pictures may also help.

Don't be in a hurry. It is your money.

New will only guarantee new but not necessarily good. The selling dealer has a financial interest in the sale and the customer. The local dealer, maybe so, maybe not.

Bob

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by Flybob

The problem may be one or more of several issues. Sometimes manufacturers use smaller ducts to some areas ( with full size vents). There are also instances of the flex ducts being crushed. I had one that was smashed buy the Romex being pulled too tight.

You may have had a critter get into the underbelly and chew holes into the ducting.

Flex duct may also be way too long. That was the problem on my trailer.

On a trip, front half of my underbelly got sucked off, section in front of the axle. Spotted the issue as we were checking in at out overnight stop. Ripped the rest off before setting up. Did a lot of taping the duct work an wiring up, it was dragging on the ground in several spots.

While the bottom was off, I replaced all of the flex duct with rigid aluminum. Got much better air flow as a result.

[aceinspp]

Sorry to say sounds like you failed to do a good PDI before your took possession. Had you done this you could have avoided the problem and you may have more. I'd go over the camper and recheck every thing make sure all works. You can down load the PDI form by going to the green header bar above and click on Library and scroll down to you see PDI and then print it and use it before going back t the dealer you may find more issues. Good luck. Later RJD

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Sorry to say sounds like you failed to do a good PDI before your took possession. Had you done this you could have avoided the problem and you may have more. I'd go over the camper and recheck every thing make sure all works. You can down load the PDI form by going to the green header bar above and click on Library and scroll down to you see PDI and then print it and use it before going back t the dealer you may find more issues. Good luck. Later RJD

X2. Go through the checklist.

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by Mike21

I just purchased a new 2023 Boost 21XLRX 7 hours from home. Got home and turned the heater on. 2 of 5 vents were working. The two under the refrigerator had no ducts at all and the plenum knock outs were still in place. Most concerning is the bathroom vent, which is on the other side of the trailer from the furnace is not blowing air. Looks like a duct is hooked up to the vent but who knows how it is routed (under the floor?). The trailer is 2 weeks old so have a warranty. There is a local dealer that does FR warranty work. Anybody have this problem before or know how the bathroom duct vent is routed? Really hoping not to have a huge invasive repair on a brand new trailer I haven’t even got to use yet.

Have you verified that this local dealer will actually do warranty work on *your* trailer?

It is very common for RV dealerships to decline to do warranty work for products that weren't purchased from them (and they aren't required to do that work).

The RV sales/service model is not like car dealerships, where you can take your car to any authorized dealer. This forum is positively littered with stories of folks who drove long distances to buy their rigs (and save significant money in the process), only to find that the "overpriced" local dealer that they chose not to buy from either won't touch their RV at all, or will move it to the end of the line - somewhere behind paid service and warranty work on the stuff they sold (and made some profit on).

If we're honest, it seems that most dealers seem to slow-walk warranty work on the stuff that they *did* sell. The forum is also littered with stories of RVs sitting on dealer lots for months, ostensibly waiting for parts, only to find out that the dealer hasn't filed the claim or even ordered the parts yet (despite claiming that they had done both).

You may find yourself in a situation where it is faster and makes more sense to work with a local independent RV tech, and submit his or her invoices to your brand's warranty dept for reimbursement.

Good luck!

[ForestGump34DS]

I noticed this is the first post for the OP, and I will go out on a limb and guess it's also his first RV. I think we all have learned a lot through our years of experience what we should have done when we were "newbies" and have learned through many bad experiences too. That being said, we get what we pay for. We all think the RV industry puts out a product that's substandard in quality and workmanship, but any improvement will mean higher prices for the consumer at the front end. When I took my first motorhome to the dealer for warranty work, the service techs told me that the only brand they have never seen come back for warranty service was a Prevost ! Anybody care to guess how much a Prevost cost?

I agree with those that think the PDI is crucial, but for those first time buyers, a certified inspector would be just as important.

The moral of the story is "you get what you pay for" !!!

[flyflotrtim]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

Make a list in writing of everything that doesn't work, doesn't work correctly, or is not satisfactory in performance and appearance. Don't hesitate to nit-pick top to bottom, front to back. Then make arrangements for either local to do the repairs or take it back to the selling dealer. Give them a copy of the written and dated list. This eliminates the "you never told me" story. Pictures may also help.

X2 You will unfortunately find the forum shows many similar problems with new RVs.

[SailorSam20500]

Since this the OP has a new rig, the best option for getting repairs may be to attend the International Rally in August...

[D W]

Another blown PDI. Should have been checked before pulling it off the lot.

[Mike21]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

Make a list in writing of everything that doesn't work, doesn't work correctly, or is not satisfactory in performance and appearance. Don't hesitate to nit-pick top to bottom, front to back. Then make arrangements for either local to do the repairs or take it back to the selling dealer. Give them a copy of the written and dated list. This eliminates the "you never told me" story. Pictures may also help.

Don't be in a hurry. It is your money.

New will only guarantee new but not necessarily good. The selling dealer has a financial interest in the sale and the customer. The local dealer, maybe so, maybe not.

Bob

Thanks

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by Mike21

There is a local dealer that does FR warranty work. Anybody have this problem before or know how the bathroom duct vent is routed? Really hoping not to have a huge invasive repair on a brand new trailer I haven’t even got to use yet.

We understand your concerns, but we're all rv owners on this forum, not representatives of FR.

First, take pictures and document your concerns. Then.....
My suggestion would be that you contact the dealer you purchased the rv from. See what they suggest. They may need you to email pictures.
If they can't help, contact FR and see if they can help. Sometimes they can suggest a mobile rv mechanic. Usually they will reimburse you.
You can check with the local dealer, but our wouldn't do warranty repairs unless we bought from them.

What you're seeing may be normal, but it might be an improper build.
You need to make certain you do it soon to be covered under warranty.

Welcome to the forum!

[Reverse_snowbird]

Well, that was helpful.

Again.... we are rv owners, not employees of FR and I'd be surprised if an owner knows how the rv ducts are run.