RV action line

Confronted with some repair issues on his travel trailer after his manufacturer's warranty had expired, a reader wrote "RV Action Line" the following query.

I purchased a Coachmen Catalina travel trailer in April 1997,from a dealer 90 miles west of where I live. During the next year, on three different occasions, we experienced the need for various repairs, requiring a 180-mile round trip to the dealer each time.

About two months after the last repair, I noticed water on the bathroom floor. I opened a small hatch to look under the bathtub and found that it was wet there as well.

I took the coach to my dealer for a fourth time, but they couldn't find any leakage. Now that the unit is out of warranty, we are again experiencing seepage in the bathtub area.

Another dealer nearer my home said he would fix the problem if it was approved first by Coachmen. I telephoned both Coachmen and my selling dealer for the OK to have the work done but have not received an answer.

I know the one-year warranty is up, but this all started well before it expired. I'm not a troublemaker, but this is ridiculous.

ELDON BUEHRER NORTHWOOD, IOWA

It seems Buehrer found himself caught in one of Murphy's Law's most vexing corollaries when it comes to warranties; that is, an intermittent or transient problem will almost always stay well hidden until a warranty, which might have covered it, has expired. Only then will it return in full, unadulterated glory to the consternation of the person who has been arduously trying to get the issue resolved.

We sent Buehrer's concerns to Coachmen, which agreed to a one-time goodwill gesture on his behalf They responded to "RV Action Line" with the following:

You will find enclosed a copy of a letter sent to Mr. Buehrer regarding our commitment to resolve the warranty issues with his Coachmen travel trailer. We have reached an amicable solution with our valued customer We thank you for your interest in this matter

And to Buehrer himself Thank you for the correpondence regarding your 1997 Coachmen trailer Please accept our apology for the delay in responding.

As per our previous conversation, we have made arrangements with Albert Lea RV & Marine to repair the water leak problem in your bath area. It was agreed that we will pay for the repairs when you take the trailer to them next spring.

Please call a couple of weeks ahead of when you expect to arrive. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you; please contact this office if we can be of any further assistance.

RONALD ROSS

SERVICE & PARTS ZONE MANAGER COACHMEN RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CO. MIDDLEBURY INDIANA

MAIL MIX-UP

Failing to hear from a manufacturer after complaining of a warranty issue, a reader wrote for help.

After adding water to the house batteries on my Holiday Rambler motorhome, I pushed the battery tray in and was surprised to hear a popping sound. Upon reopening the compartment, I was shocked to see smoke and flames and that one of the battery posts had melted away. I was able to blow the flames out, but was unnerved at what might have happened if things had been worse.

Since we were living aboard full-time and not near a Holiday Rambler dealer, we were given the go-ahead to have the situation fixed at another dealer Upon receiving complete documentation from the manufacturer's consumer affairs office reflecting that the coach was still under warranty, I was told I would be reimbursed for my expenses.

As of this date, I haven't received my reimbursement or any correspondence from Holiday Rambler for what could have been a serious situation. Wouldyou intervene on my behalf?

ROBERT L. HOLLAND HAILEY, IDAHO

We advised Monaco Coach Corporation, the parent company of Holiday Rambler, of Holland's circumstances. We're not quite sure what arrangements Holland has made for his mail delivery as a full-timer; however, Monaco had been trying to square its account with him during the time he was writing to "RV Action Line." In any event, it sounds like everything has now been taken care of as reflected in the following letter to Holland.

We recently received a copy of your letter sent to "RV Action Line." I am enclosing a copy of the check for $198.28 we sent to your Florida address. We took this address off of your letter to us and were not aware you had subsequently relocated.

I have put a stop payment on the first check. As the Hailey, Idaho, address is now the most recent address we have for you and we have been made aware you live in your coach full-time, I do not want to risk sending a replacement check to an incorrect location.

Please call me personally to confirm the address to which you wish to have a new check sent. Upon hearing from you, I will immediately forward the replacement amount. I apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused.

SUZY PAYNE AccouNTs PAYABLE MONACO COACH CORPORATION COBURG, OREGON TL

Copyright T L Enterprises, Inc. May 1999
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