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TIFFIN 38BB Nightmare - What to do?

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mrbicycle

RVF Newbee
Joined
Dec 4, 2022
Messages
2
First, I must say Bob Tiffin (when reachable, his phone number no longer works) was VERY helpful with us, in trying to get our issues resolved. And I REALLY wanted to love our Tiffin, we joined the club, and wanted to go to events...but things started going south with our December 2022, 38BB right away...literally in the driveway (we were stuck for the first two weeks after we got it!)

So after 2 1/2 years with a lemon, we're unsure what to do and could good advice.

Ricky Scott at Tiffin has offered to tow it to Red Bay, have it repaired, and return it to us, but we're at wits end and don't want the thing back.

It has broken time after time after time...we can't use it, nor sell it or trade it in.

At present it has one fully broken slideout a second that sticks, a cracked body by the front slideout (1 foot long, exterior that can let in water), and a second 2 inch exterior crack at the back by the full-length slide-out, broken tiles, and broken wood on the inside...and I think we've been through 3 or 4 slide-out pumps (last one replaced by Lippert last week, before they pressed "the button" and the body cracked. (Full list slideout/pump related below)

I'm wanting out of this vehicle, anyone have any good ideas how to do so, it was purchased in PA in December of 22'. Again, Bob has been super helpful, Ricky Scott was very kind, but I need to walk away from this....we can't use it, can't drive it, and each time I take the family out in it, it breaks...literally:

Here are the repairs related to the slideouts in question, there have been many more repairs and things that didn't work, like mis-wired solar panels, a mis-wired spider control board, and the wiring on the slide-outs being reversed (which burned out a pump or two)...

(We took delivery December 2022)

1. Day 1: Drove it home (1000 miles on it)→ slideout jammed. Stranded for 2 weeks in the airbnb driveway before strong tow truck people could push in the slideout and get it to the dealership... Had to pay for the two wees we were stuck in the driveway!

2. First "Fix": Replaced pump → slideout immediately tore tiles on retest.

3. Got it to Florida (now 3500 miles on it), where it got stuck again and had to call out mobile repairman to get the slideout pushed back in.

4. Leaving Florida, a slideout and jack seized at rest-stop on highway, burned out pump, and had to get jacks and slideouts pushed back in to get us home.

5. Bob sent a tech out, who said he couldn’t fully fix the problem, I believe replaced the second pump, and found crossed wiring with the hydraulics, after this the left controls pushed out the right front slideout and the right the left.

6. Couldn’t get booked at Giant RV before summer trip….was told it would be okay with crossed wiring…but slideout jammed in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, required more expensive repairs.

7. Back to Florida, finally got it to General RV (we stopped driving it because it would break each time)...when they opened the slideout it tore up the floors and they said something broke underneath.

8. They got it partially repaired but we had to leave town, so they but said there was a recall that needed Lippert…and that would have to be scheduled for our home (we were attempting to go to Vermont).

And Bob tried to help us by getting us into Connecticut Motor Cars and Coaches…requiring another 10 hours of driving – we couldn’t use it before General, when it was at General, and then the month at Connecticut RV…

9. Connecticut Motor Cars and Coaches said they fixed it, but when I asked them to show me it working, it tore the tiles right back up and they said I’d need to call Tiffin because it was a “new” warranty issue.

10. However, the next day the vehicle was due for Lippert in Vermont (four month wait to get them out...first in Florida--we couldn't time it right, then in Vermont)…the amazing traveling repair folk worked on it, thought they had it fixed, pressed the button to show me, and it snapped wood on the inside, tore up more tile, and then cracked the body on the outside both with the front slide and the main slide.

And then they found the front slide was so misaligned (installed off center, not cock-eyed) it was sheering bolts each time it went in and went out.

They believe it would need to go back to RedBay for significant repairs, and that water could get into the body if it rains at all.

At this point, we haven’t been able to use it at all this RV season…last season we kept getting stuck and with expensive repairs…

And before that, were afraid to use it. When we first got it, we kept getting stuck—and all along have been scared to use it for the very reason, the slideouts break every time we use them (which is why we have only 12K miles on it…we’ve been terrified of using it, and when we do, it breaks AGAIN).

Any thoughts on what to do, or if there are any known lemon laws that apply? Again, they're kind enough to tow it from Vermont to Red Bay, but then we lose what's left of this season (it's been at General RV and the Connecticut Motor cars for the majority of the season)...and we do NOT want to EVER drive this again and get stuck or have it break. It's ruined plan after plan.

Thanks for listening, and as a P.S. Thank God for the best service plan through Good Sam, even in Canada, or we'd still be stuck somewhere!
 
There is at least one law firm that handles RV Lemon law cases specifically.
Their website even has a "test" you can complete to see if your situation is valid for lemon law actions.
A simple google search for rv lemon lawyers should bring it up.

