Truma has QC issues….

[Galileo]

2022 LEII #1029 here.

been using our Oliver pretty steadily - on our 4th multi-month outing. Currently in Manatee Springs (Chiefland) Florida.

 

Starting having an issue with our Truma AquaGo Comfort water heater. It heated fine, but was noisy with a “thumping” or banging noise when the burner lit.

 

Searching the forums, we found Galway Girl’s post about burner tubes shaking loose, and her description of “popping” sounded pretty close to our symptoms.

Luckily, I travel with a lot of tools, so I investigated looking for the loose burner tubes. Nope, all tight and in place.

What I did find was a little scary. (See the attached photo.)

the nut holding the main gas line to the burner manifold was quite loose. You can see by the soot on the bottom of the burner assembly and nut that a lot of gas was escaping and burning in the wrong place. 

I tightened the nut up as much as I dared - not wanting to twist the fitting out of the manifold and put the whole thing back together. It now works fine.

That said, I’m sure this nut will vibrate loose again, so between now and then I’ll have to think of a fix. Pipe dope suitable for LP is a possibility.

Between this and the problem Galway Girl posted - and more than one incident of fires - it seems Truma had (has?) a QC or design problem that could lead to so serious consequences.

 

 

[Geronimo John]

This is a life safety issue.  PLEASE SUBMIT A TICKET WITH THIS POST.  It is a candidate for a massive recall.

GJ

[Galway Girl]

There is now a recall from Oliver on this burner assembly.  
Effected hull numbers should be getting Oliver issued recall letters.

*****  text from letter showing SN range of effective water heaters (full letter below) *****

Dear Valued Customer,

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Highway Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Oliver Travel Trailers has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2016 – 2024 Legacy Elite I and Legacy Elite II travel trailers manufactured between April 25, 2016, and February 8, 2023.

WHAT IS THE DEFECT?

The Truma water heater burner bracket assembly may become loose.

**NOTE by Craig - The effected burner assembly tubes  were not ALL crimped in place during manufacture, only the ones on each end were crimped.  The TRUMA Mfg line has made a mfg line change and now ALL tubes are crimped in place.  New burners for the recall will meet this standard.**

EVALUATION OF THE RISK TO THE VEHICLE AND OPERATOR(S) RELATED TO THE RECALL.

Legacy Elite I and Legacy Elite II equipped with a Truma water heater with a loose burner bracket assembly may allow ignition failures, wire damage, and risk of a brief flame discharge, increasing the risk of a fire.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TRAVEL TRAILER IS PART OF THE 24V876 RECALL?

1. Find the water heater serial number located on the front cover. (see below) The water heater with serial number less than DLE60C-33096055 is nonconforming.

2. If you are unsure, call 1-888-526-3978 or email us at ottwarranty@olivertraveltrailers.com to confirm that your Truma water heater is one in the population of recalled units for Recall 24V876.

WHAT IS THE REMEDY?

Your Legacy Elite I or Legacy Elite II was manufactured within the affected period using this component. Your unit must be inspected to ensure the Truma water heater is not within the recall population as identified by the Truma model-serial number. The remedy will be the replacement of the water heater burner assembly, free of charge. The replacement water heater burner assembly will be sent with instructions to complete the installation by a qualified RV technician. The replacement should take approximately one-half hour to complete.

Oliver Travel Trailers will cover the cost for the remedy repair. Water heater burner assemblies can be replaced at an authorized service center.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR REPAIRS FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONDITION?

If you have already paid for a repair that is within the scope of this defect under recall, you still need to have this recall inspected and/or performed to ensure the correct parts and procedures were utilized.

Additionally, you may be eligible for a refund of previously paid repairs. Refunds will only be provided for repairs performed within the scope of the defect under recall.

Please send the service invoice to the following address:

Oliver Travel Trailers

Atten: OTT QUALITY MANAGER

609 Swan Ave.

Hohenwald, TN 38462

Phone: 1-888-526-3978

Email: OTTWarranty@olivertraveltrailers.com

 

Below is attached it the NhTSA report on the topic.

