We (wife & young son) went to the RV Show in Pleasanton, CA. I had pre-selected the coaches to view. I was interested in the coach chassis, such as an 8-Air-Bag type of chassis.  We viewed the Safari, Monaco, Imperial and Beaver models. After looking for the best deal from the dealerships available we ended up with the Safari Serengeti. We took delivery in early March. The coach was brought straight from the factory to Scotts Valley. The was just over 700 miles when I drove it away. The coach now has 4000 miles (weekender trips only)  The coach is pretty much maxed out. Tub/shower, Bose Surround Sound Stereo, Silver Leaf Computer System, 330 CAT, Rocker/Recliner Chair (as opposed to a second sofa), Hurricane Heating  system (provides constant hot water, and heats the engine). The coach drives and handles nicely. So far the main problem is the heating system. The heater is a diesel-fired furnace and  some times has a “Run Flame Out”. I’ve been taking the coach to “R” Mechanic in Liver-more, CA. I must say that they and the Heater Manufacturer are working on the problem. I’m dealing  too much with Guaranty of Scotts Valley because of their backlog of work on other coaches. - I’ll up date this review later on after a few more miles.

Leon V. Preston Jr

San Jose, CA

Harney MC (Safari) Renegade
Dealer Name
Windish
Lakewood, CO
Distance to Dealer — Remote (more than 500 miles away) 

This is for the president and chief operating officer of Windish. I  purchased a Renegade there last year and my wife and I have enjoyed it since. I do have one problem with your organization and that is your service dept. I made an appointment to visit your service dept on June 02, 1999. I told them that I would be there on July 06,1999 to repair two roof  leaks, a drivers chair, the hot water heater, the door gasket, a shower  drain plug up, the generator hour meter and a compartment leak.

I called on  July 01, to verify the appointment and they had no record of me calling on  June 02. The parts department did not have the requested parts on order either. They told me that they were all fired or layed off and that the  dept had all new personnel. When I got there on July 5th, we stayed out in  the old Levitz’s parking lot until the next morning when your service dept  opened up since it was not open on July 5th. When we got there at 0700,  Dave Bullard helped us and he seemed miffed that we “just dropped in”  without an appointment. He indicated that they would fix the list of items  that he wrote down. We then took our dogs and ourselves to a motel thinking  that the work would be started that day and we could be on our way in a day  or two.

When I called on July 7th to update the project, I called the sales person  Dick Salter to check on the unit for me. He said that it would be in the  shop first thing tomorrow morning!! I told him that if I have known that  it would take two days to start it I would of kept the unit and stayed in it  instead of boarding my dogs and getting a hotel room for the wife and  myself. I told him that I absolutely had to leave on Friday morning since  we wanted to swing by my father in law’s before returning to Pine Bluff. He  has cancer and my wife wanted to see him one more time.

Unbeknownst to me, my daughter called Dave Bullard to ask why the delay on  the unit. He said that on the work order that he indicated to me that it  would not be ready until Friday July 9th, and that he discussed the date  with me. He also indicated that we did not schedule an appointment and that  it caused problems with his scheduling. She told him that had I known that  there would be a delay of two days before starting the work on the unit that  I would of camped out or gone to the mountains instead of boarding my dogs  and ourselves (at a cost of over $500, I might add). And that Dave did not  discuss the time delay with me. She also talked to Mike (The dealership  manager) and told him that Dave was not forthcoming with customer service  charm and that he did not discuss the delay with me when signing the work  order. Mike was not helpful other than to state that they were working at  50% because of firings and vacations.

When I returned on Friday the 9th, I went over the work order with Dave and  he showed me where I signed the sheet and the date was promised on the 9th..  He told me that he discussed it with me and I told him he did not. He told  me that he did not have to take this abuse from me or my daughter. I told  him again that I called a month ago and that I can produce records. His  response was that “I wasn’t here a month ago!”

When I picked up the unit, I was talking to another customer who was there  to have his Fifth Wheel worked on. And was he and his wife were saying was very similar to what our problems were with the service dept. He indicated  that his wife called to schedule an appointment and the service dept didn’t  have a record of the calls. They also had been treated like I was but by  the other service advisor, not Dave.

When I discussed the service record with the other service advisor  because Dave told me that he did not want to deal with me any  longer. I found out that they had not completed the work order. I had three  items added that I was paying for, increasing my battery capacity to four  from two so that I could stay unplugged longer, and having my propane tank  topped off and servicing the generator since the hour meter did not work.  The battery project was completed, the propane tank was not topped off and  in fact, the tank read empty instead of the 2/3rds full when I turned off  the tanks. He said that they did not have the time to fill it back up,  instead that I could go down the street and get some propane. I told him  that it was 2/3rds full when I turned it off prior to handing it over to  them and that maybe in the process of fixing the hot water heater and the  generator that they had drained the tank empty. They ordered a propane leak  detect from one of the service people and he came out and did not find a  leak. I asked him if he had time to fill the tank and he said sure! I said  I was just checking. The items which were not done were the door gasket,  had to be ordered, and the roof leak in the closet. They also indicated that they could not fix the shower drain since they did not have access to  it from any other direction. I had suggested that they call SMC to discuss  the matter several days before the 9th so that they could give them an idea on how to approach the problem. I asked them again if they had called SMC  and Dave said, no.

I told Dick Salter that I was not at all pleased with the way the service  dept had handled the situation and especially the propane thing that I now had to go and find some propane to both start up the refrig and the  generator in order to keep my perishables safe. He told me that he couldn’t  get involved with the service dept and asked me if I wanted to speak to  Mike. I told him that it wouldn’t do any good.

On the way home, it rained. The leaks both in the front over the drivers  chair and in the closet were still there. The compartment leak was fixed  for the most part, since the closet leak also leaked into the bottom  compartment it’s hard to say for sure. The propane cost me $52.00 at another  place. The hot water heater still shut off while going down the road, which  indicated to me that after “fixing” the hot water heater they did not road  test it to see if worked.

Michael Sanford

Pine Bluff, AR

Conventional Travel Trailers

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K-Z Inc. Sportsmen
Dealer Name
Walters Travel Trailers
Swanton, Ohio
Distance to Dealer — Local (within 100 miles)  

We’ve purchased a new Sportsmen 2505 QSS, and have had it for about seven weeks now. So far the only minor things that have needed adjustment either the dealer or K-Z Inc. have taken care of in a very professional manner.

The second week we had the unit we had a slight problem with the slide out bed and I called the dealer and explained it to them, and what I had done to fix the problem. The following day, a customer service rep. from K-Z Inc. called me at work to make sure everything was ok and I didn’t have any other problems. I explained that the only other problem was that I thought that the unit needed the next size of tire on it. I explained why I thought this. The service rep. ask me to call my dealer and have them order the next size tire and within a week all the tires were changed.

As for the unit, not only is it a good looking unit put it is built very well. The only problems we have had were very minor, i.e. a loose wire on the fresh water tank gauge, and the ref. didn’t want to get cold. It would get cool but not cold. After fixing the loose wire a simple phone call and the ref. was working fine.

Would I purchase another Sportsmen? You bet in a heartbeat. Would I use the same dealer Yes. If you’re in Northwest Ohio or Southeastern Michigan check them out. They will treat you right and the deals are as good or better than other places. I know of some other people who have purchased through them and they are just as satisfied as we are.

Rodney Sheldrick

Whitehouse, Ohio

Sun-Lite 250RBH
Dealer Name
RV Trading Post
Spencerport, NY
Distance to Dealer — Local (within 100 miles)  

Purchased the Sun-lite 250RBH in January 99. This is our first trailer and first try at camping. We have had it out twice and have only two problems. One of the drains on the double sink leaks and the hole for the drain for the water tank is about an inch from where it should be. This crimps the hose and makes draining the water tank a several hour job. Other than those two problems everything seems to work just fine. It tows very well behind a V-8 Explorer using a Hensley hitch. We did experience some buffeting from wind but absolutely no effects from passing trucks or from bumpy roads. Fit and finish is very good especially for an Ultralite. I would recommend the Sun-Lite to others.

Kevin Gloff

Rochester, NY

Aerolite, Thor Industries
Dealer Name
McGeorge
Ashland, VA
Distance to Dealer — Local (within 100 miles)  

I bought a new Aerolite 21 RBH in February ‘99. Whereas I appreciate the good design and lightweight, the quality and durability are in question. On my first trip, the shower leaked. I fixed it myself with some caulk. The windows leak under exceptionally hard rain. I accept that as part of a trailer. However, after a rather bumpy trip in I-90 in S.D., the black water tank fell off. I pulled into a rest stop and someone alerted me that I was dragging something. The tank had been emptied. It just fell off on its own. In the process of dragging, it damaged the main drain. The gray water tank was leaking at the gate valve.

Whereas this was a rather precarious mess given that we normally stay a National and State parks with few facilities, the reply of the nearest Aerolite dealer was disappointing. He could get another tank in 3-4 working days, but it would be a charge item. It turns out that the warranty work must either be done at the original dealer or at the factory. So much for protection while on the road. Thus I had to improvise and spend a $100 on a portable tank and go through quite a bit more hassle.

I am to take the trailer to the dealer this week now that I am back from my trip.

Steve Nunn

Williamsburg, VA

Fleetwood Mallard 27X
Dealer Name
Four Seasons RV
Hagerstown, Maryland
Distance to Dealer — Local (within 100 miles)  

After comparing many brands of travel trailers for construction and cost, we ordered a Mallard 27X in April of this year. We took delivery in May. This was a move up for us from our 18 ft Sunline. With the kids getting bigger, we needed more space, but did not want to get too big due to towing restrictions. We have found the Mallard 27X to fix the problem. The following day, a customer service rep. from K-Z Inc. called me at work to make sure everything was ok and I didn’t have any other problems. I explained that the only other problem was that I thought that the unit needed the next size of tire on it. I explained why I thought this. The service rep. ask me to call my dealer and have them order the next size tire and within a week all the tires were changed.

As for the unit, not only is it a good looking unit put it is built very well. The only problems we have had were very minor, i.e. a loose wire on the fresh water tank gauge, and the ref. didn’t want to get cold. It would get cool but not cold. After fixing the loose wire a simple phone call and the ref. was working fine.

Would I purchase another Sportsmen? You bet in a heartbeat. Would I use the same dealer Yes. If you’re in Northwest Ohio or Southeastern Michigan check them out. They will treat you right and the deals are as good or better than other places. I know of some other people who have purchased through them and they are just as satisfied as we are.

Rodney Sheldrick

Whitehouse, Ohio

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