New TT with issues. What would you do?

afugazifan · 03-28-2017, 02:14 PM

After a two month long wait, we took delivery of our new Prime Time Lacrosse 339BHD this past weekend. While we are extremely excited to finally have it parked in our driveway, we already have a date scheduled to take it back for warranty work.

I consider myself to be very handy, and there are several odds and ends things I would just prefer to do myself. I enjoyed working on my last camper and have no issue buttoning up things around the camper that aren't straight or tight. I fully expected to have minor issues.

That said, there are certain things out of my league. One of those would be vinyl floor repair when its a solid one piece material laid underneath everything in the camper. We didn't notice it in the dimly lit garage where we did our walkthrough, but in good lighting outside we found a large (2" x 2") piece of material was left underneath the vinyl so there is now a large bulge in our main walkway. Can't for the life of me figure out how no one at Prime Time noticed it during assembly. Or even worse, they did notice it and let it go.

Another issue is damage done to the shower surround and wall covering while wrestling in the shower door frame. Lastly there are some deep scratches in the hard surface countertop.

My biggest concern with returning it for warranty work is the work won't be up to my standards. Specifically, how will they fix the floor and walls?

Has anyone else had similar issues? How will they fix my floor and the walls? I'm not in favor of patch jobs, but I fear they will have no other option. The countertop seems like an easy fix if they replace it. But my fear is they will try to sand the scratches out and buff them.

What would you do if you found yourself in my shoes??

afugazifan · 03-28-2017, 02:21 PM

I should add, the selling dealer is already on notice and were very pleasant about the issues and getting it back in for repairs. They couldn't give me any specific details about the repair process without seeing it in person, which is why I thought to come here before I take it in.

SeaDog · 03-28-2017, 02:25 PM

I think you are doing the right thing just make sure you hold there feet to the fire and get it fixed the way you want it so that it looks original.

dbledan · 03-28-2017, 02:43 PM

Take it in and keep taking it in until they get it the way you want it. Make sure you speak with them about HOW before they start and get it documented if you can.

I am hopeful that eventually the manufacturers may learn to fix it before it goes to the dealer. Warranty repairs are either cheaper than fixing at the factory or they are just bringing in so much they cannot slow production down. As things slow down they will learn its cheaper to fix before it leaves than at a dealer and the factory will improve. Until they hit another crunch they will need the numbers to hit the wall and save costs.

**Flybob** · 03-28-2017, 02:52 PM

When these units are manufactured, they build the frame and under carriage then lay on the floor and flooring before adding walls, cabinets etc. I say this as there is virtually no easy way for the dealer to replace the floor to original condition. I would ask specific questions as to how they plan to do the floor repair. Be sure you are OK with it before authorizing the work.

rracer5 · 03-28-2017, 02:52 PM

#1, your dealer should have "caught" all of those defects when they were prepping it for delivery. AND, when you got there, they should have warned you that they found some issues & that they HAVE ALREADY ORDERED THE PARTS and will let you know when they come in & it should only take xx hours or xx days.

#2, Your PDI is to aquaint you with your new investment and how everything works. Not to be looking for things that they should have taken care of before you even got there. If there is a way to fix the lump in the floor without needing parts from the factory, that should have been done before they let you make your appt. for your PDI.

I guess that one got past QC at the factory and it looks like they tried to fit a 5' shower enclosure into a 4'11" space!

I would give your dealer a one time chance to get it right. Get the parts ordered and then bring it in to have it all done in one appt. Once they tell you they have ordered the parts, wait about a week or two then follow up with an email or phone call to Prime Time to make sure they have received the order from your dealer. A lot of dealers are notorious for not even ordering the parts when they've told you they did!

