HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- An Alabama woman has brought suit against RV manufacturer Open Range, Co., and a local RV dealer in an 'RV lemon' case. Karen Lockhart of Lacey's Spring, Alabama says her brand new Open Range fifth-wheel hasn't been right from the start, and still isn't fixed after eight visits to the dealer.
The suit alleges that Lockhart bought the fifth wheel from Madison RV in October 2010 for $64,000; she also received a $29,000 credit for a trade-in. With the new unit came a warranty registration form indicating the dealer had inspected the unit's systems and found them to be OK. Within two days Karen Lockhart had the rig back to the dealer, complaining of problems with electrical, plumbing, and other issues, including "significant water leaks," and damage related to those leaks. The suit says Madison RV's work order on the returned fifth-wheel included, "replacement of coupler coax, application of sealant, water line, repair floor, seal shower, adjust latch, repair trim, repair wiring, adjust door, repair hinges, leaking underbelly, ice maker water line is leaking, entrance door is not working, black tank is draining into underbelly, floor in underbelly is warped, leveling jacks lift rear wheels off the ground, leakage of propane."
The dealership turned the serviced fifth-wheel back over to Lockhart in November, but according to her suit, the plumbing still leaked and other mechanical problems manifested themselves. Adding apparent insult to injury, Lockhart says the black water system leaked into the trailer's underbelly. Back went the trailer. The trailer was returned. The entire process repeated itself on through 2011 and 2012, alleges the lawsuit, with Ms. Lockhart continuing to make payments on a unit she describes as, "totally unfit for any reasonable purpose for which it was intended."
Lockhart is asking for damages and a jury trial. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer had commented on the case, according to news outlet al.com.
6 comments:
You go for it!!! It is high time that these junk manufacturers be taken to task
We are having similar problems with our 2011 Brookstone by Coachmen and may have to sue. We took it to the factory in Middlebury, IN last Fall for 15 sizeable repairs and then the leaking slides (from "wicking", not from roof leaks) were discovered. Now, they won't even talk to us. Just this month on our latest trip we have had the 4 tires shred and we find out they had 2009 tires on a 2011 coach. Rubber came off just like they were retreads. Believe me there is nothing like spending a couple of hours beside busy I-10! Anyone know a good lawyer???
We bought an Open Range Journeyer 340 about 1 1/2 years ago. I've have numerous problems, some major, such as incorrectly installed rollers on slide outs, water leaks,
in general all due to shoddy workmanship at the factory.
Randy Graber, the owner will not speak to any retail people.
The "customer service" department is only able to keep people there for no more than 3 months at a time.
I requested a baggage door latch to be sent 3 1/2 months ago, and it still hasn't arrived.
Customers should be advised if you buy an Open Range, you should be aware, that your "warrenty" means nothing.
I've done my own repairs, and will continue to do so.
Sad situation, but typical of new RVs.
We are not newcomers to RVing, we've owner everything from motorhomes to folddown campers, so we've grown to expect this sort of thing.
It's a sad situation though when you spend a lot of money that you don't receive the quality that you are promised.
Sad situation
How fast can we pump em out the door... that is the motto. Wall fell off my Keystone going down the highway
We have a 2012 Open Range 31 ft pull behind with 3 slideouts and have had no problem as each of you have described. We were camping couple of months ago in a storm with no problems at all. Sounds like it could be your dealership.
We have a 2012 427BHS that has ALL 5 slides leaking water and subsequently found mold because of it. We are not getting very good customer service from OR at the moment and am seeing why one might look at suing. I am not one to jump to suing right away because I think that we as American's find that as the easy way out. BUT we have done everything that we can as consumers to get our coach fixed and get answers and are not getting anything in return. There comes a point when we cannot do anything but sue to get what we deserve, a coach that you can use, if the manufacturer will not provide you with such. We bought ours new, just as this family has, expecting to use it, obviously. If you can't use it for it's intended purpose then it should be the manufacturer's responsibility to replace the coach. They produced it and should stand behind what they produce. There are lemon laws in place for a reason.
Have any of you OR owners read the "limited warranty" ? It basically excludes everything. So basically our 5 slides are being rebuilt due to a manufacturing error that THEY ADMITTED TO DOING and we will NOT have a warranty extension (new 2 yr warranty) on ONLY the parts that they are replacing. They made a mistake and are trying to fix it, yet they won't stand behind the fix. If they did, then they would have no problem saying, "yes the slides will have a new 2 yr warranty from the date we complete the fix" or something to that effect.
Its safe to say we probably won't be buying another OR nor will be recommending them to any one.
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