jbethlehem
Member
I have a 2010, Heartland North Country 29RLS. While my Trailer was being serviced for the season It was discovered the floor of the slideout had rotted all aroud the edges from watter running off slide out and underneath. I reported this to my insurance company and the claim was denied as it was a design flaw. Apparently this was well known to Heartland as there were service notices out for this and the warranty was extended for a year also, however they never offered a recall, notified owners who owned affected units and refused to offer any assistance. I contacted Heartland and was told by a team leader there was nothing they could do. I also contacted the President of the company,Chris Hermon and received no response. I thought This was a reputable company and I had purchased a quality trailer. I was wrong. I received no response at all. Below is a copy of the letter I sent to Heartland:
April 25, 2014
Chris Hermon, President
Heartland RV`s
1001 All Pro Drive
Elkhart, IN 46514
RE: Heartland-North Country 29 RLS VIN: 5SFEB3427BE214466
Dear Mr. Hermon,
In May 2010 I purchased a North Country 29RLS travel trailer through Harold’s RV Sales & Service in Bath, Pennsylvania. We then transported it to Sea Air Village in Rehoboth Delaware. The slide out was always closed anytime I was not at the trailer. I did notice some minor flaking of the chipboard under the slide out in May 2013, but everything was dry and I didn’t notice any damage, and didn’t think anything of it. In June 2013, I decided to move the trailer back to Pennsylvania as I had purchased a business and was not sure I would have time to go back to Delaware. The trailer was stored at Harold’s RV in Bath, since that time. In March 2014, I informed Harold, the owner of Harold’s RV, that I was going to move the trailer back to Delaware and asked him to check the trailer out to make sure everything was in working order and to lubricate the slide out, steps and fill gas tanks.
I was informed by Harold, that the floor of the slide out was ready to collapse and needed immediate replacement. I was told that there have been several problems with this make due to water drainage from the slide out running under the slide out and that it has affected the flooring. I then contacted my insurance company (National Interstate) and was told that there were several service notices on this problem and as it was a manufacturer defect, the damage was not covered. I called your company and spoke with Mike Rogers, Team Leader, and was told there was nothing they could do. They are aware of the problem and extended the warranty a year due to the problem. I do not understand why those of us who purchased this model were not informed of this issue. Why there was not a recall to fix the issue or at least a notification sent to warn us of the flaw. When I asked for a phone number to reach you directly I was told there was no number and that it would go directly to service. When asked for an address I was given 2912 Dexter Dr. and was told that you would not get the letter as you do not deal with these issues and it would go directly to service and probably to Mike Rogers desk. After searching the internet, I found your number and a different address and did leave a lengthy message on your voice mail. I am now sending you this letter.
This unit is only 4.5 years old. I paid over $24,000. For this unit. I am very upset that a supposed high quality travel trailer would deteriorate this quickly. Is there anything Heartland can do to assist in the repair or replacement of this floor?
Sincerely,
Louis C. James
April 25, 2014
Chris Hermon, President
Heartland RV`s
1001 All Pro Drive
Elkhart, IN 46514
RE: Heartland-North Country 29 RLS VIN: 5SFEB3427BE214466
Dear Mr. Hermon,
In May 2010 I purchased a North Country 29RLS travel trailer through Harold’s RV Sales & Service in Bath, Pennsylvania. We then transported it to Sea Air Village in Rehoboth Delaware. The slide out was always closed anytime I was not at the trailer. I did notice some minor flaking of the chipboard under the slide out in May 2013, but everything was dry and I didn’t notice any damage, and didn’t think anything of it. In June 2013, I decided to move the trailer back to Pennsylvania as I had purchased a business and was not sure I would have time to go back to Delaware. The trailer was stored at Harold’s RV in Bath, since that time. In March 2014, I informed Harold, the owner of Harold’s RV, that I was going to move the trailer back to Delaware and asked him to check the trailer out to make sure everything was in working order and to lubricate the slide out, steps and fill gas tanks.
I was informed by Harold, that the floor of the slide out was ready to collapse and needed immediate replacement. I was told that there have been several problems with this make due to water drainage from the slide out running under the slide out and that it has affected the flooring. I then contacted my insurance company (National Interstate) and was told that there were several service notices on this problem and as it was a manufacturer defect, the damage was not covered. I called your company and spoke with Mike Rogers, Team Leader, and was told there was nothing they could do. They are aware of the problem and extended the warranty a year due to the problem. I do not understand why those of us who purchased this model were not informed of this issue. Why there was not a recall to fix the issue or at least a notification sent to warn us of the flaw. When I asked for a phone number to reach you directly I was told there was no number and that it would go directly to service. When asked for an address I was given 2912 Dexter Dr. and was told that you would not get the letter as you do not deal with these issues and it would go directly to service and probably to Mike Rogers desk. After searching the internet, I found your number and a different address and did leave a lengthy message on your voice mail. I am now sending you this letter.
This unit is only 4.5 years old. I paid over $24,000. For this unit. I am very upset that a supposed high quality travel trailer would deteriorate this quickly. Is there anything Heartland can do to assist in the repair or replacement of this floor?
Sincerely,
Louis C. James
