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I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

Yahoo Message Number: 1189
Getting the RV ready for its first trip and had a few irritating
issues come up. First, the gas strut to hold the coach door open
decided 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 leveler
has no idea of what level is and pretty much always thinks the rear
right needs to be raised. Okay, so I have to recalibrate it, no big
deal.....until the dealer tells me not to recalibrate it in case it is
a 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 to
express my concern that when the front levelers are down, the driver's
door will not open, or if open, will not shut. I checked and the door
latch is a full 1/4" or more off when the levelers are down. No
simple adjustment is going to fix this and it doesn't seem right. I
found this a bit distressing. I am still waiting for the replacement
backup camera monitor anyway, so I guess it is no great hardship that
I need to drive the RV an hour away for another service visit. They
had it about a month last time for minor repairs. Most of that time
was spent fighting with Jayco over what they would and would not cover
and waiting for parts.

I don't know what Jayco will do on the leveler. Probably tell me I
shouldn't need to use the driver's door with the jacks down anyway, so
no big deal. I have had to fight them on almost every warranty issue
and they still refuse to fix the rear bumper, which is 1.5" higher on
one 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 for
and why. When he explained that a sliding door that would not latch
was "engineered" that way and so nothing could be done, the other
service guy a few feet away actually began laughing. I would have
found 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 my
bumper, shook his head and said it looked terrible, that he had never
seen a bumper that far off level and I should write to Jayco again and
send more photos. I suggested I might just get a bumper sticker made
that reads "Jayco thinks this bumper is level"

"Located in the heart of Amish country and with a history dating back
to 1968, Jayco's mission has remained unchanged since the beginning:
to build exemplary RV's and provide customers with extraordinary
service after the sale."

I don't know whether to laugh or get angry when I read that.

Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 1190
Attachments :

    JD wrote:

    Quote
    Getting the RV ready for its first trip and had a few irritating
    issues come up.

    Oh boy, I guess you have had some initial issues :-(

    Quote
    That is a minor annoyance compared to the fact the Powergear leveler
    has no idea of what level is and pretty much always thinks the rear
    right needs to be raised.

    I don't know how they'd even know you recalibrated it as it's strictly a
    software reset. I did it to mine and have attached the instructions in
    case you don't have them.

    Quote
    Why, you may ask, did I bother to call the dealer? Well that was to
    express my concern that when the front levelers are down, the driver's
    door will not open, or if open, will not shut.

    Interesting because I just started having this problem. It surely seems
    like there is enough frame tweaking to affect the drivers door.

    Quote
    was spent fighting with Jayco over what they would and would not cover
    and waiting for parts.

    I can appreciate this because I've already seen some of it with my visit
    to drop mine off Tuesday.

    Quote
    I don't know what Jayco will do on the leveler. Probably tell me I
    shouldn't need to use the driver's door with the jacks down anyway,

    You're probably right :-(

    Quote
    and they still refuse to fix the rear bumper, which is 1.5" higher on
    one side than the other. Purely cosmetic, you see...not under warranty.

    This is simply BS, it's shoddy workmanship and should be recognized as
    such by them.

    Quote
    When he explained that a sliding door that would not latch
    was "engineered" that way and so nothing could be done, the other
    service guy a few feet away actually began laughing.

    Holy crap, this is just unreal. I assume these are the bedroom closet
    doors you're having problem with? So far the only problem I'm having
    with mine are the adjusters not holding their position so when it comes
    home I'll be using a lot of locktite on them as I readjust them.

    Quote
    seen a bumper that far off level and I should write to Jayco again and
    send more photos. I suggested I might just get a bumper sticker made
    that reads "Jayco thinks this bumper is level"

    I like the sticker idea, but my big questions is why the heck a dealer
    wouldn't be on the phone instead of telling you to email them.

    Good luck with the repairs and trip.

    Take care,
    Greg

    Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

    Reply #2
    Yahoo Message Number: 1192
    , Greg Gimlick
    wrote:
    Quote
    I don't know how they'd even know you recalibrated it as it's
    strictly a software reset. I did it to mine and have attached the
    instructions in case you don't have them.

    Your attachment didn't come through, but once I figure out which model
    controller I have, I can download the instructions from the Powergear
    website. I agree that the dealer probably wouldn't know, but I am a
    bit leary of messing with it, and a little hesitant to use them. I
    think for this weekend I will just drive up on levelers as necessary
    and not mess with the power levelers, or manually put them down just
    to stabilize the coach.

    Quote
    Interesting because I just started having this problem. It surely
    seems 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 that
    if it is causing that much torque on the cab, eventually something
    will break or become misaligned or whatever and it can't be a good
    thing. I would almost feel better if both the driver and passenger
    doors stuck.

