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Post by laknox on Nov 13, 2018 10:47:21 GMT -5
Lyle Not only Kz, but many of the other brands are having the same problem with the smart arms, I read the forest river form, Good Sam, Montana forms an they all have owners complaining about the smart arms ... I'm pretty sure that LCI is feeling the crunch of their bad design ... Problem is that the dealers are the one's sort of eating the repairs somewhat with man hours even thought it's only a few minutes to replace or repair they still have to put someone on it to do such ... Safe travels  Chuck Sorta my point, Chuck. If the dealers of all brands using this junk would "rebel", as did that one, and refuse to take delivery of any unit using the Solera awnings, then the mfrs might change their tune a bit. My =hope= would be that they'd change their supplier but, as I said, this is such an incestuous business, that that's not likely to happen. Too bad there aren't lemon laws for RVs; can you imagine what would happen if hundreds of people all wanted buy-backs for what's really a fairly simple problem that can't be fixed in 4,5,6...trys? If =one= major mfr said they were dumping Solera awnings in favor of another, non-LCI, brand, do you think others might follow suit? What would happen when customers who have been in 4,5,6...times for this problem demand that their dealer scrap the Solera and install a non-Solera awning in its place UNDER WARRANTY? Hell, a pretty good argument for a class-action against =all= mfrs using the Solera could be made, IMO. Lyle |
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Post by kathyed on Nov 13, 2018 11:53:53 GMT -5
Our unit is at the dealer for warranty work now. On my list is the awning that doesn't work any longer. We've had the motors replaced this summer (under the warranty recall) and I'm sure they'll get it working again. Until the next rain and the water from the downspout knocks it out again. I would like to see the awning replaced with a different model. Even though it just "takes a few minutes" to repair, I'm sick and tired of it going out. Also the uncertainty of when it will go and not to mention the inconvenience. We paid too much for these campers to have to deal with this again and again.
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Post by luckydawg on Nov 13, 2018 12:16:53 GMT -5
Amen to both posts above. It is such a disservice to the end user for the manufacturer to determine where corners are cut to keep the price point at a certain place. These rigs aren't cheap. I understand that everyone wants a deal, but I'd easily spend another couple thousand bucks up front for reliability rather than suffer along with inferior products. As some on here have suggested, add more options on custom orders for suspensions and the like. I know it all comes down to keeping production moving, and I also realize these aren't true "custom" trailers, but there is room for improvement.
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baranski37
Weekender RV’er
Princeton, TX
Posts: 52
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Post by baranski37 on Nov 25, 2018 16:40:06 GMT -5
My dealer called and spoke to my wife early this week. She mentioned plans to rewire awning so it worked the old way. I wasn’t available to talk to her, but I’m assuming they plan to remove smart controller and have it function from one control inside. I would be fine with this if it eliminated the continual failures after it rains. I’m unsure if the light will still have a low, medium and high setting, but as long as it works I’m good with it. Off subject, but one of my Maxx air vents failed to close in the rain on 3 occasions. Someone mentioned I might have disabled on another forum, but from what I’ve read there is no way to disable the Maxx fan though there is that option on the Fantastic vent fans. Any feedback on either issue is appreciated most important any news others have got regarding the awning smart controller. Regards Ron
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baranski37
Weekender RV’er
Princeton, TX
Posts: 52
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Post by baranski37 on Dec 28, 2018 12:15:25 GMT -5
I spoke to dealer the end of December and they asked if I would prefer to have awning arms and remove smart controller. I requested that they order the replacement and call when it is in stock. Since I live in it full time I’m hope they can fix that along with a Maxx Air vent that started to fail to close when raining. I also have a defect in front living carpet and squeaking floor in area of front living. The front living was supposed to be noted when we went back to dealer a month after delivery. I know the last problem will take more than one day to fix and just wanted them to note damage and get approval to fix it including placing more screws in floor. I’m planning on attending rally this coming summmer so curious if I should just wait for major repairs at factory? How likely is my dealer to schedule appointment at factory for me?
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Post by Chuck on Dec 28, 2018 14:53:05 GMT -5
baranski37 You can take this for what it's worth, there is allot going on during the week of the rally, others at the rally will have ask to have repairs done as well, some small an some not so small ... Having a mjor repair at the factory is a good thing but during the rally I believe is not a good thing for a couple of reason's ...One as stated other will also have repairs being done an there is a limited about of tech to handle all the work ... Two you might have to deliver your trailer to the factory an pick it up for repairs thus taking time away from the stuff you want to do during the rally ... You can ask your dealer to make an appointment at the factory but I would make such either before or after the rally if you want stuff done at the factory if needed ... The other things is that you will not be able to stay in your trailer or do stuff in your trailer while repairs at the factory are being done during the day ... Thus you either sit in your truck or wonder around town while they are working on your trailer ... Lastly if your dealer makes an appointment at the factory i would folow up an make sure they did in fact do such Safe Travels Chuck |
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Post by shadow on Dec 29, 2018 0:27:11 GMT -5
I purchased my Durango Gold in Quartsite Arizona,so dont have a dealer persay. Can you make your own appointment at the factory? Thanks
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Post by Edd505 on Dec 29, 2018 12:30:23 GMT -5
I purchased my Durango Gold in Quartsite Arizona,so dont have a dealer persay. Can you make your own appointment at the factory? Thanks You bought same place I did. KZ will authorize repairs at most any RV repair, call Taylor 866-472-5460 Option #2. If she can not help I know she will tell you how you can make a factory appointment. She is very easy to work with, have your VIN & purchase date available when you call her. |
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Post by rvdude on Dec 29, 2018 20:33:34 GMT -5
Baranski, I stayed over at the factory service department for several days after the rally this year and they did some repairs for me. You might make arrangements with KZ and do that. As mentioned, they will come get it at 5:30 and bring it back to you at 3:30. You can stay in it on their parking lot at night. They only have a 30 amp plug but it is no problem since it is not Texas (HA). You will have to use your fresh water tank for water. They can dump the tanks for you and fill the fresh water tank before they return it to you in the afternoon. It DOES make for some long days while they have it, but it is good that they let you stay there while they repair the trailer.
