We're still here

We have been at the service facility for a week today. They have taken care of most of the items on the punch list and the remaining items require parts that they don't stock here.

This was a Fleetwood facility but when Allied Specialty Vehicles, ASV, took over the Monaco brands from Navistar they consolidated manufacturing and service here. However there is a big service center in Coburg OR. Manufacturing is consolidated under Allied Recreation Group, ARG. All their products, Fleetwood, American Coach, Monaco and Holiday Rambler on made on the same line by the same workers. So I think they will all be at the same quality, or lack of quality, level. I see nothing to spark brand loyalty.

Enough of a rant.

We have almost eaten at all of the restaurants in the area, so good some not so. I think our favorite is Norms Preble Garden and Richards. Good food and good prices. Pizza King is more of a joker. We still have a few to try.

When we arrived at the service facility Paul and Sharon Surhoff were here to meet us . They were on their way to Elkhart IN to have a windshield replaced and since this facility was on their way they made a stop to see us. Paul and Sharon are also Full Time RV'ers and we hadn't seen them in a little over two years. It was nice that they stopped by. We hope to see them in a few days in Celina OH.

I was going to put the punch list here but I think I will make another topic just for that.

Following is some information I posted in a Holiday Rambler forum;

Allow me to give a little update on the NEW factory service in Decatur.Pack patience.

I will  answer the OP's questions below but a few general comments.

The parking area is just that a gravel parking area with electric only spots. When you arrive during the week find a place to park but don't set up until you check in at the office, The second building from the parking area with the red awning over the door. The parking area will appear to have a lot of empty spots but many are taken and the coaches are in the shop. So check in to get an assigned spot.
The dump station is beyond the building where you check in. You can get water there also.

When they say they will get your coach at 0600 they mean 0600. Have it ready to move, they will disconnect power if needed.

Now look below for my answers to the OP's questions, I know the OP may not care since their post is almost a year old. My comments are between >> <<

HTH

Larry K
'13 Endeavor 43PKQ

---In ramblin_pushers@yahoogroups.com, wrote :

My husband will be taking our '06 Ambassador 38DPQ back to the factory
for some repair work on the curbside living room slide. There is a
problem with the rollers and damage they caused to the underside of
the slide. Our local dealer can not do the repairs and rather than
have it sit in some shop waiting for parts, we decided to make the
500+mile trip to Indiana to get it done right. In addition, he has a
laundry list of less serious items that should be addressed.

All in all, he's expecting to be at the factory for about a week. We
have several questions of people who may have done this recently.
1. Hookups. He's been told they have 50 AMP service to plug into at
the repair facitity. What about water?
 >> No water at "sites:<<
2. Lodging. He's been told by factory rep that he can probably stay
in coach overnight and they'll work on it during the day. Lodging only
if can't stay in coach.
 >> True they pick up the coach at 0600 and usually return it about 1430 BUT they may work overtime an not return your coach until much later. Check with your tech after their lunch or noon break<<
3. Food - I can fill the frig and freezer for his meals but don't
want the stuff to spoil during the day when it is "in the shop". Will
they plug in while in the shop?

>> Your coach will be plugged in while in the shop. However if they are working on the electrical I'm sure it will be unplugged and the inverter off<<

4. Idle time - there are only so many times you can take the factory
tour! Do they have a lounge, TV, reading material (other than HR
brochures).

>> factory tours are at 0900 daily arrive at 0845 and it is best to make a reservation. There are two waiting rooms at the repair facility. The nice one does not allow pets, the ugly one in the paint shop allows pets. There are some reading material available. The pet friendly "lounge" has a noisy window AC and TV and is not really very human friendly. <<

5. How realistic are the factory rep's estimate of time? They've
been supplied the list and pictures and estimate anywhere from 2 days
to 1 week.
 >> As I post this we are starting our second week. It seems that most HR/Monaco parts come from Coburg. Seems like Bounder parts are more plentiful. Maybe that says something. <<

Thanks for any information. It's been a real learning experience with
this coach and some disappointments. I certainly hope this visit will
clear up the problems.

Rayanne in PA