    Quote
    Holy crap, this is just unreal. I assume these are the bedroom closet
    doors you're having problem with? So far the only problem I'm having
    with mine are the adjusters not holding their position so when it
    comes 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 is
    sufficiently misaligned that it won't latch. If you grab the door at
    the top and hold it just right while carefully turning the latch, it
    will latch, but it isn't easy. Truthfully, this isn't a major issue
    but 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 into
    or out of one area sometimes and I would want to latch it for that
    purpose.

    Quote
    I like the sticker idea, but my big questions is why the heck a dealer
    wouldn't be on the phone instead of telling you to email them.

    They tried, repeatedly, even taking digital photos and emailing them
    to Jayco. Jayco's response was that the amount the bumper is off
    should be measured by how much one side is higher or lower than the
    center of the bumper, not the difference between one side and the
    other. 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 doubt
    they will fix it. The dealer estimated .5-1 hr to grind out the
    mounting holes and re-attach the bumper so I am guessing this would
    cost Jayco less than a hundred bucks. I guess we know what goodwill
    is worth. I didn't even ask them to fill the holes in the back of the
    coach, I did that myself along with a bunch of other stuff.

    I think I can argue that the twisting cab is a safety issue/major
    problem (and I think it is!) and force them to take care of that, but
    probably not on the first try. I can't wait to see what crops up on
    this trip. I am taking extra tools, extra duct tape, extra bailing
    wire and some other stuff with me.


    Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

    Reply #4
    Yahoo Message Number: 1194
    Sounds 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 ~

    Craig

    P.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 JD
    Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:38 AM
    To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [KodiakChassisClassC] I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco


    Getting the RV ready for its first trip and had a few irritating
    issues come up. First, the gas strut to hold the coach door open
    decided 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 leveler
    has no idea of what level is and pretty much always thinks the rear
    right needs to be raised. Okay, so I have to recalibrate it, no big
    deal.....until the dealer tells me not to recalibrate it in case it is
    a 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 to
    express my concern that when the front levelers are down, the driver's
    door will not open, or if open, will not shut. I checked and the door
    latch is a full 1/4" or more off when the levelers are down. No
    simple adjustment is going to fix this and it doesn't seem right. I
    found this a bit distressing. I am still waiting for the replacement
    backup camera monitor anyway, so I guess it is no great hardship that
    I need to drive the RV an hour away for another service visit. They
    had it about a month last time for minor repairs. Most of that time
    was spent fighting with Jayco over what they would and would not cover
    and waiting for parts.

    I don't know what Jayco will do on the leveler. Probably tell me I
    shouldn't need to use the driver's door with the jacks down anyway, so
    no big deal. I have had to fight them on almost every warranty issue
    and they still refuse to fix the rear bumper, which is 1.5" higher on
    one 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 for
    and why. When he explained that a sliding door that would not latch
    was "engineered" that way and so nothing could be done, the other
    service guy a few feet away actually began laughing. I would have
    found 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 my
    bumper, shook his head and said it looked terrible, that he had never
    seen a bumper that far off level and I should write to Jayco again and
    send more photos. I suggested I might just get a bumper sticker made
    that reads "Jayco thinks this bumper is level"

    "Located in the heart of Amish country and with a history dating back
    to 1968, Jayco's mission has remained unchanged since the beginning:
    to build exemplary RV's and provide customers with extraordinary
    service after the sale."

    I don't know whether to laugh or get angry when I read that.


    Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

    Reply #5
    Yahoo Message Number: 1195
    Quote
    Your attachment didn't come through, but once I figure out which model
    controller I have, I can download the instructions from the Powergear
    website.

    Hmmm, maybe Yahoo stripped it or something, I sent two versions and I
    got them from the Powergear website.

    Quote
    I don't really know much about such things, but I have to suspect that
    if it is causing that much torque on the cab, eventually something
    will break or become misaligned

    I don't think you need to know a lot to know it can't be good :-) If it
    binds the door when the jacks are down, then the frame is twisting.

    Quote
    It's the slider between the main living area and the bathroom.

    Oh, so far no problem there for me.

    Quote
    They tried, repeatedly, even taking digital photos and emailing them
    to Jayco. Jayco's response was that the amount the bumper is off
    should be measured by how much one side is higher or lower than the
    center of the bumper

    This is just nuts. If the dealer is really doing what he says then Jayco
    is treating him unfairly.

    Quote
    I think I can argue that the twisting cab is a safety issue/major
    problem (and I think it is!) and force them to take care of that

    I'll be interested to hear what they say about that.

    Quote
    I am taking extra tools, extra duct tape, extra bailing
    wire and some other stuff with me.

    I told my wife I'd be carrying a lot more and different tools, etc on
    the next trip.