I'm sorry to hear of all your troubles. Unfortunately they are not unique and occur all to frequently across all manner of RVs.

I wish you luck!
 
If everything you are saying is 100% true, I find it unbelievable that Tiffin has not stepped up and replaced this thing. On the surface, it sounds like your rig has some deep build issues that will probably not get solved by replacing parts.
 
Any thoughts on what to do, or if there are any known lemon laws that apply? Again, they're kind enough to tow it from Vermont to Red Bay, but then we lose what's left of this season (it's been at General RV and the Connecticut Motor cars for the majority of the season)...and we do NOT want to EVER drive this again and get stuck or have it break. It's ruined plan after plan.

Sadly I don't think there is any legal solution, net of costs, that will be satisfying since you are out of warranty.

This will not be a popular opinion but I would consider just selling it as is for any price you can get. Somebody out there will likely want the challenge to rebuild it.

But the reality comes down to the wisdom of owning a Class A RV. As a Class A refugee myself the bottom line is that the pain is not worth the gain. They break a lot and the service is just awful.

What I have found is that I enjoy seeing American more with an Airstream trailer and an F-150 than my old 34' Newmar diesel pusher. This combination rarely breaks bad enough to ruin a trip (actually never happened to me yet) while Ford and Airstream service is everywhere, if it does.
 
My gain has been, and I expect it to continue to be, well worth the "pain" I've experienced so far. And, yeah, I've had some.

Different strokes for different folks.
 
Sadly I don't think there is any legal solution, net of costs, that will be satisfying since you are out of warranty.

This will not be a popular opinion but I would consider just selling it as is for any price you can get. Somebody out there will likely want the challenge to rebuild it.

But the reality comes down to the wisdom of owning a Class A RV. As a Class A refugee myself the bottom line is that the pain is not worth the gain. They break a lot and the service is just awful.

What I have found is that I enjoy seeing American more with an Airstream trailer and an F-150 than my old 34' Newmar diesel pusher. This combination rarely breaks bad enough to ruin a trip (actually never happened to me yet) while Ford and Airstream service is everywhere, if it does.
Lol, ha ha, sorry I will take my wonderful Newmar any day
 
Any thoughts on what to do, or if there are any known lemon laws that apply? Again, they're kind enough to tow it from Vermont to Red Bay, but then we lose what's left of this season (it's been at General RV and the Connecticut Motor cars for the majority of the season)...and we do NOT want to EVER drive this again and get stuck or have it break. It's ruined plan after plan.

Thanks for listening, and as a P.S. Thank God for the best service plan through Good Sam, even in Canada, or we'd still be stuck somewhere!
If the coach is unusable in it's current condition it does not follow that you'd be hesitant to allow the manufacturer to address the issues for fear of not being able to use the coach. If Red Bay is willing, you should jump on it. Furthermore, if the manufacturer offered to do the necessary repairs and you declined, it could affect any negotiations going forward.
 
I am sorry to hear of all your issues. I would certainly be at wits end with all these slide issues. All of this talk does tell me that I am going to keep my 2007 Coachman Encore 40TS for as long as I can. It has been an awesome coach for us. Truly this has been a great unit. We have had minimal issues aside from a pinched power cable the only other repair has been a clutch fan and a EGR fault. Please understand we have had to do regular wear iem repairs as would be expected such as; Replaced the dometic fridge with a resi fridge, I have replaced all lighting with LED fixtures, I have also replace all faucets with high end chrome plated brass units(this was really to update and get rid of the bronze faucets). I hope you can find some resolution and get to enjoying RVing as it should be.

I really like how you presented your dilemma. Very factual and not a crazy rant even though you have a reason to.. Good luck with this. Keep us posted on this journey.
 
First, I must say Bob Tiffin (when reachable, his phone number no longer works) was VERY helpful with us, in trying to get our issues resolved. And I REALLY wanted to love our Tiffin, we joined the club, and wanted to go to events...but things started going south with our December 2022, 38BB right away...literally in the driveway (we were stuck for the first two weeks after we got it!)

So after 2 1/2 years with a lemon, we're unsure what to do and could good advice.

Ricky Scott at Tiffin has offered to tow it to Red Bay, have it repaired, and return it to us, but we're at wits end and don't want the thing back.

It has broken time after time after time...we can't use it, nor sell it or trade it in.

At present it has one fully broken slideout a second that sticks, a cracked body by the front slideout (1 foot long, exterior that can let in water), and a second 2 inch exterior crack at the back by the full-length slide-out, broken tiles, and broken wood on the inside...and I think we've been through 3 or 4 slide-out pumps (last one replaced by Lippert last week, before they pressed "the button" and the body cracked. (Full list slideout/pump related below)

I'm wanting out of this vehicle, anyone have any good ideas how to do so, it was purchased in PA in December of 22'. Again, Bob has been super helpful, Ricky Scott was very kind, but I need to walk away from this....we can't use it, can't drive it, and each time I take the family out in it, it breaks...literally:

Here are the repairs related to the slideouts in question, there have been many more repairs and things that didn't work, like mis-wired solar panels, a mis-wired spider control board, and the wiring on the slide-outs being reversed (which burned out a pump or two)...

