Andy F
Mpls, MN
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Thought I'd start a new thread on our repair. For those that haven't read the other posts, our 2008 Roo 233 has had a leaking front bunk and it got worse after our dealer attempted a repair last summer using the factory supplied kit from Forest River.
Forest River agreed to take our unit back to the factory free of charge and its been there in Indiana since May 4th. I have to credit FR and thank Mike Anglemyer in FR Warranty for his willingness to help us out. Our warranty expired in March 2010.
Mike just updated me on our repair status. Our unit is still shown as being serviced in the factory. Sounds like our Memorial Day plans are at risk but I'll know more next week. He couldn't guarantee it would be back to us in Minnesota by the end of next week. Hoping their transport backlogs don't threaten a bigger trip we have planned in early June.
I'm praying and hoping they can get the repair right this time. I saw a thread on the Forest River forum of someone who went through a similar experience and finally gave up after the leaking never went away. I won't lie and say I haven't considered whether we should consider jumping to the "dark side" of TT's after all of this.
Andy
Andy
1 DW, 2 DD(Twins,9), 2 DS (11 & 13)
2008 Roo 233-Sold
2012 Keystone Bullet 281 BHS
2004 Toyota Sequoia
Pro Series WD
Nights camped in 2012=2
Nights planned in 2012=33!
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SATCRNP1972
Southern Indiana (Sarah)
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Joined: 09/13/2008
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If it is at Forest River factory in Indiana, and if you've been understanding and not nasty with them, you'll get back a unit that's been checked all over, not just the bunks, cleaned, improved to the max and a continuing relationship that if something else ever pops up years from now that you need advice or a part on ~ they're on your side.
Sounds hard to believe, I know. I thought so too when I saw a couple of others post that working with ForestRiver rather than being demanding and angry, gets you a lot lot and did I mention a lot of good work, improvement and confidence in the company. But I recently had to give it a try too as I needed something handled and Forst River did it and more. Much more. Timely and kindly. All the hybrid mfgrs are aware that the initial engineering of the bunks was wrong and some stepped up to the plate, some vanished.
Forest River originally went with sending the kits to you or the dealer and then it was the dealer's work you relied on. The truth is some dealers have never done the actual work, or maybe a handful at most. But Forest River has the experience of having done it all.
This is what I learned through experience.
Even after the larger issue which I took it up to the northern part of my state to the Forest River plant and service center, leaving it with them a day and a morning, and came to get it astonished at all the extras they had improved for me, I still had a small thing very recently, the seal under the slideout room which I expect my kids scrubbed too hard to loosen it or who knows?, but an email up to ask if it was okay to replace that with garage door seal, an emai back that said the RIGHT seal is being shipped to you today and be sure to clean off residue. ANd now that's here. And perfect.
Forest River will be my company forever. Even when it's time to change sizes or to ask any question. I used to think Jayco was the very best in customer service and build, and just as my husband died our new Forest River product came in and believe me I've had lots of questions of dealers and the factory since then being alone except the twins. I would often not be sure of the answer on the internet, for good reason, and just call the factory who would give me firm correct answ3ers. The dealer is good for a lot; but let's face it , having the factory do the BIG WORK is much better than the dealer ~ experience experience re-design care (because if it comes out wrong from the factory that is a louder " &$##@* " than from a dealer or service guy. The fact that Forest River is helping people with units that have items out of warranty officially and free parts,labor and all says much too. IF you have any questions about the timing or such, email or call. There is no doubt that they are very busy with new launches , a shutdown for vacation soon, and many bunkends to repair that in lots of cases, the dealers or service centers didn't get the kit on right.
Good luck! Don't give up. My guess is once you get it, you'll be amazed at how great the work and extras was handled.
~ Sarah ~
heading out to Wyandotte and the forest in about an hour with the twins each bringing a friend EEEEEEEEEEEEH
Sarah and 2 little twins,
2009 Rockwood by Forest River, Model Roo 23SS
Southern Indiana, USA
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Andy F
Mpls, MN
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Thank-you Sarah. It is at the Indiana factory. Your post is encouraging. I think I had read a similar experience by someone else (or maybe a previous one of yours?) so I did mention to FR and put in the work order how much we would love to have the new extra rear wardrobe I've seen in the new 233S installed in our unit while its there and that we would pay for the wardrobe. It will be interesting to see whats been done when we get it back.
I will again say how impressed I have been with Mike Anglemyer and Forest River. It will definitely factor into any future purchase decisions for us as we contemplate out next RV move and my retirement. We want to travel in or in front of an RV when that time comes.
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icepickjazz
Westfield, IN
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Joined: 01/25/2008
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0ur 2008 Roo 23SS has also has front bunk leak issues. It just came back from the factory last week in better condition than we sent it. They far exceeded our expectations by making the outside of the unit as good as new. The rubber caps on the front & rear bunk latches had yellowed, they replaced those. The plastic trim around the door had yellowed, it's white now. I can list may more, they were small things but still nice touches.
Sarah is right. You definitely catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I am sure FR finds these issues just as frustrating as we do. Their customer service has been outstanding and we continue to be satisfied customers despite these issues.
'08 Rockwood Roo 23SS -- '04 Ford Explorer V8
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Ham4sale
Days RV
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Joined: 05/22/2011
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Our 2006 Roo hybrid (which we purchased brand new) also has been leaking from the font bunk since day one. The leak only happens when it is closed, not open. The rear bunk was leaking also but I think that one stopped. The side bunk never leaked as far as I know. We made at least 2 or 3 trips back to the dealer for repairs every year through 2009. It was not until 2009 that it was parked at our house for the winter because it was at the dealership being repaired all the previous winters. I think the leaks have finally been fixed but I am unsure. Unfortunately, the dealership is out of business and the damage done as a result of this leak is extensive. The repair cost exceeds the original purchase price let alone the current value of the camper. I contacted the warranty department (Mike Englemeyer) at Forest River. I was very polite and explained the situation. I got an estimate for repairing the damage from a local repair facility and faxed it to Forest River. This was on March 16, 2011 and I still have not heard word one from them.
It is real disheartening when my wife and I looked for over a year before we decided on this particular unit. We had certain criteria that had to met and the unit we picked fit the bill. Now to have all these water problems that over the years has created such damage is unreal.
I have some of my receipts showing that over the years I did my part at trying to keep up with leak control but not all. Does anyone have advice or information for who to contact.
Everyone seems to be having good results after a lot of patience. Unfortunately I am long on patience and short on results. Forest River is not doing anything to keep me as a fan.
* This post was
edited 05/22/11 01:11pm by Ham4sale *
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Andy F
Mpls, MN
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Thanks icepickjazz on what you experienced. Hoping for the same outcome when we get our camper back. I'll be interested to hear if your front bunk leak is gone now or not.
Sorry Ham4sale to hear what you and your wife have gone through. My best communication results with Mike Anglemyer have been through email. Try not to give up. And recognize that your probably appealing to their good will at this point as far as their contractual obligations. FR probably doesn't have to do anything just as they could have shunned us with our 2008 unit. Your damage is why I'm trying to get our repair done right.
* This post was
edited 05/22/11 03:16pm by Andy F *
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SATCRNP1972
Southern Indiana (Sarah)
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Joined: 09/13/2008
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A big point that many seem to miss, is that a dealer or a service center simply have not done enough of the replacement/fixes to get it really right or realize if it's not right. The factory WILL. Even a dealer with a high volume of hybrids isn't going to have the experience the factory techs do. It's worth the effort, time, travel, whatever you have to do to have the work done up at the factory. And take the tour if you have time, it's fun. My kids got bags of goodies, and of course even though we have Amish communities here too in Southern IN area, the ones up there and Mennonites have fantastic foods and goods for sale. So you're having a good time, staying in a nice hotel with a huge discount thanks to Forest River, eating like little piggies on wunnerfulllll food, and then you go back (watch out for the buggies on the roads right by the service and warranty buildings) and find out Forest River has gone above and beyond what you expected.
Forest River will be my choice always I believe now. Even planning a new boat in 2012 and it will be theirs too.
Glad you are having a good experience too, to those who have gone the factory route instead of letting a service center screw it up.
-Sarah-
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Andy F
Mpls, MN
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We are getting the camping fever now while still waiting on the return of our camper from the factory. Seemed odd to be home over Memorial Day weekend.
Latest word from Forest River is they are waiting on parts and they should have our camper done at the factory later this coming week.
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Andy F
Mpls, MN
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We picked up our camper yesterday from our dealer. "Wow" is about all I can say. Everything that was mentioned by others was done by Forest River. Even a broken screen door handle and piece of wood trim on the couch corner was replaced.
Our roof is re-sealed. The front exterior tongue light was replaced. In fact, looks to me like our whole front and rear exteriors along with the bunk doors have been replaced. Still looking but that's what it looks like. Rear tail lights look new with our dealer sticker above the left rear tail light now gone. The horizontal "seams" below the bunks on both the front and rear exteriors are gone. Maybe someone who knows how the exteriors are constructed can explain that.
Maybe I'll try and get some photos posted later this weekend. Needless to say, we're very pleased. Forest River has likely made us into life-time customers.
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nyannucc
Oxford, PA
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Joined: 06/06/2007
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Andy - yes, pictures would help a lot. I have a replacement door to install, but want to see exactly what they did....thanks again, glad to hear all is ok!
Nick and Gina
Three boys, ages 11, 13, and 20.
(1) dog, (6) pygmy goats
2011 Dodge Ram 2500HD diesel 4x4 w/IBC
2008 Roo 21SS
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