Honest Recommendation Please

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

Shouldn't the fridge in any new AS be under warranty? I think our warranty was good for 2 years. They should replace the fridge if it doesn't work-- on their dime.

Or Dometic's dime.

Hi

The fridge by it's self seems to work as designed. The fridge plus the Basecamp enclosure / ventilation for the fridge has issues. Dometic fixing it is unlikely. Until AS comes up with a design change (if they even can) and demonstrates a fix, that's a bit up in the air. Effectively we are in year two of "fridge does not work / no fix yet". That's a very long time to wait. Thus the number of "cautions" about the issue any time people ask about buying a Basecamp. Yes, it gets tedious. Yes, it's a downer when people are only looking for related information. On the other hand it does need to be highlighted as something above and beyond "the usual sort of issues". It also does not need to be blown out of proportion. It is what it is. Something to be aware of. By it's self it is not an immediate reason to lock the trailer in the garage. Axles falling off of all of them every 200 miles would be in that category. It's *not* that kind of thing.

Bob

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

Shouldn't the fridge in any new AS be under warranty? I think our warranty was good for 2 years. They should replace the fridge if it doesn't work-- on their dime.

Or Dometic's dime.

There is a bigger issue, in that the Basecamp fridge has never worked right on propane in hot weather, so you might want to read the Simple Survey thread to understand that your suggestion above may not hold water.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f404...ne-169937.html

No need to re-post the points made recently on that thread, about the need to redesign the BC entirely to get the fridge to work right.

[Gail Miller]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

Shouldn't the fridge in any new AS be under warranty? I think our warranty was good for 2 years. They should replace the fridge if it doesn't work-- on their dime.

Or Dometic's dime.

For grins and giggles .. Google Dometic's customer service reviews. It's not worth wasting time to call them, per reviews I saw.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Dometic is sort of like the Borg. They assimilate a *lot* of companies. The customer service at one may be quite different than the customer service at another assimilated company. That said, I don't think Dometic is the place to make the call to in this case. The fault lies elsewhere.

Bob

[Bogy4]

Originally Posted by camperguy58

Thanks for your feedback.

So without getting into the story, I've now owned and camped in a 2017 basecamp received mid Feb and a 2018 basecamp received Sep 2.

Things I've noticed are the overall construction and craftsmanship are better on the 18. I have none of the issues that I originally had. It's actually waterproof, the table legs work fine, the doors don't open while traveling, etc etc.

Only change I've noticed is the propane lid lost the metal tabs and the lower lip so now it just flaps down. It's more water resistant than the 2017 was and quicker and easier to use. Sometimes I can even get it to magically balance in the upright position so I've got both use of my hands.

Fridge still doesn't work on propane above ~75-80 degrees but there is a fix for that, and the frame by the side door hasn't changed so don't let it blow open and shatter the glass.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new basecamp if you're sure the style and size is right for you!

Hope that helps some ppl on the fence.

[camperguy58]

Thank you Bogy4,

A functioning Basecamp would meet many of my needs and be much easier to tow, park, store, etc. It is refreshing to hear from a fairly satisfied basecamp owner (sounds like you are still waiting/working on the refrigerator issue).

Thanks

Pat

[MrKenmore]

Everything has been great for us less the fridge fiasco.

[Bborzell]

WE have to agree that, absent the fridge problem, we are excited every time we head out with our basecamp.

And that’s after 24 nights and 8,000 miles.

[AThiker66]

I picked my BC up in February and aside from the table legs and the fridge, I am very happy with the quality, fit and finish. I've figured out from posts in this forum how to deal with the table legs. I spray silicone on the rubber o rings periodically and they seem to come off easier. I also tap the receptacle/flange with a rubber mallet if the leg is giving me trouble. It seems that one leg will always come off easier than the other.