 

RCLRPT-24V876-7998.PDF

 

Below attached is the generic recall letter from Oliver...when mailed to you it has your VIN # inserted.

 

RCONL-24V876-1556.pdfRCONL-24V876-1556.pdf

 

Hope this is useful info.

I'm still waiting on a reply from Oliver on when/how I can get the parts for repair.

 

Edited January 16 by Galway Girl
added items

[Patriot]

My recall letter arrived in the mail yesterday. This will be our 5th year using our Truma and happy to report, we have never experience any problems.
Its been reliable and has served us well. We will have Oliver perform the recall and motor on.

Edited January 16 by Patriot

[Galway Girl]

For those not able to read the NHTSA report here's an excerpt of the timeline of events leading to the recall.  All new burner units are shipped from Truma with all 8 burner tube tabs crimped. (Ours literally fell apart on the road at one point so I did a self repair of the assembly.)

*******

NHTSA Recorded Chronology :

2/17/22 Truma (Steve Bayne) reported during a OEM Baseline review approximately over the scope of 300
units, 8 units (2.5%) have experienced burner issues. Two warranty units with burners coming apart were|
picked up during this onsite visit for return to Germany for evaluation.

2/17/22 - 12/31/22 Additional 4 customers reported burner failures.

7/18/22 Oliver request Truma's investigation reports from two units evaluated in Germany.

11/21/22 Truma (Mark Howlett) notified Oliver Travel Trailers (Paul Cameron) Germany made a design||
change to the burner assembly February 2022. Revision included the burner assembly tabs changed from two
to all eight tabs folded. Truma concluded the safety features incorporated into the system, risk and severity is
low. Safety factors include a) flame recognition sensor b) burner over temp switch and c) the housing contains
a thermal event.

11/28/22 Oliver modified the support for the water heater and installed water heaters with only two of the
eight tabs folded. On 4-Apr-24 these two units were reported in warrany for burner bracket assembly failures.

2/8/23 - present Oliver has installed Truma water heaters with modified burner bracket assemblies with eight
tabs folded, no failures for the burner assembly has been reported to date.

1/3/24 - 7/17/24 Customers with water heaters containing burner bracket assemblies with two tabs folded
replaced under warranty experienced repeat burner bracket failures.

11/13/24 Oliver Travel Trailers determined to replace all Truma water heater burner assemblies with two
tabs folded to the confirmed eight tabs folded retention feature.

******

Edited January 16 by Galway Girl

[Galway Girl]

Also ----  here is our post on the 3rd failure we had with Truma ...this one is the exact problem outlined in the recall.   (The lack of burner tubes crimping.)

SO for Truma two issues so far:
1) The first issue was that the BURNER assembly feed tube connection wasn't properly torqued at the factory.  This would cause the feet tube nut to back off and eventually spray out fuel like crazy. This was fixed by a tooling change at the truma factory. In our case that repair process is to remove the burner assembly and tighten the nut.  

2) The second issue is that the burner assembly tubes were not crimped on all 8 burners only the end 2.  That's been fixed by Truma and all new units meet this spec.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16 by Galway Girl

[John Dorrer]

4 hours ago, Galileo said:

2022 LEII #1029 here.

been using our Oliver pretty steadily - on our 4th multi-month outing. Currently in Manatee Springs (Chiefland) Florida.

 

Starting having an issue with our Truma AquaGo Comfort water heater. It heated fine, but was noisy with a “thumping” or banging noise when the burner lit.

 

Searching the forums, we found Galway Girl’s post about burner tubes shaking loose, and her description of “popping” sounded pretty close to our symptoms.

Luckily, I travel with a lot of tools, so I investigated looking for the loose burner tubes. Nope, all tight and in place.

