outdoordb

Maryland

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Joined: 10/12/2007

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Have you tried calling Star Craft direct ? I had an issue with a unit that was 4 years old and I was not the original owner. I went right to SC and was able to get them to replace the section ( over $500.00 )if I installed it myself, they even sent me the new decals. Try calling Joyce ( in warranty ) @ 1-800-945-4787 Ext 214 Tell them your going to write how they do not take care of their customers and post it on every camping website out there !! lol Good Luck
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Chuck_S

Broadview Hts, OH, USA

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Sorry, but the bed door didn't delaminate this month without warning.
It was probably caused by leaks that were either ignored or never detected. Why is this suddenly the manufacturer's problem over a year after the warranty period? Choosing to not inspect the trailer or not fixing a leak appears to be the problem and that's the owner's. And will be yours and mine it we don't accept any responsibility for maintenance.
Why should Starcraft or Forest River or Fleetwood or some poor dealer "step up" and make my (or your) indifference or negligence good again?
Starcraft may, indeed do this (and I would applaud them for it), but the fact so many posters think they have any obligation here, or it's the "right thing to do" -- and the user is blameless -- astounds me. Read your warranty. It's a contract. If you don't like a one year warranty you can insist until you're blue in the face and it won't change; buy a different brand that has one.
Least anyone think warranty claims are inexpensive note that the sale of Fleetwood Folding Trailers last May included the assumption of $2,300,000 in warranty obligations which the new company has to keep in the bank to service warranty claims of trailers already sold.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
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Thoss

Concord, California

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Joined: 08/27/2006

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I'm awful sorry that the bunkend is delaminating. Oh course, I'd try contacting Starcraft. However, I agree with Chuck, the warranty has expired. If they agree to help, then you're ahead, if not, you'll have do make some decisions.
2007 Travel Star 23SBS
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mwebber78

New England

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Chuck_S wrote: If you don't like a one year warranty you can insist until you're blue in the face and it won't change; buy a different brand that has one.
-- Chuck
We can agree to disagree Chuck - I think we are both saying similar but different things. No excuses for poorly maintaing a camper, however some issues from the factory take time to show up and one year, IMHO, is far to short.
So with that said I agree firmly with you on the above commment - if you don't feel comfortable with a (1) year warranty then as I posted, seriously consider brands that offer standard or as a option a (2) year warranty.
Happy camping to all!
Michael 
2 DD's and my DW 
6 Acre's of Maine
2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB
2008 Chevy 2500HD Ext. Cab LT 4X4
Champion lil' yellow Chinese genset, 4000W
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Godsey97

Dayton,Ohio

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I agree with an earlier poster. Contact Starcraft personally and "feel them out". You obviously will have to be "PC" because you are after something that they have no real obligation to do. While I have not had any experience with getting repairs made out of warranty on a camper/tt/etc, I have found (on other things) that when they start out adamant that they won't fix a problem, if I am polite, and offer a compromise (they supply the bunkend and I pay labor as an example) they usually step up for good customer relations. I think it shows them that you do not have the "Entitlement Mentality" Chuck spoke of, and are willing to share in some of the responsibility of the situation. Just my $0.02. Good luck and let us know how it works out for you. As a side note, I have had experience with a dealer telling me that they have "went to the mat" for me with the manufacturer. I call the manufacturer and they speak a completely different tune. I don't know if the dealer was lying or the manufacturer realized I was serious and tried to same some face.
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LAdams

Northern Illinois

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Maybe if they would build them better they wouldn't have $2,300,000.00 worth of warranty claims!!!
I've been seeing these same issues since 1985 when we first started RV'ing... Yeah, call me stupid for my continued activity in RV'ing after all those years but then I pretty much fix all my own problems anyway...
The truth of the matter is until we the consumer stop buying this junk, or the government gets involved with federal regualtions, things like this will continue to occur - period!!! The RV Industry is a self-regulated body and that pretty much says it all right there!!!!
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
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2006 Nomad 3150 Double Slide (Bunkhouse)
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SLSAntigua

