Trailer Issues and what I did to Fix them

Below are things that happened to my 2006 Wildcat 32QBBS that I purchased new and see a lot of you are experiencing the same problems. I can tell you all I never had one issue with my 1997 travel trailer that I traded in for this one.

1. First trip out the converter burnt up on Memorial Day. Had to purchase new one, then dealer gave me a credit when returned old one.
2. First trip my carpet got wet next to the shower because water fittings were loose under shower. I removed access panel and tightened fittings on tub faucet.
3. First trip hot water heater using propane did not work because wires to the switch inside were never connected. I finished connecting wires to switch for FR. Works fine.
4. Since new, refrigerators check light lights up when on electric because of faulty circuit broad. Reefer still works fine so I live with it since light is for gas side operation and not electric. Dealer wouldn’t repair since they said it was manufacture flaw.
5. Master bedroom door in rear bedroom does not latch because latch catch is drilled too low on door frame. Drilled new hole in door frame and reinstalled plate.
6. Fabric under large slide was 3 separate pieces and taped between, when slide out comes in the tape rolled up causing sticky black marks on carpet. That should have been one piece and not 3 taped together. Replaced FR tape with Gorilla tape that stays in place.
7. Slides stop 3 times when going out and stops 3 times coming in, works only after self setting breaker for hydraulic pump resets itself (year 3). I piggy backed another fuse to it and it works fine now.
8. All 5 tires (including spare) had cracked air stems installed from factory. Removed all tires and had stems replaced with high pressure ones. Unfortunately it was before rims started leaking.
9. All 5 tires went flat and one tire totally destroyed because rims were leaking as a result of cracks in the welds. These are faulty rims and I ended up replacing all rims while traveling on the road to include purchasing a new tire. (right rear 2nd year, right front and left rear 3rd year, both right side (spare installed) and left front 4th year). FR told me to contact rim manufacture, not their problem. Purchased 5 rims not made in China.
10. Side delamination on rear left side, first year, dealer said it didn’t appear to be delamination but an offset stud and was built like that. Over next 5 years there are now several spots that are delaminating. This is an item I would like FR factory to redo. Still waiting for a reply from FR.
11. Wall paper trim in bathroom is offset and do not align in corner. I guess I can live with it.
12. No bolts were installed to hold front bedroom sofa to floor. Installed bolts.
13. Stainless steel reefer panel has dimple marks in it like it was installed over something. Did nothing with this.
14. Lazy susan installed crooked and would hardly turned. Removed and installed correctly so it is not wedged on cabinet frame.
15. Counter extension brackets were installed uneven from each other causing extension to wobble. Removed left bracket and realigned it.
16. Landing gear rod bolt fell out by motor and just spun around, I found bolt but no nut which tells me there was never a nut installed. Lucky I carry tools and hardware and replaced bolt with a self locking nut, never happened again (2nd camping trip).
17. Front compartment wall is pulled away from basement floor so you can see light between; I caulked this and seems to be ok (discovered year 2).
18. EPM rubber roof looks like it is coming off in several spots, especially over roof trusses. On rear corners it is not even glued down. This has a 12 year warranty and is one of the items I would like FR factory to redo. Waiting for reply from FR.
19. Tire cover blew off and lost on first trip. Replaced with old cover I had lying around.
20. A/C cools living room and rear bedroom but hardly up in bath and front bedroom. I am going to install new outlets like several of you have.
21. Linoleum floor stared coming up near door; I cleaned it and glued it back down with liquid nail and seems to be holding ok.
22. Outside step trim was not installed correctly and cracked during the first winter. Not replaced, temporary repair made with screw and clear rtv.
23. Reefer drain tube plastic disintegrated when touched, started happening the second year, now completely gone. Pulled out drain tray and installed clear hose.
24. No vent tube in fresh water tank from factory, filled with water and water came out and flooded enclosed area and caused it to sag. I connected a tube to it with a cap (used to fill) and ran it out next to the water drain line.
25. Master bedroom leaked whenever it rained. The seals on the outside of the slide are installed wrong and when rain ran down side seal it funneled into the bedroom because bottom seal covered side seal catching the rain. Whenever I pull out slide I tuck bottom seal inward on the corner so water comes down side seal and drains onto ground.
26. Large slide electrical wire bracket broke. It broke because FR installed outside bracket too far out on outside of slide causing bracket to stretch too far and break when slide is extended. Drilled new hole so wire bracket comes straight out and is not so tight when slide is extended. Also used plastic tie wraps to secure wires to bracket.
27. Concert Tone audio system works intermittently when pushing panel buttons manually. I use remote because it works all the time using it.

Some interesting problems you have encountered, it has certainly gave me food for thought on a couple of my on going problems.
I am surprised that you have not found the sawdust though
Sean

Sounds like you got a lemon. We've had very few problems with ours. Biggest problem might have been the OEM rims. Had a couple blowouts and woke up to flats a couple times in campgrounds. We expect some problems to happen and consider a lot of stuff part of the adventure. Nothing like what you've been experiencing - after a while it stops being an adventure.

Tater

If I could do a redo I would have waited to purchase any other year than 2006. I know the trailer manufactures were very busy assemblying the FEMA trailers for the huricane victims during the same time frame mine was being manufactured. I am sure that is why I had so many problems. We love our trailer, I just hope FR comes through and repairs the delamination and roof issues.

Oh yes the saw dust, took a couple years to get that out too.

Sorry to hear about all your problems.

I had about 3 pages of problems but none like yours. Maybe the frame straightening was close. Sry to hear about all these.

12. No bolts were installed to hold front bedroom sofa to floor. Installed bolts. Is this sofa on a slide out

27. Concert Tone audio system works intermittently when pushing panel buttons manually. I use remote because it works all the time using it. Mine is slowly getting that way.

11. Wall paper trim in bathroom is offset and do not align in corner. I guess I can live with it.FR replaced all of borders.

Dan

Sofa is not on a slide, it is located across the front of the trailer behind the front cap.

Eric

Thank you. U have that floor plan.

Well Rod did get a hold of me and forwarded my issues to his higher ups. I already received a reply back from FR. They will do nothing since it is out of warranty. I am not happy at all about this since the majority of these problems were done during the manufacturing proceess and showed up after the warranty expiration.

That rather stinks.