houtrz wrote: Been reading the forum on the Georgetoen website and the first thread I clicked on was issues with the stairs failing and basically falling open. One bolt holding it in place and sheers off. My mother inlaw often goes with us and has seven back surgeries in the last few years. If that failed while she was on the steps if it didn't kill her it would certainly cripple her forever. No mention about a factory fix, just keep installing the same Lippert stuff. Anyone here know of or heard about this? I haven't signed up as a member over there so I can't post yet
..Haven't heard about this particular issue, and don't know the specifics around it. However, I will say this:
ALL RV manufacturers, install a lot of the same appliances and components. The refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, jacks, slideout mechanism, chairs, folding stairs, etc...If you look closely at them, you'll find that the high $$ Tiffin product uses many of the same models/brands that are in the Georgetown. Things will break from time to time with ANY of these appliances, regardless whether the appliance or component is in a $250k DP, or a $90k gasser.
One single bolt holding the stairs in place, and it shears off? Seems a bit far-fetched, like someone isn't telling the whole truth there. If the stairs were truly that weak and dangerous, there would be hundreds of cases of people getting seriously hurt by this, a massive lawsuit or two pending on Forest River for it, etc.
You can always find (especially on the internet) reports of specific problems here and there, with ANY brand. I would not worry about it unless you see tons and tons of (independent) reports all of same problem.
If this particular problem really, really bothers you, ask them to provide more specifics of where this 'single bolt' is, that shears off. Then, go look under a Georgetown unit you're thinking of buying, see if it has same design. I bet you'll find, that it does not, and there are a lot more than just one bolt holding the stairs on.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis Our Rig
It sounds like the motor is held on with one bolt. When that fails the steps swing on their own. I don't think the stair case itself falls off. Still trying to understand it but yes that is something I'll look at. Still waiting on the quote. Seems the dealership I am working with was bularized a few days ago and they are having big issues. Stolen were customer deposit checks, business check book, computers and office stuff. What a mess to deal with
For Georgetown dealers you may want to check out Motorhome Specialists in Dallas or RV Direct in Orlando. Both are big Georgetown dealers. Tiffin owners like to tell you that Tiffin is the largest manufacturer of diesels motorhomes, but Forest River is the largest manufacturer of gas motorhomes.
One of the things we learned very early on with our search was to get all the info we can about the rigs we were considering. Both of these units are gas units built on the same chassis so the majority of your decision has to come down to how much of a difference is there in price and is there enough of a difference in the units to warrant the price differential. These are the questions that you will have to answer for yourself. Comparing two motor homes built on the same chassis with many of the same components as the difference between a hot dog and filet mignon is more than a little short sighted.
We have a Forest River rig and it has been a good unit without a lot of problems. Any issues have been quickly resolved by the dealer. We haven't had to truck off to the factory for any issues of any kind.
The swing of the steps is designed with a shear pin to stop it moving if it hits a solid object or if you happen to step on the step while its moving like I did. The shear pin does its job. Got a free replacement and no shipping cost either from Stromberg in Michigan and installed the new pin in less than 5 minutes. Its a safety issue, not a fault of Georgetown or any of its vendors. WE have had our unit for 8 years and only one time did we have this problem with our steps.
We are very happy with our Georgetown.
In my book taking the MH to Red Bay Alabama for repairs is not an option???
JM2CW
2003 Georgetown 346DS Ford F-53
2008 Pontiac G6 Toad, Blue Ox Aventa LX
Family Campers & RVers--- Come Camp With Us
www.fcrv.org
Ok I give up. RVDirect has the coach listed for $101,259 and my local dealer offered me the same coach for $120,993. They offered $24k for my trade which is a 2009 Cedar Creek fiver five slide, two bedroom 1.5 bath, washer/dryer, Trail Air king pin and suspension, Auto satellite and 5500 Onan genny just to name a few of the option. I saw three 2009 Cedar Creeks on line that were plane for $35-45. Am I asking to much? She said to sell it outright then they could compete with RV Direct. I don't understand
houtrz wrote: Ok I give up. RVDirect has the coach listed for $101,259 and my local dealer offered me the same coach for $120,993. They offered $24k for my trade which is a 2009 Cedar Creek fiver five slide, two bedroom 1.5 bath, washer/dryer, Trail Air king pin and suspension, Auto satellite and 5500 Onan genny just to name a few of the option. I saw three 2009 Cedar Creeks on line that were plane for $35-45. Am I asking to much? She said to sell it outright then they could compete with RV Direct. I don't understand
..I know it makes things confusing and the numbers are very deceiving when a tradein is in the picture, but $120k for a Georgetown 352QS seems outrageously high!
Sounds like they're trying to get full list/retail price for the new Georgetown, but only offering low wholesale for your tradein. Very common tactic that dealers will try, but you can do much, much better, if you take your time and shop around some.
Here's what I would do: Put your 5er up for sale on somewhere like RVtraderonline, try to sell it yourself. In the meantime, while you wait for a buyer, keep shopping around, talking to other dealers, etc. Show them the RVtrader ad for your 5er, showing what you want for it. Eventually, you're going to find a dealer that will come much closer to what you want for your 5er on tradein, without charging you full retail for the new MH. Or, you will sell yours yourself for better $$ than a dealer will give, at which point you are in a better position to negotiate the deal on a new MH.
Thats pretty much what we did. Had our old unit up for sale for about 3 months, before a dealer offered the Georgetown (see signature) for a very reasonable price, AND offered within a few thousand of what we were asking on RVtraderonline for our tradein.
How close is Motorhome Specialists to you? They have several Georgetown models listed very similar to the one you're thinking about, for around $100k. I'm betting they'd be a lot better to work with than RV Direct, too.
wnytaxman wrote: We have a Forest River rig and it has been a good unit without a lot of problems. Any issues have been quickly resolved by the dealer. We haven't had to truck off to the factory for any issues of any kind.
Ditto.
We had to take ours to a local dealer for warranty work exactly one time. Our water heater went out (a Suburban issue, not directly related to FR) and we had a small shower leak. That's the sum total of warranty work we needed. All other issues have been very minor and we've been able to take care of them ourselves. And we're not particularly handy. We bought from RVDirect and found them very easy and professional to deal with.
We looked at Tiffins but weren't particularly impressed. Plus the idea of possibly having to drive to Alabama to have any needed work done wasn't appealing at all.
Me and the DH
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
Take a look at THIS ONE for sale locally. Might save some $$$.
I have no dog in this hunt but friends have a Georgetown and it's a decent rig. Parents had a Tiffin and it was ok, not great, but ok. I'd call them about equal - but thats just me.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
Be sure to look carefully at cabinet hinges, catches and cabinet and door construction, etc. How is the main door hung, type of hinge? I have found there are differences between units even within a single manufacturer. Also do yourself a big favor and do a good Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) of the unit you select. A quick search of the internet can produce a good check list for inside and outside. Good luck!
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