Beware

[curlyontop]

Beware the Elkmont...My husband and I bought a 2010 in ay of this year and have had nothing but problems. We have had 5 (five) total leaks in only 2 (two trips). We are totally dissatisfied and would love to have our 1995 Coleman Sun Ridge back!!!!

 

[Scott O]

Welcome to the forum! I'm not sure this is a really good place to vent, but if you can give us some specific problems maybe the group can come up with some specific solutions. There is a tremendous amount of expertise here, so give us a chance. And don't give up on your TM.

 

[B_and_D]

I'm sorry to hear that you have had so many problems with your Elkmont, we saw a couple of them at the TM Rally in Petaluma in October and they are gorgeous. We noted that the people who bought them had some issues, but the guys at Custom RV (apparently our only remaining TM dealer here in California) were actively doing what needed to be done to rectify the situation. TM does stand behind their product, but it can be a hassle (and very disappointing) to have to drag it to the dealer for repairs instead of using it to go camping when you buy it. I hope you can get your leaks fixed without too much hassle and be on your merry way to the campgrounds soon.

Has your dealer been helpful with the repairs?

D'

 

[ib4classics]

We went on a factory tour this November and watched Elkmonts under construction. When they were completed each had a water leak test at the end of the assembly line.
They put an oscilating sprinkler on the roof for about 2 hours, near the end of which staff went inside with flash lights and took their time to look over every inch of the trailer.
This "rain fall" test may not have been a gully washer but it shows they check every unit that they build.
Our feeling is that as a family owned company, they stand behind their product and do care about their reputation.

 

[Nature Recorder]

I am the proud owner of an Elkmont since July and feel I should say spmething. I 'can say I have had no leak issues with my trailer. Living in the Portland area of Oregon we get our fair share of rainfall running from "gully washer" to light misting, from a few minutes duration to several days of constant pouring. On the heavy rains I will occasionally check the interior and have yet to find any rain induced issues.

You did not mention where these leaks were being witnessed. I have camped in some cool areas, high 30's low 40's, and have waken to small rivulets of condensation running down from the windows as it collects on their lower sills. I just wipe things down with paper towels as the coffee is brewing and the rivulets stop immediately. Or during a rain have left a vent partially open and the spray from the rain had found its way inside.

 

[rumbleweed]

Based on my experience I do not believe the leaks many people are seeing are due to poor workmanship, instead they the result of abuse. To clarify, the selling feature of the TM is maximum creature comfort at minimum weight / tow effort. To accomplish this, you give up some durability ( ie cant walk on roof) but still have a very viable home away from home. Many of the leaks I have seen, especially on new TM's appear to be the result of overly aggressive washing techniques by dealers. No one wants to pick up their new TM covered with dirt so dealers thoroughly wash them. Most dealers do not have PHD's in the wash bay. In an effort to speed up washing, washers sometimes use high pressure hoses or power washers like those used to wash Big rigs. This can easily loosen the seam caulk and cause a leak. I had several leaks on my new TM immediately after delivery and chose to remove and recaulk all the roof seams at one time . This was a little extra effort, but many heavy rains later not one leak.

 

[kenngeri2720]

We have had our Elkmont for almost a year now and spent a lot of time this summer camping in it. When we first bought our trailer there were a few items to be fixed, but no more than you would have with a new care or home. Our local dealer (The Car Show) fixed everything that was wrong with the trailer including a modification to the frame that was discovered after the first models were built that now have a shorter tongue (trailer to hitch). We have had no water leaks even with hard rain and cold snowy nights below freezing. This is a great trailer and I did not think they could get any better than our first TM the 2720.

 

[mkayers]

We've only been on one week long trip so far with our new Elkmont but haven't had any leak issues either. We love it so far.

 

[Redhawk]

I guess I'm always a bit skeptical when someones first post is like this one with little details and no quick return to answer questions.....if it's on the level, I hope they are at the TM dealer getting issues addressed and are happy.

