E to W new purchase and warranty

Bburlinson · 06-09-2023, 12:47 PM

Hello all! Glad to be a new Tandara owner as of this morning. I can’t find any recent treads about the age old question, so if a moderator knows of a better thread, please point me in that direction.

1.) Does FR still offer an additional 1 year extended warranty?

I declined the 3rd party warranty from the dealer because it just stinks of scam. I’m a seasoned camper and this is not my first unit, but the reviews I’ve read on the ‘22 Tandara 5ers are not good!

To be honest, I am really concerned about quality 3 years down the road.

2.) Any of you had significant problems with your Tandara that would have made a warranty financially worth it? If so, what warranty did you buy?

Ours will be stuck at the dealer for another several weeks. It came from the factory an absolute disaster. Screws through the exterior fiberglass, doors that won’t open, and interior trim falling from the roof. There is talk the entire rear exterior panel will need replacing. All this goes to my previous question. I know from experience that most warranties are a waste of money, but every now and then they pay for themselves plus some. I’ve never picked up a new camper in such poor shape.

Any opinions and experiences are appreciated!

**bikendan** · 06-09-2023, 01:25 PM

Moved thread from the Dollars and Cents sub-forum to the East to West sub-forum since the OP is asking for feedback from East to West owners.

FR dropped the optional 2nd year warranty, at least 10 years ago, as did most RV manufacturers, like Jayco.

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aceinspp · 06-09-2023, 01:28 PM

FR no longer offers an extended warranty. I have never purchased one except when FR offered theirs. If you have a good dealer and takes care of you in the first year then I see no reason to purchase one. In the 5 campers I had the only one I did was FRs and then I never used it. Its your choice. I hope you did a good PDI and found these issues. Later RJD

Bburlinson · 06-09-2023, 01:42 PM

Thanks! All of you are so helpful! I’ve never purchased a warranty before and never had a problem, but this one came in such rough shape I’m a bit nervous. The dealer is completely useless and I did more of the pdi than the tech did. He didn’t even know how to winterize it and didn’t know what an auto change lp regulator was! I opted out of their extended warranty and am now feeling pretty confident about it. I just won’t be taking it to this dealer for warranty work. I’m relegated to having to go to our local Camping World! ��

Bburlinson · 06-09-2023, 01:43 PM

Thanks!!!!

5picker · 06-09-2023, 01:59 PM

Extended warranties are insurance policies. Most folks never get a return on the investment of the cost.

They give you some peace of mind that you have some coverage if something breaks.

Unfortunately not all extended warranties are the same nor do many of them actually cover things and ultimately give you headaches instead of peace of mind.

READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY!
Many extended warranties require an annual inspection (sometimes for hundreds of dollars) to keep the policy in effect.
Many require you to return to the selling dealer for repairs. (not honored at other facilities)
Many do not cover moving parts such as slides.
Many do not cover water damage.
Many do not cover seals.
Many do not cover electrical items like a Converter or Inverter.
READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY!
Many DO cover big ticket items like A/C units and Refrigerators IF the manufacturers warranty isn't still in effect. If the manufacturers warranty is in effect, many aftermarket warranties will not pay labor.
READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY!

If you are not a handy/mechanical person then building a relationship with a competent dealer/repair facility is of utmost importance. Extended warranties can be useful if they are good ones (and there are some out there) but did I mention READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY!

Bburlinson · 06-09-2023, 02:09 PM

You ain’t wrong! This has been my viewpoint on warranties for a long time. After I read the fine print it told the dealer “no thanks”. Partly because I called 3 other dealers in town and none of them, including Camping World, had ever even heard of the provider. Of course they all also indicated they wouldn’t even take that warranty work. I’m glad I said no, just worried a little about the build quality since covid. I’m really disappointed in the quality on this particular unit. I hear e to w is good about making quality issues right, just don’t want to get stuck with 3k slide issue! I guess we’ll find out. Can’t even pick it up until they complete the pdi work order. Could be a month, but that’s a discussion for a different thread!

CedarCreekWoody · 06-10-2023, 07:10 PM

It sounds like you have reason to be skeptical. Too late to back out on the purchase? Many recommend not signing the final agreement until all items from PDI are completed to your satisfaction.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.

