Slow repair to Alde

AmyJo

I took my T@B into an authorized T@B dealer for some minor repairs.  It needed a new control panel for the Alde and glycol and a few other items needed replacing.  It has been almost a month.   They tell me they can't get a response to their emails to NuCamp.  I presume this is because everyone seems to be shorthanded due to Covid.  Has anyone else experienced this?  All the other RV repair shops have never heard of Alde and the only other T@B dealer is a days trip away.  Do I just patiently wait?  

pthomas745

This thread has the NuCamp email addresses.  Confirm the dealer is using the right ones.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/13194/customer-service-is-now-customer-experience#latest

And, call them yourself:

https://nucamprv.com/

Sharon_is_SAM

Contact info.  

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/5627/nuecamp-and-forum-contact-numbers-information#latest

Denny16

The dealer should be able to contact Alde/Truma USA directly to get the new control panel if nüCamp doesn’t have a spare available.  Are you changing the glycol to the new Rhomar fluid?  If so, nüCamp did have that available for dealers.
 Cheers 

Sharon_is_SAM

@AmyJo. Who is your dealer?

AmyJo

The TAB dealer closest to me is TravelCampRV, 7505 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL.  I left the T@B with them on Jan. 19.  When I called today I was told Service is not picking up and they would call me back.  I appreciate the information I have gotten from others here and will relay it to them if they are still stalling.  I presume that they are shorthanded due to Covid.  I am not going to be patient much longer.  

bergger

I've never had good luck with dealers as far as getting things done quickly.  Even before covid and when we had a StarCraft trailer I had to wait a month on one occasion and two months on another occasion to get work done.  

Sharon_is_SAM

@AmyJo - find out who they are trying to contact.  What questions do they need answered?  

AmyJo

I called the dealer five times yesterday and gave them email addresses and phone numbers for both Nucamp and Truma Corp who handles the Alde in the US.  The five calls were because they would transfer me to the wrong person. The only unusual part I need is the Alde Control panel and the glycol.  The other parts they should be able to get locally.  It has been a month since I took the TAB to them.   

Sharon_is_SAM

If you only need parts to do the Alde repair yourself, I recommend contacting Missouri Teardrop Trailers.  https://www.missouriteardroptrailers.com/  Help@nucamprv.com can supply the parts number.
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/14285/retail-parts-order-form#latest

warbler_road

My Alde furnace got a Gas Failure fault upon finishing my first tank of propane. The dealer where I bought it (Tonie's in Salem, Va.) won't fix it. NuCamp and Truma both told me I cannot get the parts; a dealer has to do it. So I found a helpful place in Orange, Va., who has me on the schedule ... for sometime in April or May. in January I was #75 on their service list.

Most distressing, not being able to use my new, 2020 camper in cold weather. COVID parts and labor shortage appear to be the main culprit, but obviously I am not singing the praises of Alde equipment.

So yeah, patiently wait I guess.

Good luck to you and enjoy Sarasota, where I lived for eight years!

Denny16

When the propane tank gets too low, the Alde will go into a gas failure alert.  It should clear when you refill the tank and purge the air back out, using the stove burner.  I had the same issue, when I ran the gas bottle out.  It returned to normal and thr Alde worked correctly after refilling the tank/bottle.
 Cheers 

warbler_road

Denny16 said:

It should clear when you refill the tank and purge the air back out, using the stove burner.  

Thanks Denny -- don't want to hijack the thread but I have done this umpteen times, with different LP tanks, as well as replaced gas regulator, and still Gas Failure. Believe me I love fixing things myself!

CrabTab

@warbler_road Snyders RV in Virginia Beach is an 'Alde Service Partner' according to the Alde website. Might be worth a call to see what their availability is compared to Road Trip Camping's schedule. Best of luck...

