Welcome to the RV world, No matter if it's Fleetwood or not they are all the
same..It's Honey coming out of their mouths when they are trying to sale the
RV to you,, then after you pay the BIG BUCKS for the RV,, sign all the
papers on the Dottie line buy the warranty, It's all your problem.. This is
our 5th class a RV. from a pace arrow to a southwind etc, etc, finally went
to a Monaco diesel pusher, which we love BUT has had problems with,  just
like you Trouble getting fixed  from slide out To air problems to leaks so
on and on, even with the warranty all was not fixed. we paid to have the
problems fixed. just got to much to deal with the dealer and their nasty
attitude.  The warranty is a joke!!!! so my advice is: pay to have the
problem fix. Or if you have good nerves keep going back until they get sick
of you and fix all the problems.. Our  problems was they was getting on our
nerves, kept us waiting all day, they didn't care at all.
  HAPPY CAMPING in a RV!!!

Art Todesco wrote:<snip>

I would go to small claims or justice court in the county
the dealer is in and file charges, only cost you around $35.
when they are served and has to obtain a lawyer you might
get more results.

BILL P.

Hi,
You bring up a very good point that many new first time buyers should
be aware of.  That is you should know the manufacturer you are buying
from and you should know the dealer even better.  The dealer is the
first line of defense when dealing with problems with a motor home or
any other type of RV.   A good dealer will do everything they can to fix
and make the RV right so as to have a happy customer.  If doing that
means it will have to go back to the manufacturer the dealer should be
the one coming to bat for you and talking to the manufacturer for
you/with you about getting the problem fixed.

RV manufacturers run the gauntlet from poor quality to top of the line
best quality and everything in between.  They have reputations just like
many other businesses.  If you ask around and search on line you will
find the ones that are thought well of and ones that are not.  Same with
dealerships, they too have reputations that can be researched.  A good
dealership could make a product from a not highly regarded manufacturer
a good deal.  A bad one can turn misery into hell...   Doing some
research may help you make a decision when it comes time to buy.  A nice
looking RV isn't worth anything if it's broke all the time or you can't
get it fixed.

RV's are pretty complex vehicles.  They are houses on wheels and
because of that some will have problems with various parts.  Having to
take a new RV back to a dealer to get something worked on is not that
unusual.  Some things are easily fixable, like a busted window or pipe
or torn rug, awning rip etc.  Some things like wind noise, rattles and
other problems that come and go are not so easily fixed. However the
dealer and the manufacturer should make an attempt at finding the
problem and fixing it.  They should at least tell you what they have
done and what they think the problem was/is.  Rattles and wind noise are
pretty common problems.  My manufacturer fixed some rattles and wind
noise I fixed the others.

 As for your particular problems.  If they had the RV 6 weeks they
should have fixed all the problems.  Wind noise they have to take a
mechanic with you for a ride so you can point out the noise and he can
pinpoint it, there is equipment available to help them.  No slide should
move at all when it is retracted and you are traveling.  Some even have
latches to insure that they stay in.  A slide out that is coming out 2
inches while going down the road is broke.  I would contact Fleetwood
(one of the manufacturers with a bad reputation) and tell them of the
problem with the slide out and ask them what you have to do to get it
fixed.  Let them know that you are worried that if it comes out it could
cause an accident and/or have someone get hurt and you don't want to
have to be dealing with lawsuits.  You may end up having to take it to
the plant to get it fixed as your dealer doesn't seem capable of fixing
the problem, but take it where the manufacturer says and make notes.
Also try and keep calm when dealing with the dealership.  If the service
people can't help you ask to see someone in management.  If they then
still can't help you time to go elsewhere.  Some dealerships are only
interested in the sale and any regular service work you have.  Trying to
fix problems doesn't interest them, either because they don't care or
the manufacturers don't pay them enough for warranty work.

I had one motor home that the manufacturer treated me badly, but the
dealer did everything they could to fix my problem.  That was Winnebago.
I would buy another RV from the dealer but not any Winnebago product
which is all they sell.  With the motor home I have now the manufacturer
(Tiffin) bends over backwards to make me happy while the dealership
(Colton RV) tries to pass off any problems and ignores others, like
reimbursing me for a $400 overcharge that they admitted to.  I don't
even take the motor home back to the dealership and have taken their
emblem off of it, and wouldn't deal with them again for any make RV.
Tiffin on the other hand doesn't built the top of the line coaches but
they do try and fix any problems you have even if they don't believe
it's a problem.

As to the warranty if it is covered under their warranty then they
should fix it.  If they can claim you voided the warranty by having it
fixed elsewhere I don't know.  But I would keep taking it back to them
as long as it's covered, making sure to get everything in writing.

Take care and Happy Campin...