GoWieder's RV Story We have had 5 different new Motorhomes within 6 years. We began with a 1992 Winnebago, 32’ Itaska, which we had to take thru the Florida Lemon Law, due to roof water leaks and a few other defects. Received full reimbursement. Changed Manufacturers and went to a Fleetwood product. Started with a 1993 Fleetwood, 35’ Southwind. This too turned out to have roof water leaks, and few other defects. The factory had over 3 repair attempts and over 60 days out of service to no avail. The factory assisted a trade to a 1995 Fleetwood, 38’ Bounder. The Bounder too, had roof water leaks and a few other defects. Again, the factory had over 3 repair attempts and over 60 days out of service to no avail. Therefore, we decided to try the Fleetwood top of the line unit. The factory assisted a trade to a 1995 Fleetwood American Eagle (39’). What a disaster this American Eagle has been! We ended up with
BUT, the 1996 American Eagle is a repeat of the 1995 American Eagle and then some. Again, over 200 problems and we have been to the factory 3 times for service and over 70 out of service days within a year!
With ALL the Fleetwood units, the factory assisted us on trading them out. All our coaches were purchased in Florida but for this last one, from the ‘95 to the ‘96 American Eagle. This was to be an exchange only. The coach was picked up and traded at the factory in Indiana. The factory used a dealer in Arizona instead of Florida to handle the exchange paperwork, although, we were told the coach never was in Arizona.
While seeking Florida arbitration we got caught in a snag as to which state holds jurisdiction. Would it be the state in which you negotiated, state of dealership, or state where the unit was delivered?
We are Florida residents and now strongly believe the best state to buy a new vehicle is in Florida due to their Lemon Law Rights!
Here is a Review on both the 1995 and 1996 Fleetwood American Eagle 39’AF - 300HP Cummins, Spartan Chassis, Allison Transmission, 8K Onan Generator, Carefree of Colorado Awnings.
Plenty of storage space both inside and out. TV set up can be arranged for comfortable viewing. Good overall appearance, lots of little extras, BUT LOOKS DO NOT GET US OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY! BEWARE.
1995 American Eagle purchased 12/29/95 at Lazy Days RV in Tampa, Florida. With in the first 9 months incurred more than 200 repairs. Many items were repaired more than 3 times and some were never resolved. More than 68 days out of service, including broke down on the Alaskan Hwy with a bad Alternator during the 4th of July weekend. After filing Florida Lemon Law Defect Notification and giving Fleetwood factory 2 Final repair attempts, by December 1996, the factory agreed to EXCHANGE this unit. The major problem being Lower Storage Compartment leaks, Charging system malfunctioned - Inverter problems, Cruise control malfunctions, Breakers, Front end, Odometer malfunctioned, Windshield leaks, and Entry door problems.
1996 American Eagle
picked up at Factory, Decatur Indiana, January 22, 1997. Paperwork exchange supplied by Beaudry RV in Tucson Arizona arranged by Fleetwood Factory at Indiana. Because the coach was not ready upon arrival, we were delayed 35 more days and the paperwork wasn’t signed till February 17, 1997. Out of Good Faith, we accepted this NEW coach, now supposedly fixed.The first night staying inside this new coach, the shower pipes leaked. We mean,
LEAKED and of course by now it was a weekend. They had to replace the bedroom carpet; the back wall panel to the shower and sidewall panel in the bedroom. They had forgotten to seal the water lines.Still not knowing this coach would be a repeat of the previous one; we headed home to Florida. With in the
next 9 months over 200 repair items are incurred and some have had more than 3 repair attempts and still not resolved. By December 1997, there have been more than 70 days out of service, over 4 repair attempts from the factory in this 1996 American Eagle.Check out the many defects: Most of these have been repaired more than 3x. View Defect Photo Gallery.
