Holiday Rambler Frustration

[mbrolin]

As some of you know I purchased a 30ft Holiday Rambler Presidential 5th wheel in April. The reason being that they were a high quality brand and we liked the particular floorplan. Unfortunately thats not our 5th wheel. It has had continual problems since delivery. I spent the first few months of ownership fixing defects which varied from a leaking waterline fitting to door adjustments to actually taking the bed slide out apart because it rested on the carpeting. These I fixed because it was less time consuming versus taking it to the dealer. But it has been to the dealer twice and to the factory repair facility here in Oregon once. This has been for the same problem. The living room slideout sits tightly on the carpet and it leaks. I picked the 5er up Dec 28th from the factory repair facility. Because of time we have not been able to use it and I didnt go inside it again until yesterday. Im a little POed. The slideout has settled back down on the carpet,the carpet is soaked,the rear bay window leaks and because of all the moisture most of the cuphoard doors bind up. In fact on has split apart. Needless to say its going back for the 4th time to the factory shop. BTW,the carpeting has been replaced twice allready. Monaco had better get it right. We are talking about a different unit or buyback. Sorry for the long post.

 

[BigMike]

Gee, I'm thinking seriously of getting a HR Alumascape. I have heard nothing but good things about them. Do you think you just got a lemon? It happens. After all you've been through, I'd demand a replacement. Have they been responsive to your many needs? Hope you get things worked out. What a nightmare!!

 

[dmurdock]

Michael, I truly feel for you. It is a pity the way things are now. I am 100% convinced that there are no more "quality first" rv manufacturer's left, it just seems to be luck of the draw. Obviously you have a better chance of getting a good rv with mfg's over others, but there aren't any true quality mfg's left. Reminds me the way cars were in the late 70's early 80's. This is why I think I'll probably always buy used units, so I can check them out first. I'd really like to order a new one, but I just don't have the guts.



Keep layin' in to them. Remember what you paid for, and don't settle for anything less. Have you written Trailer Life? If not, get a subscription and write 'em, they seem to have luck sometimes getting things fixed. Also, check to see if the trailer falls under the lemon laws in your state, they do in Tx (if purchased new).

 

[mbrolin]

BigMike, the people Ive talked to at HR have always concerned about the sitiuation. They have been helpful in getting it scheduled in and in fact they are getting it in tomorrow even though it would normally be a 2-3 week delay. Dmurdock,yes I feel I have a lemon. Oregon just recently enacted a lemon law for RVs this year. Ive made it clear via email and phone contacts that I do not feel they can fix the problem even a 4th time. They are using bandaids as repairs. Ive told HR and the dealer that the slideout floor is bent not flat. This bend matches the pattern it leaves on the carpet. Im convinced that with all the shimming they have done to adjust the slideout up has caused the leak to develop down low. This is the 3rd time it has beenadjusted,it looks good upon delivery but after being towed it settles down. I also feel that because of the high moisture buildup that there can be continual problems later on. Wood swelling,buckling,adhesive release,etc. This can even occur when the interior is drying out.

 

[Ramboy]

Michael,

I used to have a 36' HR Imperial. The slide-out was the reason I got rid of it. The thing would bind when I would try to bring it in to the point that I would have to go outside and manually crank it because the motor couldn't do it on its own. They were totally incapable of fixing it. Apparently, they still don't understand slides.

Phil

 

[Diese1nut]

Fiver

Michael

I had a 2000 HR and had good luck with it except the slide sitting on the carpet and getting it wet. I thought I would be keeping it for a long time until I went through Washington and saw the Alpenlite. Needless to say I traded my 6 month old Holiday for a new Alpenlite. There is no comparison. The quality is like night and day.

I'm not trying to make you feel you made the wrong choice. All I'm saying If they buy it back, take a good look at the Alpenlite. The factory is in Yakima WA. and has a nice tour.

We have had it a little over six months and are very satisfied.

