My Taco Phoenix Pop Up Camper

[Victoria Palmer]

Just went back and read this entire thread. I'm happy for the OP that rob and Cari even offered to try to fix the camper!

When we first contacted them we were told the water was condensation and have never received an offer to fix anything, just told that it's normal for some condensation to occur, that it's highly unusual for the camper to leak and that we need to do a better job drying the walls. Granted we are out of the country, but I would have at least liked an offer of repair when we return? After reading this whole thread is seems that leaking is more usual than unusual? When you can see water actually spilling out of the roof and down the walls it's obviously not just condensation but we were still told that their campers don't leak...

Anyway, we fixed our pantry top today and everything seems to be fine with the water issues since we last resealed everything. Fingers crossed!

 

[the wasp]

I'm happy for the OP that rob and Cari even offered to try to fix the camper!

After reading this whole thread is seems that leaking is more usual than unusual? When you can see water actually spilling out of the roof and down the walls it's obviously not just condensation but we were still told that their campers don't leak...

happy for you that you found a solution with Rob.
I have a 2011 Phoenix with frequent and intensive use. No leaks to report,while we visited Iceland and experienced torrential rains.
Leaks are regrettable in other manufacturer.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/5924-leaking-roof-on-my-1980s-fwc-keystone-camper/

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/7919-door-leak-repair/
"Perfection does not exist"

 

[MYTACO]

Wasp, the first camper was a 1980s camper. The other was a 2004. My camper was BRAND NEW. So happy yours does not leak. However that does not seem to be the norm with Phoenix anymore. Simply put, the craftsmanship one would expect from a custom builder is not there.


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[Victoria Palmer]

happy for you that you found a solution with Rob.
I have a 2011 Phoenix with frequent and intensive use. No leaks to report,while we visited Iceland and experienced torrential rains.
Leaks are regrettable in other manufacturer.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/5924-leaking-roof-on-my-1980s-fwc-keystone-camper/

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/7919-door-leak-repair/
"Perfection does not exist"

Perfection does not exist, indeed. But when you buy a brand new camper and the manufacturer refuses to acknowledge there are problems that's a huge problem. wasp, I'm glad your camper worked out, but my experience and MyTaco experience has been at the other end of the spectrum. I think Phoenix got to busy and the quality has certainly slipped, no question about it. Combine poor quality/craftsmanship with a manufacturer who is too busy denying the problems exists and you are going to have some unhappy customers. Like I said, if I had known there where others out there with brand new campers having problems we would not have gone with the Phoenix. We are making the best of the situation and trying to repair as much as we can ourselves but we are not camper manufacturers and the products Phoenix has recommended to us are not available in Central America. So were all happy for YOU that YOUR camper didn't leak and that you have had a nice time dealing with the company, but future buyers need to know the reality. That was the point of mytacos post, honesty about the situation. We plan on using the Phoenix for many years to come, we may just need to buy a ton more towels to sop up the water

 

[Runt]

Well I have owned two campers and the first one seen thousands of wash board pot hole filled logging roads and extreme off road with lockers engaged and a set of chains on with zero issues with the camper! I often carried a canoe on top while beating the crap out of my Tacoma and Phoenix Pop Up Camper....no leaks no nothing. I really feel for you guys that have had problems. I have found Rob & Cari to be very gracious at returning my emails, phone calls and very much have supported there product. I have not used the new camper on my Tundra much but no leaks any way.

 

[MYTACO]

Runt glad to hear you that you have no leaks. I checked my TC this morning to get her ready. Although we are in the midst of a severe drought we received less than .5 inches of rain last week. I'm attaching photos to show you what even a minuscule amount of water will do to my Phoenix. I can't imagine a down pour. I think the most frustrating part of this is not getting the answer on how to fix it. The advice I received from Phoenix was to clean it with tilex. I get that. But I want the leaks to stop. Since they refused to acknowledge that it leaks--and instead blamed me for the damage--I think any interested consumer ought to know that this is an issue, not only for me but several others. To make matters worse, when I brought my camper back to them for their so-called upgrades, Rob promised an extensive check for leaks. This obviously did not happen or he would have seen that a small amount of Moisture causes damage.

To the paint...again worked on it
Today. Bottom line: half assed job not worth the initial $1500 or the over $1000 I spent on the fix trip. Not only is there over spray but they painted switches on lights and now the lights don't work. The awning--one of the best parts of the TC--is now messy looking because of the crappy paint job.

The QC of the product is and was nonexistent.

I have had at least six folks ask me about my camper. I refer them to this website for information. If they ask for my honest opinion, I will tell them that my next Camper will NOT be a Phoenix and that I have not had good success with resolving issues with the company.

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[Wandering Sagebrush]

OK, I am having the hardest time trying to understand why you are continuing to try and make this work. If it were me, I would make a demand (perhaps through an attorney) on the manufacturer to either replace it with a new unit, or to refund my money in its entirety. You might need to go to court, but there are RV lemon laws at the state and federal level to help you. It's my opinion that you have a lemon.

 

[Keyne]

OK, I am having the hardest time trying to understand why you are continuing to try and make this work. If it were me, I would make a demand (perhaps through an attorney) on the manufacturer to either replace it with a new unit, or to refund my money in its entirety. You might need to go to court, but there are RV lemon laws at the state and federal level to help you. It's my opinion that you have a lemon.

