Warranty particulars as of Sept, '14
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Forum Name: Warranty, Service and Recall Bulletins
Forum Discription: Have a warranty or service experience to share?
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5338
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Topic: Warranty particulars as of Sept, '14
Posted By: Luv2Q
Subject: Warranty particulars as of Sept, '14
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2014 at 6:41pm
Since we're getting ready to take delivery of our 171, I've been trying to bone up on warranty options and costs. Here's what I think I've learned, in case anyone's interested:
I couldn't find anything on the FR site that related to FR warranties ("contact your dealer") so the above is from the dealer's finance dept. BTW, the guy I spoke to didn't seem especially knowledgeable. First, he said I had to make my decision when i actually make the purchase. Then said I really had up to 30 days. Then said I could make my decision anytime during the first year (but I'd have to pay an additional $250.). Does this inspire much confidence? Me, neither. All things considered, I think I'm going to gamble that we'll find all the big things in the first year. Anyway, that will be just that much more incentive to go camping!  John ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2014 at 6:49pm
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Hope you like your 171 as much as we did....had one for 5 years. Only traded it in for the extra room in the 179.Happy Podding ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2014 at 9:27pm
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Forest River offers a 2nd year warranty from themselves for $150 for new Pods. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2014 at 9:57pm
If that's the parts-only warranty I mentioned, that doesn't sound like much of a warranty. Is the one you're talking about parts and labor? ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2014 at 10:15pm
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I never buy extended warranties, but I did buy the $150 2nd year warranty for the pod. The parts, especially for the imported fridge, can be way more than labor. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2014 at 10:54pm
When I first read this, I thought "Well heck, if the dang fridge breaks, I'll just go buy a new one rather than fool around with repairs." Then I went over to Amazon and priced some RV fridges like Dometic & Norcold. Quite an eye-opener.  They're proud of those things, aren't they? Makes the $150 parts warranty look pretty good!Thanks, Doug. John ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: 2McPods
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 7:00am
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We also purchased $150 extended warranty after pricing the frig. Unbelievable what that thing costs!! ------------- Everything Happens 4 A Reason Pat & Viki McCartney 2015 171 {2McPods} 2014 F150 Pittsburgh, Pa |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 8:04am
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Yup, especially the one they put in the pods. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 9:14am
it extends the initial 12 month warranty, it does not mention that it is only "parts" and it goes on to mention that repairs must be made by authorized Forest River repair centers etc. i've never seen anyone complain who has bought and used it that it only covers parts but then again not many people know about it. it's an often times lost piece of paper from dealers. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 1:02pm
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And often we've read here that dealers only mention/push the more-expensive add-on warranties that are backed by private companies. Which I can understand, they make money off of them. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 3:40pm
yuh, that get's brought up a lot as why that little sheet gets left out accidentally. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 4:36pm
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So do you purchase the extended warranty from the dealer or directly from Forrest River? Is there a cutoff time to purchase? Does anyone have a Forrest River contact? Our one year anniversary is coming up in a few weeks. I too have never been a big fan of extended warranties, but after dropping my iPhone (shattering screen which I repaired myself...ughhh) and buying a new $$$ home fridge cuz bad GE compressor after 5 years, I'm starting to rethink the extended warranty thing. They just don't make like they used too. Remember those old refrigerators that lasted 25+ years and those 1980's iPhones! ;) Thanks! fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 6:33pm
You should be able to buy the warranty through your dealer. But, you can also buy it through Forest River. There should be information in the package with your owner's manual, and you'll have 30 days to send it in. There will also be information from the appliance manufacturers on warranties they offer. I do suggest that you take a good look at Forest Rivers' second-year warranty - I think its a great deal, and I know many others around here do too. The other warranties (including dealer warranties)... well, make sure that you know what you're getting into - they might be right for you, they might not. But, its a great idea to contact Forest River ahead of time and ask. Check out the http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2747&title=misc-forest-river-contacts-and-other-info - Contacts thread (its in the Reviews and General Information forum). -edit- One caution: Forest River does not have a staffed call centre filled with agents ready to take your call. They've got two overworked people who do their best to answer the questions as they come in. It will take a business day or two (maybe three) to get back to you.