    I just got a call from my dealer asking if I had gotten a TSB about the
    exhaust hanger because the info they had said the 32SS wan't included. I
    told 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

    Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

    Reply #6
    Yahoo Message Number: 1196
    Craig wrote:

    Quote
    Sounds 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.

    I'd agree except apparently they did call Jayco about his bumper. I know
    I can tell my dealer doesn't always agree with some of the things I
    bring to his attention or he thinks they're petty, but he ends up doing
    them in the end. He also knows I was in that business many years ago and
    know a little bit about how it works. He has also made money off me in
    the past and hopes to in the future so that helps. Sometimes I have to
    stand my ground and give him a look before he finally says they'll take
    care of something. I don't mind paying for what I owe, but if it's under
    warranty and I didn't break it I figure I don't owe.

    Quote
    If you accept the service techs faulty logic, _you_ are
    letting them off the hook.

    Yup, one of the techs yesterday said he's never seen a slideout awning
    come 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 he
    should return to the shop. I told David that I took offense to his tone
    and he understood me. All I want is to have it checked out, I didn't say
    it was junk.

    Quote
    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.

    This is my dealers problem, they just aren't geared towards doing a
    bunch of service work. The sales side couldn't be better, but the
    service side can be very frustrating. Once you get the owner involved
    things move along, but it shouldn't take that. I was told they wouldn't
    get to my unit for up to two weeks if I brought it over this week, but I
    made the point if it was sitting in my storage facility it wouldn't be
    getting worked on either and I know they don't order parts until they
    look things over. Let it go there and have them look over the list and
    see what needs to be ordered and they can be coming in while he's
    scheduling time to work on it.

    Service isn't brain surgery, but does require some due diligence.

    Take care,
    Greg

    Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

    Reply #7
    Yahoo Message Number: 1197
    Attachments :

      Greg, I got your attachment. JD, here it is again.

      From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Greg Gimlick
      Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:07 AM
      To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
      Subject: Re: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco



      Quote
      Your attachment didn't come through, but once I figure out which model
      controller I have, I can download the instructions from the Powergear
      website.

      Hmmm, maybe Yahoo stripped it or something, I sent two versions and I
      got them from the Powergear website.

      Quote
      I don't really know much about such things, but I have to suspect that
      if it is causing that much torque on the cab, eventually something
      will break or become misaligned

      I don't think you need to know a lot to know it can't be good :-) If it
      binds the door when the jacks are down, then the frame is twisting.

      Quote
      It's the slider between the main living area and the bathroom.

      Oh, so far no problem there for me.

      Quote
      They tried, repeatedly, even taking digital photos and emailing them
      to Jayco. Jayco's response was that the amount the bumper is off
      should be measured by how much one side is higher or lower than the
      center of the bumper

      This is just nuts. If the dealer is really doing what he says then Jayco
      is treating him unfairly.

      Quote
      I think I can argue that the twisting cab is a safety issue/major
      problem (and I think it is!) and force them to take care of that

      I'll be interested to hear what they say about that.

      Quote
      I am taking extra tools, extra duct tape, extra bailing
      wire and some other stuff with me.

      I told my wife I'd be carrying a lot more and different tools, etc on
      the next trip.

      I just got a call from my dealer asking if I had gotten a TSB about the
      exhaust hanger because the info they had said the 32SS wan't included. I
      told 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

      Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

      Reply #8
      Yahoo Message Number: 1198
      , "Craig Davis"
      wrote:
      Quote
      Greg, 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 can
      see attachments are those who have their Yahoo preferences set up for
      receiving each individual post via individual email. If you opt for the
      digest or try going directly to the group to read messages then the
      attachments will never show up. The alternative, that makes sure
      everyone has access to the attachment, is to upload the attachment to
      the group photos or files database and then link to it. A little more
      work but it makes sure everyone has immediate access to attachments and
      possibly just as important, it makes sure anyone can easily go back at
      a future date to review the item.

      Bill

       

      Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

      Reply #9
      Yahoo Message Number: 1199
      Bill, 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.

      Don


      On 12-Jun-08, at 2:51 PM, berfle624 wrote:


      Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

      Reply #10
      Yahoo Message Number: 1200
      Don wrote

      Quote
      Greg, would you please post both docs to the Files section.

      Yup, thanks I should have thought of that.

      Take care,
      Greg

      Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

      Reply #11
      Yahoo Message Number: 1201
      Bill wrote:

      Quote
      everyone has access to the attachment, is to upload the attachment to
      the 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 the
      future, thanks.

      Take care,
      Greg

      Re: I am getting a bit frustrated with Jayco

      Reply #12
      Yahoo Message Number: 1218
      Here is the CEOs address and I can ensure you it will get some
      attention: Wilber Vontrager, 903 South Mian Street, Middlebury, In.
      46540. Send the letter certified. I have never had another issue
      with them since I contacted him directly. Dane