Wood Roof Struts - Not Part of The Structure? Warranty Issue

mthorson

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Feb 11, 2021
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Wood Roof Truss - Not Part of The Structure? Warranty Issue

Hey folks!

GD enthusiast here.. 2nd GD owner. Question for the experts.. I have a 2021 2910BH. I have had it for just over a year now, used about 5 times, stored indoors. I recently had the 2nd AC installed in the front at a GD retailer/service shop, and during that install, they noted one of the wood roof trusses on my trailer was broken (the horizontal wood bracing under the roof). I am deathly afraid of heights, I hate roofs, or I would have installed the 2nd AC unit myself, I have never set foot on the roof. So that means either it came from the factory with a broken strut, or it was broken by the dealership while installing the AC.

No worries from me right, this is under warranty right? There is a 3 year structural warranty. Well, the dealer told me GD said to open the interior roof panel to get a look at the broken truss to validate the issue which they supposively did. The service advisor just called and said GD offered 20 hours of work as the roof would have to be replaced, but the service advisor also told me that he wasn't sure if that was enough hours, and I would be charged for whatever extra hours were needed. I said "wait, that is under warranty, I should not be paying". He said "Grand Design does not consider a roof strut as part of the structure, and are just giving us 20 hours in good faith". I can't fathom a roof strut not being a part of the structure... Anybody else? I told him I wasn't paying anything, that should be under warranty, that is nuts. So he called me back a few mins ago and said "We are not going to tear the roof up, we are just going to replace the strut from the inside now", can anybody tell me if that is even possible?

I guess I have two concerns, I can't imagine GD saying a roof strut is not part of the structure. And being that I over-paid by about $1000 for my AC unit, and the dealership talking about charging me for warranty work, it makes me really nervous about what they have going on there.

Any feedback appreciated!
 
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I doesn't have to be replaced and something smells funny saying the roof needs to be replaced. The trusses (not strut) are made from rather low quality, quick growth material. They break. The dealer may have broke it with A/C install, which happens a lot with the amount they care about owner's property. Nonetheless, the most common repair is, in fact, pulling the ceiling panel and sistering the broken truss with a new alongside if there is room to insert it. Otherwise, the broken cord is mended in place with mending plate(s) secured with an appropriate pattern of fasteners. Really, it's not a bad repair to do. I personally would lose more sleep over someone telling I need a roof to repair a single truss, but I was a carpenter before an engineer...
 
I doesn't have to be replaced and something smells funny saying the roof needs to be replaced. The trusses (not strut) are made from rather low quality, quick growth material. They break. The dealer may have broke it with A/C install, which happens a lot with the amount they care about owner's property. Nonetheless, the most common repair is, in fact, pulling the ceiling panel and sistering the broken truss with a new alongside if there is room to insert it. Otherwise, the broken cord is mended in place with mending plate(s) secured with an appropriate pattern of fasteners. Really, it's not a bad repair to do. I personally would lose more sleep over someone telling I need a roof to repair a single truss, but I was a carpenter before an engineer...

I can't believe I was calling it a strut... Dyslexia going full throttle there LOL. I think I have been working on cars more than I should apparently.

I am guessing the dealership is trying to milk every penny out of this they can (speculating). They jerked me around with the labor on my AC unit which I swallowed without a fight, and had the cojones to tell me I would be paying if labor went over what GD indicated for this repair. I still am baffled GD would consider a truss not a part of the structure, especially on what is a basically new trailer.

The advisor basically said to replace the truss, they have to remove the roof to replace it which is odd because to inspect it, they did what you said and opened it up from the inside. As soon as I told him to kiss my grits about paying for overage on labor, he was relatively quick to call back and say they were going to replace it from the inside, when we just mauled over the hours to replace the roof.

I am a naturally nice and passive guy, I must just wear that right on my sleeve for the world to see. I am guessing there is commission for the service advisors at this point, and I am guessing I am an easy target. Some people have no class or souls.

Thanks again for your feedback! I am glad to hear this actually can be done from the inside, and honestly makes me feel better these guys are not replacing the roof, I could only imagine what that would turn out like (AC install didn't look good).
 
You might have to play phone tag a bit, as GD has had issues with customer calls for repairs, and especially if everyone is dealing with the national rally...BUT - give GD a call about this, with your VIN. They will tell you what they really advised the dealer to do, and what is covered or not. While they very well may have a book rate for the time it takes to do the job, they can advise about what to do if the dealer wants to charge you over what they get reimbursed. I wouldn't be surprised if GD concluded that the dealer broke it as part of the AC install, but is still offering a partial rebate to repair it.....
 

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