Roof Claim Denied

[_jay_]

Greetings happy campers. I am sorry to say right now I am not a happy camper. Attached are some pictures for you review. This is a brand new Salem Hemisphere that hasn't been slept in once. We did a thorough PDI when picking it up, but was not able to inspect the roof due to the weather (snow, etc.) - yes my mistake.

Now that the snow is gone, this is what I find. Forest River says its purely cosmetic and has denied any claim. I can flex the wood at the seems like its not attached. The concern is its not going to leak now, but start over time? Thoughts.

Dealer says I need to call FR and they are no help any more. (I'll withhold thier info for right now)

 

[Ken-m]

That's just awful your dealer isn't helping , I would think forest river will fix it. If not ,well this is a family forum . Looks like 2 drunk cobbler's put that roof on . SAD.

 

[Skip12]

I started this thread shortly after we purchased ours.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f227/ripples-in-roof-155699.html

3 seasons later and it's holding up fine. There are still ridges at the seams but other visual defects disappeared. Keep your eye on it. If anything changes for the worse, get someone else to look at it, but I beleive there is a decent chance you'll be fine and that it might look better after a hot week in the summer sun.

Good.luck.

 

[Ken-m]

Absolutely not , do not wait. Maybe this is why manufacturers keep pushing junk out the door , people accept it .

 

[ChrisParise]

My cousins 2018 Grand Design has the same roof "feature". I started caring for their seams in 2020 and was shocked at the substrate movement underneath.

That, and less than 2 year old the flashing around a skylight had penetrated the roof surface.

They don't build em like they used to.

 

[chriscowles]

… They don't build em like they used to.

Actually, I'd say that they build them like they've always built them, which is varying degrees of badly. Some are less bad than others.

 

[_jay_]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to follow up with Forest River tomorrow.

 

[phillyg]

I have to say that's the worst new roof photo I've ever seen. It looks like the glue failed or was not laid down properly. OTOH, I don't know that it won't lay down with temperature changes. It would seem to me the material would contract with cold and expand with heat, making it worse. I can visualize the ballooning roof material I've seen on RVs traveling down the highway, with the driver totally unaware. Perhaps you can contact the roof material manufacturer to find out proper installation procedures, and see if they will opine on this particular install. Otherwise, I think you need to really push hard with FR for a solution.

 

[PDuB-IA2MI]

About this...

In my stack of random manuals I got with my Wolf Pup is this really sad piece of paper from Dicor that looks like it was printed on a $30 refurbished printer.

It states, essentially "your bubbly, ugly roof is fine...don't call us".

So, I get the impression plenty of us reported stuff like this and Dicor figured they'd write up a crap narrative and call it good. Read on:

 

[_jay_]

Wanted to share a quick update. I made some other contacts at the dealer and they are stepping up. Very strongly I might add. No resolution yet, but progress.

I shared a video with them on the seams flexing.

 

[wharfrat48]

As far as I know the dealer can not deny or approve a warrantee claim, that would be Forest River. You can go through the dealer, or make a warrantee claim yourself. Right? Did Forest River "deny" your claim or the dealer?

 

[_jay_]

Forest River, but the dealer is working with them to move things forward. Discuss other concerns and not just the "bubbles"

 

[5picker]

Wanted to share a quick update. I made some other contacts at the dealer and they are stepping up. Very strongly I might add. No resolution yet, but progress.

I shared a video with them on the seams flexing.

Forest River, but the dealer is working with them to move things forward. Discuss other concerns and not just the "bubbles"

That's great to hear. The dealer really should be your 1st line of communication with the manufacturer and having them in your corner is HUGE.

Best of luck. Hope all goes well.

 

[cbty]

My brother's camper looks like that on a Cherokee. Decor and Forrest River both said its normal and will not cause any issues.

 

[mjf55]

_jay_ , it's been 30 days since your last posting. How are things progressing?

For all others, there is a youtuber, RV Roof Install ( I have NO affiliation with them ) that shows how our wonderful roofs are made, covered, and repaired.

 

[Sharonogoingsolo]

Puma

I had my Puma roof replaced because there were brads coming through the surface of the Dicor roof membrane that I found within 1 month of purchasing my 5th wheel new. The service department was not helpful so I contacted Puma direct and had a roof replacement approved the same day.

While the RV was at the dealership being replaced the service manager said "it wasn't the best looking under there - just regular plywood so it was rough - we overlaid it with smooth luan so it'll look a lot better" My reason for posting this is because _jay_ your roof looks like rough plywood under the Dicor as well - why would the manufacturer do that?

Any update on progress with roof replacement _Jay_?

https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/members/152056-albums3678-picture21180.jpg