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I am very upset this evening. I had parked my RV in a visitor center here at Rocky Mountain National Park to take a tour. When I got done I headed back to my campsite. On the way, I heard a very loud crash and pulled over as soon as I could. The side door had flown open and the stairs had deployed, and had crashed into some logs the park service put alongside the road to keep people from parking there. The steps are terribly bent and won't retract. I managed to get back and settled into my campsite, but as you can imagine, am very upset at my brand new vehicle with this damage, and being basically undriveable!!!

Some background: I have had problems getting the door to latch for several weeks. when I last went to the dealer, we decided at least one of the latches worked and that he would repair it in November when I was back in Ohio. I had several other items he would NOT repair because he said they were booked until mid-July, and i wanted to be gone by June 30, so decided I'd get them done in California because I would be there for a month.

A few days ago I found out that neither latch was working, so I called customer service at Fleetwood, lady was nice but said I should try another Fleetwood dealer on my way. (If you pull hard enough from the outside, the door can be opened. I have been tugging on the inside and hoping it was latched, but worried about my belongings and safety.) I tried two dealers, but neither would fix this immediately and said they also were booked for over two weeks. I had told the lady on the phone this was a personal safety issue, but basically she said I should wait until California and get it fixed there or keep trying dealers.

So, now I am going to call Fleetwood in the morning and put up a big stink. I am also going to call the roadservice people, can't remember name, am so upset. I want this vehicle made driveable so I can get to a dealer and get the steps fixed. I think this is going to mean cutting them off and replacing them at a dealer.

Also, the thing that helps raise the bed to access the storage broke last week, and I have complained about this, but at least it does not affect the driveablility of the vehicle.

And finally, there is one drawer that has opened and bashed a big hole in the cabinet opposite it. The dealer says he won't fix it because I overloaded the drawer!! I need to discuss this with Fleetwood and would like, in writing, a list of the weight limitations for all drawers and cabinets!!!! The drawer did have some canned goods in it, but also had pasta, and other dry things and was not full. The design to have this drawer in a positiion where it would make a large hole in a cabinet is there fault, to my thinking. There should have been some secondary latch to prevent it reaching the cabinet. I KNOW I latched this because I check every time I get on the road.

Sorry to hear about your steps. I would sure give Fleetwood and the dealer some advertising in the Motor Home Magazine, not that they would print your complaints. But that wouldn't help you right now. Call your insurance company and see if they will pay because it was an accident. If you have a big deductible it probably won't be that much to fix. I had to drive all the way from Arkansas with my step out but mine only sticks out about a foot. If you have one of the road services maybe they can recommend someone near where you are.

Martha

Judy--I am so sorry this happened to you. It's awful when our "babies" get their first boo-boos. You are going to be okay. Have a glass of wine, say "oh, sh_t" three times, take a deep breath and you will be okay. You can handle this, you are woman, you are strong. And there is only one first boo-boo so you have had it. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Oh, Judy! I see why you're upset. Hard to imagine your frustration. Do keep us posted in the morning.

Have you thought about calling Fleetwood, the manufacturer, directly and complaining about the dealer service? Once I called a Winegard satellite VP when I was having problems with their service department. Call a local RV repair service for the steps and the door latches. Keep the bill and raise hell with a dealership when you can get to one. I had problems with my Gulfstream door. Kept getting locked in or out. I once climbed in through a window to try and open it from the inside as my dogs needed to go out. When I called the repairman in a panic and told him I had climbed in thru the window there was a long pause and then he said; "Don't you have a class C with two doors up front?" Boy, did I feel stupid and I'll bet the neighbor who held the ladder while I climbed in the window was wondering what the hell I was doing. Eventually removed a pin in the door that was causing the problem. Just hang in there. Someday you will be telling your story around a campfire.

Oh Judy - Definitely go to the top at Fleetwood if necessary to get this taken care of. Seems like all new MHs have issues. But, the step and door things need to be fixed immediately. I'm not mechanical at all but was fortunate to travel with a person that was and he fixed a lot of things that should have been taken care of at warranty but some times, it's just easier to get it done as soon as possible. Like the storage doors that wouldn't latch properly - had them fly open while driving a couple of times. I have a class A and those doors open horizontally and are big.

Like someone else said - this too shall pass and you will again enjoy your travels!! Start roaring big time!! Good luck.

Linda

I talked to the Fleetwood customer relations person this morning at length and told her all of my frustration in dealing with dealers who had lots of time to sell you something but no time to repair it and who blamed the customers for their problems.

She said, as I thought, that there were no weight limits for cabinets and drawers, just for the whole vehicle. I told her the dealer was blaming me for that and she agreed that was wrong. She also said to call a mobile repairman to get the stairs removed or fixed or whatever and they would reimburse me. I got her name and told her I wanted all of this in writing, which she said she would do first thing Monday as she had to leave for the day at noon. Said to keep receipts and submit them, and she would also on Monday call with me to set up an appointment to get everything fixed with the dealer nearest my son's house.

The park people were wonderful. I was so upset driving in last night, that the lady stopped by this morning to see how I was doing. Another ranger also stopped by to tell me if I needed to stay another night or two, they would find me a spot even though they were full.

Mobile guy stopped by and removed the whole stair unit. Problem is it is unfixable and huge, so he suggested I find an auto repair shop who would cut it up for me so I could put in in my storage. I did NOT want to cart such a large and sharp piece of iron in my living area---way too dangerous in a collision. Found a place this afternoon and they are going to hammer it until it is smaller. Wait until Fleet wood sees what I bring them?? I have taken loads of photos of this, so I have it documented.

Now I need to do some major rearranging of my basement storage areas to make room for this chunk of metal when I pick it up tomorrow morning. I feel better, but this is no way to start off a long journey. It could have caused more serious underneath damage, however, so I guess I am lucky nothing else was damaged and I have a driveable vehicle.

Well Judy at least you got your troubles out of the way on the beginning of your journey so I am sure you are DONE now........and kudos to you for taking the pics and getting some verbal satisfaction and asking for it in writing.....your doing great.

I had an issue with my Motorhome when I was parked up on a hill with NO internet or cell service and my jacks were down and wouldn't go up....no power. I was working about 80 miles from my house so I went home and checked with a local dealer I had bought 2 previous Motorhomes from and they would NOT help me as I hadn't bought this Motorhome from them. WELL I scratched them off my list to ever do any business with ever again for ANYTHING, not even a washer. lol And I bad mouth them every chance I get. I called Winnebago and they authorized a mobile repair fellow to come out. Said send them the bill. (yeah right like I am going to get paid) Took him about 15 minutes to find out my connection had just come loose behind the bevel....$80 for the house call. Sent the bill to Winnebago and bam had a check in the mail the next week.....wow such service. Another time my kitchen slide wouldn't go in, was in Laughlin Nevada...again call mobile guy....bill $140, sent it in and again check in the mail. So my point is there is hope for you with Fleetwood.

Sorry this happened but soon you will be good to go.

karen

Judy, I am so glad Fleetwood was so good to deal with for you. I hope they rip that dealership a new one! Thank goodness your rig is still drivable. Hopefully the rest of your trip is uneventful and then everything is fixed to your satisfaction.

I am still nervous about driving this rig and having something else go wrong, but I can't repeat enough how nice the park people have been. The husband ranger of one of the lady rangers who stopped by this morning just stopped by to make sure everything is OK.

Also, I have decided to take the longer way and not drive through Trail Ridge road over 11,500 feet. I just need to relax a bit and a hairy drive is not what I need. My door will be strapped shut for the remainder of my trip.

Tomorrow I will be in lower country and doing better.

Thanks all.

Judy - You sound so much better this evening. I'm glad things are going a little smoother for you. Everything will work out one way or the other. Enjoy your travel time tomorrow.

Linda

For some strange reason, what I really am craving is a Sara Lee cheesecake and some Thai food.

Is that strange or not??

I will feel better when I get this beast out of the mountains and slightly lower elevations. Plus, I need some driving time to get my confidence back up. Taking a sleeping pill tonight and going to enjoy the cold, nice-smelling mountain air through my open window.

Judy - You might be my new hero for your "I Am Woman " assertiveness.