FlaNative · 06-10-2023, 07:28 PM

If the unit is as bad as you say, why settle for a bad unit? If you can get out of the deal, or at the least, get a replacement, then go for it. You're spending way too much money on bad quality.
To your question about extended warranties, in this case, if you keep this unit I would certainly explore getting an extended warranty. We bought an extended warranty on our '17 Cardinal 3250RL (new) and have gotten our money back. In fact we're looking into another extended warranty to cover expensive repairs on things such as slide out issues, refrigerator, ac units, hydraulics and so on. We bought our warranty through Compass and have been satisfied with them. However, as 5Picker pointed out, be SURE to read the fine print and ask a TON of questions.

Either way, good luck!

CedarCreekWoody · 06-10-2023, 07:49 PM

A forum friend highly recommends XtraRide Platinum RV policy. You might give them a look.

httntheroad · 06-10-2023, 07:59 PM

Got my 2nd year warranty April of 2016 picked up from couches.from Washington. Never had to use the second year.must have got a good one.still wish they would offer it for everybody.Hey got Great idea.why not either offer a two year bumper to bumper or improve the quality of your manufacturing. Just saying

Bburlinson · 06-10-2023, 08:43 PM

Thanks to all for the input, it has been helpful. We signed the papers already so no way to back out. I’m not too worried however, the price was so good it would have been crazy to not buy it. We’re talking nearly 40% discount on last year’s model. The research I did do revealed E to W responsiveness in regards to warranty issues. It sounds like they do a pretty good job making things right. We will probably get a 3rd party warranty as we get through the manufacturer warranty and get a feel for longer term quality issues. I will definitely look at the suggestions provided. Thank you!!

As far as the pdi, that was, and continues to be, fun….. (sarcasm intended). I had a heart to heart with the finance manager and he said he would talk to the service manager regarding the work already completed. Unfortunately I think this is all residual effects of the pandemic. The tech completing the pdi couldn’t have been more than 25 and just didn’t know what he was doing. He cut the battery boxes up because the cables didn’t fit, didn’t know how to winterize the unit, nor what an auto change lp regulator was. I worry what else he did that I don’t know about.

Nevertheless, the dealer has ordered warranty parts and I refuse to pick it up until all the work is done to my satisfaction. I will go through it with a fine tooth comb. Im feeling better about the whole thing and now looking forward to getting it hooked up and on the road! The kids are getting excited too!

How would all of you rate your experience with E to W? Normal quality issues? worse than expected? better? I am really curious what the trend is.

Thanks again!

**bikendan** · 06-10-2023, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by httntheroad

Got my 2nd year warranty April of 2016 picked up from couches.from Washington. Never had to use the second year.must have got a good one.still wish they would offer it for everybody.Hey got Great idea.why not either offer a two year bumper to bumper or improve the quality of your manufacturing. Just saying

Who are you saying this to? Because nobody from FR will ever read it and this Forum has no affiliation with Forest River Incorporated.
FR wasn't the only RV manufacturers that dropped the second year warranty. Jayco also did and made the one year warranty non-transferable.

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tomkatb · 06-10-2023, 10:50 PM

At this point you are in the hands of the service department. Not the manufacturer. The dealer must get documents ready for the factory to approve typically. Since the factory pays less the dealer will not move real quick. Replacing a wall is likely a return to the factory.

The items you described are non mechanical. I would recommend a good pdi sheet and a fellow rv guy to go with you. Take circuit tester. Try everything.

As beat up as this one was I would be concerned about everything.

Best of luck.

Bburlinson · 06-13-2023, 04:10 PM

This is a new thread continuing the discussion about our new Tandara 385MB. I figured it would be helpful to those looking into upgrading or contemplating a new East to West. Plus, it may be entertaining for some of you, because this has been an absolute circus!

Thanks to Mr M. for helping out as well. Without your advice, I would never have checked the ac!

Understand, I am no camping newbie and am seasoned rv’er. This one will make the 5th new rv over 30 something years I’ve purchased. I have never experienced a disaster of this proportion in all my years!

Papers are all signed, it’s ours no matter what, but at the dealership it sits. The Tandara reps have been contacted and warranty requests have been submitted. I will absolutely update this as to their response so all of you get a good idea of how the manufacturer reacts.