I wish you luck.

 

[mbrolin]

I have sent a letter to HR. They will have it Thursday afternoon. They will not like what I have to say. There is also an RV show here in Oregon this weekend. The largest in the state. Needless to say I will be asking questions. Will let you know what happens.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

HR Presidential problems

Mike,

I was just about to order a new 2002 HR Presidential 32 RLT. Your post has put the brakes on that. I do not want another 5th. whl with a leaky slide out like my last one. I was dealing with Great America RV in Fife, Wash.

The post that suggested an Alpenlite is a real good idea. My 1st choice was an Alpenlite but I was going with the HR as it has a kingsize bed in a 32' model. Maybe I will wait for Alpenlite to offer a king bed.

Let us know how your problems turn out. A bent slide is going to be bent forever and no amount of shims, gaskets or bailing wire is going to fix it correctly.

 

[Larry Willard]

Hey Mike

Sorry to hear of your problems with the new trailer. I did have a problem with mine, after a couple of years, it was dragging, but it never leaked. The dealer was able to fix it on the first try, after contacting the factory and getting the proper procedure. I know the slide mechanism has since changed, but can't tell you about the slide itself. I have never seen one that was bowed, so I agree it sounds as if they may have a problem with the slide itself. Best of luck with getting it resolved to your satisifaction.

Larry

 

[mbrolin]

Jack,Im sure there are a lot of HRs which have not had any problems. Otherwise they would be out of business for selling junk. Ive been in the auto collision trade for almost 30 years. Thats one of the reasons why I picked up on why the slidout is damging the carpet. Comes down to knowing what to look for. Im positive that the shims being installed has created the waterleak. Its no longer sitting on the lower seals at the rear. The front of the slideout area is dry. I should also add that regardless of what make you purchase there will be problems. The quality control doesnt seem to be there on RVs. Im sure that if the slideout problem is fixed I will get years of use out of it.

 

[Dkevdog]

Michael- Sorry to hear about your woes- and I thought I was having problems... ... ... I couldn't agree more about the lack of quality control. My Fleetwood has been into the dealer 7 times in only 4 months for issues relating to poor (or non-existing in my opinion) quality control and shotty contsrtuction. I have been even more dissapointed than I thought I would be with the coach, but when I consider what I paid for it, I guess I got what I paid for. We are only planning on keeping it up until the warranty period, and then are gonna ditch it for a nicer coach. We had spent alot of time looking, and it seems that there is alot of problems with QC regardless of price. Damn shame too. Everyone seems more concerned with slapping them together and getting them out the door... ... ... .



Kev

 

[Komik]

Peterson

I read all these post about problems and wonder. We just took delivery of our new Perterson Ind www.petersonind.com 35PKE model. This will be our third Excel. We have never had a problem with any of our units, I guess by saying that this is our third says enough. These units are top of the line and last year was the only company that held a 4 star rating in all areas. Its a costly unit but like someone said, you get what you pay for. All we need now is camping season.



Komik

 

[BigMike]

I hear a lot of Fleetwood bashing all the time, but I must say, after having mine two years with no significant problems, I think they take an undeserved beating. Maybe I've just been lucky. Same on my truck. 40,000 miles and not one warranty problem.

 

[JCaldwell]

I have a 2001 Alumascape... I don't think I will purchase another. I like the floor plan it tows great and I have not hade a major problem after 16,000miles. The quality of workmanship and parts are so poor it has deminished my enjoyment of the trailer. I attended a Holiday Rambler Adventure and the first question I got was what was wrong with by rig. The feeling of old time holiday rambler owners is the downward slide started when Monaco Coach Corp bought HR

 

[Pogodually]

Have one



Mine was only used once before I had over 30 major problems included the steps going apart sending me flying across the floor. Was limping around for weeks with a twisted knee. The sewer vent came loose (what a nice smell) the converter made a whole bunch of noise. (changed to a quiet style by HR) Most of the things were fixed.