 

[Wavery]

WOW!!!! My hope is that there is a mis-understanding somewhere and the TM has not been properly apprised of the extent of the damage.

It's stories like this that makes reputable companies over-night has-beens.

Please do keep us updated. I'm certain that TM will make this right. I would be extremely disappointed if they don't.

 

[Scott O]

Anyone else notice that this person has made only 1 post, and has not answered or responded to any of our offers to help? I'm smelling a troll...

 

[Scott O]

DC Randy has made many posts and was very happy with his first TM. I don't think he's a troll. I think he has a legimate complaint about leaks in his TM.

This thread was started by curleyontop, not DC Randy. It was his first and only post and he has not responded to any of our attempts to help him. I stand by my comment... I do think that DC Randy is a valued member of this forum, but I was not referring to him. I hope he gets his problems fixed.

 

[B_and_D]

I also think it's kind of weird when somebody signs up, makes one really negative statement and then you never hear from them again even though we try to help. I agree with your thoughts on that.

 

[Dave E]

We got our Elkmont in July 09. We have seen water running down the wall below the emergency exit window. Our dealer thought the water was coming in through some holes on the top of the window and put some foam tape over the top of the window outside to cover the holes. I don't believe we have seen the problem since that fix. We'll know for sure when the spring rains come here in Colorado.

How often should we remove the old caulk and recaulk everything on the roof?

 

[curlyontop]

Sorry to be so late to re-post. I am not currently at liberty to discuss this, due to legal litigation. Just wanted to stop the mud everyone has been throwing my way!!!

 

[Wavery]

Sorry to be so late to re-post. I am not currently at liberty to discuss this, due to legal litigation. Just wanted to stop the mud everyone has been throwing my way!!!

"Everyone" and "Mud" are big words.

I doubt that there are any "Criminal" charges pending against TM so if there are legal restraints against discussing this case, that would be quite odd. This type of rhetoric seems a little fictitious.

I'm not a big fan of TM's marketing techniques but your "Mud slinging" without any follow-up (other than this silly post) looks a bit fictitious also.

 

[Jim&Joan]

I stayed at a HI last night...

Actually, the terms of civil settlement cases commonly contain restrictions that are binding and control the level of information allowed to be made public. I am not so sure of where in the process this starts, but it seems logical that restrictions are put in place during negotiations. Otherwise, it becomes a 'barn door, horse' situation.

I do agree that the OP is presenting very troll like behavior and has lent nothing to the general knowledge of being a TM owner.

 

[curlyontop]

If someone will tell me what you guys would require of me to prove that I AM the owner of a 2010 Elkmont I will gladly provide the info. I just don't feel comfortable posting too much info on their site. You could always send me an e-mail to discuss privately.

 

[4Kids2Dogs]

Mistakes happen

You know, just because I am very happy with my TM and I think they are a great company doesn't mean I think they can make no mistakes. Even a good and reputable company is subject to human error. If someone inadvertently got a poorly manufactured unit, I would feel for them and I am sure they would be able to settle the problem with TrailManor. Elkmont is a new line. Surely there are kinks to work out. As with any vehicle purchase, there is the possibility of a lemon. As much money as a new buyer would have invested in purchase, I think they probably would be upset encountering the problems set out herein. While every vehicle purchase should be researched and entered cautiously, this doesn't mean that TrailManor Elkmont or otherwise are now on the "not to be trusted" list! Mistakes happen.
As for me, I would never want to give up my TM!

 

[Scott O]

curleyontop: I don't doubt that you have a TM or that you have problems. Neither is the point. To me, the purpose of a forum such as this is to give and receive information, to share opinions leading to solutions if negative, and to get information. Your original post did none of these. You posted and basically disappeared for 5 weeks. Your "litigation" notice should have been posted a long time ago, which would have explained your non-participation. Bottom line is that your original post caused a whole bunch of people to post helpful hints and otherwise try to help solve your problem. Seems that a lot of time was wasted by a number of well-meaning people.