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Post by navylcdr on Apr 5, 2021 5:26:52 GMT -5
Picked up our 2021 231VRL from dealer on March 20. Things we had to correct so far:
1. One screw missing from trim around fan in bedroom and trim was cocked due to existing screws not being screwed in straight. Redid all screws and added the missing screw, all good.
2. None of the window screens were clipped fully in place into the window frames. Some were very difficult to get clipped into place without breaking the clips. All good, but a royal pain in the rear.
3. One of the buckles holding the emergency exit window in place behind the couch had one screw stripped so the buckle was cocked at an angle and the arm inside the buckle was bent. Replaced the stripped screw with a machine screw and the different threads were able to catch in the existing hole. Straightened the internal arm in the buckle, adjusted the tension on the buckle and tightened both mounting screws, all good.
4. Leak under bathroom sink. Screw on fittings to the sink faucet not tight. About 1 more turn with channel lock pliers fixed it.
5. Leak at the water connection to the toilet. Same fix as #4.
6. Water leaking at the bottom of the fake plastic tile to tub under the shower faucet. Had to cut the RTV caulking, unscrew the faucet from the fake tile wall. Then same fix as #4. Re-caulk faucet.
7. Water pump was banging against wall. Had to take out two drawers in the kitchen cabinet under sink. Remove right side drawer rails and the panel behind the rails. Seemed to be the anti-freeze suction hose so tied it back so it didn't hit the wall. Now considering all the other leaks I found, I need to get back in that same area to check the rest of the plumbing under there for leaks.
8. Outside shower hose fitting to faucet leaking. Tightened that fitting.
9. Discovery package was supposed to include an upgraded Serta RV mattress. Found out our mattress is the cheap, off-brand hard as brick mattress. Still fighting with Venture RV over that. They claim it is a "substitution". I claim it is a downgrade.
Overall pretty happy, but Venture RV needs to do a better job with tightening their plumbing fittings.
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Post by jeff48838 on Apr 5, 2021 7:12:43 GMT -5
You mentioned window screens. You might want to check the splines too. I had to reseat several because they were not fully seated and were coming out.
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Post by WrkrBee on Apr 5, 2021 9:08:07 GMT -5
Glad you are handy. It pays when you are a RV owner.
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Post by navylcdr on Apr 5, 2021 23:48:09 GMT -5
You mentioned window screens. You might want to check the splines too. I had to reseat several because they were not fully seated and were coming out. What are the splines? |
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Post by jeff48838 on Apr 6, 2021 8:42:34 GMT -5
The rubber material that presses into the frame that holds the screen to frame.
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Post by navylcdr on Apr 8, 2021 23:02:56 GMT -5
The rubber material that presses into the frame that holds the screen to frame. Thanks. I'll have to look. |
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Jim
Seasonal RV’er
Ready to Camp!
Posts: 210
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Post by Jim on Apr 21, 2021 11:06:19 GMT -5
navylcdr,
Did you do all the fixes after you picked up your rig from the dealer? Just curious, because if you did, good on ya! and great to hear you are RV able.
I think it helps confirm that dealers are the weak link in RVing. Not saying that Venture could not improve quality check at the factory, I am sure they could. In consideration of leaks and things loose or coming loose, they may be ok when installed ,but after being on the road to the dealer, problems like this arise due to the initial transport of the rig. This is where my comment about dealers comes in. Our dealer, while not perfect in other ways, actually does a good job in catching and fixing things that happen between the factory and them. They thoroughly check for leaks, loose stuff, make sure all the systems work as they should. All 3 rigs we have got from them went trough the process, and we only have found a few things to be addressed, usually needing replacement piece from the factory, or supplier. I think if all of the dealers would do this, it would cut down the need and bad feelings from the owners about these issues when they go out for their first trips. Especially when it is the new to RVing owner.
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Post by navylcdr on Apr 21, 2021 14:09:42 GMT -5
Since the dealer is nearly 450 miles away, yes, I did all the repairs myself. Now I need to get back behind the kitchen drawers and under the countertop and straighten out that mess of plumbing again because it is still banging against a wall when the water pump runs making a heck of a racket.