Agreed. Seeing more pictures just shows how bad. It's a shame for all parties involved but obviously primarily the customer. Thank you again for posting all the detail.

 

[brian90744]

To: My Taco Phoenix,
I agree, Time for a Law Suit, No one should pay for a product that doesn't live up to the customer expectations of quality.
brian

OK, I am having the hardest time trying to understand why you are continuing to try and make this work. If it were me, I would make a demand (perhaps through an attorney) on the manufacturer to either replace it with a new unit, or to refund my money in its entirety. You might need to go to court, but there are RV lemon laws at the state and federal level to help you. It's my opinion that you have a lemon.

 

[the wasp]

<<<Mytacco

since you have gotten your camper, have you thought about leaving it open always a window?to promote best aeration.
In view photos ,these yellowish traces seem to be due to lack of ventilation.
Is your camper stored in a dry place with aeration?

 

[JHa6av8r]

At this point, I would have had a letter from my attorney sent to Phoenix documenting what's happened to date, state that the situation is still unacceptable, and list my demands to rectify the situation to avoid any further litigation.

 

[MYTACO]

All, I have looked and considered legal action. For the effort and expense--and unlikelihood of collecting--it just is not viable from one state to another.

Wasp- yes. I keep a fan and humidifier in the camper running non-stop. It is a LEAK or leaks. I even keep a humidity gauge in the vehicle--and this is not solving the problem. Again less than .5 inches of rain was the source of these two stains.

Going back to my original posts, my first goal here is to educate other consumers. I had NO idea this was an issue with Phoenix. This refers to the leaks.

With regard to the paint, I am stumped. I will ask for a refund but do not believe that will be a likely result given previous responses. I will let you know.


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[cannonball4x4]

"Hello every one
I have been looking at purchasing a pop up camper.Until now, My choice has been between FWC and Phoenix Campers. I have read a lot of interesting information on many forums ..
I found the thread of Mytacco and also others on this and other forums....I met owners of these two manufacturers, have had many emails exchange and phone calls.Everyone has their own opinion, which should be based on serious and thorough investigation/research on all companies.I'm still going through information distilled in the Forums.You can find everything from the best and the worst of all companies.But I must build my own personal opinion,away from friendship or business that may exist on the Forums ..
Finally, This is my opinion based on what I have researched and my approach.

Objectively, perfection does not exist.
All brands have all known issues:I have read on this Forum, that the only occasional issues of FWC's some folks have had is some frame weld cracks around the door/windows.I don't know if they were a bad weld from the factory or others issues ....Roof leaks are also reported on All of the pop up campers FWC, ATC, Phoenix, Nothstar, Outfitter, Halmark, Palamino etc. (and even non popup campers)
Like me, you see that the perfection does't exist.For a over a year, I have met happy and unhappy FWC owners.

After and over that same time period ,I have meet and had exchanges with several owners of Phoenix Camper.
What I learned from the Phoenix owners is that they are impressed and happy with the campers light weight, durability and custom aspects.
I have chosen Phoenix over the other manufacturers as I have found the owners of Phoenix Campers much easier to work with, and they build everything custom to suit the customers needs. More, I was not willing to accept the standard antique aluminum siding of the FWC . or pay the extra for the "Smooth Fiberglass Exterior Siding". What I like most is that my camper design should evolve to my taste,
Another reason I went with the custom Phoenix pop-up over the ATC or FWC because I could get extra insulation, higher output furnace and other custom features that I wanted for winter camping. For the pop-up section Phoenix can offer a 4 layer liner upon asking for it (2 layers of thinsulate knock off sandwiched between 2 layers of fabric, while ATC/FWC offered 3 layer pack that has to be put up and taken down as needed and then stored somewhere.
Phoenix also comes with a slightly higher cab over and as a result there is nice under the bed storage or I can choose to get it with lower profile like ATC/FWC.
Phoenix Camper's are all custom, no production line .
While I understand the injury felt by Mytacco,I do not agree with the method used by him by including private mails between him and the manufacturer.
It looks to me that the company (Phoenix) did more than any other company has done or would have done.

Currently, the only remaining problem is its quality of painting.
But, the responsibiliy of the manufacturer can't be questioned.
I am going to paint my future camper.The paint on the camper will be different from that of my pickup. I know it's difficult and almost impossible to get the same paint to match, especially with pearlescent paints.
On my old land 130, I had to repaint the one side that needed repainting (right side) 3 times.The result is not perfect. I did not trial the dealer over the internet.
This is not how I do my business, but directly between myself and the dealer, where we came to an amicably deal.

This negative thread does not change my choice to go with Phoenix, If anything knowing how they care about their customers and have shown great customer service shows what a good company they are to work with.
Through my writing, I just want to show that everyone must do their own "good critical thinking" and do his/her own research and go with what feels right to them. Keep an open mind and remember some people will never be please..I don't want to develop any controversy or off topic conversation .

I am not active in the forums, for this reason.
I am a man loving communication and direct contact with the humans and just putting my 2 cents out there .
I hope that all who read my opinion understand my approach and choose to do their own research beyond what they read on these forms.

best regards
John

 

[the wasp]

<<<Mytacco

When you leave your top,is it up or down ?
Because,you must know when the top is down,any condonsation/wetness will get traped between the folds in the liner and /or where it is up against the roof and no fan or dehumidifier will help in those areas which is what it looks like

 

[NikonRon]

Would be well worth a lawsuit in my book, I would go else where and purchase a camper afterwards. Ron