PALE RIDER
TEXAS
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Joined: 08/09/2007
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A SOON TO BE NEW 5TH WHEELER. HAS ANYONE HEARD OF AMERICANA AND HOW ARE THEY TO DEAL WITH AFTER PURCHASE? ARE THEY A GOOD STURDY UNIT IN YOUR OPINION?
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2oldman
Moses Lake WA
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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Welcome to the forum. ALL CAPS is considered shouting, so next time please release the caps lock key. Don't take it personally.. just a courtesy.
The search function (upper left) found these previous posts in 5th wheels:
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atwon
Reno, NV
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Joined: 11/29/2006
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Well I bought mine from a dealer (not the original seller) in SoCal. It's a 2004 and I LOVE it! Don't know about servicing or anything because it hasn't needed anything. Happy Rving!
2004 Cardinal Americana 33TS
1999 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3L PSD
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DKean
Mays Landing NJ.
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Joined: 06/17/2003
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Americana is a Cardinal with there name on it. You can have it serviced at any Forest River dealer. I don't think you will be disappointed with an Americana.
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atwon
Reno, NV
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atwon wrote:Well I bought mine from a dealer (not the original seller) in SoCal. It's a 2004 and I LOVE it! Don't know about servicing or anything because it hasn't needed anything. Happy Rving!
This just in! The coach broke on me, I got NO LOVE from the folks at Americana. All I got was an email saying they'd contact me...that was months ago. I had to contact the original manufacturer of a component on my coach and order directly from them.
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661murray
lancaster ca.
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Joined: 01/01/2008
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warning all cardinal and americana owners:
check your frams constantly. the wheels fall off (in vegas) the frams crack @ the hanger attach points. also have had the inside doors fall apart (glass) step is too lightwheght and is cracking, delamination of the side fiberglass. the door gas cylinder ripped off and bent the door, shower door won't open or close, the side doors hindges eventually stretch and won't close the hitch is flimsy and you get a wiggle in towing unless you put the hitch in the extreme up position (4 wheel hight). the spring hangers shifted dide ways starting a shift that eventually caused a blow out. predator repairman wanted $2600 to fix. Repaired for $250, (camping world tied in welder). I truly believe this is the sorriest trailer EVER. the repair dealer went belly up; BUT so far everyone at the factery is very nice. ALSO I have checked other trailers at parks. they also have frame problems. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. go check your frame for cracks. wheels falling off at speed can KILL. oh yea. the so called water filter has to be removed or the pump wont pump water to the kitchen and the referigerator won't work unless you change the fuse in the control circuits to 2 amp (from 1 amp) and you only get a year out of the two way hot watter heater (element and igniter). I recommend a thor which is also only a bit better.
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Camps with Critters
Texas
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Joined: 03/08/2006
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661murray wrote:warning all cardinal and americana owners:
check your frams constantly. the wheels fall off (in vegas) the frams crack @ the hanger attach points. also have had the inside doors fall apart (glass) step is too lightwheght and is cracking, delamination of the side fiberglass. the door gas cylinder ripped off and bent the door, shower door won't open or close, the side doors hindges eventually stretch and won't close the hitch is flimsy and you get a wiggle in towing unless you put the hitch in the extreme up position (4 wheel hight). the spring hangers shifted dide ways starting a shift that eventually caused a blow out. predator repairman wanted $2600 to fix. Repaired for $250, (camping world tied in welder). I truly believe this is the sorriest trailer EVER. the repair dealer went belly up; BUT so far everyone at the factery is very nice. ALSO I have checked other trailers at parks. they also have frame problems. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. go check your frame for cracks. wheels falling off at speed can KILL. oh yea. the so called water filter has to be removed or the pump wont pump water to the kitchen and the referigerator won't work unless you change the fuse in the control circuits to 2 amp (from 1 amp) and you only get a year out of the two way hot watter heater (element and igniter). I recommend a thor which is also only a bit better.
Sounds like a bit of brand bashing to me. I have 2.5 years dragging my Cardinal around at full-timing weight (220lbs below GVWR) without any of the problems mentioned (and yes I do check my frame). No cracks, no delaminations, etc. Very happy with my bird and only mod was adding mor-ryde suspension and disc brakes (only because I wanted addition stopping power at this heavy weight). I got the Cardinal for $20K less than Americana version of the same rig, and the suspension and brakes added for $5K. I think both are good rigs for my use. All the appliance problems mentioned might be due to lack of maintenance, after all how many brands of RV appliances are there? You will likely get the same model fridge or water heater in a thor.
08 Freightliner M2 Cummins/Allison
05 Cardinal 34TS, Trailair
Travel with wife of 20 yrs &
The Critters: Rudy, Boogie, & Jack (3 great dogs)
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661murray
lancaster ca.
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Joined: 01/01/2008
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well////
not exactly, The quality of the company is becomming evident. they have had the trailer for three months. The repairs have been made but I can't get the repairman to release my trailer. it seem they destroyed the hydrolic hose for the slidout and are arguing over who will fix it. ALTHOUGHT Americana has agreed to pay for it.... Still no trailer. Also the shhops driver destroyed my mirror (drivers side ). who is going to fix that. it seems the shop does'nt realize how expensive couryt is. I spent 28 years in court and can tell yuou don't go.
by yall
661murray
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