What I did find was a little scary. (See the attached photo.)

the nut holding the main gas line to the burner manifold was quite loose. You can see by the soot on the bottom of the burner assembly and nut that a lot of gas was escaping and burning in the wrong place. 

I tightened the nut up as much as I dared - not wanting to twist the fitting out of the manifold and put the whole thing back together. It now works fine.

That said, I’m sure this nut will vibrate loose again, so between now and then I’ll have to think of a fix. Pipe dope suitable for LP is a possibility.

Between this and the problem Galway Girl posted - and more than one incident of fires - it seems Truma had (has?) a QC or design problem that could lead to so serious consequences.

 

 

We have Hull #1045 and received the recall letter a month ago.

 Have you not received your letter? 

[Galileo]

Nope. 
 

Only notifications we’ve received from Oliver have been the one about checking to make sure the Bulldog hitch coupler was a 7,000# one and not a 5,600# one, and the one about the valve cores in the tires. 

[Patriot]

32 minutes ago, Galileo said:

Nope. 
 

Only notifications we’ve received from Oliver have been the one about checking to make sure the Bulldog hitch coupler was a 7,000# one and not a 5,600# one, and the one about the valve cores in the tires. 

After a call to Oliver Service on January 6 and leaving a brief v/m, I received a call back from Jason at Oliver. He said that the recall letters were goin out in batches and that Hull #600 to 699 letters were being mailed this week. We own Hull #634, and I received my letter mid week. ✅ The recall repair takes less than an hour.

So if you have not received your recall letter yet, be patient Oliver is working on the letters in batches. If anyone does not receive a letter, may I suggest you reach out to Oliver Service.

I know they will get you taken care of. 

Onward!

 

Edited January 16 by Patriot

[Galileo]

Hmmm - if John with Hull #1045 got his letter last month, and Oliver is sending out letters 600-699 now, does that mean they’re working through the list “backwards”?

 

Anyway, I thought it was more dependent upon the serial number of your Truma water heater. Are they shotgunning it and just advising ALL owners to check the s/n on their unit or ???

(That seems to be how they handled the coupler issue…)

 

 

V

[Ronbrink]

21 hours ago, Galileo said:

Anyway, I thought it was more dependent upon the serial number of your Truma water heater.

I checked my s/n yesterday and it falls within the ‘nonconforming’ group. But I remain confused, are ALL of the units installed and deemed ‘nonconforming’ (according to the serial number) in need of the recall replacement or just SOME identified upon inspection to have a loose burner bracket assembly? Maybe someone can clarify.    

[dewdev]

@Ronbrink

All the  units with the effected s/n are determined to be nonconforming since only the end burners have the tabs crimpted. The new corrected units will have all the burner end tabs crimpted.

[Galway Girl]

pix may help clarify 

 

Burner unit shown below only has end 2 tabs bent to crimp unit to frame.  This is the old design being recalled.
 

 Newer units (being replaced in recall service) have all tabs crimped. 
 

 

[BoondockingAirstream]

Previous owner took the 2019 Oliver Elite II into a 'Truma Service Provider'.  The Truma was not operationally.  The previous owner showed me the last service ticket that the Truma was Fixed, before I purchased the Oliver.

It did not work.  I took it apart... obviously... the Service Provider was tired of hearing from the Precious Owner, after THREE Service calls. The Fourthm maybe third was the copy given to me.  

When I called the Truma Service that did the 'service under warranty', they became tired of me, as well.  I have wondered if Truma Inc. was charged for these Service Calls.

 I was notified in the U S Mail recently, that Truma would replace the... PART... that was faulty.  A RECALL.  Of what kind?

I sent photographs of MY Truma to Oliver...My  Repairs... when I discovered the Truma leaked water into the Oliver... see photograph.  I was disappointed that Oliver  Inc. would not do anything to make it right. The original owner obviously had no fix and did not intentionally damage the copper tank heater.

 Obviously the local Service Provider... DID FIX IT... permanently.

