Stan47
Maryland
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Joined: 08/09/2005
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I hope shamon was making a joke...
Calling that sheet metal a "secondary burner housing" is an insult. Do they think their customers are so stupid they won't open the lid and LOOK at this so-called re-engineering job?
Just got my "repaired" unit back from the shop, and I do not see anything that will prevent the crack/leak that caused the recall in the first place.
And I notice that Dometic has not offered to reimburse me for the 32 gallons of fuel expended in getting the rig to and from the shop, not to mention the two half-days spent in the process.
There is so much junk being sold in the RV industry that I think this TT will be our last RV. The dealers I've spoken with agree that the products are junk.
You would think that since the industry is facing a certain decline in sales, they'd start paying more attention to quality, instead of continuing to build******with fancier graphics.
Life's too short to drink light beer.
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Finally Time
Northern California
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Joined: 05/17/2005
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I just got my notice "Dometic Voluntarily Expands Refrigerator Recall" If I am reading the "fix letter" to letter to NHTSA right all Dometic is doing is installing a shield to contain the leaking coolant so it doesn't catch fire. So when/if the coolant leaks out of the defective weld and fatigued metal it won't cause a fire but now the refrigerator is now useless. Who pays to fix the refrigerator so it will again be a working refrigerator? If I am going to get stuck with the cost, I might as well forget the recall fix and replace my refrigerator now with another brand and never ever again buy any Dometic Product. With this letter and notice Dometic is admitting that they have sold an unsafe and defective product, but will not replace the defective unit. Sounds like good grounds to sue for the replacement cost in Small Claims court.
'06 Sunline T-1950; '06 Explorer, V8
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Admiral
The Buckeye State
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Joined: 06/08/2003
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How long does the dealer take to install the repair parts?
2004 Damon Daybreak 2960F
05 Honda Element LX
In a democracy two wolves and a sheep can vote on what to have for dinner.
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Stan47
Maryland
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Joined: 08/09/2005
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@Finally - Small claims won't have any impact, and may not even have jurisdiction, since those are usually state courts. This thing needs to be a federal class action. IF Good Sam were any kind of real "club," and not just an advertising/money-making racket, they would be leading the charge here. But it will never come from them, because of the potential for lost advertising.
@Admiral - the work itself takes only about an hour. How long you will be in queue at the dealer, and how long it will take you to drive there and back: different story. My repair shop got the trailer in early afternoon, and had it finished the next morning.
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rlh6805
Michigan
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Joined: 05/15/2001
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I just found out mine is under recall too. I have a week trip planed and am leaving this Saturday. I called my dealer to see if he can get me in, but now after reading what the fix is I am not that concerned. I did the inspection and there are no issues, I'll just make sure to keep an eye on the burner until I can get it in. Is is safe to say that eventually they will all fail? How many years and how much use are they seeing before failure?
Rob and Cindy in Michigan
2004 Prowler Regal
2001 Ford Excursion V10 4x4
Tasha, Deanna (RIP), and Abby (our dogs)
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Phantom59
Southern Indiana
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Joined: 10/29/2006
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In case you are not aware of it Norcold has a simalar recall on thier units not to mention a history of other problems so there is no good answer to this problem.
I replaced a $2000 box today for a customer that had the recall kit installed it was 3 months out of the 3 year warranty. It tripped the new limit switch but not in time to keep it from leaking.
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JohnG3
Morro Bay, California, USA
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Joined: 07/26/2004
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Had my kit installed today. Repair facility came to the trailer (just over 1 mile from his shop) to install the parts. Cost me $40.00 for the service call. Is that normal? Were those who took their trailers to the dealers charged labor for the install? I called Dometic to ask about the labor charge but they were already closed. Only took the mechanic about 30 minutes to make the installation.
John, Elaine and Mia the 60 pound lap dog.
F-250 SD,Excab, V-10
2004 Titanium 26E31DS with Bug Room.
"I'd rather be in the boat with a drink on the rocks than
in the drink with a boat on the rocks"
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Admiral
The Buckeye State
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Joined: 06/08/2003
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JohnG3 wrote:Had my kit installed today. Repair facility came to the trailer (just over 1 mile from his shop) to install the parts. Cost me $40.00 for the service call. Is that normal? Were those who took their trailers to the dealers charged labor for the install? I called Dometic to ask about the labor charge but they were already closed. Only took the mechanic about 30 minutes to make the installation.
I had my fridge fitted with the recall stuff today and asked the company owner what happens in your situation. He said Dometic supplies the parts and gives him $40 to install them. It takes him about 20 minutes to put it in since he's installed hundreds of them. In the case of park models and other rvs that can't be brought in to the shop, Dometic will reimburse him $60 for a service call above the labor to install elsewhere. Anything over that is the customer's responsibility. He takes the $60 for anything less than 10 miles from the shop and charges .50 per mile after that.
Figure your $40 overage into that scenario. I'd say you were ripped off so call him on that one!
BTW there was no charge for mine.
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DXprowler
Aurora, ON
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Joined: 02/01/2004
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$40 is cheap!! I was quoted 3 hrs plus mileage to be paid up front from the nearest authorized installer! I phoned Dometic and told them. They asked if I could move the trailer and I said yes but to avoid this bandit I would have to travel 2 hrs to the next nearest dealer. Dometic said tough... you can move the trailer so we won't cover a service call.... I asked if they could send me the parts... NO.... After getting transferred to another voice and again told NO, NO, NO, I said allowing this to go on since 1997 is pathetic and hung up!
I then called my dealer 1300 miles away explained my predicament and got the low down. They only get 1/2 hr out of it! I asked if they could send the parts as I've read posts on forums, have seen pic's and feel I could easily install the mod. They asked where to send it?
It's installed and done. Not a big deal and didn't even have to touch the propane line! Dometic should be ashamed of themselves!!
2008 F350 PSD 4x4 XLT S/Cab L/Box
2006 29RLBS Wildcat
Husky 16K w/AirBox, Line-X
Kipor 2000Ti 
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Stan47
Maryland
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Joined: 08/09/2005
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I don't like repeating myself, but in this case I will: it's time for a class-action lawsuit against Dometic.
Just about every last one of us is out some fuel money and time, and if these bum refrigerators crash out of warranty, we are just S.O.L. as far as Dometic is concerned.
After twenty years and three trailers, I am sick of seeing the product get glitzier and more expensive each year, along with a general decline in quality.
You read TL, Highways or the other publications that are essentially owned by Art Rouse's empire and they are chock full of problems getting dealers and manufacturers to stand behind their product. The RV clubs (e.g. Good Sam) are not about to do anything to police this, because they are in the loop, with these others as advertisers.
Presumably, the RV makers are going to see a downturn with the continuing rise in fuel costs. We need to send them the message that they need to start doing better with design reliability, quality, warranties and customer support. If sales are indeed shrinking, THEY WILL LISTEN.
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