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Topic: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxville) (Read 1255 times) previous topic - next topic

Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxville)

Ever since leaving FOT in Nac (where we had our annual service done) we have had this odd sound from the engine (400 ISL)....sort of a "swish-swish-swish..."  After driving about 750 miles, the sound was still there and was actually a bit worse, so we stopped at Tennessee RV, a FT service center, located on the east side of Knoxville off of I-40.  The service guy diagnosed the problem as a bad belt tensioner and lined up a mechanic to replace it in the parking lot so we would not have to unhook to Honda.  While replacing the tensioner the mechanic noticed small pieces of metal in the belt and found another problem, one of the screws into belt pulley had been replaced without its washer...thus it had rubbed on the back of the pulley support.  He also noticed the belt had a hole in it!  He fixed all of these problems and we were on our way in 1 hour and 32 minutes!  Add to this the fact that everyone was extremely nice.  Why these problems were not discovered at FOT is a mystery, at least to me.

Another nice thing about Tennessee RV is that there is a very nice Camping World in the same building.  Very well stocked.

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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxsville)

Reply #1 –
George,
It is always good to read about alternate places for service when we are on the road and can't get back to Nac. I am glad you had a quick and positive outcome to this problem.

On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 3:55 PM, George Hatfield wrote:
Quote
Ever since leaving FOT in Nac (where we had our annual service done) we have had this odd sound from the engine (400 ISL)....sort of a "swish-swish-swish..." After driving about 750 miles, the sound was still there and was actually a bit worse, so we stopped at Tennessee RV, a FT service center, located on the east side of Knoxville off of I-40. The service guy diagnosed the problem as a bad belt tensioner and lined up a mechanic to replace it in the parking lot so we would not have to unhook to Honda. While replacing the tensioner the mechanic noticed small pieces of metal in the belt and found another problem, one of the screws into belt pulley had been replaced without its washer...thus it had rubbed on the back of the pulley support. He also noticed the belt had a hole in it! He fixed all of these problems and we were on our way in 1 hour and 32 minutes! Add to this the fact that everyone was extremely nice. Why these problems were not discovered at FOT is a mystery, at least to me.

Another nice thing about Tennessee RV is that there is a very nice Camping World in the same building. Very well stocked.

George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxsville)

Reply #2 –
George. TN RV is the residual of Foretravel of Tennessee. The owner and several of the techs are from the old facility out at exit 407. I am happy that you had good things to report. I have had my service done there from the get-go and generally have had excellent experiences, there, too!
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxsville)

Reply #3 –
Kind of makes me wish I had gone there when I had a fan belt break down that way.  Had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Cummins 3 days for a broken belt.  Think Tennessee RV would have been more efficent!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxsville)

Reply #4 –
George,

I never believe you can how any service facility to identify and correct all problems during an annual service.  You can only expect them to do what you ask them to do, unless you are willing to give them a blank check and ask them to do a complete inspection of your coach.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxsville)

Reply #5 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
George,

I never believe you can how any service facility to identify and correct all problems during an annual service.  You can only expect them to do what you ask them to do

True, although it depends on what was communicated as "annual service".  We always present the service interval booklet that came with our '03.  Ours is having its scheduled maintenance service at MOT this week.  Mike made a copy of the relevant page and we went over each item on the list, which includes the item "inspect all belts and hoses.  Replace as needed".  We talked about was was and was not to be done (e.g. Steve does our air dryer, fridge and AquaHot maintenance himself).  We have done the same at FT in the past and they have checked off/initialed the individual items in our book.

George - you could always let your FOT service advisor know what happened and see if they had inspected the belts while you were in for service.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxsville)

Reply #6 –
If you have any doubt at all about a lapse in diligence regarding any service performed at Foretravel, I would certainly call Cory and ask to discuss it with him.  We have found Foretravel very willing to explore the 2 issues we have had (in a period of 4 years and numerous visits) and both were resolved in a very fair and satisfactory manner.  I think that any business who cares about it's customers (and wants repeat visits) should be willing to explore the possibility that there was an error in procedure and then take a fair and appropriate action ... OR determine that they were NOT at fault and figure out where the problem really started. It's not personal ... just business ... but Foretravel has always treated us very well.  We have had very good treatment at Tennessee RV, too! Once you find a place that stands out in the Customer Service area, you always remember them when you travel.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxsville)

Reply #7 –
Tenn RV has helped me out many times. I used to go to the for all my service when they were FT and then they changed to Tenn RV.  The old techs there are wonderful and they know our coaches.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxville)

Reply #8 –
Thanks for the comments.  My post was really directed at giving some positive feedback to Tennessee RV and not to complain about FOT.  We bought our coach in late 2009 from FOT and have been back there for annual service each year since.  This year we had a long list of service items which included their recommend service for our mileage.  I believe it included checking belts, etc.  And I always make a point to talk to the techs that work on my coach and specifically ask if they saw anything that needed attention.  This year one found a leaky seal in one of the front wheels which I had fixed.  The problem we had fixed at Tennessee RV was not the only problem we found after leaving FOT and I have contacted Cory by email about these issues.  Overall, even with these problems, the service we have received from FOT has been pretty good.  Not as good as I would like to see for $102 per hour, but OK.  I really think it should and could be better.  I go to FOT for service to support the company and I will continue to do so until I'm driven away.  I'm not ready to leave yet.

George
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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxsville)

Reply #9 –
George. I, too, have had several years of experience with FOT and my history, there, is better than yours. I have found Cory and his staff excellent. It was sorta hit and miss there for a while just before Cory was brought up from the factory as customer advocate then later service manager. But way back before the buy out, service there was just fine. I bought my coach at MOT and have had work done there, too. Found no fault there, either. As a matter of fact, Parliament ain't bad either.
It's just that TN RV is a lot more convenient
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,
 

Re: Great Service Experience at Tennessee RV (Knoxsville)

Reply #10 –
Sometimes it is the luck of the Draw who you get working on your coach. I will say that there are a couple great techs at FOT and at MOT and at Tenn RV. You just have to ask for the right one. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon