I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco June 12, 2008, 11:38:30 am Yahoo Message Number: 1189Getting the RV ready for its first trip and had a few irritatingissues come up. First, the gas strut to hold the coach door opendecided to die, so we now use bungee cords to hold the door open.Nice look on a brand new RV.That is a minor annoyance compared to the fact the Powergear levelerhas no idea of what level is and pretty much always thinks the rearright needs to be raised. Okay, so I have to recalibrate it, no bigdeal.....until the dealer tells me not to recalibrate it in case it isa bad circuit board, and if I mess with it I will void the warranty.Hmmmmmmmm.Why, you may ask, did I bother to call the dealer? Well that was toexpress my concern that when the front levelers are down, the driver'sdoor will not open, or if open, will not shut. I checked and the doorlatch is a full 1/4" or more off when the levelers are down. Nosimple adjustment is going to fix this and it doesn't seem right. Ifound this a bit distressing. I am still waiting for the replacementbackup camera monitor anyway, so I guess it is no great hardship thatI need to drive the RV an hour away for another service visit. Theyhad it about a month last time for minor repairs. Most of that timewas spent fighting with Jayco over what they would and would not coverand waiting for parts.I don't know what Jayco will do on the leveler. Probably tell me Ishouldn't need to use the driver's door with the jacks down anyway, sono big deal. I have had to fight them on almost every warranty issueand they still refuse to fix the rear bumper, which is 1.5" higher onone side than the other. Purely cosmetic, you see...not under warranty.When I picked the thing up from its long stay at the dealer last time, the service guy went over what Jayco would not authorize repairs forand why. When he explained that a sliding door that would not latchwas "engineered" that way and so nothing could be done, the otherservice guy a few feet away actually began laughing. I would havefound it funny, too. We agreed that jayco's explanation translated to"You are lucky the door closes at all."Later, the service writer I had been working with stood looking at mybumper, shook his head and said it looked terrible, that he had neverseen a bumper that far off level and I should write to Jayco again andsend more photos. I suggested I might just get a bumper sticker madethat reads "Jayco thinks this bumper is level""Located in the heart of Amish country and with a history dating backto 1968, Jayco's mission has remained unchanged since the beginning:to build exemplary RV's and provide customers with extraordinaryservice after the sale."I don't know whether to laugh or get angry when I read that. Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #1 – June 12, 2008, 12:12:52 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1190Attachments :JD wrote:QuoteGetting the RV ready for its first trip and had a few irritatingissues come up.Oh boy, I guess you have had some initial issues :-(QuoteThat is a minor annoyance compared to the fact the Powergear levelerhas no idea of what level is and pretty much always thinks the rearright needs to be raised.I don't know how they'd even know you recalibrated it as it's strictly asoftware reset. I did it to mine and have attached the instructions incase you don't have them.QuoteWhy, you may ask, did I bother to call the dealer? Well that was toexpress my concern that when the front levelers are down, the driver'sdoor will not open, or if open, will not shut.Interesting because I just started having this problem. It surely seemslike there is enough frame tweaking to affect the drivers door.Quotewas spent fighting with Jayco over what they would and would not coverand waiting for parts.I can appreciate this because I've already seen some of it with my visitto drop mine off Tuesday.QuoteI don't know what Jayco will do on the leveler. Probably tell me Ishouldn't need to use the driver's door with the jacks down anyway, You're probably right :-(Quoteand they still refuse to fix the rear bumper, which is 1.5" higher onone side than the other. Purely cosmetic, you see...not under warranty.This is simply BS, it's shoddy workmanship and should be recognized assuch by them.QuoteWhen he explained that a sliding door that would not latchwas "engineered" that way and so nothing could be done, the otherservice guy a few feet away actually began laughing.Holy crap, this is just unreal. I assume these are the bedroom closetdoors you're having problem with? So far the only problem I'm havingwith mine are the adjusters not holding their position so when it comeshome I'll be using a lot of locktite on them as I readjust them.Quoteseen a bumper that far off level and I should write to Jayco again andsend more photos. I suggested I might just get a bumper sticker madethat reads "Jayco thinks this bumper is level"I like the sticker idea, but my big questions is why the heck a dealerwouldn't be on the phone instead of telling you to email them.Good luck with the repairs and trip.Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #2 – June 12, 2008, 12:56:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1192, Greg Gimlick wrote:QuoteI don't know how they'd even know you recalibrated it as it'sstrictly a software reset. I did it to mine and have attached theinstructions in case you don't have them.Your attachment didn't come through, but once I figure out which modelcontroller I have, I can download the instructions from the Powergearwebsite. I agree that the dealer probably wouldn't know, but I am abit leary of messing with it, and a little hesitant to use them. Ithink for this weekend I will just drive up on levelers as necessaryand not mess with the power levelers, or manually put them down justto stabilize the coach.QuoteInteresting because I just started having this problem. It surelyseems like there is enough frame tweaking to affect the drivers door.I don't really know much about such things, but I have to suspect thatif it is causing that much torque on the cab, eventually somethingwill break or become misaligned or whatever and it can't be a goodthing. I would almost feel better if both the driver and passengerdoors stuck.QuoteHoly crap, this is just unreal. I assume these are the bedroom closetdoors you're having problem with? So far the only problem I'm havingwith mine are the adjusters not holding their position so when itcomes home I'll be using a lot of locktite on them as I readjust them.It's the slider between the main living area and the bathroom. It issufficiently misaligned that it won't latch. If you grab the door atthe top and hold it just right while carefully turning the latch, itwill latch, but it isn't easy. Truthfully, this isn't a major issuebut I would have been embarrassed to send that product to the dealer.When we take the dogs it would be nice to be able to block them intoor out of one area sometimes and I would want to latch it for thatpurpose.QuoteI like the sticker idea, but my big questions is why the heck a dealerwouldn't be on the phone instead of telling you to email them.They tried, repeatedly, even taking digital photos and emailing themto Jayco. Jayco's response was that the amount the bumper is offshould be measured by how much one side is higher or lower than thecenter of the bumper, not the difference between one side and theother. By that measurement, the bumper is closer (according to them)to 1/2" off and is "barely noticeable."I am going to send them a nice email with my own pictures, but doubtthey will fix it. The dealer estimated .5-1 hr to grind out themounting holes and re-attach the bumper so I am guessing this wouldcost Jayco less than a hundred bucks. I guess we know what goodwillis worth. I didn't even ask them to fill the holes in the back of thecoach, I did that myself along with a bunch of other stuff.I think I can argue that the twisting cab is a safety issue/majorproblem (and I think it is!) and force them to take care of that, butprobably not on the first try. I can't wait to see what crops up onthis trip. I am taking extra tools, extra duct tape, extra bailingwire and some other stuff with me. Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #3 – June 12, 2008, 01:30:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1193On 12-Jun-08, at 12:12 PM, Greg Gimlick wrote: Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #4 – June 12, 2008, 01:35:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1194Sounds like you have a Dealer problem, not necessarily a Jayco problem. My dealer has never failed to provide timely service or get approval for any reasonable warranty item. If your dealer agrees the bumper is out of alignment THEY should fix it. You didn't buy the RV from Jayco, you bought it from the dealer. They should be your advocate and "head shaking" doesn't get it done! I guarantee Jayco did not "engineer" a sliding door that would not latch or we would all have the same problem. If you accept the service techs faulty logic, you are letting them off the hook.Back to the real problem, call PowerGear technical support directly. I had a failure, called their Technical Support, talked to the tech for five minutes and explained the symptoms, he ask a few questions, sent me a new control box at No Charge with easy installation instructions. That was it, 2 days later I had the unit, 20 minutes to install and recalibrate.....problem solved. Nice people, great service!BTW, speaking of the dealers faulty logic and misinformation......how would anyone know you had tried to recalibrate the leveling system?? Sounds like stonewalling to me. Do you think Jayco determines how long your dealer keeps your rig before fixing it? No, your dealer either doesn't know what they are doing, doesn't know how to schedule their work load, or is willing to accept unreasonable lead times in getting replacement parts from their supplier......Jayco or whomever. Anyway you look at it, THEY have a problem they are willing to share with you.I understand your frustration, but it needs to be directed at proper source. Good luck ~CraigP.S. You might consider an independent repair shop. They provide Customer Service, or they don't stay in business. From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of JDSent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:38 AMTo: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.comSubject: [KodiakChassisClassC] I am getting a bit frustrated with JaycoGetting the RV ready for its first trip and had a few irritatingissues come up. First, the gas strut to hold the coach door opendecided to die, so we now use bungee cords to hold the door open.Nice look on a brand new RV.That is a minor annoyance compared to the fact the Powergear levelerhas no idea of what level is and pretty much always thinks the rearright needs to be raised. Okay, so