Bill&Anneli Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) We had a traumatic drive last week.... came to find out that the air valve control arm was ZIP TIED (!?!?!?!?) instead of bolted on as it should be. The zip tie broke, so the air control valve arm was just hanging there. Because we were not fully aired up we a lot of things happened - water leak, coolant leaking to the chassi control board which is now damaged, internal "house" damage (cracked tile) etc etc. Needless to say, nobody thinks its their responsibility...(We have an extended warranty thru Wholesale warranties, still waiting to find out what, if anything they will pay for.) We have a 2019 Newmar Ventana, 3717 on a Freightliner Chassi, cummings engine. My question is, does anyone know how the chassi is delivered to the manufacturer - ie is this air valve control arm zip tied at FL, so the manufacturer (NM) can bolt it down after they add their components to the system ? How would one go about finding out ? what other mechanical issues (that we can't see) should we be worried about (driveability, safety) etc? we are scared to take this thing on the road now.... Any suggestions of where to turn is appreciated, thanks ! Edited September 4, 2020 by Bill&Anneli update on events Quote 2019 Newmar Ventana, pulling a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 Attaching the air springs air control valve is something the chassis mfgr, must do, IMO. Otherwise, how would they get the chassis to Newmar??? Quality control at the Freightliner factory was MIA that day. If it is a rear ride height control, have the driveshaft and both yokes inspected for damage from the incorrect angle. Newmar might need to reset ride height, but I doubt they would remove the bolts and use a zip-tie instead. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 You need to contact Freightliner and get reimbursement for your damage. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydrvr Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 7 hours ago, 2gypsies said: You need to contact Freightliner and get reimbursement for your damage. Judging by the title of this thread, they're not having any luck with that. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydrvr Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 9 hours ago, Ray,IN said: Attaching the air springs air control valve is something the chassis mfgr, must do, IMO. Otherwise, how would they get the chassis to Newmar??? Quality control at the Freightliner factory was MIA that day. If it is a rear ride height control, have the driveshaft and both yokes inspected for damage from the incorrect angle. Newmar might need to reset ride height, but I doubt they would remove the bolts and use a zip-tie instead. The chassis are delivered to Newmar in stacks of a half dozen or so at a time on a double drop trailer. They're only driven around the yards a few hundred feet, or so. It would be easy for someone to reattach the ride height valve with a zip tie to move around the yard, but then the likelihood of forgetting all about it is off the charts high. It may be time to consider a lawsuit. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinbob Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 If no one excepts responsibility then you need to ask yourself is $xxxxx.xx worth getting an attorney. Quote 2006 Elite Suite 36TK32001 F-550 Starhaulerwww.mytripjournal.com/elitesuitestravelsIN GOD WE TRUST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 (edited) 14 hours ago, Bill&Anneli said: How would one go about finding out ? I would start by contacting Freightliner. While it may not be easy, I would also avoid doing so in anger and rather approach them asking for their help. I know that many suggest starting with lawyers and such, but my experience has been that aggressive people seldom have much success, while customers in need usually do if there is anything that the company can do to help. To me, a lawyer is a person of last resort. I EDIT: I might add that I spend 32 years in customer service with a major manufacturing company and it was their policy to go well beyond the normal warranty if it would salvage the tie for a previously happy customer. We were often told that it usually cost us less to keep a present customer happy than it did to acquire a new customer to replace an unhappy one. Edited August 31, 2020 by Kirk W Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 20 minutes ago, Kirk W said: I would start by contacting Freightliner. While it may not be easy, I would also avoid doing so in anger and rather approach them asking for their help. I know that many suggest starting with lawyers and such, but my experience has been that aggressive people seldom have much success, while customers in need usually do if there is anything that the company can do to help. To me, a lawyer is a person of last resort. X2! Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 (edited) Can you tell us what do you mean by zip tied.. I have seen manufactures zip tie the rubber end to attach to the leveling rod. Attached is a picture of one using hose clamp, but I have seen them attached with zip ties as well. https://www.raneystruckparts.com/volvo-air-suspension-leveling-rod-3934525/?sku=82222&msclkid=4e1d9fbe0f7e196ee8adc0f348202ed4&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(ROI) Shopping - General&utm_term=4579191054665439&utm_content=Big Rigs Edited August 31, 2020 by dennisvr Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted August 31, 2020 Report Share Posted August 31, 2020 How about doing a post on iRV2.com site? There's a very active Newmar owners site and also a Freightliner chassis site. Perhaps someone has had the same issue although I've never heard of this. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill&Anneli Posted September 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2020 Thanks for all your replies. So far we are jumping thru the hoops with Freightliner, providing photos etc. I will say one thing, their customer service representative is very professional, knowledgeable about her product and knows her own processes very well; and she follows up with phone calls and replies to e-mails within the time frames she commits to. And yes, searched iRV2, can't really find anything similar, from what we understand this is not a common occurrence. There is a lot of info out there regarding how to repair (mostly on trucks). On our coach everything is pretty much encased and protected from the elements so we can't really access or see much of this stuff by even laying under the coach with a flash light. And sorry Dennisvr, I can't really provide any more detail. All I know is the arm was not bolted on as it should be (the Freightliner technician did not take photos, just went ahead and attached the arm with a bolt). Freightliner told us the air control arm is bolted on at Freightliner before shipping to the manufacturer. We also plan to discuss the issue with Newmar, as there should also be some responsibility there. Newmar supposedly does their own safety/inspection when the chassi is delivered to them, AND, more importantly, BEFORE the coach leaves their factory.... the right people at Newmar are not as easy to get in touch with as Freightliner, so we hope to talk to Newmar tomorrow. We'll see where this mess ends, I will keep you posted, please keep us in your prayers. Thank you ! Quote 2019 Newmar Ventana, pulling a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted September 3, 2020 Report Share Posted September 3, 2020 8 hours ago, Bill&Anneli said: the right people at Newmar are not as easy to get in touch with as Freightliner, so we hope to talk to Newmar tomorrow. Just over a year ago, Newmar was purchased by Winnebago Ind. This will be of great interest so please keep us posted. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill&Anneli Posted September 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2020 As an update, Newmar lives up to their reputation, and stands behind their brand. Today we spoke with the Customer service manager at Newmar, and he stated that they have what they call "seamless service". Meaning, Newmar works out issues directly with Freightliner, leaving us, the customer out of the middle. We are a few months out of warranty with Newmar, but still under warranty with Freightliner. Newmar has approved the entire claim today. We ofcourse don't know how Newmar and Freightliner work that out on their end, which is the whole point of seamless service. We are very grateful that Newmar is treating us the way we were told they would when we purchased their brand. Newmar has proven to us that they are standing behind their product. Quote 2019 Newmar Ventana, pulling a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblr Posted September 4, 2020 Report Share Posted September 4, 2020 Sounds like things are settled for the best, glad to see it worked out and they stood up when something was wrong, CONGRATS!!!!!!!!! Quote 2017 River Stone Legacy 38MB 2001 T2000 Kenworth 2009 Smart Passion ET Junior hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted September 4, 2020 Report Share Posted September 4, 2020 That's great news. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted September 4, 2020 Report Share Posted September 4, 2020 3 hours ago, Bill&Anneli said: Newmar has proven to us that they are standing behind their product. Which they have always had a reputation for. Winnebago is similar so hopefully their purchase of Newmar will have little impact. Thank you for letting everyone know. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted September 4, 2020 Report Share Posted September 4, 2020 Great to hear that! I really hope you don't give up your dream of full-timing for a while. Give it another try!! Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jblo Posted November 24, 2022 Report Share Posted November 24, 2022 Tremendous news in this day/age of deteriorating customer service. Not sure how the Tiffin/Thor deal will play out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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