------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 7:29pm
The paperwork for the warranty says it needs to be sent in within 10 days or purchase. But I've seen a lot of times where the warranty lady extends that for people who have never heard of it or didn't hear about it until later. Coming up on your 1 year, I'm not sure about that though. Protection Plan Department 1803 Century Drive Goshen Indiana 46528 tel:+15745343167 -
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Posted By: rcamper
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 7:39pm
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just got my 178. check the back access panel of the frig drip line for condensation should come out of the back with a plug on it to keep heat from coming back into the frig. i know this because mine didn,t. the drip line was cut off to short so the drip stayed inside instead of going outside on the ground big problem if it leaks back inside the camper. the wholesaler i bought from never checked it out. fr said they are required to inspect the camper for 3 hours. unless your at the dealership watching for yourself they won't do it the evidence bears that fact. they like their customers to do the foot work with that warranty. my advice is put the pressure on them about problems that surface if you wait to long they will not want to deal with it ------------- gone camping |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2014 at 10:48pm
I don't think your drip line is to short, I think it just popped out of the drip pan. I made my line longer and let it drip out under the pod.
 ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2014 at 1:15pm
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*** U P D A T E *** Based on comments from several of you regarding the FR extended warranty (and recall that I was told that it's parts-only), I called Rodney at FR this morning. Long story short: For $150, your initial warranty is extended for an additional 12 months. Check is payable to Forest River. FR policy is that this be done within 10 days of purchase but, per Rodney, there often is a little wiggle room in that. (As many of you have pointed out, the dealer may not mention this policy.) Repairs under this warranty need to be done at an authorized FR repair center. You can buy this coverage through the dealer, or you can deal directly with FR. I'll be getting this! Thanks to all of you who have weighed in on this. If not for this forum, I'd have been left with the misunderstanding that it's a parts-only deal. (But, as TechnTrek observed, even that might be worth having when you see the prices of some of the gadgets in a Pod.) Regards, John ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2014 at 2:40pm
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Good info, thanks for the update. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: NormanHill
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2014 at 9:21pm
| We caved to pressure and bought the Good Sam warranty/coverage/etc. haven't used it yet. Quite pricey. Some folks swear it's been useful. We did get one year of good Sam coverage with the purchase from camping world - disclosed as an owner of Good Sam. |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2014 at 9:28pm
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We just passed one year with our 2014 178. We purchased Protective XtraRide extended warranty: Towable-New. Platinum plan. Pretty much bumper to bumper including slide out, appliances, AV, etc. 72 month term (6 years). $100.00 deductible. Can transfer upon sale for $75.00. Contract plan: $657.00 plus tax. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 5:08am
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I might have bought the $150 FR warranty- of course it was never mentioned by the dealer nor was there any notice of it in the paperwork. It was months after purchase before I found out about it. Of course the paperwork packet had no owner's manual or anything on the Schwintek slide system either.... ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 9:32am
Just received our transfer confirmation in the mail yesterday for our Salem. 1 1/2 years left on our 6-year warranty, $50 transfer fee under our older contract. I'm not one to buy warranties but I would have to seriously consider this one next time we buy, between the all-inclusive coverage plus towing, etc. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2014 at 9:34am
Have you tried calling the factory? Often they will allow exceptions and let you sign up long after the purchase. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Shadow
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2014 at 8:05pm
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Hi: We purchased our new 179 in August. And have been out a number of times since. However just used the "city water" input line for the first time last weekend.. It took us about 24 hrs to notice that the line was filling our clean water holding tank with enough pressure that once the tank was full the water was spurting back out of the tank fill spout with a lot of pressure. We took it into our dealer (Travel-Mor Ottawa) as soon as we got home. They couldn't find the problem on first inspection but decided to leave the city water line connected for a few hours as we had done in the campground. After watching it out for a few hours they realized that the check valve in the water pump was leaking allowing water to enter the tank. Once the id'd the problem they replaced the pump, no questions asked, under warranty. We had the trailer back in 48 hours. Excellent service and friendly too! And yes they had included the FR extended warranty in our package, and had pointed it out to us and recommended it when we were completing the sale. We purchased it within 10 days. We had purchased a used 151 from the same dealer 4 years ago and had nothing put exceptional service.  Shirley and Carol ------------- S&C 2015 R-POD 179 2010 Toyota Highlander |