Congrats on the new TT & keep us up to date.

rmac04401 · 03-28-2017, 02:56 PM

Definitely have it repaired. Take it to them so they get get pics document and explain how they will fix. Take it back home with you and tell them to let you know when parts come in so they can fix. Once parts come in have them give you firm date when they will work on it. Drop off day before that date. DO not leave your trailer there if not being worked on. A lot can happen while sitting in their lot. Call them weekly for update on process. If you don't leave it there you should not loose much camping time because it is still usable the way it is.

afugazifan · 03-29-2017, 09:55 AM

Thank you all for the feedback! Glad to hear the consensus is take it back and make them fix it.

rracer5 - You make some great points regarding the dealer's responsibility to catch these things. I didn't think of it that way until your post.

They say my photos were good enough for them to get items ordered and I have an appointment to drop it off on the 13th with a promise I will have it back by the 20th. I'm now nervous that this is possible based on everyone's comments.

I'll be sure to share my experience as it progresses along with photos post repairs.

D W · 03-29-2017, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afugazifan

After a two month long wait, we took delivery of our new Prime Time Lacrosse 339BHD this past weekend. While we are extremely excited to finally have it parked in our driveway, we already have a date scheduled to take it back for warranty work.

I consider myself to be very handy, and there are several odds and ends things I would just prefer to do myself. I enjoyed working on my last camper and have no issue buttoning up things around the camper that aren't straight or tight. I fully expected to have minor issues.

That said, there are certain things out of my league. One of those would be vinyl floor repair when its a solid one piece material laid underneath everything in the camper. We didn't notice it in the dimly lit garage where we did our walkthrough, but in good lighting outside we found a large (2" x 2") piece of material was left underneath the vinyl so there is now a large bulge in our main walkway. Can't for the life of me figure out how no one at Prime Time noticed it during assembly. Or even worse, they did notice it and let it go.

Another issue is damage done to the shower surround and wall covering while wrestling in the shower door frame. Lastly there are some deep scratches in the hard surface countertop.

My biggest concern with returning it for warranty work is the work won't be up to my standards. Specifically, how will they fix the floor and walls?

Has anyone else had similar issues? How will they fix my floor and the walls? I'm not in favor of patch jobs, but I fear they will have no other option. The countertop seems like an easy fix if they replace it. But my fear is they will try to sand the scratches out and buff them.

What would you do if you found yourself in my shoes??

This to me looks like a "factory reject" that some slicky dealer decided to take off FR's hands for next to nothing, and figured he could market it for an easy profit.

One question, did you buy this TT sight-unseen?

afugazifan · 03-29-2017, 03:16 PM

It was a factory order. We were in contact with Prime Time after it was ordered and were given the build date by them and an offer to come to the factory for a tour the day it was being built. It didn't get built until 2 months after we ordered it.

Fiddler Dan · 03-29-2017, 04:19 PM

We have what appears to be the exact same linoleum in out Mini-Lite that was gouged by the slideout. The dealer had a residential flooring specialist repair the linoleum. Forest River did not have an exact replacement, he cut a piece of linoleum out of the storage compartment so the grain would match perfectly and patched the bad spot with it. Then they took up the bed and replaced the all of the linoleum in the storage compartment with a similar pattern. You can barely tell where it was patched.

jeffnick · 03-29-2017, 04:35 PM

Do you want to punish the builder or go camping. It's been my experience that you can be fighting the 'perfect TT' battle for 18 months or more, with many of those months waiting while your dealer has the trailer. If you find joy in battling and negotiating, keep taking it back till they get it right or you're blue in the face. If you'd rather be camping, make the most of it the way it is or fix it yourself.

And while you're deciding, think about how many battling/negotiators are in front of you at the shop - none of the new trailers are 100% coming out of the factory.

asquared · 03-29-2017, 05:10 PM

I Have been through lots of issues with my Sabre including two trips back to the factory plus a trip to the Goshen rally and many many many trips to the dealership. I have learned how to get things done. You need to be firm but fair with your dealership added with the manufacturer. I have learned who to deal with whenever I go to the dealership and who to deal with at the manufacturer. I will only deal with them. I am on a first name basis with my salesman, my sales manager, my service manager and my service writer as well as the former sabre warranty manager and former sabre program development manager. I have made some really good contacts and because I have been fair and reasonable I have gotten help when I need it even on items not covered by warranty.

