PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2015 A NEW 5TH WHEEL CAMPER FROM A NYSTATE DEALERSHIP AND UPON DELIVERY FOUND A BUCKLE ON WHAT WOULD BE THE PASSENGER SIDE . AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP WE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN INDIANA.WE RETURNED THE UNIT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REPAIR AND AFTER OVER THEM HAVING IT FOR OVER A MONTH ,WE PICKED IT UP . WHEN WE PICKED IT UP THERE WAS A PATCH ON THE CAMPER AND THEY HAD REPAIRED THE FRONT INSIDE WALL. THEY ASSURED THERE WAS NO STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. THE UNIT WAS ONLY USED 4 TIMES PRIOR TO THIS FOR SHORT TRIPS. FAST FORWARD TO 2018, WE RETIRED TO NC WHERE WE HAD A NEW HOUSE PUT UP., THERE WAS NO TIME FOR TRAVEL SO OUR 5TH WHEEL WAS PARKED IN OUR YARD.WHEN WE WENT OUT IN NOV OF 2018 TO WINTERIZE THE UNIT THE FRONT SLIDE WOULD NOT OPEN, UPON THE INVESTIGATION WE FOUND THE FRONT OF THE CAMPER ON BOTH SIDES WAS CRACKED OPEN WE CONTACTED FOREST RIVER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR AN INSPECTION. WE WERE GIVEN A LIST OF DEALERS AND TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST ONE. WHO COULD FIT US IN GUICKLY FROM THEIR LIST. THEIR INSPECTION SAYS THERE IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. THE FRAME WELDS ARE FRACTURED AND THEY SAID WE WERE FORTUNATE TO GET IT TO THEM IN ONE PIECE. THE INSPECTOR SAYS IT NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE FACTORY FOR REPAIR. WE CAN NOT TAKE IT HOME BECAUSE OF A SAFETY ISSUE THE FACTORY TOLD THE DEALER THEY WANT US TO TAKE IT FOR ANOTHER INSPECTION. THE UNIT CAN'T BE TOWED. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN WE PURCHASED IT AND CONTINUES. WE ARE PAYING MONEY EVERY MONTH ON AN UNSAFE UNUSABLE CAMPER. WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
- NHTSA ID
- 11217468
- Incident
- Jun 18, 2015