Credit repair letter florida

A Twist in the Road

A frequently FINICKY FRIDGE and better LIVING THROUGH REFUNDS

UNABLE TO OBTAIN COMPENsation for damage to his trailer that he believed was the responsibility of an RV park, a reader asked RV Action Line to get involved. He wrote:

Last year, my wife and I stayed at the Big O RV Resort in Okeechobee, Florida, with our Ford F-350 dually truck and fifth-wheel trailer. This combination has a length of approximately 50 feet.

The park is a mixture of privately owned lots and rental spaces, and proved to be the most challenging place I have ever encountered in my 14 years of RVing, due to its narrow roads and space allotments.

Upon heading for our assigned spot, we found our location was serviced by a single and very narrow one-way lane, barely wide enough to accommodate our truck. Adding further to the difficulty of getting to our site, we had to make a tight turn around a privately owned space at the very end of the road.

When we departed from the park at the end of our stay, we were forced to again squeeze around this private-property parcel. What made matters even worse, was that the owner of the parcel had installed a series of small (approximately 8 inches tall) pyramid-shaped cement barriers every few feet along the front of his property at the very edge of the road.

I thought I had successfully avoided these obstructions when the left rear tire of the trailer (accidentally) rolled into the side of the last pyramidal barrier. When I reached the security booth at the park's exit, I lodged a complaint.

The next day, I found that the tire had a very large bulge on the sidewall. Because of this, I had to call a tow-truck service to exchange the damaged tire for the spare (the cost was covered by my insurance company).

Soon afterwards, we drove to a nearby Goodyear tire store, and had a new tire mounted for $146.34.

I called the manager of the Big O Resort and explained what had occurred. His response was that the site with the barrier that I had encountered was private property, and therefore not the park's responsibility. He went on to say that he had repeatedly admonished the owner of this site that he had created a hazard.

I believe that the resort is responsible for establishing and enforcing rules and regulations that govern the conduct of private-property owners and individuals that rent spaces.

Florida's attorney general's office later advised me to seek help through small claims court in Okeechobee County. I feel like this would be a futile gesture, and not warrant the additional time or expense it would cause.

ROY E. MESSER JR.

Nashville, Tennessee

The situation Messer described is a civil matter, between him and the property owner, with the barriers around his property. As the attorney general's office suggested, about the only way he will be able to settle the matter one way or the other is by litigating the matter in small claims court.

RV Action Line is publishing Messers complaint as an alert to other RVers of the alleged traffic hazard within the Big O RV Resort. We advised the park of Messers complaint, and it responded as follows.

* I have spoken with Mr. Messer regarding his damaged tires, and have advised him to contact the owner of the site in question.

Our resort is one of the finest in the nation. However, it was built in 1984. At that time, the streets were built 12 feet wide, which accommodated RVs smaller than todays more sizeable models.

To protect his site from RVers driving on the grass, the owner placed some concrete pyramids on his property line. He has been advised numerous times that he is responsible if anyone damages a tire. However, he refuses to remove the obstacles.

In an effort to warn our guests of this hazard, we have painted WIDE TURN in yellow paint on the street in the area of the property. We also advise our guests to be aware of the pyramids.

As Mr. Messers damage occurred on private property, we believe that Big O RV Resort is not responsible for his damages.

RON HETLING

Manager, Big O RV Resort

Okeechobee, Florida

COOLER MELTDOWN

MIFFED BY FREQUENT PROBLEMS with an RV refrigerator, and unable to obtain what he believed to be just compensation from the unit's manufacturer, a reader enlisted the assistance of RV Action Line. He wrote:

* As the owner of a 1993 truck camper that was originally equipped with a Dometic refrigerator, I have found it necessary over the past 10 years to replace several of the unit's circuit boards. Last summer, I again experienced problems with the refrigerator, and decided to replace it with a new one prior to a trip to the east coast.

I ordered a Dometic model RM2620 from Camping World. Upon initially testing the unit, it appeared to operate on both LP-gas and electricity.

After about four days on the road however, I discovered that the refrigerator was not cooling properly. I called a Camping World outlet and arranged to have the unit checked out the next day.

Camping World's technician performed an inspection, and subsequently added a thermistor adjuster. This adjustment didn't work, so I called Dometic for authorization to replace the entire refrigerator. The replacement was installed, but two days later, it also failed. Another thermistor adjuster was sent by Dometic, and my refrigerators performance appeared to improve to a certain extent.

When I finally returned home, I took the refrigerator to my local dealer. After having my rig for about 10 days, technicians there finally decided that the refrigerator's circuit board needed replacing.

My dealer now says my refrigerator is operating properly; however, I have lost confidence in the product s reliability. The dealer charged me $30 for diagnostic labor. In this case, I believe this expense is Dometic's responsibility.

In order to reimburse me for my losses in money, time, travel to repair facilities and food spoilage, I suggest that Dometic provide me with its 3 Plus 3 Service Contract at no charge.

ROBERT E. LICK

Cheyenne, Wyoming

RV Action Line contacted Dometic on Licks behalf. Soon afterwards, we received the following letter:

* We are in receipt of your letter, forwarded on behalf of Robert Lick, regarding the Dometic RV refrigerator installed in his 1993 camper.

We acknowledge Mr. Licks disappointment with the time and expense involved to service his refrigerator. As a goodwill gesture, we are pleased to oblige his request by providing him an extended warranty at no expense.

The contract number will be mailed to Mr. Lick later this month. Please let us know if you have any further questions regarding this matter.

RORY LEITCH

Warranty Supervisor,

Domeitc Corporation

Lagrange, Indiana

HERKY-JERKY FIVER

UNHAPPY WITH AN AFTERMARKET product but unable to procure a refund, a reader turned to RV Action Line for help. He wrote:

* Recently, I acquired a new short-bed truck and fifth-wheel trailer. Unfortunately, it has not been a very smooth riding combination, as I experience a lot of horizontal jerking between the two vehicles.

After some negative experience with one air-ride hitch to try and correct my situation, I approached Advanced Air Hitch Inc. to see if the company could help. I was assured the product would solve my problems, and ordered one with my credit card for the amount of $2,395.

The Advanced Air Hitch platform was very similar to the one I had purchased previously, and also did nothing to solve my ride problems. I called the company after being in possession of its hitch for only a week, and asked if I could return it for a refund. I was told I could, and I shipped it back at a cost of $200. Many months have passed since the return, and I have not yet received my refund.

DON STEWART

Springfield, Missouri

RV Action Line's letter to Advanced Air Hitch Inc. had positive results, as outlined in Stewart s following update:

* The new owner of Advanced Air Hitch recently called me, and proposed an acceptable resolution to my complaint.

He has offered to make $500 payments every two weeks, until my refund is paid in full. I have agreed to his plan. - D.S.

i To contribute to this column, please refer to "How to Contact TL" on page 89.