(We took delivery December 2022)

1. Day 1: Drove it home (1000 miles on it)→ slideout jammed. Stranded for 2 weeks in the airbnb driveway before strong tow truck people could push in the slideout and get it to the dealership... Had to pay for the two wees we were stuck in the driveway!

2. First "Fix": Replaced pump → slideout immediately tore tiles on retest.

3. Got it to Florida (now 3500 miles on it), where it got stuck again and had to call out mobile repairman to get the slideout pushed back in.

4. Leaving Florida, a slideout and jack seized at rest-stop on highway, burned out pump, and had to get jacks and slideouts pushed back in to get us home.

5. Bob sent a tech out, who said he couldn’t fully fix the problem, I believe replaced the second pump, and found crossed wiring with the hydraulics, after this the left controls pushed out the right front slideout and the right the left.

6. Couldn’t get booked at Giant RV before summer trip….was told it would be okay with crossed wiring…but slideout jammed in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, required more expensive repairs.

7. Back to Florida, finally got it to General RV (we stopped driving it because it would break each time)...when they opened the slideout it tore up the floors and they said something broke underneath.

8. They got it partially repaired but we had to leave town, so they but said there was a recall that needed Lippert…and that would have to be scheduled for our home (we were attempting to go to Vermont).

And Bob tried to help us by getting us into Connecticut Motor Cars and Coaches…requiring another 10 hours of driving – we couldn’t use it before General, when it was at General, and then the month at Connecticut RV…

9. Connecticut Motor Cars and Coaches said they fixed it, but when I asked them to show me it working, it tore the tiles right back up and they said I’d need to call Tiffin because it was a “new” warranty issue.

10. However, the next day the vehicle was due for Lippert in Vermont (four month wait to get them out...first in Florida--we couldn't time it right, then in Vermont)…the amazing traveling repair folk worked on it, thought they had it fixed, pressed the button to show me, and it snapped wood on the inside, tore up more tile, and then cracked the body on the outside both with the front slide and the main slide.

And then they found the front slide was so misaligned (installed off center, not cock-eyed) it was sheering bolts each time it went in and went out.

They believe it would need to go back to RedBay for significant repairs, and that water could get into the body if it rains at all.

At this point, we haven’t been able to use it at all this RV season…last season we kept getting stuck and with expensive repairs…

And before that, were afraid to use it. When we first got it, we kept getting stuck—and all along have been scared to use it for the very reason, the slideouts break every time we use them (which is why we have only 12K miles on it…we’ve been terrified of using it, and when we do, it breaks AGAIN).

Any thoughts on what to do, or if there are any known lemon laws that apply? Again, they're kind enough to tow it from Vermont to Red Bay, but then we lose what's left of this season (it's been at General RV and the Connecticut Motor cars for the majority of the season)...and we do NOT want to EVER drive this again and get stuck or have it break. It's ruined plan after plan.

Thanks for listening, and as a P.S. Thank God for the best service plan through Good Sam, even in Canada, or we'd still be stuck somewhere!
We had a 2022 38AB that was/is a lemon. Bought it in May of 2024 with 3000 miles. Wondered why the previous owners sold. First issue right away was bedroom slide was tearing itself apart. Had my high end RV shop work on. First 2 day shakedown trip passenger side slide tore up several floor tiles. When getting ready to leave front passenger Jack failed to retract and bent. Had to cut it off. Had my shop replace and they found loose hydraulic connection.
Shop also found numerous wiring issues like bundle of wires hanging 1/2” a live drive shaft.
Took it to Tiffin and left for 6 weeks. They worked on bedroom slide again, put new rollers in passenger side slide, replaced tile with a tile that almost matched.
Lippert at their expense put part in hydraulic system to fix the slide creep. But then the jacks would pop and drop at random intervals and finally stop. Not noticeable drop in height or level but it is pretty unnerving to be lying and bed and hear a loud pop and feel the RV drop.
Was looking to upgrade to a coach and made a good deal,on a new 2024 Allegro bus but in good conscience couldn’t pull the trigger.
We were done on the last trip when convection oven popped breaker on side of inverter, and it took a while to figure that out.
Fixed the problem when we traded for a new 2023 Newmar 4069.
All the repairs were out of my pocket because Tiffin said no warranty because I was second owner. All the issues were definitely created during the build, not by mileage, age, abuse, etc.
And left out the rear wheel seal going out at 7000 miles although that would be freightliner.
 
Seems like Tiffin is being built like Thor's now that they acquired Tiffin.
 

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