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Post by WrkrBee on Apr 21, 2021 15:19:17 GMT -5
Since the dealer is nearly 450 miles away, yes, I did all the repairs myself. Now I need to get back behind the kitchen drawers and under the countertop and straighten out that mess of plumbing again because it is still banging against a wall when the water pump runs making a heck of a racket. This is a manufacturer issue, not something a dealer should have to correct, due to improper layout or untrained labor. Are you listening Venture? Glad you have skills to fix most issues. |
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marjim
Weekender RV’er
Retired EE, Vietnam Vet, God, Faith, Family & Flag. St. Louis area
Posts: 99
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Post by marjim on Apr 21, 2021 20:51:47 GMT -5
I have been in contact with Venture KZ (Sonic) division for customer service lately and they were helpful and courteous. On the other hand, labor has been a tough issue for all businesses and the building of RV's is not exempt. With Covid-19 restrictions coupled with available skilled labor it was only a matter of time until stuff like this happens and continues to happen.
Don't get me wrong, this is definitely a MFG issue. The orders for new RV's have increased and are at seasonal highs. Jumped from 200K units to 500K units for nearly 4 years in a row. (RVIA) However, like most MFG's the order schedule, build, ship from the factory and delivery always comes first. Going backwards to fix things (or even check things) is taking a back seat to pushing numbers.
I just retired after 35 yrs in machine tool industry. This happened in both in my old shop and with customers we sold to, the bean counters always win. Shove it out the door and we'll deal with it later. In my last 3yrs, I supported CS on electrical and programming issues and we had to provide feedback on new machines that were just delivered. We sent out a lot of parts and service techs to fix things that should have been caught in the shop first. But we had an ass for production manager who turned a blind eye to the comments and complaints of both techs and machinists. (He was finally let go) but the damage was already done. (After sales warranty service was up over 400% IN THE LAST TWO YEARS!)
If I'm not the only OG here, we should remember when new cars of the 60's and 70's came with a motto, Don't get a car made on a Monday or Friday! Those few decades allowed HONDA and other Asian car builders to shoulder past the big 3.
The fact that you're 450 miles from the dealer or service should not be in consideration. Dealers are also in on the payday rewards too! In my experience a well written and documented letter about the problems and your repairs could be parlayed into a discount or some credit towards a future item or service. If you don't let them know you are just allowing them to post a false success story.
Starting at the dealer and even a phone call to the KZ CS manager, using an objective viewpoint can make a difference for your and for us if we ever purchase a new unit or upgrade. Don't allow the builder to make even more of a profit off your unit, by having you fix it and them, never knowing there were problems.
My apologies for the rant. As a LCmdr you probably know this, but some might not!
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Post by navylcdr on Apr 22, 2021 14:32:41 GMT -5
I notified Venture RV of the wrong mattress in my trailer. They called me back and said it was a "substitution" but offered to send me a couple of hats. So that's how you respond to an unhappy customer, you offer to send them hats to advertise for you?!? I told them that putting in the mattress that they include as standard issue with their RVs when you are supposed to be getting an upgraded mattress is not a "substitution" it is a downgrade. I also complained to the dealer who said they would contact Venture RV and try to work it out and now neither Venture RV nor the dealer will respond to me.
I wish I would have taken the hats though. I would put a big red circle with a slash through it over their logo and sent them a picture of me wearing the "substitution" I made.
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Post by WrkrBee on Apr 22, 2021 16:43:29 GMT -5
I notified Venture RV of the wrong mattress in my trailer. They called me back and said it was a "substitution" but offered to send me a couple of hats. So that's how you respond to an unhappy customer, you offer to send them hats to advertise for you?!? I told them that putting in the mattress that they include as standard issue with their RVs when you are supposed to be getting an upgraded mattress is not a "substitution" it is a downgrade. I also complained to the dealer who said they would contact Venture RV and try to work it out and now neither Venture RV nor the dealer will respond to me. I wish I would have taken the hats though. I would put a big red circle with a slash through it over their logo and sent them a picture of me wearing the "substitution" I made. Tell Venture you want Jayco hats. Maybe they'll substitute with the correct mattress. |
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