When I received the Recall Notice... I was not approved by Oliver Inc.... as I tried to FIX IT, myself.  Once removing parts... no wonder it was not going to work.

I will find a much simpler system to install, like a 6 gallon simple Dometic Hot Water system, like the one that has operated perfectly in my 2019 Airstream, since new.

Am I happy?  Guess.  My Truma was within the numbers of the so called recall.  My Truma never worked for me, nor the original owner.  I have owned the Oliver Elite II since February 2022.  My Problem... says Truma and Oliver.  Otherwise our perfect Off the Grid Boondocking travel trailer.

I have had three Airstreams, new since 2006.  Kept the 2019 27 foot Airstream and the 2019 Oliver Elite II.  I like a Travel Trailer that is simple to operate, works, and some appliances that can be worked on if in remote locations.

The 6 gallon Dometics worked perfectly since 2006. When I began to FIX the Truma myself... This is WHAT I FOUND.  Photographs are October 2022.  Purchased Oliver February 2022 from original owner.

The Truma was an UPGRADE for an Oliver.  ...for what?  For... Selling spare parts... I guess.  I also noted Truma is pushing their hot water tanks. Customer satisfaction is interesting.  I know, I was an owner operated business for decades. Happy customers and friends return... I had to retire.  I understand that a customer and referrals, keeps one busy.  (I edited this after reading.)

 

 

Edited January 18 by BoondockingAirstream

[Galileo]

Wow,

I don’t know who “serviced” that unit, but they certainly made a mess out of it!

Alternatives to Truma - yeah, the “old fashioned” tank type water heaters are pretty simple and reliable - but - they take a while to deliver hot water, are pretty wasteful of gas, and they sound like a jet engine firing up. As a tank style heater - once you use that 6 gallons of hot water - you’re out of hot water. No, I don’t take long showers in the Oliver (or at all if campground showers are available) but the other points still apply.

As for “Dometic” - after my experience with the Dometic A/C that came with our 2022 LEII, (far too loud) the Dometic porcelain toilet (perpetual seal problems) and the Dometic fridge (flimsy freezer door hinges) - I wouldn’t touch another Dometic product. The fridge and toilet I can compensate for or live with. The A/C is gonna be in a garage sale after I replace it with a Houghton.

[topgun2]

4 hours ago, Galileo said:

As a tank style heater - once you use that 6 gallons of hot water - you’re out of hot water.

Well, not exactly.  As you use the water in the tank fresh (cold) water comes into the tank.  However, the water begins to heat up as it is being used. 

I've never actually used the 6 gallons taking a shower (or for anything else), so, I really don't know at what temp the water heater kicks back on nor how cold the water can get before all this happens.  Several years ago I did a post showing a mod to the water heater where I use a "meat thermometer" to tell me when the water is at about 104 degrees.  Then I simply take a shower using only hot water (i.e. I do not "mix" cold water with the hot in order to get the temp back down to a comfortable level).  This saves propane by not heating the water to 140 degrees in the first place, saves water because I don't have to mix the hot with cold (wasting that water until I get the mix right), and saves me from enduring that short burst of "cold" when taking a navy shower and turning the water back on.

Bill

[John and Debbie]

9 hours ago, BoondockingAirstream said:

Previous owner took the 2019 Oliver Elite II into a 'Truma Service Provider'.  The Truma was not operationally.  The previous owner showed me the last service ticket that the Truma was Fixed, before I purchased the Oliver.

It did not work.  I took it apart... obviously... the Service Provider was tired of hearing from the Precious Owner, after THREE Service calls. The Fourthm maybe third was the copy given to me.  

When I called the Truma Service that did the 'service under warranty', they became tired of me, as well.  I have wondered if Truma Inc. was charged for these Service Calls.

 I was notified in the U S Mail recently, that Truma would replace the... PART... that was faulty.  A RECALL.  Of what kind?

