RE: Dangerous new 2003 Jayco

[wssfetch]

 wahoonc
Do you already have the Soft Store system?  If not, that would something to think about. They have a wardrobe, kitchen unit, kids storage, vanity storage plus outdoor storage items too like bunk end storage privacy units.  If you don t already have AC you could go for that.

[birol]

 wssfetch
When do you have to make a decision Popupsgt ?  Maybe you can take DW to the dealership look athe stuff you can get and shop around little bit if she is reall keen on not getting the furnace ?
 
 
 A hitch for the back of the PU to carry bikes if you don t have the means to carry them right now maybe ?
 

[jaycocamprs]

 wssfetch
The Jayco deluxe screen room is made so that the front and sides are one piece. Putting it up is a two-person job. We really like ours and use it most every time that we camp.  It is especially nice during colder weather or times when the bugs are really bad. I can understand your concern about giving up storage space. I think that the 14  Eagle has less storage than our 12  Eagle. As for the heater, last winter it was ran ONE time. And then just to make sure it worked. If you camp mostly at places that have electricity you wont use it much. If you camp with out electric hookups then it would extend your camping season.
 
 By the way what part of the brake system failed? I know that a few years back Jayco recalled units as the rubber hose could contact the tire rubbing a hole in it. Ours was one of the recalled units. All they did was install a plastic cable tie to hold it to the frame, and away from the tire.
 

[birol]

 wssfetch
Popupsgt, any updates yet  ?  Did you get the add a room ? Is the PU back with you ?

[PopupSgt]

 wssfetch
Birol,
 I got the camper home on Thursday night.  I wanted the dealer to come deliver the camper to my home but Jayco insisted on us coming to the dealer to go over everything that was specifically done and for test tows on our TV by the service group & myself.  I know that over 100 photos were taken by the service grp & sent to Jayco and Jayco called (according to the dealer) at least 5 to 6 times a day with update request and pictures.
 Jayco will be conducting a recall on spefic models by I guess the date of mfg, seems this incorrect installation was on a specific amount of models & they think by a poorly trained employee on the assembly line.
 After the delimma of trying to decide on an option the DW opted for the deluxe add a room screen room.  I wanted the furnace but tired of arguing with her.

[wahoonc]

 wssfetch
WEll How did it tow? The only thing I have ever owned with surge brakes have been boat trailers, and being young AND stupid we used to pin the brakes open and just go with them. Glad to hear that Jayco stands behind their products. BTW I gave up arguing with BB...besides she usually comes around to my way of thinking...eventually[&:][8D]
 
 Aaron[]

[jawilson]

 AustinBoston

ORIGINAL:  AustinBoston
 On their best day, the rear brakes only apply when braking hard, so you won t necessarily notice them missing until you are sliding through the intersection with a trailer attached!

That s not an accurate statement. The rear brakes are always applied, regardless of how hard you brake.

[jawilson]

 Ab Diver

ORIGINAL:  Ab Diver
 I doubt very much if the dealership s owner would be willing to take a ride with you and your new trailer as your Safari tows it down the freeway in the trailer s current condition. Have you thought of inviting him and his family for a ride after it s once again " fixed" , with the stopping point of the journey being just in front of his dealership s front window?

Now this idea I like! []

[jawilson]

 PopupSgt

ORIGINAL:  PopupSgt
 After the delimma of trying to decide on an option the DW opted for the deluxe add a room screen room.  I wanted the furnace but tired of arguing with her.

FYI...
 
 Be very[/i] careful of accepting " gifts"  in response to situations like this. Once done you have now been " bought off" , and should something go awry again (God forbid!) your acceptance of there gift now means you re locked in to the original purchase. It s a devious legal ploy, and the only reason I know about it is because someone got me with it once.

[B-flat]

 PopupSgt
I remember that there has been a problem with Dexter products as someone in our camping group was towing quite a distance when something broke on his relatively new Starcraft, resulting in an axle problem.  I would certainly find out if the problem was caused by a Dexter product and I would make sure your dealer understands you dismay over this type of repair plus I wouldn t let them " buy me off."   Just chalk up the experience as another of life s challenges.  Be safe. Enjoy camping.  I hope your problem is solved.

[topcat7736]

 wssfetch
Well, I m thankful no one was physically injured during the two incidents. Here s a few of my thoughts:
 
 1) Our Taos doesn t require brakes. Beginning in 2001, Fleetwood included them on every trailer as standard equipment but I never had them hooked up. We towed it with a Caravan, (which didn t have enough power to pull it up big hills) that our dealer said had ample braking power for both units. Last year I bought a GMC Jimmy which has new front ABS and new rear brakes. No problem pulling the trailer up 89 degree hills; it doesn t know the trailer is there. Our dealer said the Jimmy had more than enough brake power to stop both units.
 
