Highland Ridge-Open Range RV Exposed: Leaks, Slide Failures, Costly Repairs—What Shoppers Must Know

Owners repeatedly describe months-long delays waiting for dealer repairs after delivery—trips canceled, units parked at the dealer while parts “are on order,” and poor communication. This is not unique to one brand; it is an industry-wide risk. Your best leverage is a thorough, independent inspection before you sign final paperwork or accept delivery. A professional inspector can pressure-test plumbing, measure moisture in walls and slide floors, verify tire and axle specs, test electrical loads, and document punch-list items the dealer must resolve before you pay. Search locally: RV Inspectors near me.

Multiple public threads suggest that once payment clears, dealers may “push you to the back of the line.” If issues appear, demand written timelines for parts and repairs, and consider refusing delivery until critical items are fixed. See similar buyer stories here: Google – Dealer Repair Delays (Open Range) and community forums: Reddit – Warranty experiences.

Water intrusion is one of the most expensive, unit-killing issues on towables, and Open Range owners publicly document leak paths at roof penetrations, slide toppers, window frames, and corner moldings. Symptoms include soft floor sections, wall delamination, swollen cabinetry, and stained headliners. Owners frequently mention early-life resealing, indicating factory sealant application gaps or surface prep issues.

• Evidence threads and videos: YouTube – Open Range leaks, Google – Water leaks (Open Range), Reddit – leaks
• Forum discussions often tie leaks to slide-room alignment and wiper seals that don’t fully contact the sidewall. Search deeper: RVInsider – leaks on Open Range

Because water damage can devalue an RV sharply and is often excluded as “maintenance,” an independent moisture survey with a calibrated meter is essential at delivery. If you’ve experienced roof or slide leaks on this model, can you describe where they started?

Owners cite slide-out issues across several Open Range floorplans: noisy travel, racking, intermittent motors, binding, and premature seal wear. When alignment is off, wiper seals can tear and let water in. Some complaints point to heavy slide rooms (kitchens, fridges) on mechanisms better suited for lighter loads.

• Start with these searches: YouTube – Slide-out problems on Open Range, Google – Slide issues (Open Range), Good Sam – Slide discussion
• Forum narratives describe slide floors softening after water intrusion or insufficient support underneath heavy fixtures. See: RVInsider – Slide problems (Open Range)

Check every slide for square, consistent reveal, and full seal contact. Operate each slide multiple times under shore power, watch for asymmetry or stalls, and inspect the slide floors for moisture or deflection.

Delamination (bubbles or waves on exterior fiberglass) and spongy flooring are two of the most costly towable failures. Public posts attribute these to hidden moisture, failed adhesives, or manufacturing defects. Several Open Range owners report delam near slides and window cutouts.

• Research threads: Google – Delamination (Open Range), Reddit – delam experiences
• Video diaries show costly rebuilds: YouTube – Open Range delamination

Press across high-risk areas (lower walls, corners, under windows) and walk your entire floor in stocking feet to detect soft spots. A moisture meter reading should accompany your PDI report.

Many owner reviews flag loose trim, misaligned cabinet doors, staples popping, squeaks, drawer rails detaching, and poorly secured harnesses behind panels. While these items are repairable, they are red flags for overall assembly rigor and quality control at the factory.

• Consumer complaints: Google – Quality issues (Open Range), RVInsider – complaints
• Communities often share DIY fixes and fastener upgrades. Search the forums via: RVForums.com and RVForum.net (use on-site search).

Open Range towables use common third-party running gear (e.g., axles, brakes, springs, hubs). Owner reports document premature bearing wear, axle alignment issues causing tire cupping, and brake performance problems. Tire blowouts remain a recurring theme, with owners pointing to factory tires that are marginal for the GVWR or not adequately inflated for the rated load at delivery.

• Search and read: Google – Axle problems, Reddit – Tire blowouts
• Check NHTSA for running gear recalls that may capture your VIN: NHTSA – Open Range Recalls

Demand alignment specs, verify axle ratings match the sticker, and consider immediate tire upgrades if there’s a mismatch between real-world weights and tire load index. A scale ticket (CAT scale) is strongly recommended after loading.