I sent photographs of MY Truma to Oliver...My  Repairs... when I discovered the Truma leaked water into the Oliver... see photograph.  I was disappointed that Oliver  Inc. would not do anything to make it right. The original owner obviously had no fix and did not intentionally damage the copper tank heater.

 Obviously the local Service Provider... DID FIX IT... permanently.

When I received the Recall Notice... I was not approved by Oliver Inc.... as I tried to FIX IT, myself.  Once removing parts... no wonder it was not going to work.

I will find a much simpler system to install, like a 6 gallon simple Dometic Hot Water system, like the one that has operated perfectly in my 2019 Airstream, since new.

Am I happy?  Guess.  My Truma was within the numbers of the so called recall.  My Truma never worked for me, nor the original owner.  I have owned the Oliver Elite II since February 2022.  My Problem... says Truma and Oliver.  Otherwise our perfect Off the Grid Boondocking travel trailer.

I have had three Airstreams, new since 2006.  Kept the 2019 27 foot Airstream and the 2019 Oliver Elite II.  I like a Travel Trailer that is simple to operate, works, and some appliances that can be worked on if in remote locations.

The 6 gallon Dometics worked perfectly since 2006. When I began to FIX the Truma myself... This is WHAT I FOUND.  Photographs are October 2022.  Purchased Oliver February 2022 from original owner.

The Truma was an UPGRADE for an Oliver.  ...for what?  For... Selling spare parts... I guess.  I also noted Truma is pushing their hot water tanks. Customer satisfaction is interesting.  I know, I was an owner operated business for decades. Happy customers and friends return... I had to retire.  I understand that a customer and referrals, keeps one busy.  (I edited this after reading.)

 

 

Our Truma Aquago water heater has worked great since new.  I wouldn't go back to a tank water heater.  We had that in the previous trailer.  I also wouldn't try to repair it as I don't have the tools or knowledge.

John

[Ronbrink]

18 hours ago, Galileo said:

No, I don’t take long showers in the Oliver (or at all if campground showers are available)

We use CG showers to the extent possible, meaning if well maintained and clean. On our first day of camp arrival, we like to drive around for site familiarization and inspect the showers therein. Usually a choice pick is obvious, other times not so much; but a selection is made and we go with it. Oftentimes our selection is in lesser used camp areas where demand is lower and thus, no waiting! Yes. we usually have to drive a bit further, but we fold that late evening excursion into our wildlife viewing hunts. 

[Ronbrink]

19 hours ago, Galileo said:

The A/C is gonna be in a garage sale after I replace it with a Houghton.

May I suggest consideration of the Dreiha Atmos 4.4 15K AC/12K Heat 120V from SDG!

Edited January 19 by Ronbrink

[Galileo]

20 hours ago, topgun2 said:

(wasting that water until I get the mix right), and saves me from enduring that short burst of "cold" when taking a navy shower and turning the water back on.

Ummm - yes, Navy shower - I can do that.

On the other hand, trying to explain water conservation, grey tank size, etc - has been a challenge for me….

 

V

[Galileo]

5 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

May I suggest consideration of the Dreiha Atmos 4.4 15K AC/12K Heat 120V from SDG!

I’ll look into it! 

[Galileo]

18 hours ago, John and Debbie said:

Our Truma Aquago water heater has worked great since new.  I wouldn't go back to a tank water heater.  We had that in the previous trailer.  I also wouldn't try to repair it as I don't have the tools or knowledge.

John

Until the banging/thumping - out Truma has been fine too. 
 

The original water heater upgrade was largely due to a sales pitch. Though we don’t need “hot water as long as your propane lasts” the attraction to a “demand”/tankless water heater always gets a higher mark on my book.

