Greetings To Whom It May Concern, Let me explain the problem.
On August 4, 2010, I purchased a RV from Poulsbo RV. After a six hour, plus, workover by the salesperson, I was able to reach an equitable agreement on a new RV. When I began the purchase process, I had a type of RV I was interested in. Because the specific size and style that I wanted was out of my price range, the salesperson directed me to what he called a leftover model, near the back. This leftover was a 2009 unit, and I was told that it could be purchased in my price range. The cost of the new RV, after trade, was over Forty-Two Thousand Dollars. I went over the RV with head maintenance supervisor, checking over the RV before delivery. We checked the unit to make sure everything was operable. We did this using a list created by the dealer. According to the list the tires had been checked and ok'd. I assumed, as I pulled my new RV away, that it had been certified road worthy. It took less than 2500 miles to discover that wasn't the case. The first issue was with the tires. Initially, I noticed that the tread was beginning to wear off the tires. I, immediately, knew this was a problem, based on the limited number of miles on them. Sometime in early September I became aware that the tires were filled with Nitrogen, instead of air. This was brought to my attention by a fellow camper who pointed that out to me. Being unfamiliar with Nitrogen, I did some research, and this is what I found: Nitrogen maintains pressure better than conventional air, Nitrogen keeps tires 20% cooler, Nitrogen-filled tires use less fuel, Nitrogen improves handling and performance, Nitrogen prolongs the life of your tire, Tests show that nitrogen reduces tire failure by as much as 80%. (See Link For Information: Nitrogen Information) Then, around the first week of November we stopped in Primm, NV to setup for the evening, I notice the tires were showing excessive wear. Looking at the tires I see the left rear tire has much more excessive wear than the others. So much that the cord could be seen. I later find that the wheel had been welded crooked, on to the axle; the axles that had been recalled. Imagine my surprise, after learning what I had about Nitrogen, I look at my tires and they are practically worn out, after less than 2500 miles of service. The other thing I discovered is that the dealer, Poulsbo RV, had failed to properly inflate the tires. The next day I called Poulsbo RV about the problem. I was told it was my fault, and the representative further told me he had no authority to replace the tires. I told him that there was Nitrogen in the tires. He told me that the RV would have been sent to a service center for the tires to be properly filled. Apparently, this wasn't the case. There is a sticker on the side of the RV that specifically states that there must be a minimum of 65psi per tire. I took the RV to a Nitrogen Service Center and discovered that the tires, in fact, were filled to a capacity of only 50psi. The tire dealer told me the reason for the wear was the under inflation. We had all five tires inflated to the proper pressure of 65psi. From November 11, 2010 until approximately March 20, 2011 we stayed at the same location. During that time there was 0 pressure lost, which was contrary to what I was told by the Poulsbo dealer, who had informed me that the tires could have lost pressure while sitting on the lot. After several contacts, and many letters, I was finally able to get the tires replaced, but not before I found out from a Tire Dealer that the tires were also the wrong size. The tires were not large enough to carry the weight of the RV. After 10 letters, which were sent to the dealership, service managers, others, and the Attorney General for the State of Washington, I was finally contacted by Poulsbo RV, as to what they wanted us to do. They said they would replace the tires, same size, style etc. Because the tire dealer told me that the tires appeared to be too small for the RV, I did some investigating and found that the tires were not compatible for the weight of the empty RV, let alone a filled one. After, again, contacting Poulsbo RV I was told by a Poulsbo rep that they knew the tires were too small! So, I requested five new tires of the right size, as an undersize tire was of no use. We then took the RV to a tire dealer in Lake Havasu, NV and had 5 -10 ply tires installed with a fill of 80 psi. It was shortly after having the tires replaced that I encountered the second problem, even more serious than the first. Although, having the wrong size, under-inflated tire, was a VERY serious safety issue, what happened next was even more so. After the tires were replaced we headed North, stopping at the end of the day. We stop each day, as I do not drive at night. We left Reno Nevada on April 30, 2011 and just a 1/4 mile into CA at a speed of 55mph I hear what sounds like a "thump". It was then that we encountered what could have been a fatal situation. While driving the right, rear wheel flew off of my RV. People were motioning us to pull over, which we did, a gentleman who pulled over with us told us our wheel was rolling down the highway. (To see photos of the wheel and damage please click this link: RV PICS ) When the tow truck driver arrived I was suggesting that it was a freak occurrence, and he told me that he frequently encountered the same problem, and has had to pick up other RV's with the same condition. WOW! Was I shocked!
Having the RV towed to a shop; upon inspection we saw the axle had failed. Because this happened on a weekend, I was forced to stay camped on the side of the road to avoid high storage fees. While stuck I emailed Dutchmen Mfg Warranty Dept. On the following Monday, I received an email that my email had been forwarded to Lippert Components, as they would handle the warranty because of the axle failure. After arriving at the shop I telephoned Lippert Axle who told me they would cover everything, not to worry about anything. In the meantime, I had to pay for the towing, $150 of which was covered by my insurance, and an additional $163 which I paid out-of-pocket and for which no reimbursement has been made. AT THIS POINT I AM IN SHOCK! How could, what I thought, a reputable RV dealer sell me a unit that had recall(s) on it. At any rate, it was arranged for the axle manufacturer, Lippert, to send a specialist to replace the axle, and repair the bent frame caused by the wheel flying off. However, my current concern is whether or not the replacement axle was of an appropriate size. And, what condition is the other axle in, if it also is one of the recalled. My RV currently sits at the repair shop, waiting to go to the body shop. It is still sitting there because the ones responsible for payment refuse to answer their phones, or return calls. During this time I have had to try and make other staying arrangements. Fortunately, I have friends and family, who are willing to help me. However, I believe this is unacceptable. Because of the recalls, and unacceptable policies of the manufacturers and dealership, my RV sits in the shop. If the manufacturer of the axles, Lippert, built a reliable product, and the RV manufacturer, Dutchmen, used reliable products during their manufacture, and if Poulsbo RV kept up, properly, with the recalls, this would not have happened. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! As of May 2, 2011, I have had NO access to my RV. Due to the high cost of fuel my spouse and I have been stuck in California. Thank goodness for friends and family, who are willing to house us. Since having all this free time on my hands, I've had time to do research on these problems. What I discovered is an avalanche of information regarding recalls, not only on the axles, but the 2009 Dutchmen Denali RV's as well. (See This Link RECALLS ) I believe this situation could have resulted in one or more fatalities. Because of the fraud perpetrated upon me, which put me and my spouse and possibly others, in jeopardy, I believe I deserve compensation. It seems to me that Dutchmen Mfg is using sub-standard materials to build their RV's. They know of the recalls, and the dangers associated with the materials they use. I believe they are ultimately to blame. However, our safety would not have been in question had Poulsbo RV not knowingly have sold me a unit with as many recalls as this unit had. I am not a lawyer, but to me this would appear to be fraud. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED, and based on the number of complaints against all the involved parties, I believe, a class action lawsuit may be my only avenue of resolution. This is the problem in a nutshell: inadequate axle with too small of tire, under inflated replaced tire with proper size tire, which overloaded the inadequate axle the mislabeled, recalled axle failed due to stress created by the replacement of the undersized tire! LINKS:
Nitrogen
Information
RV
PICS
RECALLS
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