Viking/Coachmen recall... not good news

[chkster]

Here is a link from open roads forum.


http://www.goodsamclub.com/cforum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/16163897.cfm

[rccs]

When I first seen Coachmans new lift system with the nylon parts I posted somewhere that I didn't think that the plastic part would be to dependable and someone replied that it should be just fine because they use nylon parts in engines and they stand up -- go figure. Now they seem to be having a lot of trouble with their new lift system and the plastic parts. Maybe I was right after all.

[chkster]

"Maybe I was right after all."

 The fact that you were right does not help those who bought one of these units!!!  Sheesh!!!!

[chasd60]

When I first seen Coachmans new lift system with the nylon parts I posted somewhere that I didn't think that the plastic part would be to dependable and someone replied that it should be just fine because they use nylon parts in engines and they stand up -- go figure. Now they seem to be having a lot of trouble with their new lift system and the plastic parts. Maybe I was right after all.

It isn't the plastic that is the problem. It is the poor engineering in designing the part without accounting for the expected loads.
 
 I recall the post you are talking about and I agree with the original response. Timing gears in a lot of vehicles are made of steel with a nylon covering. This seems to last about 5,000,000,000 revolutions or so before the nylon fails. It was designed correctly for the load.
 
 People thought Kevlar couldn't be any good either because it wasn't steel.
 
 I hope Coachman gets the lift system figured out and stands behind all of the repairs.
 
 Just hope they don't decide to give a lifetime warranty on all future purchase and only expect you to pay for shipping like Fleetwood did for the Coleman ABS roofs.
 
 We will warranty the lift system for life to the original owner but you might have to pay $1400 for shipping.:yikes:

[chkster]

it would seem to me that maybe  Viking did not give the "correct" stats and that wold give CTI the reason to say "no way" we are not going to pay

[bmbkamp]

Here's an update....
 
I just got off the phone with Viking a few minutes ago.  They told me that the company that made the lift mechanism in question left them holding the bag.  This company is not answering their phones and have shut their doors to Viking.  Viking then contracted with another company to design and manufacture the replacement parts.  Viking is expecting the first shipment of these parts to arrive on Monday (9/12), at which time they will turn the parts around and send them to dealers.  The woman I spoke to on the phone said that this first shipment will account for approximately 20% of the total amount of replacement parts needed to complete the recall.  She also said Viking is planning to fax the dealers an update sometime today, as well as send another letter out to customers.
 
I guess we'll see what happens...
 
Bob

[AustinBoston]

I just got off the phone with Viking a few minutes ago.  They told me that the company that made the lift mechanism in question left them holding the bag.  This company is not answering their phones and have shut their doors to Viking.

If I was Viking, I'd be talking to my lawyers...behind closed doors.  If the supplier is gone completely, then there's not much point, though.

Viking then contracted with another company to design and manufacture the replacement parts.  Viking is expecting the first shipment of these parts to arrive on Monday (9/12), at which time they will turn the parts around and send them to dealers.  The woman I spoke to on the phone said that this first shipment will account for approximately 20% of the total amount of replacement parts needed to complete the recall.  She also said Viking is planning to fax the dealers an update sometime today, as well as send another letter out to customers.

That's about the best you can get under the circumstances.  Sounds like Viking is doing all they can.

Austin

[tlhdoc]

It does sound like Coachman is standing behind their products!

[bmbkamp]

The woman I talked to at Viking was not permitted to tell me the name of the company that screwed them.  Said there were legal issues.  So I'm sure Viking is going after them.

[AustinBoston]

The woman I talked to at Viking was not permitted to tell me the name of the company that screwed them.  Said there were legal issues.  So I'm sure Viking is going after them.

Even if Viking weren't going after them, they would be exposing themselves to a slander lawsuit if they told you who stuck it to them.

Austin