I can't help you with the dealer vs. factory options. We've become a fan of independent repair facilities. Their only dog in the fight is making you happy.

As far as weather goes. We left from Texas and headed for West Virginia in early November a couple years ago with the 5er. Went through Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and into West Virginia. Trip up was uneventful. Headed back to Louisiana the week of Christmas. Snow and ice through West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Daytime temps stayed high enough to avoid ice during the day. We just stopped early and eft later in the morning once temps got above 35 for an hour or so. No problems.

Hope whatever you decide it gets your issues taken care of.

With all the issues you have had I think I would opt for the factory.  There shouldn't be any waiting for a decision to be made like at the dealer.  If you can go within the next week or so I think you should be ok. 

Betty, just read your blog to see what's going on. What a mess! We can't speak to travel in Indiana this time of year, but the factory wouldn't have the excuse of 'waiting for parts to come in' and hopefully, things would be authorized for repair in a shorter time frame. We had a minor repair issue on our 5th wheel (as far as damage to the rig), but the communication and delays between the dealer and the manufacturer were horrible. The overall resolution might occur more quickly by going straight to the source! I would think the factory might be better equipped to accomodate you during the repairs as well?

Hang in there! Linda and Craig

You have been requesting attention from corporate.  You now have it.  This is what you have been wanting.

I am with those who say "go to the factory".  They know the product, the boss is there, no parts to wait on. I would not waste a moment to head for Indiana!

I have had fairly major work done at both a dealer and the factory (Nu Wa does do factory service I assumed all the builders did).  There are things that Nu Wa as a company does that makes me nuts, but their service group has always been straight up with me and done good work.

For us it's not a debate between go to the local Nu Wa dealer or the factory but how soon can we get into the factory to do it.

What's not said in your post was what comes after "if it's deemed repairable..." if you go to a dealer and it's not repairable what's the next steps?  Likely consult with Keystone, if your in Goshen you can consult with Goshen and assuming they don't come up with a suitable answer consult with a lawyer.

The dealer in Myrtle Beach is I'm sure doing thier best for you, but ultimately they didn't sell you the unit they have no real skin in the game other then doing what's right.  Keystone though does they don't need yet another voice pounding the drum beat that their service stinks.

They also have something to gain in that if they turn you around they have an advocate for them the dealer in Myrtle Beach not as much.

You go them to geek and make this offer don't let them off the hook because you fear the weather.

Mallo

Betty,Are you packed and ready to go to the factory.In my mind that is the only option.

If it was me I would take it to the factory even if it were 1000+ miles. Cut out the middle man, go straight to the source. The factory has more on the line with regard to the reputation of their brand and more incentive to make it right.

At the South Carolina RV-Dreams rally were some friends with a brand new Mobile Suites with some major slide issues along with some other relatively minor issues.  They had great service at the Myrtle Beach Camping World and the factory took care of the costs.

Having said that, our dealer is in Shipshewana, Indiana, just about 20 miles east of Goshen.  We know that area very well.  We have taken our rig, a KZ Escalade, to the factory for “everything” that has ever been done to the rig except for a minor repair to the oven door.

We, and that’s us, wouldn’t think of going anywhere other than to the factory.  The factory has this wonderful supply of “parts” and knowledge that no dealer can possibly have on hand; especially the “knowledge” part. The guys at the factory, especially the ones “on the line” know about “special little things about those rigs.”  That is, every rig is a bit different and the boys and girls who built them know about the “quirks.”  All RV’s have them – they are all just a little different from the last one built.

We had a slide issue once that was promptly fixed by the guys as the factory.  To make a long story short, they knew about “one little pin” that was a problem with some slides.  They told us it took them hours to find this problem the first time.  Now, they fix it in 15 minutes if it shows up. (The problem part was from a supplier to them.)

I think you get my point.  If you have some minor issue, then maybe 600 miles is a long way.  But last year, at this time, we hitched up and drove the 600 miles to allow “Dave” and “Daron” at the factory take care of our issues.  Glad we did.  All good now and it didn’t cost us hardly anything except the cost of the trip – which was kind of fun in itself.

By the way KZ has been great to work with and handled warranty and non-warrantee service to our complete satisfaction – and at very modest costs.  Also, while you’re there they may find other “little things” they can take care of that otherwise might not be looked at – because they know to look and check.

Yes, the weather is a factor this time of year. We know that trip well from where you live as we’re in NC.  But in our opinion, you’re still OK. It’s almost all Interstate / 4-lane if you want it to be and only 2 days.  Just don’t wait till the middle of December IMO.

BTW, if you have never made the trip to Goshen from SC, we have, many times over the last 4 years and would be happy to share our “golden” route.  Just email me if you’re interested.

Safe travels

Bill

Since you own a Keystone product, I have owned two Keystone products and have been to the factory twice. Its actually called Service Center, there was about 5 hook-ups 50 amp service and water. There is a dumps station there, if you go to the Service Center you will have everything repaired. Have your list of problems and at 6:00 am they will be knocking on your door, be ready and they will go over the list of problems and red tape them. We only had two issues. About 3:00 Pm they will return the 5er to your site and if not finished they will pick it up at 6:00 am again and do it again. That was the procedures when we were there. I will almost bet they will fix something not on your list. I highly recomend the Service Center. They are very professional. If Daryl T. is still there tell him hi.

As you can see we no longer own a Keystone product but if they had continued to build the Cambridge we would have bought another. We make it a point within the first year to go back to the factory and have anything repaired. We were there in April with the Suites, and of course we were treated great. Had two items repaired and a Larger Tv installed. All work was done very professional. With the issue you have there is no way possible I would let someone other than the factory do the work.

P.S. We had the same model Cambridge 358 as Howard and Linda.