melvinshapiro
Three Forks, MT
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Joined: 09/10/2007
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I am stuck in Anchorage. Driving a 2003 Country Coach, with 35,000 miles on it, we experienced a complete engine/transmission radiator cooler failure causing the Allison Transmission to be ruined. This expensive failure was caused by the integral engine radiator transmission cooler failing, allowing engine coolant to enter and destroy the Allison Transmission. Apparently (discovered by a web search) this has happened to a number of other folks driving Country Coach motor homes.
The bill for this damage is in excess of $15,000.00. The radiator is made of aluminum and a revised part has been designed to prevent future failures, but Country Coach has not informed owners of the potential failure of the original design. Had they, we could have saved the $7,000.00 Allison rebuild charges. This is a gross failure on the part of Country Coach. Country Coach denies any responsibility. It could not be blamed on lack of maintenance since scheduled transmission service is at 100,000 miles and the sudden failure of the radiator/transmission cooler instantly destroys the transmission. The cost of a new radiator is over $5,000.00. Of course, labor, flushing and new coolant and tranny fluid costs, and shipping charges for these heavy bulky parts have to be added-in. These are not small expenses...... totaling additional thousands of dollars.
Adding insult to injury, Country Coach has no parts on hand. Neither does their supplier. Since this is an OEM part, their supplier will not sell the part directly to us, the users. Country Coach wants their pound of flesh in spite of having caused the problem via a faulty design and then failure to notify owners of the failure potential.
We will become very familiar with Anchorage since Freightliner has informed us to expect a 4 week wait on the necessary part. This behavior on the part of Country Coach is completely unacceptable.
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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I don't think Country Coach is responsible for the power plant side of the coach. I think you might be better to aim you guns so to say a Freightliner. 36,000 Miles should be well within there warranty period. But then I'm not the one up to waist in problems. But I know if I were in your shoes, I would be talking to manufacture of the chasse not the coach. JM2Cents Bill
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JohnJr
Temecula, Ca
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Joined: 12/17/2007
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I just talked to a guy in S. Cal that had the same thing happen to him with a 2003 Monaco Dynasty.
He had the radiator repaired for about $1500. The transmission was flushed and he got back to S. Cal from Bakersfield but the transmission was slipping and needs to be replaced.
JOHN and DALE
JAVA and LUCY (Mini Australian Shepherds)
1996 MONACO DYNASTY 34"
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closed
Denver ,Colo
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Joined: 07/18/2001
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The chassis on Country Coach rigs are built by Country Coach. I am surprised that, if there have been other failures of this type, that such a defect hasn't been the subject of a recall. Someone needs to check into CC and find out what their official position is.
* This post was
edited 07/24/08 08:48am by an administrator/moderator *
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tomlang
Los Angeles area
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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I wouldn't be so fast to blame Freightliner. I believe this is a Country Coach (Dynomasx?) chassis, not a Freightliner chassis. The OP went to Freightliner for repairs.
One reason to buy from a coach manufacturer who uses their own chassis is that less finger pointing takes place when a component fails. If this had a Freightliner or Spartan chassis, Country Coach would be pointing fingers at the chassis manufacturer rather than simply saying it's not their fault.
Tom and Lynne
Tom is an Electronics Engineer, Lynne a retired teacher.
2003 Foretravel 38' U295
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mikehart92
Oklahoma
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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You posted this same thing just a few days ago.
Seems all of your posts are just complaining about your rv in one way or another. You haven't gotten in on any other discussions.
Is this real or are you just trolling.
If you are on the up and up, I am sorry for all you are going thru and hope it gets resolved with min out of you pocket and quickly. It just seems a little fishy.
Mike
2005 Chevy 2500HD.............6.6 D/A, 4x4, Crew Cab
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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I guess he's kind of dumb founded at the cost. LOL... I know I would be talking to myself also. Kind of like that old saying, the difference between men and boys is the price of the toys. I do hope they get those parts to him soon. There is only so much to do on 4th Avenue and Anchorage gets pretty small pretty fast. Good Luck melvin hope things work out for you.
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fourfurz
Memphis
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Joined: 03/23/2008
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tomlang wrote:One reason to buy from a coach manufacturer who uses their own chassis is that less finger pointing takes place when a component fails. If this had a Freightliner or Spartan chassis, Country Coach would be pointing fingers at the chassis manufacturer rather than simply saying it's not their fault.
One reason to buy from a manufacturer that uses a standard chassis is you'll have that manufacturer stand up for you when you've got a problem rather than just shrugging their shoulders and leaving you high and dry.
2007 Mountain Aire 4528
2006 CRV SE
Based in Memphis area
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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tomlang wrote:I wouldn't be so fast to blame Freightliner. I believe this is a Country Coach (Dynomasx?) chassis, not a Freightliner chassis. The OP went to Freightliner for repairs.
One reason to buy from a coach manufacturer who uses their own chassis is that less finger pointing takes place when a component fails. If this had a Freightliner or Spartan chassis, Country Coach would be pointing fingers at the chassis manufacturer rather than simply saying it's not their fault.
And THEY would have told him the exact same thing. When did anyoine ever see a radiator MADE BY Freightliner? Or a tranny made BY them.
ALL of these coach builders BUY PARTS and assemble them..some better than others! Beyond a doubt this rad/tranny cooler combo isnt made JUST FOR CC ALONE...others are most probably using the same basic design..and if ONE FAILS...then they are ALL prone to fail.
After all..he COULD HAVE purchased a National..or a Travel Supreme..or a ...should I go on??
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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fourfurz wrote:tomlang wrote:One reason to buy from a coach manufacturer who uses their own chassis is that less finger pointing takes place when a component fails. If this had a Freightliner or Spartan chassis, Country Coach would be pointing fingers at the chassis manufacturer rather than simply saying it's not their fault.
One reason to buy from a manufacturer that uses a standard chassis is you'll have that manufacturer stand up for you when you've got a problem rather than just shrugging their shoulders and leaving you high and dry.
I agree. If you buy a DP with a chassis built by the DP manufacturer you're stuck with their response. CC shrugs it's shoulders and you're out $15K. Perhaps more before all is said and done. But, if you buy a DP with a Freightliner or Spartan chassis you have better access to parts and service.
I recall that both Monaco and CC bought integrated radiator/CAC/transmission coolers from the same supplier (Sacramento, CA  ) There have been many problems with these cooling systems and I know Monaco did have a program for replacing them. But, like many such design and engineering snafus, if the unit gets through the warranty period the owner tends to be on their own.
The integrated cooling systems currently used do not contain common coolant tanks so they aren't subject to this kind of problem.
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
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