AND... the list continues...  (Check out the videos HERE and HERE)

1)  I'm trying to find ways to safely use this flawed trailer.  One is to have a breakaway safety brake installed.  Apparently the wiring is not 'optimal' to say the least.  Because it is so messed up, the installer didn't want to attempt to splice in the breakaway.  The wiring is strung along the frame where the steel can wear away the wire coating.  This can result in electrical shorts, broken wires, etc.  As mentioned in the video, this is a 'piss-poor' job.

 2)  In addition to NOT installing the contracted and paid for black tank, the gray water tank installation is INCORRECT.  Apparently it is installed in a way that it won't drain properly.  ALSO, it was mounted to the frame resulting in very low clearance.  If we get a flat tire, the plumbing is at risk!  It should have been mounted between the frame cross members to allow for additional clearance.  See the video links above. 

3)  Aluminum wrap siding not fully secured.  At the rear of the trailer, the skin is not secured fully.  This will result in flapping as we drive down the road.  With enough flapping, it can bend and pull away from the frame.  See the video links above.

4)   In several places the sub floor is not attached to the frame.  The screws completely miss the cross member.  In other areas, screws are fully exposed.   See the video links above

5)  No seal around the sink.  If water gets on the counter top, it seeps under the sink edge and drips inside the cupboard.  Even I know caulking/seal is required around plumbing!!

Now...  what more will I find???  Jerry Ragon's work on my expensive trailer was less than incompetent.  

19ft Trailer Built on a 16ft Frame??

The fundamental rule in building any trailer is designing for proper axle placement.  In other words, use the 60/40 rule where 60% of the trailer and weight is in FRONT of the axle and 40% BEHIND.  Adhering to this rule will achieve a safe towing experience.  But, when the WRONG frame is used to build a trailer, it is impossible to achieve a safe ratio.  The Certificate of Origin now on file with the State of Utah Department of Motor Vehicles states my camper is a 16 ft trailer.  Yet, I contracted for and received a 19 ft trailer.  Why the discrepancy?  There is no discrepancy!  A trailer frame designed for a 16 ft trailer was used to build my 19 ft trailer.   CLICK HERE

 

This is my online review of  CH Campers, LLC aka CH Trailers, aka Retro Vintage Camper Restoration Parts, aka HFG Construction.  So everyone is aware, not everyone has had a bad experience. My purpose in posting this information is so people are aware of potential issues and to go into any agreement with their eyes wide open and ensure everything you ask for is done before shipment.. Don't be as trusting as I was!! Trust but verify... I failed in this aspect.  

Jerry had a great reputation with many people recommending him.  Thankfully, he has not treated all his customers this way.  I'm not asking anyone to get involved or to help me in any way.  This is for informational purposes only that hopefully will help others.  Hold him accountable.  Check everything.  Demand perfection if that is what you want.  Be smart.  Do these things and unlike myself, you will be OK.  Just don't expect him to correct anything after it leaves his shop because in my experience, he will lie and deny. GOOD LUCK!!!

For picture and video documentation of my newly built camper as annotated below, please visit the public folder on my Google Drive.  CLICK HERE New files are being added nearly every day!  The information below documents the issues I have had with the final product.

**UPDATED 5/5/2017**  Has Jerry sold his company or has he not?  Click Here and  Click Here Also, is the sequence of letters 'CH Camper' a copyright or a trademark?  Click Here and Here or search for yourself at http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=searchss&state=4805:573r1h.1.1 and http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First

**UPDATED 5/3/2017**  See additional links added below

Delivery Timeline:

- August 2, 2016 - Deposit of $2,500 paid.
- March 6, 2017 - After multiple construction delays, camper was picked up and on the road to Utah.
- March 12, 2017 - Because of trailer brake failures and driving slowly because of significant porpoising/hitch bounce and fishtail/swaying issues due to poor axle placement, the camper was delivered.

Issues Discovered after Delivery:

- Not all items from the purchase agreement were included:

• 30 amp provided instead of the documented 50 amp (claims it was a typo.)
• Tall cabinet to house appliances such as microwave, fridge, air conditioning.  Short cabinet provided instead.  Examples of his existing work on other trailers was provided.  I admit, this could be because of unclear communication on my part, despite showing examples.
•  Black water tank.  Provided with a Thetford Curve porta pottie instead.  No tank.
•  Interior walls and ceiling painted (paid extra $1000)  Bare wood shows through paint and some areas not painted at all.  No trim around windows.  Unfinished corners not caulked/covered properly.  Open nail holes in various places.  Interior walls covered in dirt.  Sloppy caulking.

-Axle Placement Incorrect:

• Claims he warned me he would have to move the axle to accommodate my suggested floor plan (CLICK HERE).  This is an outright lie.  With the exception of one phone call prior to sending a deposit, ALL communication was written in email and texts.  No such warning exists.  My suggested floor plan was flexible.  For example, I gave him the option of putting a twin bed in the back instead of a full if necessary.  (CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO)
• The axle placement is about 50/50 instead of the safe 60/40 ratio.  The camper measures a -2% tongue weight!  As a result, severe swaying and hitch bouncing occurs with any little bump and wind gust.  This is my first camper experience.  I didn't learn about the importance of axle placement until after the camper was delivered.

- Flaking Exterior Paint:

• Paint completed in January (pictures texted to me on January 24, 2016)  Trailer picked up in March.  On March 10th, Jerry claimed the paint was fresh and shouldn't have been hauled through strong storms.  Paint continues to flake with each wind storm while it sits in the driveway! Promised to send touch-up paint.  Told my attorney he didn't have my address despite providing it to him multiple times.
• Professional evaluation conclusion was an appropriate primer and sealer was not used.  To resolve, it will cost thousands.

- Heat unit was purchased (copy of invoice provided to me ) but was not installed.  Asked to have the unit mailed to me.  No response.  (CLICK HERE TO SEE INVOICE)

- Nail holes in laminate floor tiles 

- Exposed wood underneath trailer, leaving potential for water damage.  Used AdvanTech which is the best available.  However, according to the manufacturer:
http://www.huberwood.com/technical-library//15/205

• Q:  Can I leave AdvanTech panels exposed to the weather?
• A:  AdvanTech panels carry an Exposure 1 bond classification. This means that they are intended to withstand weather exposure during the construction phase of a project. However, the panels are not intended for permanent exposure to the weather. AdvanTech panels, like most other wood products, are susceptible to decay if exposed to long-term high moisture conditions. Proper conditioning or ventilation of crawl and attic spaces, as well as correct installation of roof and wall coverings and application of flashing and caulking, will minimize problems due to excessive moisture.

Complaints filed thus far:

• Initial concerns messaged to Jerry on March 10, 2017
• Report submitted to www.safercar.org on April 1, 2017 - Issue 10969863 (still in progress.)
• Demand letter sent by my attorney dated April 17, 2017.  Delivery receipt April  21, 2017
• Report submitted to Georgia Department of Commerce

Unfortunately, Jerry Labron Ragon (423-802-9804)  refuses to take responsibility for his shoddy workmanship.  After sending him emails listing the issues and asking how we can resolve the problems, he blocked me on Facebook and has not responded to emails or texts.  Too bad.  I trusted I was dealing with someone honest and he would back up his work.  His reputation was flawless when I chose to have him build my dream camper.  At one point he made a mistake on an invoice (in my favor.)  I emailed him pointing out the possible error.  I wanted to be completely honest and ensure it was correct.  The honesty wasn't reciprocated.