Well... I have been a super fan of Winnebago for many years but now...
2014 Itasca Meridian 40U (bought April 2015 brand new)
June 1 we were getting ready to head home. I started to bring in the passenger side front slideout (Lipper slideout with Schwintek system). A motor started making a grinding noise. I let go of the switch... The top of the slideout did not come in and the bottom started to come in. The slideout was now tilted. I tried to extend the slideout but no luck. I called Winnebago Coachnet and they dispatched a mobile unit to bring in the slideout. Three hours later the mobile unit (1 person) arrived. He did not know anything... I had to lend him my manuals. Two hours later he atleast was able to extend the bottom of the slideout so it was not tilted as much.
June 2 I called Winnebago Coachnet again. They dispatched another mobile unit. This time with two knowledgable people. They removed the motors and with five people (I had to find two more volunteers) we were able to push in the slideout manually. Winnebago Coachnet setup a service appointment at an approved Winnebago warranty repair service center 20 miles away.
June 3 I arrive at the warranty repair service center. Eight hours later they tell Winnebago that they need to order motors, tracks and seals. Winnebago gives the approval. The warranty service center will order the parts the next day since the manager who does the ordering is home sick.
June 4, I call the warranty service center to make sure the parts were ordered. They were. It will take 2+ weeks. WHAT??? I was told I could call Winnebago and get the parts expedited. I call Winnebago and they said they would check into it. I get a call back three hours later. Lipper has to make the parts and freight the parts to the service center. Sorry but at least two weeks.
Ironically, from talking to the mobile units that came to my aid, and the service technicians, and Google, I have learned that this is a very well known issue with Winnebago and Lipper. I was told, it is not a matter of "will the slideout fail" but "when will the slideout fail." Now it makes me wonder why Winnebago has not recalled the RV's with the Lipper slideouts and made the upgraded repairs? Because of that, I am stuck for 2+ weeks waiting for parts, then 2 days for repairs where I will have to stay in a motel. At least I do have my coach to sleep in until the parts arrive, but it is costing me $55.00 per day camping fees when I could be home at no additional cost.
I have tried to call Winnebago (late afternoon) June 4 and after one hour of hearing "all technicians are busy", I hung up and decided to wait until June 5. I vowed not to give up; however, after a two (yes... two) hours of hearing "all technicians are busy" I hung up. I called two more times and after long waits, I have still to get ahold of Winnebago. Hopefully I will get lucky and talk to someone at Winnebago tomorrow (Monday). My expenses are growing quickly. I had to pay for the labor of the two mobile units (so far $302.00 out of pocket), and now the $55 per day.
So... now you know. I guess in 3 weeks this aggravation will be history and I will be a Happy Camper heading home
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