My advice is to give respect and command respect. Be fair Compromising but not so much that you don't get things done that you want done. Don't ever use the word lawyer as things will shut down immediately and you will get no help. Don't yell or get nasty as things were shut down immediately and you get no help. If you listen and work with them and you will get all the help you need.

For my cracked shower, my dealership brought in a specialist. My floor was repaired during a factory return trip. I had a slide removed to repair a carpet on an old tt we had. For your counters, I would make them order a replacement from the factory.

Best of luck. We are 3 years in now and still finding issues but still getting help with the repairs due to the extensive history of problems our fiver has had and the rapport we have developed with our dealer and FR.

pdqparalegal1 · 03-29-2017, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaDog

I think you are doing the right thing just make sure you hold there feet to the fire and get it fixed the way you want it so that it looks original.

Their

SeaDog · 03-29-2017, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdqparalegal1

Their

thanks, legally speaking that might have been a problem lol

afugazifan · 03-30-2017, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffnick

Do you want to punish the builder or go camping. It's been my experience that you can be fighting the 'perfect TT' battle for 18 months or more, with many of those months waiting while your dealer has the trailer. If you find joy in battling and negotiating, keep taking it back till they get it right or you're blue in the face. If you'd rather be camping, make the most of it the way it is or fix it yourself.

And while you're deciding, think about how many battling/negotiators are in front of you at the shop - none of the new trailers are 100% coming out of the factory.

I don't see it as punishing as much as holding them accountable. Totally get where you are coming from though, which is the reason for my post. I struggled with even taking it back to them or just living with it. The last thing I want is to take it back and it end up worse and this becoming a very negative experience. We just want to go camping....

afugazifan · 03-30-2017, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiddler Dan

We have what appears to be the exact same linoleum in out Mini-Lite that was gouged by the slideout. The dealer had a residential flooring specialist repair the linoleum. Forest River did not have an exact replacement, he cut a piece of linoleum out of the storage compartment so the grain would match perfectly and patched the bad spot with it. Then they took up the bed and replaced the all of the linoleum in the storage compartment with a similar pattern. You can barely tell where it was patched.

Thank you for this. I feel better about a floor repair after reading your post.

afugazifan · 03-30-2017, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asquared

My advice is to give respect and command respect. Be fair Compromising but not so much that you don't get things done that you want done. Don't ever use the word lawyer as things will shut down immediately and you will get no help. Don't yell or get nasty as things were shut down immediately and you get no help. If you listen and work with them and you will get all the help you need.

This is exactly how I'm approaching it. I had the dealer rep and factory rep both thank me for my "demeanor" and both acknowledged the issues I have are not acceptable.

I appreciate everyone's perspectives and feedback and will be sure to let you know the outcome.

B and B · 03-30-2017, 07:45 AM

One of the reasons I moved to a SOB was due to issues like this. I would do as others have said and be polite but hold there feet to fire to get it repaired in a timely fashion.

I buy off the lot now, that way I can walk if I don't like what I see. There is a gentleman on this forum that rejected his special order outright, they ordered a new trailer for him.

Of course you special ordered and waited for this trailer. The shower install issues can be cleaned up, the floor issue is unbelievable from a simple QC perspective. The factory should be fixing this one no questions asked.

cdog7201 · 03-30-2017, 10:25 AM

do as asquared has said, I used to help carpet and floor installers so to ease your mind the floor can be repaired by a professional and if you didn't know about it already you would not be able to see it .as far as the shower I bet they can repair it the same way or else they will replace it with another. I try to never get nasty with a dealer it won't help anything .Nobody wants to talk to a hot head Even though I can loose my temper I always try to be civil when trying to get things fixed. Enjoy our new trailer go camping.

You may also like: