HEARTLAND Complaints

Converter overheated or failed to work as intended resulting in smoke leading up to an electrical fire. Component was in a small space with no adequate air flow and breaker’s remained in place not flipping as they should have to stop power from flowing. There were no warning signs as we were all asleep and husband happened to get up to go check on the kids when he found the breaker panel smoking. This could have killed us and has resulted in no power and losing food, shelter and warmth during a major freeze.

6/15/22 blow out to left side rear tire causing hub to drag in ground and 2nd front tire to pop. Hub dug into side of highway leaving us halfway on and off and could not safely pull all the way over. 8/2/22 same tire left side rear blows out. 8/10 right side rear tire wheel and rim completely come off and roll onto highway causing 2nd right tire to sustain impact and blow. Rv was in shop for 3 months for Axle repair and suspension upgrade got back on road 11/10/22 12/8/22 tire and rim roll off completely again on rear left side. Causing impact to rear front tire and hub dragging on ground. Spindle is shot and could not be towed due to how bad damage of tires were. Heartland states there are no recalls on RV but there is clearly a reoccurring issue that is putting my families safety and life at risk. My daughter is 1.5 years old and these blow outs and wheels and rims coming off is not normal.

They trailer hitch that I have used with this travel trailer has begun to fail. The head tilt spacers are beginning to elongate and will reach failure with continued use. The manufacturer indicated that this would be caused by overloading or a sharp turn, but neither of those events have happened. Luckily I caught the dialing part when I did, if the spacers would have failed the entire hitch could have failed. An internet search indicates that this premature failure is a known and common problem.

I was in the process of unhitching my trailer from my tow vehicle. The safety chains were still connected to my vehicle at this time. Once the hitch cleared the ball, the trailer rolled back slightly and the safety chains tore away from the trailer chassis. The safety chains as well as where they are bolted onto the chassis should have withstood what occured, given the fact the chains/mounting points are supposed to be strong enough to support not only the weight of my tongue(1300 lbs) as well as the force created if the trailer were to become unhitched while in transit.

******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE THE CONSUMER PLACED THE REQUEST.*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******

Camping World did a warranty axle repair in March 2021. During this repair, they mounted the axle but did not connect the electrics - I have pictures of coiled wires they left after mounting the new axle. This meant that the rear axle did not have the electric brakes, or the emergency breakaway disconnect. I had a electrician crimp the brakes during a trip in april 2021, after I discovered this. Since I'm not a technician, I did not know that the emergency breakaway also needed to be connected. It remains unconnected to this day. The emergency breakaway issue was discovered during a routine Virginia state safety inspection. The breakaway is related only to the rear axle, which was replaced, not the front axle, which is working. I contacted camping world immediately after failing the state inspection on June 13, 2022. I brought the unit in to be fixed on June 26th, for the 1st appointment on the 27th. Camping world refuses to connect the breakaway, which they were contracted to do under the original warranty fix in 2021. They are using a variety of lies and excuses - even trying to claim that I damaged the wiring myself. It is Camping World's responsibility to connect all wires/brakes as a part of this installation. They didn't do it properly, and refuse to fix it. The unit is at camping world today - July 15, 2022, almost 3 weeks after I left it there for servicing. Camping world is derelict in it's duty to correct a safety problem. Camping World Manassas has undoubtedly done many of these jobs. They have likely put many travel trailers like mine out on the road without braking power, and the owners haven't discovered it yet. This poses loss of life and serious injury risk on both occupants and other motorists in the event of a motor vehicle accident, or a close call. Can you please open an investigation into Camping World's maintenance practices, particularly as they pertain to brake repairs.

On Thursday, April 15, 2021, at approximately 1415, I was traveling east on I-10 in Florida at approximately Mile Marker 130, when I felt my travel trailer start to sway, looked in my passengers side rear-view mirror and noticed tire pieces flying everywhere. I immediately slowed to a stop as I pulled to the shoulder of the road. By the time I pulled to the side of the road the tire had disintegrated, there was nothing left of the tire but the beads, and the wheel was damaged. When the tire blew out, I was on an overpass when the trailer began to sway back and forth. Since it is a single axle trailer it sways more than a tandem axle would. Fortunately, I installed a weight distribution hitch with anti sway. If this had not been the set up, no telling what would have happened, but even with this setup, there was definitely notable sway felt in the drivers seat of a loaded GMC 2500HD crew cab 4X4. The problem has not been evaluated or attempted to be reproduced by any one. Pictures were sent to the insurance company/roadside assistance. There were no previous symptoms prior to the tire blowing out. Having driven big trucks, 18 wheels, most of my life, 40 years at the time of this incident, I understand the importance of tire maintenance and proper inflation. Prior to starting the trip from Longview, TX, tire pressure was checked and it was 80psi, an overnight stop in Vicksburg, MS prior to starting out the morning of the incident, pressures were confirmed cold at 80psi. I always carry an air source with me just in case. And during inspection prior to starting out, there was no visual indication of tire failure, or anywhere along the trip when stops were made, the tires were visually inspected. It's just habit to do a visual inspection of truck and trailer, especially tires at every stop. At the time of this incident, the tires were factory installed new. And had less than 2,000 miles. If needed I can give exact mileage via google maps.

During the purchase inspection it was determined the emergency exit window was blocked by the kitchen sink. In addition, this window right next to the main entrance door. It is my opinion where the exit is location, the occupants of the trailer could not us this exit in a timely manner. In addition, being right next to main door, it doesn't leave an additional exit option. Also, while talking to the service manager at the dealership. He stated this is the second trailer he has seen with this issue.

The contact owns a 2022 NASH Northwood Fifth Wheel RV. The contact stated that while attempting to use the propane over he became aware that the regulator had malfunctioned and was inoperable. The RV was taken to the local dealer but was diagnosed with no failure found however, the regulator was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. There was no failure mileage.

The contact owns a 2019 Heartland Mallard M27 RV equipped with a Dometic AC unit, Manufacturer number: B57915.711J0, Serial number: 73826296, and Product number: 936002207. The contact stated while he was asleep, he started to smell a burning odor entering through the AC vents. The contact stated he turned off the AC unit and the power. The contact was able to continue sleeping and the odor went away. The contact stated no one was injured or sought medical attention. The contact stated that the electrical wire connectors to the compressor on the AC unit were melted. The contact stated that an independent mechanic came to the RV and replaced the AC unit. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The VIN was not available.