Open Range, dealer, sued over 'lemon' RV

rvguide.com

Purchase a brand new 5th wheel for $64,000 and have this happen? I would certainly think twice about this “Open Range” and research before doing business with them. I’ve never heard of this manufacturer before.

Thanks to Rv News Service. A link to their site is provided below:

Posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at 10/23/2012 11:18:00 AM
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- An Alabama woman has brought suit against RV manufacturer Open Range, Co., and a local RV dealer in an 'RV lemon' case. Karen Lockhart of Lacey's Spring, Alabama says her brand new Open Range fifth-wheel hasn't been right from the start, and still isn't fixed after eight visits to the dealer.

The suit alleges that Lockhart bought the fifth wheel from Madison RV in October 2010 for $64,000; she also received a $29,000 credit for a trade-in. With the new unit came a warranty registration form indicating the dealer had inspected the unit's systems and found them to be OK. Within two days Karen Lockhart had the rig back to the dealer, complaining of problems with electrical, plumbing, and other issues, including "significant water leaks," and damage related to those leaks.

The suit says Madison RV's work order on the returned fifth-wheel included, "replacement of coupler coax, application of sealant, water line, repair floor, seal shower, adjust latch, repair trim, repair wiring, adjust door, repair hinges, leaking underbelly, ice maker water line is leaking, entrance door is not working, black tank is draining into underbelly, floor in underbelly is warped, leveling jacks lift rear wheels off the ground, leakage of propane."

The dealership turned the serviced fifth-wheel back over to Lockhart in November, but according to her suit, the plumbing still leaked and other mechanical problems manifested themselves. Adding apparent insult to injury, Lockhart says the black water system leaked into the trailer's underbelly. Back went the trailer. The trailer was returned. The entire process repeated itself on through 2011 and 2012, alleges the lawsuit, with Ms. Lockhart continuing to make payments on a unit she describes as, "totally unfit for any reasonable purpose for which it was intended."

Lockhart is asking for damages and a jury trial. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer had commented on the case, according to news outlet al.com.
http://www.rvnewsservice.com/2012/10/open-range-dealer-sued-over-lemon-rv.html
Comment from Larry Cook:
We bought an Open Range Journeyer 340 about 1 1/2 years ago. I've have numerous problems, some major, such as incorrectly installed rollers on slide outs, water leaks,
in general all due to shoddy workmanship at the factory.
Randy Graber, the owner will not speak to any retail people.
The "customer service" department is only able to keep people there for no more than 3 months at a time.
I requested a baggage door latch to be sent 3 1/2 months ago, and it still hasn't arrived.
Customers should be advised if you buy an Open Range, you should be aware, that your "warrenty" means nothing.
I've done my own repairs, and will continue to do so.
Sad situation, but typical of new RVs.
We are not newcomers to RVing, we've owner everything from motorhomes to folddown campers, so we've grown to expect this sort of thing.
It's a sad situation though when you spend a lot of money that you don't receive the quality that you are promised.
Sad situation