Denny16

@warbler_road, does the stove work?  If so, it’s the Alde.  If the stove is not working, could be a propane gas flow issue.  If the later, any good RV repair service can check the propane system out.  Good luck.
 Cheers 

Homebodyatheart

@AmyJo my control panel just died over a week ago. I remembered that Tab friends had taken their Tab to the local Airstream dealer to fix their Alde issue. I’ve tried all the forum troubleshooting with no success and have been working with a great guy in Airstream parts department to get a replacement panel from Truma/Alde. Within the last week he has kept me informed of his progress, ended up ordering one from Truma/Alde and it should be here soon. I’m totally impressed with his level of customer service! I also knew my RV dealer wouldn’t really know how to deal with the Alde unit. Good luck! 

warbler_road

Denny16 said:

@warbler_road, does the stove work?  If so, it’s the Alde.  If the stove is not working, could be a propane gas flow issue.  If the later, any good RV repair service can check the propane system out.  Good luck.
 Cheers 

Yep, stove works like a champ! I suspect it's the PCB on the Alde, and of course they're not going to send out an expensive replacement part to any unqualified home handyman ...

[Deleted User]

Road Trip Camping in Orange, VA is a very tiny dealership.  There is an Airstream dealer in Ashland, VA and that's not far from Orange, VA  

AmyJo

My frustration continues as nothing is happening to fix my TAB at the dealer.  I took it in January 19.  I am thinking of picking it up and then trying to find a RV place that will get the Alde control panel and glycol from Truma.  Could I ever put the glycol in myself or is this something that needs special tools and skill?  

CrabTab

@AmyJo here is a link to the service locator page on the Alde US site.
Find service location | Alde US
Best of luck getting this resolved...

[Deleted User]

HI AmyJo, I'm so sad that you are having this issue!  Putting the glycol in isn't the challenging part, its getting it out that requires a special pump.  Some owners have rigged up their own pumping device, but its a bit of a task to do it yourself, but it can be done.  

Looks like Airstream of Tampa is about 60 miles north of you. Give them a call to see what they say.  (813) 452-6344

[Deleted User]

The Alde Service locator isn't totally reliable either though. I called someone on that list and they didn't have any one who knew how to service the Alde.  Hopefully though you won't run into this issue. 

[Deleted User]

From the Alde Service Locator Page:

RV World of Nokomis

Address2110 N Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, FL 34275

Websitewww.rvworldinc.com/

Phone+18002622182

[Deleted User]

If you can get your hands on the circuit board part itself, it looks sort of easy to change out. Here is a youtube video on that. Take good pictures of everything before you start so you can see where things go back to.

https://youtu.be/PSHzsdlDc3Y

AmyJo

Thank you for the good information.  I live in Gainesville.  That is why I took the T@B to a T@B "dealer" in Jacksonville.  I may have to go south to Tampa.  I will study all your information later.  

AmyJo

Finally some action!  The Alde Control Panel costs $417 plus tax and labor.  Does this seem reasonable?  

Homebodyatheart

No, it’s high! I paid $264.37 the end of January for mine and it’s simple to install. I just paid $478.35 for a new circuit board because the control panel is probably fine because the new one didn’t work either, so I have two now. Call Alde tech support directly and talk it through with them before you buy. They were fantastic to deal with! My other suggestion is to go through your local Airstream service or parts department. Not all dealers will work on non-airstream trailers I found out, but when they do the level of customer service is wonderful! Good luck! 

Homebodyatheart

Oh, and once you get the faceplate off the control panel, undo four screws, pull it out from the wall it’s one plug-n-play connection! Don’t pay for installation if you can do this. Takes maybe 5 minutes. 

AmyJo

I left word to the dealer that I would install and I will check to see if he ordered the right part.  I have zero confidence in these people at this point.  Thank you.

Sydmargo

I use RV World in Bradenton Florida for my T@B 400. Excellent and quick service.

db_cooper

@AmyJo,  have you checked to see if it's just the thermal fuse on the board,  that can be repaired very cheaply, especially if you know someone who can solder.