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Couple sues motor coach manufacturers By DANI DODGE When Carole and Kevin Miles bought their fancy new motor coach, they dreamed of the open road. Instead, they got the inside of a repair shop. The 2000 Patriot Motor Coach spent almost a third of the first year - 102 days - in the shop. After all that, the brakes still didn't work, according to a lawsuit filed recently in Medford. "It's bad," said their attorney David Paradis. "Really bad." Carole and Kevin Miles bought their luxury motor coach in April 2000 from Destinations RV Inc. Motor coaches are those classy bus-like motor homes that include all the comforts of a high-class condo on wheels. The Mileses are suing the manufacturers - Beaver Motor Coaches Inc., Magnum Manufacturing and SMC Corp. - for $308,000, plus interest and attorney fees. Manufacturers of the Mileses' motor coach did not return phone calls Monday. Motor coaches typically cost from $100,000 to more than $1 million. The Patriot model retails for $247,000 to $346,000, depending on options. The couple reported the brake problem after 2,200 miles, according to the lawsuit. They reported it again at 5,000 miles. They brought the motor coach to an authorized repair shop four or more times, but the mechanics failed to fix the brakes and a number of other problems with the motor coach, according to the lawsuit. Since the couple bought their motor coach, Coburg-based Destinations RV closed its doors and filed for bankruptcy. But Bend-based SMC Corp., one of the largest top-line motor coach manufacturers in the United States, is still producing its luxury recreational vehicles under the Beaver, Safari and Harney Coach Works brands. Paradis said he is serving the companies who manufactured and warranted the Miles' motor coach this week. After being served, the companies have 30 days to respond, but Paradis said he expects it may take as long as a year to resolve the dispute if it goes to trial. "We are basically just starting it now,' he said. In the lawsuit, the Miles are claiming breach of warranty, unlawful trade practices and lemon law violations. "Sometimes they are unable to fix it to the satisfaction the customer and when that happens something needs to be done," Paradis said. "This is where that's done." The lawsuit notes 17 different problems with the motor home ranging from chipping paint, to an engine that loses power, to a refrigerator that doesn't get cold, to an entry door that opens while the coach is being driven down the highway. "The coach is currently not operable because of the brake and engine problems," the lawsuit states. "By reason of the above described defects and the defendants' failure to repair the same, plaintiffs are entitled to return the vehicle to defendants and obtain a full refund of the purchase price, including collateral charges minus a reasonable allowance for use of the vehicle." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.