Some fifth-wheel owners across many brands report “frame flex” at the front cap/pin box area: cracking sealant at the front cap, stress fractures around the pin box, or wall movement noticed when leveling. Open Range-specific threads describe similar symptoms, typically tied to flex under load or insufficient reinforcement.

• Owner accounts and checks: Google – Frame flex (Open Range), YouTube – Frame crack/flex Open Range

Inspect the pin box area inside the front storage and around welds. Look for paint cracks, shifting, or exposed fiberglass. Any movement merits documentation and potentially a structural specialist’s opinion.

Owners have flagged discrepancies between marketing brochures and actual Cargo Carrying Capacity on the placard. Heavy option packages can reduce CCC significantly. Inaccurate tire pressure labels have also been subject to recalls across multiple RV brands; verify your unit’s label and actual component ratings.

• Look up label-related recalls by VIN: NHTSA search
• Discussion threads: Good Sam – Weight issues, Reddit – CCC discussions

Open Range owners report loose PEX connections, traps and fittings that weep during travel, and inaccurate tank sensors reading “full” or “empty” persistently. Black tank venting and toilet seals also come up in complaint threads, resulting in odors or slow flush.

• Evidence and fixes: Google – Tank sensor problems, YouTube – Plumbing leaks
• Owner troubleshooting: Good Sam – Plumbing fixes

Insist the dealer pressure-test and dye-test the system. Ask them to document PSI and duration. Verify tight fittings after a test drive.

Owners question whether “extended season” or “four-season” marketing matches real-world insulation and ducting. Threads describe cold floors, condensation, lines freezing around the underbelly, and inconsistent furnace performance. Water heaters (gas/electric) also show nuisance faults (ignition lockouts, thermostats).

• Owner experiences: Google – Four season issues (Open Range), Reddit – Insulation and heating

If cold-weather camping is essential, require proof of heated/enclosed underbelly specs, inspect heat runs to tanks, and temperature-test ducts during PDI.

Public reports across brands, including Open Range, cite chafed wiring, loose grounds, undersized conductors, miswired outlets, and failure-prone transfer switches. Intermittent 12V drops can also wreak havoc on slide and appliance electronics. Electrical faults elevate both fire risk and the chance of being stranded with inoperative slides or jacks.

• Research threads: Google – Electrical problems, YouTube – Electrical issues

At delivery, load-test your 12V system (slides, jacks, lights, fans simultaneously), verify proper breaker labeling, and have an inspector remove distribution panels to inspect connections. Consider a smart EMS/surge protector to mitigate power pedestal issues at campgrounds.

Towable RVs, including Open Range, see periodic NHTSA recalls involving LP gas regulators/hoses, axle/suspension hardware torque, tire/pressure labeling, awning arm detachment, safety chain rating, and cooktop gas leaks. Do not assume your dealer or the prior owner completed recall work. Search your VIN here: NHTSA – Open Range Recalls.

• How to verify recall completion: Ask for the manufacturer’s recall completion letter or dealer RO (repair order) with VIN, date, and parts used.
• Community alerts and experiences: Reddit – Open Range recall discussions

Investigative channels often highlight recall blind spots and owner follow-through—search for Open Range on: Liz Amazing’s recall and PDI guides.

We see persistent reports of warranty appointments scheduled weeks out, units sitting in service bays for months awaiting authorization or parts, and owners paying out-of-pocket for mobile techs to avoid losing camping seasons. Complaints often name both dealers and the manufacturer for slow responses.

• BBB complaint patterns: BBB – Highland Ridge Open Range
• Owner narratives: Google – Warranty problems, Reddit – Denied/slow claims

Get all commitments in writing at the time of sale: who pays for mobile service, who transports the unit, turnaround times, and whether the selling dealer will prioritize you ahead of non-customers.

Public complaints reference denials citing owner maintenance responsibilities—especially sealant inspections, slide adjustments, and “consumable” components. This is common across brands but underscores the need for meticulous documentation. Keep photos, dated inspection notes, and receipts for materials and work to rebut denials under the warranty’s terms.

