Unhappy with my Viking PU.

[Sitting Bull]

I have a 1994 Viking PU, I beleive it's the 1706 model.  One of the plastic pulleys that operates the lift decided to give up the ghost.  Besides addressing the "what genious decided a plastic pulley with a metal cable was a good idea", there are some serious other problems I'm having with Viking.

The pulleys were probably designed to wear out prior to the cable, that's fine, as long as the pulleys are readily available to replace as a standard maintanence item.    There was such a demand for new pulleys, Viking ran out of the plastic ones (I'm assuming this is soon after they quit using this design).

So now...I can't get a plastic pulley.  But, thanks to Viking, they come out with a small metal pulley that fit's in it's place.  The problem...THEY WANT 41 DOLLARS FOR ONE PULLEY, and that is without a mark-up according to the supplier.  Come on guys, surely someone from Viking reads this forum...40 freakin bucks?  

If I were to change the all the poorly designed pulleys it would be a 400 dollar job!!!  These pulleys are about 1" wide and about 1/2" thick.  Does that really sound reasonable to ANYONE?  

I'm all for capitalism, Viking should not be forced to sell the pulley for a lower price than they want to...it's all about supply and demand.  But there is something to be said for reasonable customer service, as well as Viking sucking up some of the cost for their poor design.

I guess my whole point is...if you are looking at buying a Viking, keep in mind that you will get little to no support from the manufacturer, and from my experience, they will try to take advantage of you where ever they can.

[AustinBoston]

Your experience is not exactly typical.

But before you get too excited, you might want to check the Viking forum (from the main Arvee page, scroll to the bottom of the first section).  There was an extended discussion of a winch recall that I seem to recall had something to do with plastic parts.

They may have seen you trying to replace a winch part and did not connect that you might be able to get the whole winch for no cost.

Austin

[chasd60]

Probably not much demand for a pulley for a 13 year old popup.
It isn't cheap to make a few at a time. I would look for an aftermarket pulley that fits or can be modified to fit.

[Sitting Bull]

Probably not much demand for a pulley for a 13 year old popup.
It isn't cheap to make a few at a time. I would look for an aftermarket pulley that fits or can be modified to fit.

I would anticipate the demand would be fairly low.  The point is, it's a poorly designed system and Viking sure isn't doing much to help the problem.  They used this system at least up until 97, maybe further after that.  

It's a very common problem, from my discussions with Camper and Recreation, Cleveland RV, and Jasper RV - all Viking dealers and parts distributors.  One of the parts guys actually apologized to me about how much Viking is taking advantage of the situation.

As far as modifying it to accept a different pulley, I'm certainly more than capable of doing that.  Most of life I've built custom cars/Jeeps from scratch - so the redesign will probably be way overbuilt - but is "you should be able to redneck something else in there" an adequate defense for Viking?

[chasd60]

I think $41 might be high for a pulley, but the bottom line is if you need it you will buy it or or come up with another solution.
 
Not a defense for Viking but I think you can find thousands of poorly designed things out there. The manufacturer redesigns for improvement but doesn't necessarily give the redesign to all of the old owners nor do they feel they need to provide a cheap solution to owners of the older designs.
 
I think you will find the same results with 1000's of cars, trucks, appliances and other RV brands.
 
What you are experiencing is the norm not the exception.

[beacher]

You might find a suitable replacement pully from a McMaster's or Grainger catalog.

[Sitting Bull]

I noticed Viking is the main advertiser on the website, and they have their own manufacture forum.  Does any of their people post here?  I'm interested in getting their thoughts...

If anyone knows of someone from Viking that frequents this forum, could you please send them a link to this thread?

Thanks!!!

[AustinBoston]

I noticed Viking is the main advertiser on the website, and they have their own manufacture forum.  Does any of their people post here?  I'm interested in getting their thoughts...

If anyone knows of someone from Viking that frequents this forum, could you please send them a link to this thread?

Your pop-up is 13 years old.  If someone got this upset about a $40 part for their 13-year-old car, I would say "welcome to reality."  I think you've got things just a bit blown out of proportion.

Austin

[Sitting Bull]

Your pop-up is 13 years old.  If someone got this upset about a $40 part for their 13-year-old car, I would say "welcome to reality."  I think you've got things just a bit blown out of proportion.

Austin

Austin,
As I stated earlier...they used this same system beyond my model year.  So you would have the same problem if it were 9 years old, possibly younger.

My problem is that it's not a 40 dollar issue, there are 10 pulleys...it's a 400 dollar issue.  For the same price you can refabric half of a coleman pop-up, you can buy (10) 1" pulleys for a viking that weighs about 10 ounces total.  

Look guys, I didn't come here to make a bunch of enemies, just flat out, I think this sucks.   Typically, I am an extremely reasonable person.  There just comes a point when something is not getting addressed properly from the factory, and I posted my complaint.  If you guys really don't think this is an issue with the parts, I guess we'll just disagree what is reasonable that a company should do while it is still in business.  Even the Viking parts suppliers and salesmen are apologizing for the price before they even give it to you.