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Post by cmptrwiz on Jan 16, 2019 16:18:20 GMT -5
I had stumbled on this thread awhile back and thought I’d post an update with the progression of my issues with the smart arm controller. I’ve installed three replacements and I think I pinned down the real culprit why we’re getting mass corrosion under the connector. The first replacement I just swapped it and put a little dielectric grease back in, dead and rotted in 4 months. Second replacement, sealed the top/bottom/sides of the long snap track; wrapped rubber electrical tape over connector/wires and siliconed the top...same failure in 6 months. Third replacement(recall part), cleaned connector and pulled out rotted pins; didn’t put and new dielectric grease back in. Three days later we have had heavy rains, connector and wires dry but pulled open connection off module....corrosion where there was a clump of left over dielectric grease. Blew out the connector and used special contact cleaner that won’t melt plastic. Will re-check in another three days and report back. I’m leaning towards the fact that the grease might be causing the corrosion and failure between the connector and controller.
2018 KZ Durango 1500
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Post by laknox on Jan 18, 2019 10:23:22 GMT -5
Just an FYI from a friend of mine. He said that dielectric grease is fine, as long as you're NOT dealing with aluminum wires or contacts. Seems the grease reacts with aluminum and accelerates corrosion.
Lyle
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Post by Chuck on Jan 18, 2019 13:22:17 GMT -5
I think if the connectors are the problem then I would not use them, cut the connectors off, strip wires, slip on some shrink tubing, solder wires tighter, slide shrink tubing over soldered wires, heat shrink tubing an be done with it ...
Adding to this post last I heard on another form was that some dealers were replacing the Smart Arms with other awnings, not sure if this is true or not for sure but may be worth asking about ...
Safe travels
Chuck
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Post by cmptrwiz on Jan 19, 2019 23:09:53 GMT -5
While I agree that dielectric grease is usually a corrosion inhibitor, it’s having an adverse effect on these. They are tin coated brass and a brand new module that had contact with the grease in just one area began to corrode in three days. Checked it today and is clear/dry with no signs of the corrosion I saw previously. We’ve had heavy rains for a week here. If something changes, I’ll update. As of now it would seem the grease is the root of the problem.
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Post by Chuck on Jan 20, 2019 12:57:36 GMT -5
So not having looked at this wiring on these awnings could you slip shrink tubing over the connections an keep
the water from getting onto/into the connectors ... Or is the problem with water getting into the controller or
both, sounds as if it's just the wiring an if so is it shorting out the controller ...
Chuck
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Post by cmptrwiz on Feb 1, 2019 0:41:10 GMT -5
So not having looked at this wiring on these awnings could you slip shrink tubing over the connections an keep the water from getting onto/into the connectors ... Or is the problem with water getting into the controller or both, sounds as if it's just the wiring an if so is it shorting out the controller ... Chuck This is an automotive grade water tight connector. Shrink tube on the pins would restrict the connector from closing and if if did close the pin contact would be poor. Interestingly, while logged in to LCI...I found a TSB on the original harnesses also being a problem. The instructions say the rear seal allowed for water intrusion and recommends the dealer replace it...at the customers cost! I really question whether LCI had an issue with water or just didn’t know the silicone grease was eating up the pins. Either way this is a poor reflection on them. They should have grouped the controller and harness together in the recall. |
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Post by luvrma on Mar 7, 2019 13:11:52 GMT -5
I'm late to the party here but just stumbled across this thread. We've had all the problems with the Smart Arm that have been mentioned. Although, I must add, we had no problems before the controller was replaced under the recall back in September. We'd been through weeks of torrential rain with nary a problem. Maybe they would have happened anyway eventually. We stopped at a dealer in WA to have some other work done and they went ahead and replaced the controller and told us about it after the fact. At that point it stopped working from inside. We figured they'd wired it incorrectly and tried to have that rectified by another service but it hasn't worked properly since. We've had it serviced twice since then, including replacing the entire controller and harness (provided at no cost from Lippert) which we had installed by yet another mobile RV service. We full time so service can be a hassle. FWIW everything's been covered under warranty so far. It's completely non-functional now. We got the blinking green light before it went completely dead. Unfortunately it was open at the time so we had to manually close the awning, which was a huge pain. In May we'll be taking it in to the dealer where we bought the rig when we get back to PA and I'm wondering what we should be asking them to do.
