Service Experience with a Popular SOB

danemayer

Well-known member
Well, we're in Breckenridge, CO and have some unhappy campers in the site next to us. The family is here for the summer, with the husband traveling back and forth to Houston for work. They have a 6 day old 40' SOB (well known brand) with a sewage leak somewhere that's stinking up the place. They've found some black water in the underbelly. The smell started before the tank was dumped for the first time and they believe it was only 2/3 full.

Obviously it would be extremely disruptive to take the rig to Denver for repair work and have to either go home or rent a hotel room for a few weeks. So they called the manufacturer to see if they would authorize mobile service.

As many of you know, in situations like this, Heartland pretty routinely authorizes mobile servicers to work on warranty issues, as long as you pay the travel charge. And they were expecting to pay the travel charge.

They were flatly turned down and told to take it to the dealer. No room for discussion. So they've got a call in to a mobile servicer and will probably get stuck with the bill for warranty repairs. And they are really hoping it can be fixed on site so their summer doesn't get ruined.
 

mlpeloquin

Well-known member
I hope it is not a cracked tank, but a bad leaking gate valve. If the gate valve screws have vibrated lose, I had a gray water one do that, then it should not cost much to repair. If it is the tank, it will have to go into the shop for at least a couple of weeks. Since it is the black tank, they could just use the parks facility for all black water use. Not ideal, but at least they can stay in the park.
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
Well that stinks! 'pun intended' :)

Hope the mobile tech fixes it up and the RV mfr considers covering the repair cost up to the flat rate they would have paid a dealer for a comparable repair.
 

Silverado23

Iowa Chapter Leaders
Your neighbor could send a note to Trailer Life's action line and describe their situation and expenses. It may not be a fast response but it could provide a potential route to reasonable or partial reimbursement for what could be warranty-type repairs less the cost of mobile tech.
 

MCTalley

Well-known member
We have friends with an SOB fifth wheel. I can't even remember the brand now. They had a bad cargo door (can't remember exactly what was wrong with it) that needed to be replaced. It was even out of warranty. As you know, if you call up Heartland parts, you can have stuff shipped directly to you.

This family called their manufacturer and was told that they have to go through a dealer who would need to order the part and have it shipped to them. They were free to go to the dealer and pick it up. However, the company would not ship any parts directly to the end consumer.
 
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