New pulley for a Coleman Camper...8 bucks.
New pulley for a Viking Camper...41 dollars, and all 10 were designed to wear out.


In summary...if I were a new buyer to PU's, I would weigh the above information heavily in my decision.

[Popupper]

The way I read it, you only have 1 bad pulley - pay the $41. and fix your camper.

[AustinBoston]

Austin,
As I stated earlier...they used this same system beyond my model year.  So you would have the same problem if it were 9 years old, possibly younger.

If that were true, your unit would have failed four years ago.

My problem is that it's not a 40 dollar issue, there are 10 pulleys...it's a 400 dollar issue.

All ten have failed?

If you guys really don't think this is an issue with the parts, I guess we'll just disagree what is reasonable that a company should do while it is still in business.  Even the Viking parts suppliers and salesmen are apologizing for the price before they even give it to you.

They apologized for the price, but what seem to you want is a 13 year warranty.

New pulley for a Coleman Camper...8 bucks.
New pulley for a Viking Camper...41 dollars, and all 10 were designed to wear out.

Have they?

In summary...if I were a new buyer to PU's, I would weigh the above information heavily in my decision.

If it's a problem to you, better not buy anything without a lifetime warranty.  Good luck.

Austin

[Sitting Bull]

If that were true, your unit would have failed four years ago.

From what I'm hearing from the parts dealers, that seems to be a pretty common age for their lifespan.  So...if you have a 1998 Viking - which most of us would consider a "newer model", you'll want to inspect them all.  They will be failing soon.

All ten have failed?

Some have failed, some are failing.  I get the feeling you think I'm lying to you.  Do you want a picture or something?  Seriously, I expressed my disatisfaction in a tasteful manner, I supported why I was dissatified with actual information and problems with my pop-up.  I'm not re-hashing others problems, nor am I stated any assumptions.  

Are only positive opinions allowed on this website?  You seem to have taken this thread on as an attack against you, so I would like to get your response to that question.  After you answer it, tell me where I was a smart-aleck, jumped down somebodies throat, etc. etc. and I'll apologize.  I stated a problem I was having, and that was not happy with their service.  

I have seen multiple posts of people asking "what type of pop-up should I buy".  Well, if it were me, I would take this into consideration.  You wouldn't?

They apologized for the price, but what seem to you want is a 13 year warranty.

I don't "seem" to want a 13 year warranty.  I would like to see a reasonable price for replacement parts.  Where did I mention a warranty?

Have they?

Great debate.  Let's ask the same question over and over again.

If it's a problem to you, better not buy anything without a lifetime warranty.

This is the smart-aleck attitude I don't understand.  I never said word one about a warranty, or word one that a pop-up shouldn't require some maintanence items during it's lifespan.  Anything made in the 1990's should still be well within it's anticipated lifespan, and the manufacturer should certainly still carry reasonable replacement parts for it.  

Austin, please please please answer this one question...is 400 dollars a reasonable price to replace pulleys that wear out with 10 or 15 years because of an admitted design flaw?  If you say yes it is, fine - we have a difference of opinion.  If you say no it's not - why are you questioning everything I say?  

I'm an architect.  I design things for a living.  When something doesn't last it's anticpated lifespan, my butt is on the line.  If I were to design a connection that rusted out in 10 years because it wasn't properly flashed on my drawings, would you then defend me so fervently?  

Sheesh man, your feathers get ruffled easily.  IF this isn't the place to discuss what's good and what's bad about certain models of pop-ups...what forum is?

[ForestCreature]

Sheesh man, your feathers get ruffled easily.  IF this isn't the place to discuss what's good and what's bad about certain models of pop-ups...what forum is?

This is exactly the right place to voice both good and bad about all makes. I think I understand your frustration...you want a reasonably priced fix, not an inflated one  and not a free fix.. you are venting, for 400 bucks I'd be venting too...and I was bit#%&> today to my husband about a $75 door knob for our door.

Every now and then AustinBoston gets his panties in a bunch for unknown reasons. Get out the popcorn

[Sitting Bull]

This is exactly the right place to voice both good and bad about all makes. I think I understand your frustration...you want a reasonably priced fix, not an inflated one  and not a free fix.. you are venting, for 400 bucks I'd be venting too...and I was bit#%&> today to my husband about a $75 door knob for our door.

Every now and then AustinBoston gets his panties in a bunch for unknown reasons. Get out the popcorn

Thanks for the advice then.  There are a few people like that on the Jeep boards that I moderate.  I'll take the high road with him from this point forward.

[gpn02]

I have had the same problem with my pulleys! I have a 1993 Viking!I went to a Ace Hardware and bought 6 pulleys for 2.59 each. I used a drill bit and a Bench vise and made the holes a little bigger and they worked fine. These were found near where they keep the steel cable.Just use some imagination. I got to tell ya I bet you never thought you would get such crazy responses from some people. But hey maybe they woke up on the wrong side of the bed this lifetime!! Anyways good luck Let me know if you need some advice with them I will take a few pics if needed....