BigDaddyHfx
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Full Member
Joined: 10/16/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
We are on our first trip in our 2012 Coachman Catalina 27 FCBK. While we've had it for about 2 months its been too cold (Nova Scotia) to take it camping until now.
When we picked it up we only did a basic walk around. It was too cold to put any water in the system. The unit never had any water in it so it wasn't winterized. We trusted that the factory and the dealer had tested everything.
We're at a local campground - just for the purpose of checking to make sure everything works before we actually go away 2 weeks from now. Its a good thing we did.
Here's the list of major problems:
- The water heater outlet pipe was missing one hose clamp and the second was so loose it freely spun around
- The water heater bypass was open so that all we would get would be warm water as the cold would be mixed with the hot
- The gray and black tank sensors do not work
- The water pump only seems to pump water to the bathroom and not the kitchen sink
We have a bunch of minor problems as well:
- A chipped wall sconce
- A scratch on the outside kitchen's counter top
- The fuse blew in the power tongue jack
- No cable between the antenna jack and the Television
- A cabinet door where the catch came no where close to contacting the other half
- A window shade that does not stay up because the tied the tension strings around the window valance and its too loose.
- A drawer front that was attached crooked to the frame.
We discovered the heater was leaking when we could hear water running (it was running out the bottom of the trailer) and water appeared on the floor under the sink cabinet. We had about a half inch of water to clean up. The hose clamps I put on worked at first (not the right size but its what I could get on a Sunday evening) and there is still a small drip every few minutes.
I knew from reading these forums that I should have insisted on a full walkthrough and the testing of all the systems. I can tell you this will never happen to me again.
I'm not really looking for any advise. We're very happy with out new TT despite the problems. We're first time RV owners after a long time a tent campers. (My DW insists that what we do now cannot be called "camping")
I have every confidence that the dealer will make it right. But it shouldn't have happened in the first place. I won't name the dealer since these were factory defects. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, but I expect them to fix the problems, test them and do it in a timely manner.
|
mockturtle
WA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/31/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Quote:We trusted that the factory and the dealer had tested everything. 
Hope you get everything worked out OK! Heck of a way to start out your camping season. As you say, it shouldn't have happened but almost always does, to some extent. Don't feel too badly about it--almost all new units have some glitches and many are never caught even in a complete delivery checklist. {Although I must admit yours shows a shocking lack of factory quality control!}
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
6.8L Ford V-10 Engine, E450 Chassis
2002 Honda CR-V toad
Roadmaster Sterling A/T towbar
VIP braking system
Eddyline Merlin kayak
|
BigDaddyHfx
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Full Member
Joined: 10/16/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
mockturtle wrote:{Although I must admit yours shows a shocking lack of factory quality control!}
Factory quality control - an oxymoron if there ever was one. 
|
mockturtle
WA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/31/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
BigDaddyHfx wrote:mockturtle wrote:{Although I must admit yours shows a shocking lack of factory quality control!}
Factory quality control - an oxymoron if there ever was one.
It's one reason we usually buy used.
|
capndan771
Northern Michigan
Full Member
Joined: 01/19/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We recently noticed that one of the marker lights was not operating on our new motor home. Upon inspection we found the lens cover was mounted to the coach body but no fixture behind it. Capped wires were taped to the under body with an inspection tag tied to them with FIVE inspection initials on the tag. Must have been late on a Friday..................
|
|
|
1775
NY
Senior Member
Joined: 09/30/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
You are right - it should not have happened in the first place. We have had a similar experience with our factory ordered Roadtrek. It is as if no one in the factory double checks and inspects anything before they are sent on their way. And then at the dealer, there is no inspection either.
Roadtrek 190 Popular 2011
Meryl and Me Hit the Road
|
Macktee
Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 12/19/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
It can happen with new or used. Unfortuately we don't all have the knowledge to know what all to check. I agree with driveway camping. And trust me, after every trip there will be something else wrong. They should call them money pits, not RVs. Macktee
04 Monaco Dynasty Diamond 1V ( Homer II)
2012 Ram 1500 4X4 Quad Cab towed
2011 Dodge Journey
2013 Cargo Mate 24ft enclosed car hauler
Tom and DW Nancy
Holliday Trails member
Good Sam Life time member
FMCA member# F419937
|
bikendan
Napa, Cal.
Senior Member
Joined: 11/21/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
that's why Driveway Camping is always recommended. that way all these things would have been caught before you went on a camping trip.
Dan- Firefighter , Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur , Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever , 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
|
DE88ROX
West Michigan. The other West Coast
Senior Member
Joined: 03/08/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Same thing Happened to me when I bought new. A plethora of problems.
Since I picked up the TT, the dealership has had possession of the unit more than I have.
It still amazes me at the issues people have with these things when buying new. There is no excuse. NONE!!
Doesn't really speak well for the "Made in America" mantra.
The only time I see the quality (or lack thereof) change, is when these companies start getting some off shore competition. The RV industry needs to wake up and learn from the auto industry. It is only after Honda's and Toyota's became readily available did the consumer realize that we don't have to be forced into buying this garbage anymore.
TV- 2010 GMC Sierra Z71 EXT. cab
TT- 2012 Starcraft Autumn Ridge235fb
|
BigDaddyHfx
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Full Member
Joined: 10/16/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We wish we could fit the trailer in our driveway we would have tried it out there. As it is we are only 20 minutes from home. We are only really here so that we can use all the features. I know most of the theory of RV systems but nothing beats hands on. I've learned so much from these forums and from traveling on occasion with my sister and brother-in-law.
We take our first real trip in two weeks when we go PEI for the May long weekend (Victoria Day for those down South). Then we are heading to Montreal and New Hampshire / Maine for two weeks in June. By the end of that we should have most of the basic lessons learned.
|
|
|
