So I finally get around to reading the fall 2011 Motorcader. Really, I've been having too much fun doing other stuff...
I see the page for Authorized Service Facilities and it shows Midwest Finest RV. There is no website for that business. Both numbers listed are out of service. Googling the 1st number gets a few BBB links saying that Midwest was perhaps taken over by USAdventure RV?
Anyhow, this is close to my homebase and it'd be great to have authorized service right in my backyard if it exists. I'm out of state for awhile so I can't check it out. Does anyone have any updated info on this place or ever used it?
Mark,
Here is the link on the Foretravel.com website for Authorized Service Centers
Foretravel Conversions : A Division of Foretravel Motorcoach (http://www.foretravel.com/inc/page.php?cat=Owner%20Services&id=37)
Midwest Finest is still shown - perhaps the Foretravel site isn't current. Your best bet might be to call Mark Harvey at FT.
Michelle
I will say that there are very few places I will take my FT to be worked on. I rather travel to Nac and have MOT of FOT do it or I have a cummins shop here in VA that does great work on chassis stuff.
Michelle - I'll give Mark Harvey a call but I was hoping for someone to chime in who had some experience with this place.
I agree with John that I want a trusted place to work on my coach and this looked like a possibility given that it is a FT authorized facility. I'm just looking for a good option closer to Chicago than NAC...
Normal, IL isn't too far away! 2 hrs away. Not exactly close, but also not 17 - 18 hours! :P
As I live north of Chicago I am also interested in this company for service. They have won a number of awards for service excellence. I called them and the reply was "Gee we haven't seen a Foretravel in quite a while. Not sure if we are still an authorized service center". Left a message with Mark at Foretarvel - he is out until Monday - will post his answer on this thread.
Here is USAdventure RV's web site:
US Adventure RV - Davenport, Iowa - Joliet, Illinois for your next new or used (http://www.usadventurerv.com)
Keith
Benjie - I checked out Cummins Mid-States Power (Normal IL) on the RV Service Reviews website and it has good reviews. It is part of the Coach Care Service group which could be a plus for sharing service records on the road and getting reciprocal warranty coverage if the other Coach Care service centers are any good. Has anyone had any service at Cummins Mid-States Power or any of the other Coach Care service centers? (Coach Care RV Service and Repair Network - Locations Nationwide (http://www.funroads.com/coachcare/))
Thanks Keith for leaving Mark Harvey a message. It will be interesting to hear what he says.
I used Cumins Midstates when I was at the Grandvention in IN. I had them work on my alternator. Good people and I stopped in there once with a service engine light. Took care of me very well. They will not touch something they do not have the certification to deal with. I also use Cloverdale, VA cummins a lot. They are wonderful and know FTs. Still for some systems I will only go to MOT or FOT or HWH.
Nice chat with Mark Harvey. As Midwest Finest RV has changed hands, something that the factory was unaware of, they would no longer be considered an authorized repair facility. This does not mean that they would be a bad place to go to, just that they would not be recognized for warranty work. Mark did ask that if anyone has experience with using them to give him a call and let him know how they are.
I did find four reviews online about them and they were not complimentary. Conversely they have won a number of awards from the manufacturers for service excellence. I am only impressed by awards from customers!
Keith
Thanks Keith for the followup from FT. My online review search netted similar results. It is a shame that there is a dearth of quality repair places in the Chicagoland area.
With the good review from John on Cummins Mid-States, I guess I'll just give the coach a little exercise and head down to Normal, IL if our travel plans don't get us back near Nac at service time.
Everybody speaks Cat to Cummings about service centers. How about us poor misguided soul who did not do enouh research on engine.
You know, the engine nobody want to talk about. The one where if the dirty name comes up people seem to move away. Or worse still, look at you like you were a registered Non-straight six cylinder diesel owner.
I mention the dreaded name only in hopes that of admitting the error of my ways will be forgiven. And a ,iist of DD service centers will emerge
Plenty of DDA centers around...
In Central FL there's one in Orlando, and one in Ocala...