Gauges hold moisture, Paint blistering, Pinstriping peeling, Dash A/C compressor does not work, Oven door bracket to oven broken (never Used), VCR cabinet hinge broken completely, Hot water heater malfunctions, Batteries are warped and bulging, HWH rear jack seals broken and the following MAIN problems exist:
COLD WEATHER REACTION:
POOR- Colorado in Dec/Jan. 1997During 1997 Christmas holiday, we went to Breckenridge, Colorado. There were many drafts inside the coach. We could only stay about 4 days because the
hot water heater kept malfunctioning and even with the RV properly vented (to prevent moisture buildup), ice formed on all the inside walls. The windows froze shut with ice all around the inside dual pane windows. Ice also formed on the walls in the closets where our clothes stuck to the wall. All the wiring down below had ice on them, and of course the water that was under the mats then froze, which kept the RV cold.Inside bedroom
wall deformed. (Delaminated)The
block heater wouldn’t work correctly, cause the outside receptacle breaker kept blowing a fuse. What a wonderful holiday we had. On the way back to Florida we broke down in Texas, NO power. Down to 5 mph, on I-10. We had complained from the start that there was little power going up small grades, so Cummins did some adjustments before we took our trip to the west. Then in Texas we lost all power - Closest service facility was 60 miles away, which took us 2 ½ hours to travel. Once there and 4 hours later, found out it was a cracked fuel pump fitting. We were told, must have been cracked for a very long time for it showed wear from day one. We need to take a moment and mention, that the Ozona Truck Stop facilities were very helpful. They had decent accommodations and Knowledgeable Mechanics available.SPECIFIC ALERT:
After spending so much time at the factory, we have seen many coaches with storage compartment leaks that are caused by the frame rails not being sealed. We are aware that all 1995, 1996, and early 1997 American Eagles all have lower storage compartment leaks, unfortunately most owners are not aware this themselves, unless they check their lower compartments after driving in the rain. Also, there has to be other areas that the water comes in at, since our frame rails have since been sealed, the gaskets around the doors have been replaced numerous times, and the doors adjusted. Needless to say, our lower compartments continue to leak even more so. At first they would leak only when driving in the rain, but after so many repair attempts now they leak just sitting in the rain! Most of the water is found under the rubber mats - from one end to the other about half inch deep with water.Kitchen and bath
floor tile lifting from moisture buildup below.There are several
cracks in the rear cap gel coat—by the taillights, ladder, back corners, around the engine doors. Many of these cracks have had repair attempts.Representatives for the
Onan Generator can’t figure out why the belts are shredding but we tend to believe that the alternator might be slipping or fan. But in the meantime, they just keep changing the belts (6 already) saying each time that the wrong one was installed. Sometimes the generator will not turn off.The coach
loses approx. 50 lbs. pressure within a few moments. It used to happen overnight, but now it’s immediately. Spartan can’t offer an explanation other than it’s supposed to be like that.There is an
Oil Spray Discharge.The
rear end (pumpkin) has been replaced once already, because of a howling noise and again it still exists. Excessive chassis creaking as well.Roof leaks
at both A/C units when it rains and leaks inside the cabinets where the large outside awnings are attached. After 3 repair attempts and cleaned each time, the ceiling once again has water stains.Large Awning
, after being repaired, now does not roll up.FLEETWOOD HAS NOT HONORED THEIR WARRANTY ON THIS COACH. We have not been reimbursed for warranty repair service fees to date.
October 1999 STATUS: FLORIDA COURT LITIGATION
RV is not safe to travel in, due to the loss of air pressure, HWH jacks do not function. Factory RECALL on suspension and tires to be replaced.
We are very dissatisfied and disappointed in the Fleetwood American Eagle! After owning 4 Fleetwood Coaches, from the basic to the top of the line, we would not recommend them. Fleetwood was, at one time, very accommodating by scheduling appointments. Always willing to keep trying to repair but when is enough, enough?! If it can’t be fixed within a reasonable amount of attempts it must be deemed a
LEMON.Pass the word.
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