• Research coverage scope: Google – Warranty coverage (Open Range)

Some Open Range floorplans advertise enclosed/insulated underbellies, heated tanks, and enhanced insulation. Owner posts frequently counter that cold floors, condensation at windows, and freeze-prone lines still occur in shoulder seasons without aggressive space heating and skirting. Window and door air leaks are recurring complaints.

• Owner tests and feedback: Google – Condensation (Open Range), Reddit – Four season reality checks

Consider thermal imaging during PDI, and budget for window insulation upgrades if you expect winter camping.

Packages that add fashionable decor or electronics often overshadow under-the-skin necessities owners later pay for: suspension upgrades, better tires, battery systems, and surge protection. Forum posts suggest some buyers wish they had negotiated upgrades at purchase rather than paying retail later.

• Owner budgeting discussions: Good Sam – What to upgrade, Reddit – Upgrade priorities

Ask the dealer for line-item pricing and negotiate critical items (tires, suspension equalizers, batteries/solar controller) into the deal. And again—pre-delivery inspection: find an RV inspector near you.

Based on public complaints, legal exposure for the manufacturer and dealers can involve warranty violations, deceptive trade practices, and safety noncompliance:

• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (federal): Requires clear warranty terms and prohibits tying warranty coverage to using specific branded services or parts. Repeated failed repairs within warranty may support claims for damages.
• State Lemon Laws and the UCC: Many state lemon laws exclude towables or have different thresholds; however, Uniform Commercial Code implied warranty claims and state RV lemon laws (where applicable) may provide recourse for persistent defects substantially impairing use, value, or safety.
• NHTSA obligations: Manufacturers must notify owners of safety defects/recalls and provide a remedy at no cost. Failing to complete recall work timely can be reported to NHTSA. Search your VIN: NHTSA – Recall Search.
• FTC and State AG complaints: If advertising (e.g., “four season”) is materially misleading versus real-world performance, owners sometimes pursue deceptive advertising claims through the FTC or state attorneys general.
• Arbitration clauses: Some purchase contracts or extended warranties include arbitration provisions that limit court options—review your paperwork before signing.

Document everything: dates, photos, repair orders, correspondence. For chronic failures, consult a consumer attorney experienced with RV cases, and consider BBB complaints for additional leverage: BBB – File or read complaints.

Patterns in owner narratives and recall categories translate into real-world risk:

• Safety hazards: Gas leaks, electrical shorts, failing suspension components, and awning/slide detachments can cause injury or property damage. A significant slide or structural failure while traveling or leveling is dangerous.
• Financial risk: Water intrusion leading to delam/rot, frame flex repairs, and full running gear rebuilds are financially severe—often exceeding the depreciation hit of trading out. Extended downtime exacerbates sunk costs (insurance, storage, loan interest) while the RV is unusable.
• Reliability risk: Electrical and slide issues can strand you off-grid or at a campsite with a nonfunctional RV. Warranty delays compound the impact.

Consumer advocates repeatedly emphasize robust PDIs and post-delivery checklists—search for Open Range-focused tips on: Liz Amazing’s channel. If you’ve experienced safety-critical faults, will you warn other shoppers with specifics?

Some Open Range owners report positive dealer experiences, successful warranty repairs, and satisfaction with floorplans once early bugs were resolved. Highland Ridge has issued recalls and service bulletins that address specific defects, and marketing materials describe limited and structural warranty coverage (verify current terms; they can change year to year). A subset of owners are happy long-term after investing in preventative maintenance and targeted upgrades. Nonetheless, the weight of public complaints shows recurring themes around leaks, slide mechanisms, electrical QA, and repair delays. Using a rigorous PDI and insisting on documented fixes before delivery remain essential risk mitigations.

For context on separating marketing from reality in RV buying, see consumer advocacy breakdowns and PDI strategy videos—search for your exact model on: Liz Amazing’s RV buyer guides. And if you disagree with the consensus here, could you share what your unit did right?