I have to recalibrate it, no bigdeal.....until the dealer tells me not to recalibrate it in case it isa bad circuit board, and if I mess with it I will void the warranty.Hmmmmmmmm.Why, you may ask, did I bother to call the dealer? Well that was toexpress my concern that when the front levelers are down, the driver'sdoor will not open, or if open, will not shut. I checked and the doorlatch is a full 1/4" or more off when the levelers are down. Nosimple adjustment is going to fix this and it doesn't seem right. Ifound this a bit distressing. I am still waiting for the replacementbackup camera monitor anyway, so I guess it is no great hardship thatI need to drive the RV an hour away for another service visit. Theyhad it about a month last time for minor repairs. Most of that timewas spent fighting with Jayco over what they would and would not coverand waiting for parts.I don't know what Jayco will do on the leveler. Probably tell me Ishouldn't need to use the driver's door with the jacks down anyway, sono big deal. I have had to fight them on almost every warranty issueand they still refuse to fix the rear bumper, which is 1.5" higher onone side than the other. Purely cosmetic, you see...not under warranty.When I picked the thing up from its long stay at the dealer last time, the service guy went over what Jayco would not authorize repairs forand why. When he explained that a sliding door that would not latchwas "engineered" that way and so nothing could be done, the otherservice guy a few feet away actually began laughing. I would havefound it funny, too. We agreed that jayco's explanation translated to"You are lucky the door closes at all."Later, the service writer I had been working with stood looking at mybumper, shook his head and said it looked terrible, that he had neverseen a bumper that far off level and I should write to Jayco again andsend more photos. I suggested I might just get a bumper sticker madethat reads "Jayco thinks this bumper is level""Located in the heart of Amish country and with a history dating backto 1968, Jayco's mission has remained unchanged since the beginning:to build exemplary RV's and provide customers with extraordinaryservice after the sale."I don't know whether to laugh or get angry when I read that. Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #5 – June 12, 2008, 02:07:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1195QuoteYour attachment didn't come through, but once I figure out which modelcontroller I have, I can download the instructions from the Powergearwebsite.Hmmm, maybe Yahoo stripped it or something, I sent two versions and Igot them from the Powergear website.QuoteI don't really know much about such things, but I have to suspect thatif it is causing that much torque on the cab, eventually somethingwill break or become misalignedI don't think you need to know a lot to know it can't be good :-) If itbinds the door when the jacks are down, then the frame is twisting.QuoteIt's the slider between the main living area and the bathroom.Oh, so far no problem there for me.QuoteThey tried, repeatedly, even taking digital photos and emailing themto Jayco. Jayco's response was that the amount the bumper is offshould be measured by how much one side is higher or lower than thecenter of the bumperThis is just nuts. If the dealer is really doing what he says then Jaycois treating him unfairly.QuoteI think I can argue that the twisting cab is a safety issue/majorproblem (and I think it is!) and force them to take care of thatI'll be interested to hear what they say about that.QuoteI am taking extra tools, extra duct tape, extra bailingwire and some other stuff with me.I told my wife I'd be carrying a lot more and different tools, etc onthe next trip.I just got a call from my dealer asking if I had gotten a TSB about theexhaust hanger because the info they had said the 32SS wan't included. Itold her what I had and that it had my serial number so she said, "okay, I'll order the parts and have it done while it's here."I think they might be mixing it up with the gas line recall.Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #6 – June 12, 2008, 02:16:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1196Craig wrote:QuoteSounds like you have a Dealer problem, not necessarily a Jaycoproblem. My dealer has never failed to provide timely service or getapproval for any reasonable warranty item.I'd agree except apparently they did call Jayco about his bumper. I knowI can tell my dealer doesn't always agree with some of the things Ibring to his attention or he thinks they're petty, but he ends up doingthem in the end. He also knows I was in that business many years ago andknow a little bit about how it works. He has also made money off me inthe past and hopes to in the future so that helps. Sometimes I have tostand my ground and give him a look before he finally says they'll takecare of something. I don't mind paying for what I owe, but if it's underwarranty and I didn't break it I figure I don't owe.QuoteIf you accept the service techs faulty logic, _you_ areletting them off the hook.Yup, one of the techs yesterday said he's never seen a slideout awningcome undone and said it in such a way I could tell he didn't believe me.There were a couple of tense moments before the owner mentioned heshould return to the shop. I told David that I took offense to his toneand he understood me. All I want is to have it checked out, I didn't sayit was