But as temperatures begin to drop below 50's can really feel the air flowing in around the window seal. Beside its hard to keep the outside clean.



Would I buy another one, don't think so. Always though HR was a good brand. But... ... ... ... ... . quailty or should I say quanity.

When I asked the Quality Control department why, was told "YOU BOUGHT IT DIDN'T YOU"

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by BigMike

I hear a lot of Fleetwood bashing all the time, but I must say, after having mine two years with no significant problems, I think they take an undeserved beating. Maybe I've just been lucky. Same on my truck. 40,000 miles and not one warranty problem.

Mike- Consider yourself lucky. I have not only been dissappointed in the quality- I have had to fight to get them to honor warranty on it. Little things like the SIDING PEELING OFF!!!!:--) :--) I can fully understand having problems- that is gonna happen even with the best coach out there. But it's BS when the manufacturer tries to sweep their poor quality under the rug and tell you to live with it.



Yeah, yeah, I know all about the undeserved :{ and bashing, but It frustrates me that my calls go unreturned and the do not seem to care. They will NOT be getting any of my business nor would I reccommend them to anyone.



Just one owners opionion.



Kev

 

[KEnhoffer]

I couldn't agree more with Dkevdog. It took a letter from Trailer Life RV Action Line to get the Fleetwood factory to respond to a warranty problem. The factory totally ignored my certified return receipt correspondence, follow up letter and two voice mail messages. Now I have to take the unit back to the facotry to get a dealer botched warranty repair fixed. Fleetwood has refused to authorize another dealer to redo the repair. I've had several warranty problems with the unit due to poor quality assembly. Most of my travels with this trailer have been to get things fixed.

 

[mbrolin]

HR received the letter Thursday afternoon. Friday afternoon I received a phone call from the service manager at the Coburg repair facility. He addressed my "concerns" with the slideout along with the window leak,bathroom door adjustment and of course the swelled and broken overhead door. He mentioned they will do a complete inspection of the unit to make sure there are no more leaks and will of course fix the slideout leak. The plus side of Monaco has been there quick response to issues Ive brought up. I can only hope that they will have these problems remedied. Needless to say we are going to the RV show. Had planned to go there anyways. The wife and I really like our 5er. Just gets frustrating at times.

 

[mbrolin]

Well,we had a great time at the RV show. I always enjoy seeing whats new. I did find out some interesting things as well as exploring a good many different 5ers. I did look at the Alpenites. This is a misnomer since there was nothing light about them. I liked the Carriage models as well. They to are not light and they have an additional step up at the bed with low ceiling height. We basically left with the feeling that we have a great layout and color scheme with our present 5er. Im hoping to have the problems resolved. I have also requested that Holiday Rambler extend the factory warranty another year. This would give a 2 year versus 1 year warranty. This seems to be the norm with most manufacturers and I do not know why Monaco hasnt folowed. Will keep you posted.

 

[BIG BOB]

Mike,



I was at the RV show in Spokane a couple of weeks ago and was really impressed with the Montana by Keystone. They have come out with a new floor plan that Kathy and I really liked. The model number is 3655FL. It is so new that the didn't even have a flier with the floorplan. I'll try to explain it without taking too much time.



Go in the main door, nice wood railing on right with stair that lead up to a very nice and formal livingroom (normally this is where the bedroom is) with slideout, fireplace, entertainment center. On main level when you walk in, you walk into the kitchen dining room with slides(very nice and open), then you go to the real of the trailer to a bathroom (with lots of room and a huge shower, both in height and width, I would fit very easily, and you know how big I am!) and the bedroom in the back with another slide.



We fell in love with it!



I have been researching travel trailers and 5'ers for sometime now. According to RV sales the Montana 5'er has become the top selling 5'er as of the end of this year.



They are really nice. Anyone looking for a new trailer, I recommend looking at the Montana and Mountaineer by Keystone.



Good luck