 Well, this year we re on our way to a favorite campground and are going down a small hill which has a stop sign at the end of it. There s a bit of loose gravel near the corner where the sign is located. I begin slowing down and am only doing about 5mph as I get to the stop sign. Press on the brake & the ABS starts its buzzing because of the gravel. The 1186# Taos PUSHED the Jimmy into the intersection with the ABS buzzing away. I had a Prodigy brake controller installed the following weekend.
 
 Our next outing, cruising along at about 40 in light rain & on a gravel laced road, a pack of deer crossed the road in front of me. I jammed on the brakes and the van & trailer stopped almost immediately WITHOUT any buzzing! This leads to two points.
 
 First, even if the tow vehicle has ample braking power to stop both units, without the additional braking power of the trailer you can never be sure you are going to be able to safely stop.
 
 Second, ALWAYS get brakes installed on the trailer you buy no matter what the trailers weight. While Fleetwood made them standard, other manufacturers still offer them as an " option" . Obviously, not everyone cares if you stop or not.
 
 2) Every time something bad happens, the manufacturers are quick to offer something " free"  to make us happy again and to forget about what transpired. " Say man, just give me the add a room & throw in the furnace at 1/2 price and I ll forget my wife & kids were killed because of your negligence" ! Think not? Look at how the tones in the messages changed once something for " free"  was thrown on the table!
 
 It s time the manufacturers and dealers learned that they can t buy their way out of their negligence with some cheap trinkets. Let them grease up their " freebies"  and sit on them. I would push the Attorney General to insure that the failure NEVER happens to someone again. Next time it could be fatal!

[birol]

 jawilson

 

ORIGINAL:  jawilson
 
 

ORIGINAL:  Ab Diver
 I doubt very much if the dealership s owner would be willing to take a ride with you and your new trailer as your Safari tows it down the freeway in the trailer s current condition. Have you thought of inviting him and his family for a ride after it s once again " fixed" , with the stopping point of the journey being just in front of his dealership s front window?

Now this idea I like! []
 

I second this ! Go for this Popupsgt !

[PopupSgt]

 wssfetch
I wanted to update the inquiring minds on the popup status.
 After the my dealer repaired the brakes on the second attemt we picked up the pu on 7/18/03.  Everything afaik was complete and the brakes worked w/o a problem.  Well me & the dw decide to go camping on 7/25~28 at a local state park cg.  
 
 After towing the camper home on the 28th, the dw went to work & I was walking around the pu unloading some stuff & noticed that there was a wet spot under the rear right axle tire.  Upon my investigation seem the line was leaking at the backing plate where the steel line screws into [:@].  I immediately took digital pics & emailed them to Jayco for what is the next step for the solution.  
 
 Jayco called the next morning wanted some additional pics sent to them via email to evaluate the situation.  The dw took pics & emailed them to Jayco, about 2 hrs later the Service Mgr of Jayco called & said we are coming to get the camper & taking it to our facility in IN.  The Mgr informed me that the dealer did not conduct the repairs correctly & they would conduct the complete repairs at their facility.  
 I informed them that I have a camping trip on 8/8 & had to have the rv back to make the commitment w/ our gang.  
 
 Jayco picked the pu on 8/30 about a 5hr drive for them one way.  Jayco called today & said that they are done w/ the camper, they replaced all (4) backing plates & all lines Plus they are giving me the furnace for my inconvenience on the brake problems.  They didn t have time to install the furnace in my unit so they will give it to me & if I find it to much of a challenge to install then they will have the dealer install it for me at Jayco s cost.  Jayco is also going to deliver my unit to my house on either the 6th or 7th of this week.
 
 I do believe now after all of the problems we have had that Jayco does indeed stand behind their products and their customers, I know that alot of things have happened with our new pu but they stepped up to the plate & didn t make getting the repairs conducted like running a circus [8D], now the dealer that s another story [>:][>:]
 
 So we are hoping to close the chapter on the brake problems & wanted to update those inquiring minds. []

[Tim5055]

 wssfetch
I love it when a company stands behind their products

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

 wssfetch

I do believe now after all of the problems we have had that Jayco does indeed stand behind their products and their customers, I know that alot of things have happened with our new pu but they stepped up to the plate & didn t make getting the repairs conducted like running a circus

 []