Structural Damage front Cap, slide.

[Geb]

I have a 2022 370FB Paradigm that has structural damage. Beware if the slide comes out while going down the road, it is probably do to the welds in the cap breaking. I have been at the dealership in Oklahoma for over 34 days waiting for repairs to be completed. I called Alliance the very first day and was told to take it to any certified RV dealer. I did that and they determined it was structural. Called Alliance back asking what I should do. Talked to Consumer Affairs, he said I had to go to a Alliance Dealer. I took it to Bob Hurley in Oklahoma City. The dealership has been great by the way. Alliance will not reimburse for any coast beyond the warranty for structural damage if you are still under warranty. I also would not count on them to be proactive to the issue without a claim number generated by the dealer under warrant work. ( this is the key ). If it doesn't show up in Alliances system as a claim they don't acknowledge any contact form the dealer or the consumer. My opinion is that they don't help much with this process, and it is what they need (claim number) to get parts ordered. There is a lot more to my story , most is communication issues again on Alliance in my opinion.. To me it seems that Alliance is not to worried about this. Today was the first time they contacted me without me initiating first or the dealer and I am not sure today was either. The GM at Bob Hurley called them.
You can see from the pictures the damage. Also while I am at the dealer 2 more units came in also with this issue . I have notified the NHTSA of this. I hope people see this and understand that this in my opinion is a huge safety issue. The Consumer Affairs guy at Alliance said the first day it was not. Can you imagine going down the highway and you hit some rough road the slide comes out and you flip the rig? WOW!

 

[BCM]

Not sure how the slide can come out on its own being a Schwintek. Even if it does, it will not flip the rig… the slide is only nine inches wide. Have you ever pulled the rig with that slide out accidentally? That damage doesn’t make sense otherwise.

 

[Geb]

Not sure how the slide can come out on its own being a Schwintek. Even if it does, it will not flip the rig… the slide is only nine inches wide. Have you ever pulled the rig with that slide out accidentally? That damage doesn’t make sense otherwise.

Nope never have and hope never will. Have you ever traveled through a wind storm out west or a snow storm with a slide out? I guess its up to the NHTSA to determine at this point. I guess your opinion is it can't cause an accident.

 

[BCM]

Frankly, who would be towing an RV with a slide out out? That’s just irresponsible and careless. Add to it crazy weather, which I wouldn’t be towing in to begin with. So is that the issue? You were towing with your slides out and now you have structural damage and want Alliance to be responsible for repairing it? Alliance aside, insurance won’t even cover that.

 

[Geb]

Are you misunderstanding? I said I would not. Read what I said. I said the slide came out while driving because of the structural damage. You brought up towing accidentally with the slide out not me. All I was saying was what would happen if it came out during transportation during those conditions. If you don't think a 16 foot long slide couldn't cause an imbalance in the dynamics of towing something 40 foot long down the road I don't know what or how to respond. Also many places out west have wind shears going trough certain areas even with sunshine and no clouds.

 

[BCM]

Ah ok. I definitely misunderstood. Again, the chances that a Schwintek or hydraulic slide could completely deploy in transit is close to null. Even the cable slides won’t fully deploy. They are the only breed that may slip a little and come out an inch or so, but none of the slide mechanisms will allow a slide to fully deploy in transit unless it was a catastrophic failure. And in the off chance they did, you’d see it and respond accordingly. And the chances of a wind shear hitting at that exact moment are even less likely. I own an RV repair company. The mechanics of the various slide mechanisms and physics prevent what you’re imagining.

Hi Lantley.

 

[Geb]

Physics or not I would not want to be on the receiving end if something catastrophic happening and someone being injured , or killed.
Best left to those much smarter than me.
My main point would be that if Alliance knows there is an issue why not fix it in manufacturing? Cheaper and a better product. I believe they know as many other manufactures do. It's not just Alliance

 

[Lantley]

There are all kinds of known issues with RV's. Veteran RV'ers know we are fighting a losing battle Certainly Schwintek slides have had their problems. But I'm not aware of there being an issue with slide outs deploying on their own. I imagine if this were a reoccurring problem word would spread fast.