Maw, Jim & Jake
The USA Full time
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Let us start out saying that we love our Newmar Grand Star, but we have found out there may be a major problem. We bought our 08 Grand Star in Michigan last october and promptly drove it to our leased site which is perfectly level. Starting on the road yesterday we stopped at Distant Drums campground in Camp Verde. The site was almost level except for slightly low in the rear. Using our Power Gear auto levelers I brought it to level and then discovered we couldn't open the door of the coach. Finally we had to drop it back on the wheels and turn off the refrigerator. We called Newmar this morning and were told to take it to a servicing dealer. We called World Wide RV in Mesa for an appointment and were told by the service manager there is a problem with the Grand Stars. They had been working on one for a month and couldn't fix it.
We have an appointment to go to Mesa on Tuesday and they are going to try their best but warned us there is a major (major is my feeling) problem and we may have to take is back to the factory for a total fix.
We didn't have any plans to drive over 2000 miles for warranty work and really don't want to spend that kind of money for the gas, let alone the the time.
If any one has any ideas, we're listening.
2008 Newmar Grand Star, Brake Buddy, Blue Ox, Explorer Sport Trac 4x4, and (one brilliant Golden Retriever in spirit and memory) Toby our Corgi pup.
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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First I've heard of this one. I can see if the jacks were out of spec where it could twist a coach and cause the door not opening issue. That certainly would be a major pain but certainly repairable.
I've never been a fan of Power Gear jacks, and didn't realize Newmar used them. Maybe that is the issue?
Please keep us updated.
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jimandsue60
North America
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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It might be appropriate to contact the factory and have them arrange to take it back to the factory for repairs or supply a new one. If the shop in Mesa has been TRYING? to fix one for a month there is no way I would bring mine to them.
Jim
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fredbon
Moreno Valley, Ca
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I don't know how you system levels the coach, but I would suspect it's twisting the chassis.
The RV Easy Level solved the problem for me since it levels all four axis.
Fred
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jimandsue60
North America
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Which chassis do you have?
Jim
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SemperFiCop
USA
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jimandsue60 wrote:Which chassis do you have?
Jim
It appears that he may have the
Workhorse W24/25
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Joined: 12/07/2000
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Never heard of a problem like this even on the Newmar forum I run, but then it's for mid engine and DP's, but I have a few gas owners too. I suspect it's the Power Gear levelers as most DP's come with HWH.
I'm not a big fan of Power Gear either.
BTW: you should be contacting Newmar about the trouble first before posting complaints on any forum. These forums are open to ANYONE that wants to read them and Newmar does monitor some of them. You'll get far more co-operation by them if you use honey rather than vinegar!
It may be nothing to do with the MH itself and my just be an adjustment to the levelers, you're taking one repair places word that there's a problem with the whole line and I've never heard of a problem like yours with ANY Newmar. Not saying it hasn't/doesn't happen, just haven't seen it.
On edit:
Maybe you should change the title to "Power Gear Levelers, Beware"
* This post was
edited 04/29/08 08:23pm by Deen *
Deen - Vancouver, WA
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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I did a search in the Newmar section of IRV2.com and found nothing on this. It seems if this were a real "major problem" (dealers words) there would be a lot more (or at least something other than this post) information out there.
This one will be interesting to watch.
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1492
Virginia, USA
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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Just out of curiosity, in one of your previous forum responses back on 11/14/07 here, you said:
Maw, Jim & Jake wrote:I'll second the recommendation for RV Renovators. I had major damage and when they were done the RV looked like it had just rolled out of the factory.
Was that damage to your current '08 Grand Star? Or a previous RV? Also, which Grand Star floorplan do you have?
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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Bruce Brown wrote:First I've heard of this one. I can see if the jacks were out of spec where it could twist a coach and cause the door not opening issue. That certainly would be a major pain but certainly repairable.
I've never been a fan of Power Gear jacks, and didn't realize Newmar used them. Maybe that is the issue?
Please keep us updated.
Ive seen it on travel Trailers and on older ( mid 70's) Chev K5 Blazers.
The "whole thing" is flexible enough that it flexes and put the door into a bind. Had the door been OPEN and the coach leveled...you cant close it.
Major Pain? You betchum Red Ryder..a PITA of the 10th magnitude
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