Valley Freightliner

Steering gear recall by Freightliner. Excellent shop and employees. Clean and did the work in a timely manor.

Followup on separate work-order dated 09/06/2006. Complaint had to do with a so-called broken clamp on hose going to Turbo that created a $942 towing bill that this company charged off as "Warranty" (otherwise known as CYA or Fraud). Mechanic who actually did the "repair" told me that all he did was tighten the hose clamp, which ironically I have driven over 25K miles including going to Alaska, and climbed over the Rockies five times and just 100 miles from their shop this clamp decides to BREAK? Also the right rear brakes were running much hotter than all the others. The Service manager, two shop foremen, & four mechanics shrugged it off as being "NORMAL" without even touching the outside of the hub or checking the adjustments. Two days later in Baker City, OR my complaint was found to be legitimate as the right rear (hub, brake assembly, & Tone ring had been replaced by VFI--but not adjusted correctly). I'm not permitted here to tell what the Tech in Baker City, OR wrote on his work order. Anyone taking their RV to VFI does so at their own risk. They lied to me repeatedly and wouldn't listen to me (the customer) or accept any suggestions or concerns that I had. SHOW ME THE MONEY is their ONLY mode of operation.

Excessive Oil Consumption/Leak (2 qts in 1500 miles) and leak from the Hydraulic Fan Motor. Replaced the ABS tone ring on right rear hub as it was broken, Oil/Lube/Fuel filter change. $3000 including a $942 tow bill because these people changed parts that didn't require changing and knocked a clamp loose on the hose going to the turbo unit (when they unnecessarily replaced an almost NEW air filter. (They never checked the vacuum gauge visible from the rear of the engine). They claimed there were NO OIL LEAKS and that my aftermarket "Banks System was probably the cause of the excessive consumption" (even stating this on the invoice). VFI didn't really do much of anything and couldn't see the leaks because of their filthy grimy/oil ridden floors. It all starts here: http://www.gypsyjohn.net/pdf/summer2006/090606.pdf As SOON AS THEY FOUND I had a Banks System installed on my coach--from that point on EVERY PROBLEM that I had somehow got blamed on the Banks System. They kept insisting that AFTERMARKET products void the warranty. They had never heard of the Magnusson-Moss FTC Act of 1975. I've taken my coach to a number of Cummins dealers as well as Freightliner in Tolleson, AZ & have told them up front that I have aftermarket products including Banks and everything is/was covered under warranty, no questions asked. I would NEVER EVER take my coach to VFI again if they were the ONLY repair facility within 100 miles. They discount their labor rates so they can sell you parts that you don't need. For a fulltimer, they have no facilities for parking overnight unless you consider ONE 15 amp electric plug stuck behind two junked trucks to be HOOKUPS. No signs anywhere indicating that this facility is an OASIS CENTER, but Corporate in Gaffney SC says they are!

Recall on cooling system and problem with exhaust brake Appointment was for 9AM and started work at 11AM. Completion of work took a little longer than planned as they worked on trucks in between working on the coach. While I was there I asked them to look at a problem with the exhaust brake if they had time. They had time and after diagnosing the problem for several hours it was determined that the exhaust problem was a design problem that would have to be fixed by Cummins by means of the ECM software. I was impressed with how persistent they were in eliminating all possibilities and arriving at their final conclusion. This Freightliner dealer went above and beyond to be helpful. I will take my business to them anytime.

Preventive maintenance on engine, oil and filter changes on engine and on generator, transmission fluid change, filters change, repair leaking transmission, repair loose part under front of motorhome. Outstanding. I wish all Freightliner dealers were as good as this one. It specializes in motorhomes and truly goes great, on time, reasonable work. They keep their promises and do a very professional job.