Have AI to do a search floor problems with Open Range before you buy!!!

[Sold Junk]

Warning for Potential Open Range / Highland Ridge Buyers: Check Your Floors Carefully!​

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share my experience with a serious floor problem in my Open Range trailer in the hopes of helping others avoid the same situation. I bought my trailer new, excited to join the RV community. However, a major issue became apparent very quickly, even if I didn't realize the full extent of it at the time.

Just two days after I brought the trailer home, I noticed waves in the vinyl flooring near the slide-out. I took a picture of it because it looked odd. When I asked the dealership about it, I was told it was "just the vinyl settling" and nothing to worry about (Tavers RV O'Fallon, Mo. ). I trusted their word and didn't push the issue.

Fast forward to after the warranty had expired, and the "waves" turned into a significant structural problem. The floor became soft and spongy, a clear sign of a much more serious issue than just vinyl settling. It turns out the initial "waves" were likely the first sign of a defect that would only get worse with time.

When I contacted Highland Ridge RV (the manufacturer of Open Range), they informed me that since the warranty had expired, they would not do anything to cover the repair. I showed them the picture I took two days after purchase, which clearly shows the condition of the floor while the trailer was still under a full warranty. My argument was that this was a pre-existing condition that was present from the moment of purchase, but they still refused to help.

This is my cautionary tale: a known problem was dismissed by the dealer, and now the manufacturer is using the expired warranty to avoid responsibility. It has cost me $3500.00 to replace the slide out floor. Recently an Authorized RV repair dealer told me the whole floor needs to be replaced due to the original problem which will now cost me thousands.

My advice to anyone considering a new or used Open Range or Highland Ridge trailer is to do a very thorough inspection.

1. Check the floors meticulously. Walk on every square inch, especially around slide-outs, the kitchen, and the bathroom. A "soft" or "spongy" floor is a major red flag.
2. Document everything. If you see anything that looks wrong, no matter how small, take photos and videos. Get the dealership to acknowledge the issue in writing and make sure it is noted on your repair order, even if they say it's normal.
3. Read the warranty carefully and understand its limitations.

I'm posting this to warn others to be vigilant and to know that these floor problems have been a persistent issue for many owners, often with little to no help from the manufacturer once the warranty period is over.

If you have experienced a similar issue, please share your story. Let's make sure our fellow RVers are informed consumers

 

[JKJavelin]

Less than a year ago we had our entire floor replaced in the living area which cost a fortune. I think all companies build these things similar to each other. In our case, if you look up above the tires, between the I-beam frame and the outside trailer wall the bottom of the floor is covered with a fabric/tarp material called Darco. That's all that's protecting the plywood floor from debris (ours has sheet metal fenders that might help some, but many trailers don't have any fenders). If road debris or stones puncture that Darco, water will get in. As part of the repair, the shop installed some aluminum sheet metal to cover the bottom of the Darco above the tires.
Water can get in past the seals if they weren't installed correctly, so maybe that was your issue. Ours is a 2016, so quite a bit older. Too bad Jayco and your dealer wouldn't step up and take care of you with something relatively new.
JK

 

[Dog001!]

Warning for Potential Open Range / Highland Ridge Buyers: Check Your Floors Carefully!​

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share my experience with a serious floor problem in my Open Range trailer in the hopes of helping others avoid the same situation. I bought my trailer new, excited to join the RV community. However, a major issue became apparent very quickly, even if I didn't realize the full extent of it at the time.

Just two days after I brought the trailer home, I noticed waves in the vinyl flooring near the slide-out. I took a picture of it because it looked odd. When I asked the dealership about it, I was told it was "just the vinyl settling" and nothing to worry about (Tavers RV O'Fallon, Mo. ). I trusted their word and didn't push the issue.

Fast forward to after the warranty had expired, and the "waves" turned into a significant structural problem. The floor became soft and spongy, a clear sign of a much more serious issue than just vinyl settling. It turns out the initial "waves" were likely the first sign of a defect that would only get worse with time.

When I contacted Highland Ridge RV (the manufacturer of Open Range), they informed me that since the warranty had expired, they would not do anything to cover the repair. I showed them the picture I took two days after purchase, which clearly shows the condition of the floor while the trailer was still under a full warranty. My argument was that this was a pre-existing condition that was present from the moment of purchase, but they still refused to help.

This is my cautionary tale: a known problem was dismissed by the dealer, and now the manufacturer is using the expired warranty to avoid responsibility. It has cost me $3500.00 to replace the slide out floor. Recently an Authorized RV repair dealer told me the whole floor needs to be replaced due to the original problem which will now cost me thousands.

My advice to anyone considering a new or used Open Range or Highland Ridge trailer is to do a very thorough inspection.

1. Check the floors meticulously. Walk on every square inch, especially around slide-outs, the kitchen, and the bathroom. A "soft" or "spongy" floor is a major red flag.
2. Document everything. If you see anything that looks wrong, no matter how small, take photos and videos. Get the dealership to acknowledge the issue in writing and make sure it is noted on your repair order, even if they say it's normal.
3. Read the warranty carefully and understand its limitations.

I'm posting this to warn others to be vigilant and to know that these floor problems have been a persistent issue for many owners, often with little to no help from the manufacturer once the warranty period is over.

If you have experienced a similar issue, please share your story. Let's make sure our fellow RVers are informed consumers

I'm so sorry that's horrible. I have a 2019 323rls open range and my bathroom and dinning kitchen areas have many soft spots. Bathroom is very weak. None caused by water damage... also just noticed a leak in the back of the water heater that I'm not able to even get to I thought we were going to have this for years but the cost of fixing all this will, probably have to sell it cheap