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Member
Posts: 9
Location: Stevensville, MT | Has anyone had to replace the escape or rear doors on their Kiefer Built trailer? How did you replace them? Morgans2 |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
   
Location: western PA | Kiefer had a problem with doors a while ago. They were redesigned and improved. I don't know if the new style doors are interchangeable with the older ones. I would contact Kiefer or try Richard at Select Trailers at 1-877-685-4040, Local (931) 685-4040, Fax (931) 685-020 |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 714
Location: Minnesota | We had a 2000 Kiefer that had the doors go bad. The problem was the treated plywood used, reacted with the aluminum on the door and essentially ate the aluminum. Kiefer aas well as a large number of other businesses, including the construction industry were unaware of the problem. Kiefer did replace the doors for a few years, at no cost I believe, but no longer do. When I contacted them in 2007 they would replace them for a very reasonable price at their factory. Since I live only about 70 miles away I was all set to do it, but we found a different trailer first. I now own another Kiefer that we bought new last fall and love it. Contact Kiefer @ their web site or call them. I have found them to treat me very well.
Edited by genebob 2009-07-10 11:14 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 802
Location: Tenn/Ala. | Morgans,
Both of these earlier answers are accurate. Some years ago, in order to try and put one of the best values in aluminum trailers on the road, the KB Genesis used doors from Todco Door Co. If you've been around 18 wheeler trailers, you've seen their logo everywhere. To make a long story short- they didn't always hold up well in every application for horse folks. Todco has refused any warranty help on them from the beginning. For many years Kiefer had an active replacement program that addressed the issues, but any warranty coverage expired many moons ago. And for the record many Todco doors are still in good service. However, we occasionally see a unit where the Todcos are giving problems. As Genebob said, KB has a program where they will furnish doors that they have manufactured themselves at a greatly reduced cost. The hardware is transferred to the new doors, they are fitted into the opening, then mounted. Not a huge deal, but drilling holes in a shiny new door does take some nerve! We've assisted folks here with it, and Dave Spencer @ KB has helped folks close to one of their plants. You can get the approval ball started rolling by contacting him at 1-888-254-3337, or us at 931-685-4040. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: Georgia | I have an 08 Kiefer and I have Not had a door problem but I can attest to the fact that Dave Spencer at Kiefer will help in any way he can. I had an issue with my trailer when I first purchased it and he was very helpful and nice too! I received a prompt response/solution to my problem. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 681
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas | I believe CM's have/had this problem too, I previously replaced one of my escape doors on my '02 Odessy @ 5 years ago and now it trailer is in the shop to replace ALL doors prior to being sold.. CM is replacing the material for no cost, but the labor is out of my pocket... That will take a fairly large bite out of my sales $$$. |
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New User
Posts: 3
Location: Gravette, Ar | Is the only way to fix the door issue to replace them. Could you pull it apart and replace the wood and aluminum? save the skins and windows? I'm cheap and pretty handy put no one has talked about doing this. Thanks for the reply. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 802
Location: Tenn/Ala. | Beau, You probably could. The skin and wood is what actually will need replacing as the treated wood reacted with the skin. But the outer frame is likely good as will be the window & hardware. |
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New User
Posts: 3
Location: Gravette, Ar | On the trailer I am looking at. It looks as though the skins are good but the frame is broken so the door doesn't close at the top. I will swing by this afternoon and look at it more closely. Does the reaction cause the skins to rust through? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 802
Location: Tenn/Ala. | What you are seeing on the frame may just be typical hard use, Horse/accident/whatever damage. If so, you'll just have to look and see what is required to repair it. What has been referred to here does very much look and act like it is rusting through. It has happened with the dressing room doors from a few companies also. That situation is only a skin problem as a rule. |
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New User
Posts: 2
Location: Kansas | New to HTW. I had to join because of my Kiefer Built. To anyone that is still having issues with their doors or ramps, GOOD LUCK. It took an act of God to get Kiefer Built to replace the rubber on the ramp 5 years ago. I just found out yesterday of the problems with the ramps and doors rotting out. Needless to say, I am very unhappy. Why would they keep trailers on the road with issues pertaining to safety? Why didn't they notify anyone? They have lost my trust, completely. Former Kiefer Built fan. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 714
Location: Minnesota | cowgrl- Welcome to the forum, but when you are slamming a company, maybe you should give some specifics. Most of the posts on this thread were about a problem that occurred on trailers built in 2000 and 2001. These problems were not safety related to pull a trailer off the road. You stated that you had a problem with the rubber on your ramp. What was it? How old of trailer? Specifics would be helpful. A HAPPY KIEFER OWNER. |
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New User
Posts: 2
Location: Kansas | Kiefer Built Eagle XLA 2000 Custom with LQ. The issue with the rubber on the ramp should have been the first clue. The doors and ramps were manufactured by Todco. The ramp had rubber on it that was not suitable for climate changes. It was constantly buckling and bunching. After complaining for at least 3 months and having a horse injured from slipping on it, KB decided to "do me a favor and send me a new mat and trim". The trailer was still under FULL warranty. When the trailer was less than 5 years old, the ramp was beginning to bow in the middle. Of course, that was "common wear" and not under warranty. At 7 years old the entire ramp was shot. The company once again said I would just have to replace them. My Dad worked and worked on the ramp, so that I might be able to use it another season or two without the large expense. Yesterday, I contacted a small trailer company and asked them to replace the entire back of the trailer. He took one look and told me to contact KB, he said there was a significant problem with the set up. Once I contacted KB, they told me of the troubles with Todco and all the other trailers. They also told me that they didn't think there were any other trailers out there with the issues. As far as safety, with the ramp and side door's integrity compromised as it was, how could it be safe? My trailer has always been well taken care of and stored inside when possible. I am not "slamming" the company, just stating the facts about the trailer and their "customer service". I'm glad you are happy with your trailer but their are alot of people who were not and are not. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 714
Location: Minnesota | Kiefer did stand behind their doors for a number of years, but not a lifetime. The door problem was not their manufacturing, but a problem that at the time no one knew about. The new treatment (required by the EPA) would react with metal casing it to basically disintegrate. Many people that built decks and porches using the treated lumber had them fall apart because the nails and screws disintegrated. In 2006 they offered to replace doors for me at cost and no labor on a 2000 trailer. I traded first, but then came back to a new Kiefer and they still help and answer questions. |
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Keifer built doors