Pennsylvania

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Just out of Curiosity Chuck and any of you other posters, How many of you re-caulk that thin bead where your laminate face-board meets the outer metal frame on any of your bunkends? Please note, Chuck since you seem to be an authority here and assume that it is my fault that it is delaminating based on improper care. Dealer found no water damage but speculate that the thin bead of caulk at the base of the bunkend failed to repel water which expanded in winter storage.
The question arose whether the dealer should go to bat for me. They did to an extent. Gave me options which included contacting Starcraft myself.
Starcraft's roof is warranted for 12 years. The bunkend's tents are 7 years. But the caulk as well as the rest of the unit are only warranted for 1 year and if that is the final case then I'll accept it until such time it is ready for a new one or an upgrade. I really do like and enjoy this RV but I grow tired when something I really enjoy starts having issues early in it's life or life with me due to poor workmanship.
And Chuck, don't assume and speculate for one moment that this is neglect or an improperly maintained RV. This is simply not the case!
Steve, DW, 2 DDs
2006 Starcraft Antigua 215SSO
2008 GMC Envoy SLT
Voyager Brake, Reese WDH and sway control
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Godsey97

Dayton,Ohio

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Antigua, please let us know how it works out for you. We are pulling for you. I am hoping that Starcraft does right by you. Since there is no signs of neglect, not only by you, but the dealer as well, I hope they do right by you. We looked at a Starcraft Antigue 23?? (can't remember the model). I liked the floorplan a touch better than our 23B, but when we opened the door and walked in about 2" of water that was in the front 1/3 of the trailer, the wife said "Ain't No Way". end of story.
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shum02

Burlington, Ontario Canada

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Joined: 04/22/2005

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SLSAntigua wrote: Chuck since you seem to be an authority here...

I'll tell ya that area would probably not been on my inspection list unless something pulled my eye to it. I drove through a lot of rain and snow with our 235SBS over 2 year and that area never gave me problems. I did have some separation below the diamond plating where the Darko material did not fit properly and allowed moisture in. Pics are on my webshots of my repair that I did myself as I figured I could do a better job at it than my dealer. Seemed everytime I went out it was either raining on the way there or the way back
2007 F150 XLT CC 4x4 5.4L 3.73LS
2007 KZ2505QSS-F Outdoorsman
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Chuck_S

Broadview Hts, OH, USA

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Sorry for the speculation but water damage is cumulative, not instant. Leaks are insidious and not always obvious. Maybe I've been extra careful inspecting mine and heavy on the preventive maintenance, but we're still dry inside.
Don't confuse vocal for expert! 
Caulk is cheap. I did extensive touch up again this spring at the major joints -- and there are a lot of them. I did a preventive Eternabond taping of the roof-front cap seal two or three seasons ago. Wonderful stuff. Based on messages here I recaulked the clearance and tail lights on the trailer -- other insidious leak points. And I inspect the door seals and recheck for straps and bungees sticking out when closing up. I'll probably contact Forest River and buy the new, auxillary bed seals for next season. They're current black and white is rumored to be available soon.
Campers are a hodge-podge of assembled parts from different manufacturers. Each part is warranted (if at all) by whoever made it.
For example, Starcraft or anyother manufacturer doesn't warrant the roof. Or the refrigerator, or water heater, etc. Whoever made the roof film warrants it for 12 years, not Starcraft. Any roof warranty claims need to go to them, Starcraft's warranty is long expired. The roof warranty ends at the edge of the roof, so leakage aroung the roof isn't covered, nor are tears and other damage.
If you're leaving your camper out in the elements for the winter you're making a mistake. A good cover is about $200 and will keep the rain, snow, ice, and intense winter sun off the trailer. We covered ours the first winter so we could take the trailer south before spring.

A better solution is indoor storage. Local county fairgrounds costs more than the cover, but is totally out of the weather. SK's Jayco 23B on the right, the spotting crew (a 6-pack each gets a very protected spot!), and our Roo 23SS on the left edge of the photo.

These expenses need to be balanced with the expense of potential weather damage to the trailer. Can get expensive either way.
-- Chuck
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