RE: Cracked frame, HELP!

[spirit]

 
My DH opened up the pu after a long winter and noticed a crack in the corner of the frame.  Needless to say we are very upset since our pu is not even a year old!  Has anyone had this happen, can the entire front panel be replaced.  The crack is in the top corner where the roof meets the frame.  Will the warranty cover this? My DH is calling the dealer for an appointment but we are stressed because we do not want the dealer to tell us they can put some type of filler to stop crack, we feel this is unacceptable. Please advise.
 
 Jackie & Ted (South Jersey)
 Kateland
 Kelly
 Winstar 2000
 SUN VALLEY 2002

[moderator1]

 spirit
I m not sure of the part that is cracked, but by your question " can the entire front panel be replaced"  indicates that it is the ABS front panel.
 
 This has been discussed lately:
 
 [link=http://www.popuptimes.com/members/tm.asp?m=15643&appid=&p=&mpage=1&key=abs%2Ccrack&language=single&tmode=&s=#15643]Coleman ABS front panel cracked   [/link]
 
 
 If your Sun Vally is lees than a year old, yes it should be covered under your warranty.

[NCSunshine]

 spirit
Also insist on replacement and not a patch job.  My canvas had cuts long the top seam that I did not notice until we had it a couple of months (not a place I normally looked at).  They said they had a guy that could do a great patch job, and I insisted on replacement since it was new.  They gave in and I appreciate their willingness to please their customer[]
 
 Shameless plug for my dealer  Tom Johnson Camping Center in Marion and Concord NC[][][] (Concord for me)

[camper4pack]

 spirit
We have a 2002 Coleman Utah, it had a crack from the underframe up the right corner of the trunk.  We took it Monday to our dealer and was told usually Coleman considers it under warranty for 3 years.  The dealer is having the front panel replaced under warranty.  Of course, I can t say enough about the dealer we bought ours from, they are the best in our book.[]
 
 Good luck.
 
 

[Tim5055]

 spirit
If it is actually a crack in the frame, it is covered under the " limited lifetime warranty"  to the original owner.  
 
 If it is the ABS front panel it is coverd by the one year " All other trailer components"  warranty.
 
 [link=http://foldingtrailers.com/warranty.htm]Coleman (Fleetwood Folding trailers) Warranty Statement[/link]

[spirit]

 spirit

 Thank you everyone great information.  To follow up, I have called my dealer and they will replace the cracked front panel since I am still under the one year warranty.
 
 In the meantime I have contacted Coleman regarding the possibility of the rear panel cracking since their was an obvious problem with " 2002"  models.  THey responed to an email letting me know the 1 year warranty is all they can cover.
 
 I emailed them back asking them how they can justify selling me a pu that may have this problem and not disclose this information up front.  I would think if a problem is caused in the factory the rear panel should be replaced also since it may happen out of warranty.  I asked them to stand behind their product and I am waiting to hear back from them.  I will let your know.
 
 Jackie & Ted South Jersey
 Kateland
 Kelly
 Winstar 2000
 SUNVALLEY 2002
 
 
 

[kathybrj]

 spirit
Interesting how one dealer considers the problem a " 3 year warrenty issue"  while other dealers are sticking to the one year warrenty. Do the dealers eat the cost if they say Coleman considers it a 3 year issue (as in the case of camper4packs s post above)? Is it the dealer s call?

[spirit]

 spirit
Kathy,
 
 Excellent question!  Coleman is sticking to the one year warranty.  They have admitted to some defects in the material.  My question to them now is how can you put a time limit on a product you tell me has a defect.  Maybe one day after warranty we find a crack in the rear panel?  Does not seem right!  Someone mentioned to me maybe since I know their is a defect I could find a crack in the rear panel if you get my drift.  I would never adhere to this behavior but I am very frustrated Coleman customer with a defective product.
 
 Jackie & Ted (South Jersey)
 Kateland
 Kelly
 Winstar 2000
 SUNVALLEY 2002
 
 P.S.  The dealer has told me to contact Coleman regarding the other panel that does not have a crack, the dealer will not replace without Coleman picking up the tab.

[mike4947]

 spirit
Acorrding to the local dealer Coleman s premiss on the ABS front and back panels is that it s not a material defect that s been causing the problems. But a manufacturing problem (holes drilled too small for mounting screws causing stress cracking around the mounting holes) and should show up during the warranty period. He said he s only seen one case of a panel cracking after warranty and he, A factory rep and the owner of the PU couldn t come to an agreement on what actually caused the cracking. The area had been sanded and attemped to be patched by the owner before bringing it to the dealer. (it wasn t around the mounting screws, but could have come from backing damage.)
 Seeing as how other PU manufacturers have used and abondoned ABS for roofing and body panels because of warranty claims I can see where Coleman wouldn t want to open another can of worms like the roof problems.
 IMHO I ll bet you see a material change withing a year or two for the ABS panels.
 

[TomToCamp]

 spirit
My panel cracked from the screw out to edge on front left side. I found it about a month ago when it was cold out. The crack was about 1/8   by the screw.
 Now with the warmer weather, the crack has closed.
 This iswhat I think is happening and will continue to happen.
 The panel is stuck in place along the front with mounting tape or whatever it is.
 The panel can not move across the width, with no room for expansion or contraction.
 The corner of the panel is bigger, it goes around the corner.
 When the temperture drops the only place for the panel to move is in the area of the corner.
 The weak point becomes the hole that was drilled.
 
 I have to pay shipping and for dealer to install, but I will be doing install myself.
 When/If I get my panel I will see what I can do about letting the panel float/be able to move the whole length.
 Tom