Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches October 01, 2025 ...

HWH wait time 3weeks?

October 27, 2015, 10:10:47 pm

I find the best way to solve problems is to do the research, do the homework, ask for help, think it through, work through the diagnostics and learn. Every problem is a learning opportunity. Next problem,  the process starts to pay off and get easier and faster.

HWH has always been slow to return calls but their online resources are great and every part you might need is on line and they ship fast. Three weeks is a long time to wait for a call back. In the meantime educate yourself. And if that doesn't work ... an on-site appt is usually available in a week or two.  Maybe three in the spring. How long does it take to get to Iowa?  Lots of neat stuff to do on the way from all directions.

So, Jerry, let us know how the learning, thinking, diagnostics and solution discovery goes. You and the rest of us will benefit from your effort and report. Thanks.

Quote Selected

Re: HWH wait time 3weeks?

Reply #1 – October 28, 2015, 12:13:41 am

I've seen numerous glowing reports about service at HWH but not my experience recently. The rear slide on my 03 U320 had started creeping in about 1.5 inches over a couple of days and after doing due diligence research decided as a first option to replace the O-rings on the solenoid valves. I sent an email via their web site 3 weeks ago inquiring about opinions with no response. Last week I called HWH parts and got a woman that was abrupt and not helpful. I told her I wanted to order an O-ring kit for the Solenoid valves. She asked if there were external leaks, which there are not. She loudly asked someone else in parts if the O-rings could be my problem and they answered no. She said I should buy a new valve ($198) but they didn't have any in stock. I've done a bit of repair work in the past and know better than to start throwing expensive parts at something without being sure what the problem is.
Fact is, if the internal O-ring on the solenoid valve leaks the slide can move. The leakage is internal to the manifold. They had no idea how their equipment works. She was rude and didn't want to sell me parts and told me to go to a Service Center.

I pulled one Solenoid and took the O-rings to a local supply store and matched them. I replaced O-rings in all four solenoids and my slides are rock solid after 5 days. Cost a couple of dollars to do all four. Takes one 017 13/16 OD by 11/16 ID 1/16" width and one 015 11/16 OD by 9/16 ID 1/16" width O-ring for each Solenoid. Used standard Buna-N 70 O-rings.

On inspection the old internal O-rings (end of the Solenoid valve) showed signs of wear on the inside. The internal O-ring takes more abuse than the external one in my opinion due to pressure changes in the manifold.

Long waits to talk to a technical guy I can live with but obstinate Parts folk that don't want to sell parts is different. Seems they should be eager to sell us anything we want, that's how business make money.

Quote Selected

Re: HWH wait time 3weeks?

Reply #2 – October 28, 2015, 06:58:33 am

                         Gee , wow , there must be two "HWH" company's .  The HWH  I have dealt with for the  last 20 years  is nothing like this post .  The lady that answers the phone is pretty much bullet proof at the HWH I have been dealing with  .      Brad Metzger

Quote Selected

Re: HWH wait time 3weeks?

Reply #3 – October 28, 2015, 07:34:08 am

I've never called them, but when we were in the area last summer we were able to get an appointment with a few days notice for a system check out.  When we got there they put the coach on the rack on time and allowed me to get under the coach with the tech to inspect everything while in their shop.  They identified every air leak on the coach and marked them with tie wraps, checked out the entire leveling system which took about 3 hours.  The total charges were 0$, that's right, Zero, goose egg, nada.
They informed me that you can get an annual checkup on the system FREE for as long as you own the coach whether you are the original owner or not as long as no parts are required.  If parts are required you pay for parts and labor time to replace.  I was very pleased, but again, I've never had to call them.

Quote Selected

Re: HWH wait time 3weeks?

Reply #4 – October 28, 2015, 09:07:41 am

My original post wasn't necessarily  meant as a bash HWH post ,but more as an explanation why I was asking for help with this issue.  I have read mostly good things about HWH and sure most have a good experience, with that said, I hope no one is overly offended by my comments.

Quote Selected

Re: HWH wait time 3weeks?

Reply #5 – October 28, 2015, 09:51:09 am

Hmmmm.

Not to pile on HWH but...

I had an Appt. there this summer (they got me in on two weeks notice, and the lady handling the scheduling and the service invoicing was super talented and nice.

When I got there - they had a customer with a newly installed active air system that came in unannounced with issues a few weeks after they had installed the system. My place on the "big yellow truss rack" (those of you who have been there know what I mean) was taken by this sudden arrival. After a wait, it was decided to do my service on the floor. The technician used wooden platforms to drive the coach up onto and pick the coach up an additional 6 inches.

Found a few leaks, replaced some o-rings, and I was on my way. Invoice was way too cheap.

OK, so what is the beef? When I got home, the coach actually leaked down on the rear and to the right overnight. Level during the day, by next AM coach would settle. Problem was not there prior to service at HWH. They did identify 4 additional non HWH leaks which I eventually had taken care of at MOT when I was down there for blowout repair and service.

Not a big deal, but drove three hours each way from Wisconsin, stayed over night in a campground, was bumped by an emergency repair, and then I think I got a junior guy working under adverse conditions perform my repair.

Everyone can have a bad day, and this probably was one of theirs. I will go back and give them another try. In my case, it isn't too far, but really would have liked to fix all leaks on HWH system correct first time. Would have paid more than they charged, I thought the charges were too low.

Obviously they try to keep a year round staff, and the summers have probably 3-5 times the service volume of the winter, so their ability to respond and service is challenged in the summer.

I guess this is more of a "my experience" post, not really trying to give advice one way or another.

Quote Selected