Problems with Coachmen warranty customer service?

[larkar]

We bought a new Coachmen Catalina 33BHKS at the end of March and were so excited since it was our first brand new camper (all previous ones were second hand). Long story short we had trouble with the kitchen slide necessitating taking it for warranty repair. Took it to the local Camping World instead of driving 300 miles to dealer for the work. CW had it for 6 weeks without doing any repair. We thought it was CW's fault so I called Coachmen and got some info re: authorizing the repair, shipping the parts, etc. We finally picked the camper up from CW since we had a trip planned, then took it back to CW when we returned. They kept it four more weeks with no results, no calls. When we called about it they said the parts had never come in (Coachmen had told me when I called the first time they were supposed to arrive two days after my call.)

Fed up, we picked the camper up and took it to the original dealer. Thought we were finally going to get somewhere. Same problem. Four weeks after taking it up there, we called the dealer and they said Coachmen hadn't authorized the work. I called Coachmen again and they said, "Oh - we just did it yesterday but I'll call and check." Called me back and said they just ordered the parts and they should be shipping out in the next day or two.

Fast forward to this week. Called dealer - no parts. I called Coachmen again and they said, "Oh, they just went out yesterday I think" --- almost THREE weeks since they had told me they were shipping the next day.

I called the dealer today and they finally rec'd the parts but don't know how long it will be before they will complete the repairs.

Bottom line is, when I was calling back and forth between Camping World and Coachmen the first go round, I finally figured out the problem wasn't on Camping World's end, but on Coachmen's. They drug their feet, told me one thing one time I called and something different the next. (Talked to the same person every time but one.) CW contributed to the frustration by not calling us to let us know what was going on for weeks at a time.

When we took it to the dealer for repair I had the same experience. Coachmen drug it's feet and told me flat out lies hem-hawing around.

We have not had the use of our camper for going on 4.5 months out of the 8 we've had it.

Has anyone else had this problem with Coachmen?


While packing up to go home from a camping trip just a couple of months after purchasing it, the kitchen slide cocked to the side while my husband was sliding it in, dug into the linoleum tearing a hole, and breaking the left fascia board/trim on the slide. He stopped it immediately. We were finally able to get in so we could get home.

[larkar]

Does anyone think it's worth pursuing asking for an extension of the warranty and if so, who would I contact? I don't want to talk to the guy I've been talking to all this time.

[Loraura]

I've had an AC unit and a Converter replaced under warranty and both times everything was authorized, received, installed, and ready in 1 week.

[DreiHunde]

I only had one minor warranty repair and it went smooth. Dealer fixed the problem then sent the bill to Coachmen.

Sorry to hear about your troubles

[blwnsmoke]

Coachmen is PAINFULLY slow in shipping parts from everything that I have dealt with.

I have seen 6-8 weeks pretty standard for most of my parts when they have been ordered over the year. I've seen 2-4 weeks for approval.

Mine is in for the final time for the completion of my warranty. Will be posting once I get the finaliced writeup of everything.

[dahagen]

I had one issue with my Mirada under warranty and the part problem was the dealer, not Coachman. After four months, Coachman said find another repair place. I did, and the new place got the part within a week.

[Paradise115]

Just curious. Who did you talk to at coachmen?

[dahagen]

It was about a year and a half ago, but here is the person.....
John Vrydaghs
Coachmen RV Class A Division
Warranty Service Manager

Direct: 574-825-8212

johnv@forestriverinc.com

[sam2424]

I guess I don't feel so bad now. Mine has been a CW for 2 months out of 7 months of owning unit. CW claims they are waiting on authorization for warranty work and Forest River claims they are waiting on request. I have had it with both of them. I even offered to sell them back this piece of crap and go buy a good one from a good dealer.

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by sam2424

I guess I don't feel so bad now. Mine has been a CW for 2 months out of 7 months of owning unit. CW claims they are waiting on authorization for warranty work and Forest River claims they are waiting on request. I have had it with both of them. I even offered to sell them back this piece of crap and go buy a good one from a good dealer.

Would a three way call not streamline the process and prevent lies and finger pointing between dealer and Mfg.??

Just a thought.

[txkreddog]

Sorry you had a bad experience. Our 2015 Coachmen Freedom Express had a problem with the AC compressor. We returned the unit to the dealer, and picked it up 3 days later with a new compressor installed. They too fixed the problem then sent the bill to Coachmen. From opinions expressed on this forum, unless it were an emergency, I would always take the TT to the dealer it was purchased from. Good luck getting things straightened out.

[Scubanut]

I have been very lucky with my trailer. Mostly minor things to fix and no parts needed to be ordered. Just adjustments and some fabrication of a bracket. I won't bring it in to the dealer during the camping season unless it is something that really is a problem. I drop it off in the fall, and expect it to be gone for a few months. Free storage


2012 F150 FX4 Crew 5.0 3.73

2012Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS (outdoor Kitchen)

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by txkreddog

Sorry you had a bad experience. Our 2015 Coachmen Freedom Express had a problem with the AC compressor. We returned the unit to the dealer, and picked it up 3 days later with a new compressor installed. They too fixed the problem then sent the bill to Coachmen. From opinions expressed on this forum, unless it were an emergency, I would always take the TT to the dealer it was purchased from. Good luck getting things straightened out.

Just to be clear, the AC is not warranted by Coachman but rather by the manufacturer ( most likely Dometic) and Dometic was aware of an issue with failed compressors due to improper charging at assembly.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by larkar

We bought a new Coachmen Catalina 33BHKS at the end of March and were so excited since it was our first brand new camper (all previous ones were second hand). Long story short we had trouble with the kitchen slide necessitating taking it for warranty repair. Took it to the local Camping World instead of driving 300 miles to dealer for the work. CW had it for 6 weeks without doing any repair. We thought it was CW's fault so I called Coachmen and got some info re: authorizing the repair, shipping the parts, etc. We finally picked the camper up from CW since we had a trip planned, then took it back to CW when we returned. They kept it four more weeks with no results, no calls. When we called about it they said the parts had never come in (Coachmen had told me when I called the first time they were supposed to arrive two days after my call.)

Fed up, we picked the camper up and took it to the original dealer. Thought we were finally going to get somewhere. Same problem. Four weeks after taking it up there, we called the dealer and they said Coachmen hadn't authorized the work. I called Coachmen again and they said, "Oh - we just did it yesterday but I'll call and check." Called me back and said they just ordered the parts and they should be shipping out in the next day or two.

Fast forward to this week. Called dealer - no parts. I called Coachmen again and they said, "Oh, they just went out yesterday I think" --- almost THREE weeks since they had told me they were shipping the next day.

I called the dealer today and they finally rec'd the parts but don't know how long it will be before they will complete the repairs.

Bottom line is, when I was calling back and forth between Camping World and Coachmen the first go round, I finally figured out the problem wasn't on Camping World's end, but on Coachmen's. They drug their feet, told me one thing one time I called and something different the next. (Talked to the same person every time but one.) CW contributed to the frustration by not calling us to let us know what was going on for weeks at a time.

When we took it to the dealer for repair I had the same experience. Coachmen drug it's feet and told me flat out lies hem-hawing around.

We have not had the use of our camper for going on 4.5 months out of the 8 we've had it.

Has anyone else had this problem with Coachmen?


While packing up to go home from a camping trip just a couple of months after purchasing it, the kitchen slide cocked to the side while my husband was sliding it in, dug into the linoleum tearing a hole, and breaking the left fascia board/trim on the slide. He stopped it immediately. We were finally able to get in so we could get home.

Just had some warranty issues with Forest River with my Roo, I will never buy a new camper again, first one was a used Shasta 2012 I should have kept it, would have been easier to replace couch and chairs and fix little things then getting a new one with issues. I plan on using my Roo for two years then selling it in my own and buying a used 2015 Crusader 295RLT. At which point it would be cost effective for me to work on it myself and modify stuff to get it where I want. I love my Roo but warranty work is a PITA.

Mods to Roo so far

* Oxygenics Shower head
* Husky 4500# Jack with Remotes
* Progressive 30AMP inline surge protector

About to move spare tire carrier and add a Hitch Receiver in the bumper with a rack to hold bikes and Cooler

Removing Exterior grill arm to accomplish this also adding waterproof LED strips on Awning Tubing


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[chap327]

The Dealer makes the service happen. my 2014 Chaparral 327 RLKS has never stayed at the Dealer for more than three weeks for service. that included parts being shipped from Coachmen. Buy from a dealer that appreciates your Business. Clarke's RV Millbrook, Alabama

[Damon1966]

I have been waiting for warranty repair parts for over 3 months now. The slide has leaked since day 1 on a new Viking we purchased in July, it’s now mid December. I quest the old saying “ you get what you pay for is true”.

[n1acguy]

Our FR Sunseeker that lost its solar panel on the maiden voyage in Early Sept. is finally ready to be scheduled.
Dealer message said they would fit it in Jan 24th, and that they might need it for 2 weeks.
Seriously? 2 weeks to install a solar panel and an awning?
I haven't called them back yet, but that's ridiculous.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Damon1966

I have been waiting for warranty repair parts for over 3 months now. The slide has leaked since day 1 on a new Viking we purchased in July, it’s now mid December. I quest the old saying “ you get what you pay for is true”.

Originally Posted by n1acguy

Our FR Sunseeker that lost its solar panel on the maiden voyage in Early Sept. is finally ready to be scheduled.
Dealer message said they would fit it in Jan 24th, and that they might need it for 2 weeks.
Seriously? 2 weeks to install a solar panel and an awning?
I haven't called them back yet, but that's ridiculous.

Have either of you looked into using a different dealer, independent RV shops or mobile RV tech?

[n1acguy]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Have either of you looked into using a different dealer, independent RV shops or mobile RV tech?

No, I haven't. While I'm glad they agree to cover the initial problems, they'll never see it again after warranty. In the meantime, I'll stick with the selling dealer.

I've already corrected things that were really sloppy.

If I have to take it somewhere after warranty, there's a reputable shop in the same complex where we store the RV.
Now that I know how disorganized some of these RV dealers are (including mine), it's no mystery to me why they struggle.


That said, It's a different world in the southwest for anything related to the trades. Much of the time, the people willing to work in the trades aren't of the caliber that can be trained beyond a certain point. They don't have the intellect. The result is sloppy work, and trade practices that leave you shaking your head.