junk.Quotedoing, doesn't know how to schedule their work load, or is willing toaccept unreasonable lead times in getting replacement parts from theirsupplier......Jayco or whomever. Anyway you look at it, THEY have a problemthey are willing to share with you.This is my dealers problem, they just aren't geared towards doing abunch of service work. The sales side couldn't be better, but theservice side can be very frustrating. Once you get the owner involvedthings move along, but it shouldn't take that. I was told they wouldn'tget to my unit for up to two weeks if I brought it over this week, but Imade the point if it was sitting in my storage facility it wouldn't begetting worked on either and I know they don't order parts until theylook things over. Let it go there and have them look over the list andsee what needs to be ordered and they can be coming in while he'sscheduling time to work on it.Service isn't brain surgery, but does require some due diligence.Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #7 – June 12, 2008, 02:22:00 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1197Attachments :Greg, I got your attachment. JD, here it is again.From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Greg GimlickSent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:07 AMTo: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.comSubject: Re: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with JaycoQuoteYour attachment didn't come through, but once I figure out which modelcontroller I have, I can download the instructions from the Powergearwebsite.Hmmm, maybe Yahoo stripped it or something, I sent two versions and Igot them from the Powergear website.QuoteI don't really know much about such things, but I have to suspect thatif it is causing that much torque on the cab, eventually somethingwill break or become misalignedI don't think you need to know a lot to know it can't be good :-) If itbinds the door when the jacks are down, then the frame is twisting.QuoteIt's the slider between the main living area and the bathroom.Oh, so far no problem there for me.QuoteThey tried, repeatedly, even taking digital photos and emailing themto Jayco. Jayco's response was that the amount the bumper is offshould be measured by how much one side is higher or lower than thecenter of the bumperThis is just nuts. If the dealer is really doing what he says then Jaycois treating him unfairly.QuoteI think I can argue that the twisting cab is a safety issue/majorproblem (and I think it is!) and force them to take care of thatI'll be interested to hear what they say about that.QuoteI am taking extra tools, extra duct tape, extra bailingwire and some other stuff with me.I told my wife I'd be carrying a lot more and different tools, etc onthe next trip.I just got a call from my dealer asking if I had gotten a TSB about theexhaust hanger because the info they had said the 32SS wan't included. Itold her what I had and that it had my serial number so she said, "okay, I'll order the parts and have it done while it's here."I think they might be mixing it up with the gas line recall.Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #8 – June 12, 2008, 02:51:59 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1198, "Craig Davis"wrote:QuoteGreg, I got your attachment. JD, here it is again.Greg, I think this is more of the same old problem where the only one who cansee attachments are those who have their Yahoo preferences set up forreceiving each individual post via individual email. If you opt for thedigest or try going directly to the group to read messages then theattachments will never show up. The alternative, that makes sureeveryone has access to the attachment, is to upload the attachment tothe group photos or files database and then link to it. A little morework but it makes sure everyone has immediate access to attachments andpossibly just as important, it makes sure anyone can easily go back ata future date to review the item.Bill Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #9 – June 12, 2008, 03:01:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1199Bill, I got the attachments as well and I was about to send Greg a note when your post arrived.Greg, would you please post both docs to the Files section. At this time there are only four items there that I posted for GM, Allison and UltraRide. The calibration docs would be good additions.DonOn 12-Jun-08, at 2:51 PM, berfle624 wrote: Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #10 – June 12, 2008, 04:51:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1200Don wroteQuoteGreg, would you please post both docs to the Files section.Yup, thanks I should have thought of that.Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #11 – June 12, 2008, 04:52:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1201Bill wrote:Quoteeveryone has access to the attachment, is to upload the attachment tothe group photos or files database and then link to it.Didn't think of it at the time, but will try to remember to do so in thefuture, thanks.Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco Reply #12 – June 13, 2008, 06:22:24 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1218Here is the CEOs address and I can ensure you it will get someattention: Wilber Vontrager, 903 South Mian Street, Middlebury, In.46540. Send the letter certified. I have never had another issuewith them since I contacted him directly. Dane Quote Selected