This thing has been a wreck. The short list is this; holes in the rear wall because of screws poking through, frame ends without trim exposing raw wood, big sections of the battery boxes cut out, potential leaf spring issues as well as bad axles, and the worst….. 2 13.5 btu regular ac’s. The ac issue is the worse, simply because of the fraud. The build sheet specifically charged for and indicated that 15’s were installed, and low profile ones at that. Well that was a lie, no other way to explain it. I had to crawl into the camper, take apart the ac’s and take photos of the insides to prove it, all while the dealership assured me that FR would never put something in other than what’s on the build sheet. I get it, mistakes get made, but when you are charged for a product and then significantly downgraded without explanation or being informed, I consider that fraud.

My experience has taught me that if there is willingness to let these things slide, it likely means there could be all sorts of other issues that are unseen. Electrical, plumbing, water leaks, slides….. the list goes on and on.

I have called Tandara’s reps and left messages, we’ll see if they call back. At this point, I won’t pick it up from the dealership due to potential liability shifting to me once in my possession.

I won’t warn people to stay away yet, and will give the manufacturer a chance to make it right, but I don’t mind telling you I’m not sure I want it now, and they are going to have to move heaven and earth to rebuild my confidence.

I’ll let you all know as the saga draws to a conclusion.

MR.M · 06-13-2023, 05:00 PM

stay on top of it . deal with manufacture to get this right , East to west came out as being different well their different in a different way but not with quality control.

**bikendan** · 06-13-2023, 05:05 PM

East to West was created as a brand for FR's CEO Pete Liegl's daughter to run.
Not sure if she's made much difference, from any other RV manufacturer.
https://rvbusiness.com/east-to-wests...e-rv-industry/

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Larry-NC · 06-13-2023, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bburlinson

Thanks! All of you are so helpful! I’ve never purchased a warranty before and never had a problem, but this one came in such rough shape I’m a bit nervous. The dealer is completely useless and I did more of the pdi than the tech did. He didn’t even know how to winterize it and didn’t know what an auto change lp regulator was! I opted out of their extended warranty and am now feeling pretty confident about it. I just won’t be taking it to this dealer for warranty work. I’m relegated to having to go to our local Camping World! ��

Many Camping World operations also have a bad reputation on service matters. That may not be the best choice.

It is a Forest River policy that you can use an independent RV repair facility for warranty work. The repairman talks to Forest River and gets approval to do the work. When the work is complete, the repairman sends a claim to Forest River. You immediately pay the repair person and Forest River sends you a check. Better to use one guy you trust whose career is repair than go to a dealer and have repairs done by high-school dropout du jour.

MR.M · 06-14-2023, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

East to West was created as a brand for FR's CEO Pete Liegl's daughter to run.
Not sure if she's made much difference, from any other RV manufacturer.
https://rvbusiness.com/east-to-wests...e-rv-industry/

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The answer to that is No difference . well just a little on the makes them worse side of things .

Bburlinson · 06-20-2023, 09:27 AM

Update as of the end of June.

It’s important for me to express my motivation for posting. I’m not complaining, nor expect any of these posts to rectify this situation in any way. I review products professionally (although not rv’s), and feel that without honest personal experiences, consumers have that much more difficulty making informed decisions. I hope this post doesn’t come across as whining, I’m really not.

With that said, here is the update. The rig still sits at the dealership (been there for 22 days after purchase), the pdi has not been completed fully, and the service department assured me that they have pending warranty requests and are waiting for the manufacturer. Well, I reached out directly to Forest River and they say they don’t have any warranty requests. They are telling me that the rig needs to be registered before they will complete warranty work. I actually have a large email thread going between the dealer and Forest River, and they still don’t seem to be on the same page. Meanwhile, the camping season in Colorado slowly slips away. The dealer wants me to pick it up and use it, but that is something at this point I likely won’t do. I don’t want to be accused of doing something that voids the warranty. Yes, I think Forest River would be that petty. I am in disbelief that a camper can come from the factory so badly assembled, and then somehow it becomes my responsibility to pay for a PDI to fix what I already paid for. What is going on in this industry?????

I will be going down to Blue Compass RV this morning and speaking directly with management. I’ll let everyone know how that turns out.

I have my lawyer sitting in the background watching how this resolves. If it doesn’t, we will move forward with litigation. It’s so sad, I don’t want to do that, but how does a $100,000.00 msrp’d rig ever make it to a dealership so badly made? Wow.

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