So, now I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck resolving the issues, and if so, how? Or, have you had any luck in getting your dealer to replace it with something else and. if so, what did you get and how much did that cost?
Thanks.
Gail
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Post by kathyed on Mar 7, 2019 19:35:26 GMT -5
I'm late to the party here but just stumbled across this thread. We've had all the problems with the Smart Arm that have been mentioned. Although, I must add, we had no problems before the controller was replaced under the recall back in September. We'd been through weeks of torrential rain with nary a problem. Maybe they would have happened anyway eventually. We stopped at a dealer in WA to have some other work done and they went ahead and replaced the controller and told us about it after the fact. At that point it stopped working from inside. We figured they'd wired it incorrectly and tried to have that rectified by another service but it hasn't worked properly since. We've had it serviced twice since then, including replacing the entire controller and harness (provided at no cost from Lippert) which we had installed by yet another mobile RV service. We full time so service can be a hassle. FWIW everything's been covered under warranty so far. It's completely non-functional now. We got the blinking green light before it went completely dead. Unfortunately it was open at the time so we had to manually close the awning, which was a huge pain. In May we'll be taking it in to the dealer where we bought the rig when we get back to PA and I'm wondering what we should be asking them to do. So, now I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck resolving the issues, and if so, how? Or, have you had any luck in getting your dealer to replace it with something else and. if so, what did you get and how much did that cost? Thanks. Gail We have been fighting our smart arm as well. Had it fixed before the end of the season. Got it home, had trouble getting it to open. Called the dealer, they walked me through what I was doing wrong to unlock it. (it shouldn't be that hard!) Fast forward 3 months - went to open it up. Can't get the blinking green light to stop blinking. The inside panel won't respond, my app on the phone won't work with this awning. Called the dealer and we will be stopping by there to have them fix it again. I hate the 'smart arm' nothing smart about it. And in response to getting it replaced, I asked about it. They don't even want to go down that path. With all these issues, I'm surprised there isn't a class action suit against LCI. |
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Post by laknox on Mar 8, 2019 10:22:32 GMT -5
I'm late to the party here but just stumbled across this thread. We've had all the problems with the Smart Arm that have been mentioned. Although, I must add, we had no problems before the controller was replaced under the recall back in September. We'd been through weeks of torrential rain with nary a problem. Maybe they would have happened anyway eventually. We stopped at a dealer in WA to have some other work done and they went ahead and replaced the controller and told us about it after the fact. At that point it stopped working from inside. We figured they'd wired it incorrectly and tried to have that rectified by another service but it hasn't worked properly since. We've had it serviced twice since then, including replacing the entire controller and harness (provided at no cost from Lippert) which we had installed by yet another mobile RV service. We full time so service can be a hassle. FWIW everything's been covered under warranty so far. It's completely non-functional now. We got the blinking green light before it went completely dead. Unfortunately it was open at the time so we had to manually close the awning, which was a huge pain. In May we'll be taking it in to the dealer where we bought the rig when we get back to PA and I'm wondering what we should be asking them to do. So, now I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck resolving the issues, and if so, how? Or, have you had any luck in getting your dealer to replace it with something else and. if so, what did you get and how much did that cost? Thanks. Gail We have been fighting our smart arm as well. Had it fixed before the end of the season. Got it home, had trouble getting it to open. Called the dealer, they walked me through what I was doing wrong to unlock it. (it shouldn't be that hard!) Fast forward 3 months - went to open it up. Can't get the blinking green light to stop blinking. The inside panel won't respond, my app on the phone won't work with this awning. Called the dealer and we will be stopping by there to have them fix it again. I hate the 'smart arm' nothing smart about it. And in response to getting it replaced, I asked about it. They don't even want to go down that path. With all these issues, I'm surprised there isn't a class action suit against LCI. Give it time... IF, and that's a huge "IF", LCI were smart (OK, stop laughing), they'd sh!t can these things and replace them ALL with a basic electric version AND give everyone a $100 bill. Me, I'd =still= prefer a manual. If =KZ= were smart, they'd tell LCI to stuff it, and refuse to install them and =they'd= get involved with the class action. Lyle |
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Post by Chuck on Mar 9, 2019 15:34:15 GMT -5
I have a 2018 !500 Durango 259RDD. My dealer in Wisconsin just fixed my Solera Smart Arm by removing it and rewiring the awning to be operated only by the interior pad. This was after replacing the original Smart Arm controller with a different one via the recall that failed. They did this free of charge and it took the two of them about 30 minutes. They have had to do numerous RV's this way and will not accept any new K-Z products that include this failed product. I am very please with this action. Sounds like some of the dealers are at least replacing the wiring to make the awnings useable
Chuck
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Post by luvrma on Mar 10, 2019 0:38:01 GMT -5
I'd be ok with that. We never used the outside controller anyway until the inside control panel stopped working. I think I'll ask the dealer if they can do that.
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