As for the tools or knowledge - if the choice is “no hot water until we can find and schedule a service stop” or fix it myself, I’ll always opt for the fix it myself option. I’m a former mechanic and an avid DIYer who has rehabbed a 150 y/o house. So unless I get into something REALLY intricate or with a lot of circuit boards, I’m on it. I can’t leave home without a cache of tools. Just the required wrenches to properly torque the lug nuts means “toolbox” to me. I even keep a hydraulic floor jack in the truck because the OEM jacks are a joke.

V

Edited January 19 by Galileo

[Ronbrink]

29 minutes ago, Galileo said:

if the choice is “no hot water until we can find and schedule a service stop” or fix it myself,

I’m also in the experienced DIYer camp, but Truma products are ‘hands off’ when it comes to their and Oliver’s policies regarding warranty and recall issues. I would hate to have to pay for a new unit if another recall or failure occurred, and a full replacement was required. 

[Galileo]

4 minutes ago, Ronbrink said:

I’m also in the experienced DIYer camp, but Truma products are ‘hands off’ when it comes to their and Oliver’s policies regarding warranty and recall issues. I would hate to have to pay for a new unit if another recall or failure occurred, and a full replacement was required. 

Though I haven’t taken it up with Oliver, I’ve found Truma to be quite unresponsive to requests for warranty service.

Though I know the outer door on the water heater is prone to breaking. (By people who think you should swing it down rather than lift it off the bottom tabs.) Ours has never been mistreated - but still developed diagonal cracks at both rear corners. 

I emailed Truma asking to get a replacement door - even if I had to buy it. Response? None. Not even a “Go to your local dealer.”

I admit to not knowing how long the warranty is on the unit, but with my luck, by the time I need it - it’s expired.

As for recalls, should one affect my unit - and be worth taking advantage of - I’ve not modified the unit nor done anything that could even be detected as having touched it myself. (‘Course, if they looked here in this forum, they see my admission!) I suppose if push came to shove I could find an ambulance chaser, um, I mean product liability attorney, who would love to chat with Truma about sending people out on the road with a gas appliance that -could- set their trailer on fire…

When Oliver sent out the replacement valve cores for the tires, they included a gift card for some minor amount that would likely NOT cover having that work done at a shop. Certainly not enough to refill the tires with nitrogen as they came from the factory. Again - I did it myself because it was less time, trouble and $$$ than it would have been to take it to a shop.

Dealing as I have with service people, I tend to like to do it myself. It’s very rare to find a mechanic who cares as much about your car or trailer as you do. Warranty work typically pays poorly and the quality of the work is often commensurate with the mechanics compensation and resulting poor attitude and work ethic.

I didn’t intend to wax so cynical, but I have horror stories that back up my claims. So I always think -very- carefully before I let anyone work on my stuff. 

[Mike and Carol]

On 1/18/2025 at 5:42 PM, topgun2 said:

Well, not exactly.  As you use the water in the tank fresh (cold) water comes into the tank.  However, the water begins to heat up as it is being used. 

I've never actually used the 6 gallons taking a shower (or for anything else), so, I really don't know at what temp the water heater kicks back on nor how cold the water can get before all this happens.  Several years ago I did a post showing a mod to the water heater where I use a "meat thermometer" to tell me when the water is at about 104 degrees.  Then I simply take a shower using only hot water (i.e. I do not "mix" cold water with the hot in order to get the temp back down to a comfortable level).  This saves propane by not heating the water to 140 degrees in the first place, saves water because I don't have to mix the hot with cold (wasting that water until I get the mix right), and saves me from enduring that short burst of "cold" when taking a navy shower and turning the water back on.

Bill

I have to agree with Bill, here.  Over 9 years on our 6 gallon tank and the only maintenance has been changing out the anode, a simple 10 minute task.  Noise isn’t an issue either, we run it on electricity when we have hook ups and it’s pretty quiet.  6 gallons is enough for two showers in a row with some left over.  If you need to heat water quickly you can run it on both electricity and gas.  I know the Truma is new technology and offers some nice features, but our good old hot water tank and good old gas furnace have both been simple to operate and maintain.  Mike